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Mathematical explanation uncovered how Usain Bolt defied air resistance and biomechanics to achieve his extraordinary world record sprint.
More than a decade ago, a team of scientists unveiled a groundbreaking mathematical model to explain Usain Bolt's extraordinary speed.
Bolt's 100-meter sprint at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, clocking in at an astonishing 9.58 seconds, remains the world record even in 2024.
This extraordinary feat captured the attention of researchers, who sought to unravel the physical and biomechanical factors that enabled such unparalleled performance.
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The research, published in the European Journal of Physics, examined the interplay of power, energy, and drag forces that Bolt had to overcome during his historic race.
The team calculated that Bolt reached a peak speed of 12.2 meters per second—approximately 27 mph—while expending tremendous energy to combat air resistance.
Surprisingly, less than 8% of the energy his muscles generated translated into forward motion.
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The rest was absorbed by drag, a phenomenon exacerbated by his towering 6-foot-5-inch frame, which is less aerodynamic than the average person.
Jorge Hernandez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, a leading researcher in the study, highlighted the significance of Bolt's achievement in overcoming these physical challenges.
“Our calculated drag coefficient highlights the outstanding ability of Bolt. He has been able to break several records despite not being as aerodynamic as a human can be. The enormous amount of work that Bolt developed in 2009, and the amount that was absorbed by drag, is truly extraordinary," he said as per BBC.
Hernandez explained that as Bolt sprinted, the drag force increased substantially with his speed, presenting a significant "physical barrier."
“It is so hard to break records nowadays, even by hundredths of a second, as the runners must act very powerfully against a tremendous force which increases massively with each bit of additional speed they are able to develop. Of course, if Bolt were to run on a planet with a much less dense atmosphere, he could achieve records of fantastic proportions," he added.
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This analysis underscored the unique physical traits that set Bolt apart. According to John Barrow of Cambridge University, whose prior studies focused on Bolt’s biomechanics, his incredible speed was due, in part, to his extraordinary stride length.
"He has lots of fast twitch muscle fibers that can respond quickly, coupled with his vast stride is what gives him such an extraordinary fast time," Barrow noted.
While Bolt’s reaction time to the starting gun was relatively slow, Barrow believed there was untapped potential for him to break his record under more favorable conditions.
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Factors such as a faster reaction time, a stronger tailwind, and higher-altitude tracks with reduced air resistance could give Bolt an edge.
Reflecting on his Berlin race, Barrow pointed out that Bolt ran with a tailwind of only 0.9 meters per second, far below the allowable 2.0 meters per second for record-setting purposes.
“Without becoming any faster, he has huge scope to improve,” Barrow remarked.
The study, made possible by precise measurements of Bolt's position and speed during the Berlin race, has fueled ongoing interest in what makes exceptional athletes so unique.
Hernandez expressed hope that future data would shed light on how individual differences in physiology and biomechanics contribute to extraordinary performances.
Even today, Usain Bolt’s world record remains a testament to his remarkable combination of natural ability, technical precision, and resilience against the physical forces that limit human speed.
Over a decade later, the science behind his achievement continues to inspire awe and curiosity, keeping Bolt firmly in the spotlight as the fastest man alive.
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