Alan Oliveira 400m World Record?

When I wrote about Alan Oliveira running a 10.57 100m WR and his 200m 20.66 WR, you have to agree it’s just a matter of time when he makes the IAAF standards.  Moreover, if he decides to take up the 400m seriously, just like Usain Bolt, you know he has the potential to break the 400m Paralympic record.

Finally, with time and technology, we’ll see the Paralympic records better than the able bodies records.

One has to look at the Speedo LZR speedsuits in swimming and agree.

The top 2 secrets on running fast are:

1. amount of force during ground contact (in relation to body weight, as there is an optimal weight)
2. repositioning the legs during airtime between ground contact to apply the necessary force at ground contact (think triple extension)

Really, it’s that simple.

But what is the science behind it?

If you enjoyed Questions & Answers on Peter Weyand’s Research, you’ll enjoy this good read on The Huffington Post.

The article was written by Dr. Peter Weyand, as well as co-authored by Matthew Bundle, Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Montana, and SMU researchers Kenneth Clark and Laurence Ryan.

It discussed 3 main points in a very (very) summarized format:

• The Physics of Sprint Running with Biological Limbs
• Double Artificial Limbs Break Down the Biological Barriers to Performance
• No Technological Advantage for Single-limb Amputee Sprinters

Click here to go to Performance Enhancing Legs Race Toward the Track Record Book on The Huffington Post.