THE BIOMECHANICS OF THE SUB-FOUR MINUTE MILE
Team: Michigan Performance Research Laboratory
Summary: Elite middle distance runners may serve as a unique population of runners that have undergone a substantial degree of ‘self-optimization’ to achieve high level running performance through a combination of both long distance and short explosive training. The Michigan Performance Research Laboratory is analyzing the mechanics and physiology of male runners who have run under four minutes for the mile and female runners who have run under 4:36 (IAAF equivalent). They are examining the runners across a variety of training and racing paces to identify patterns common amongst them, as well as their unique individual traits as a means of characterizing high-functioning systems.