People run at optimum speed

Running season is coming, and amateurs as well as professionals usually aim to run faster. This may conflict with human biology, according to the authors of a study published in the journal Current Biology. Inclusion Scientists came to this conclusion after analyzing the movement of a group of athletes observed in laboratory conditions and recorded with the help of various data sensors from 37 thousand. It operates under normal conditions.

It has been found that humans have a natural tendency to maintain the speed that best preserves energy. Dr. says. Jennifer Hicks University, co-author of the publication.

What surprised the researchers most is the consistency of the results obtained from the different data. “We intuitively assume that people run faster for shorter distances and slow for longer distances,” said lead author Jessica Selinger of Queen’s University. Meanwhile, most runners were moving at a similar speed, whether they were short or long distances.

This makes sense when you think about evolution – humans will naturally choose the most economical speed, the researchers explain. Biologists have observed similar behavior in animals many times. However, in today’s world, the reasons why people run are different from those in our distant evolutionary past.

According to researchers, you can “cheat” nature, for example, with the help of simple tricks. “As previously described, listening to music at a fast pace helps increase the pace of your steps, which increases your running speed,” said Dr. Selinger. A faster runner’s company can also help.

Scientists hope that future research using body-worn sensors will reveal new secrets of sport and movement. “You can look at links to the environment or access to entertainment and analyze all of this data to see how to improve physical activity and population health,” says Dr. Hicks.

Marek Matakz