'> The Fastest Athlete In The World
Strength and Conditioning for Track and Field

Sunday, 7 February 2010

The Fastest Athlete In The World

In the video below Alex Maroko tells us who he thinks the fastest athlete in the world is. Of course, Alex has not gone for the obvious answer of Usain Bolt. Instead he has chosen someone who displays impressive 'game speed' or agility.

I too believe that being the best 100m sprinter in the world does not necessarily make you the fastest man in the world.



For me, there are two ways of looking at this:

1) Which human can run faster than any other person on the planet?
2) Which human can move a limb at a greater speed than any other person on the planet?

To answer the first question it is of no use simply giving this accolade to the first person past the post in a straight line race from A to B.

Why?

The winner of the race is not necessarily the athlete with the greatest top speed. The second placed athlete may have lost the race due to a poor start or a poor acceleration phase. In this situation it would be perfectly possible for the athlete who placed second to have reached a greater top speed.

With regard to the second question, my hunch is that a Javelin thrower somewhere in the world probably has the ability to move his arm at a greater speed than anyone else. The title of 'fastest arm in the world' could, however, easily belong to an athlete from any number of sports that heavily rely on throwing.

I really want to hear your thoughts on this matter. Leave a comment below and tell me what you think. You can answer either question or even both questions. Most importantly though, I want to hear the reason for your answers.

My favourite answer will win a prize!


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TIM EGERTON STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING CONSULTANCY


Posted by Sprint Strong at 08:31
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5 comments:

  1. I still think Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world. The last part of his race is his best part. I don't think there is anyone with better top speed.
    ReplyDelete
  2. Before you can say there is no man with a better top speed than Bolt, you must realise that yeah hes the best sprinter in the world at maybe maintaining his top speed, any other runner there could have a greater top speed than bolt but without the ability to maintain this speed!

    Thus my opinion about the fastest people in the world I believe to be within some sort of jumping event, once you remove the ground resistance in theory (with correct aerodynamics) you can achieve a greater speed in flight (obviously only for a short ammount of time which cannot be maintained)than possible in sprinting. maybe a long jumper or floor gymnastics mid flight(obviously not using the trampette as this wouldnt count)

    I like this question gets you thinkin!
    ReplyDelete
  3. I like your thinking Nik. In fact you have inspired me to write a new article for the blog. I will announce the winner of the 'best comment competition' when I publish this article.

    So there is still time to get your thoughts in everyone!

    Regards,

    Tim
    ReplyDelete
  4. There's lots of factors other than top speed that determine the winner of a 100m race:

    reaction time; power out of the blocks; acceleration; maximum speed; speed endurance; dip finish.
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  5. I think that fastest man is the 60m dash world record (maurice green) i guess but. i think the 60m dash champion is " THE FASTEST MAN " its a shame indoor track doesnt get more publicity nor some couttries do not compete in it.

    "Game speed" IS WHAT i call quickness and agility
    sure whomever he said may be THE QUICKEST IN THE WORLD.
    run a 10yard dash, a 3cone drill,a short shuttle, thats Game speed.

    FAST- IS acceleration and top end speed.
    quick and fast two different things
    ReplyDelete

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