External effects in the 400-m hurdles race.

A mathematical model based on a differential equation of motion is used to simulate the 400-m hurdles race for men and women. The model takes into account the hurdler's stride pattern, the hurdle clearance, and aerobic and anaerobic components of the propulsive force of the athlete, as well as the effects of wind resistance, altitude of the venue, and curvature of the track. The model is used to predict the effect on race times of different wind conditions and altitudes. The effect on race performance of the lane allocation and the efficiency of the hurdle clearance is also predicted. The most favorable wind conditions are shown to be a wind speed no greater than 2 m/s assisting the athlete in the back straight and around the second bend. The outside lane (lane 8) is shown to be considerably faster than the favored center lanes. In windless conditions, the advantage can be as much as 0.15 s for men and 0.12 s for women. It is shown that these values are greatly affected by the wind conditions.

[1]  Chester R. Kyle,et al.  Aerodynamics of the human body in sports , 1989 .

[2]  Joseph B. Keller,et al.  A theory of competitive running , 1973 .

[3]  W. G. Pritchard.  Mathematical Models of Running , 1993, SIAM Rev..

[4]  Jonas Mureika.  Modeling wind and altitude effects in the 200 m sprint , 2003 .

[5]  P. Greene.  Running on flat turns: experiments, theory, and applications. , 1985, Journal of biomechanical engineering.

[7]  A. J. Ward-Smith,et al.  A mathematical analysis of the 4 × 100 m relay , 2002, Journal of sports sciences.

[8]  Jonas Mureika.  A realistic quasi-physical model of the 100 metre dash , 2000, physics/0007042.

[9]  A J Ward-Smith,et al.  A mathematical analysis of the influence of adverse and favourable winds on sprinting. , 1985, Journal of biomechanics.

[10]  Jonas Mureika,et al.  A realistic quasi-physical model of the 100 m dash , 2001 .

[11]  Frank I. Katch,et al.  Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance , 2006 .

[12]  P. Gastin,et al.  Energy system contribution during 200- to 1500-m running in highly trained athletes. , 2001, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[13]  M. Sawka,et al.  ACSM Position Stand: The Use of Blood Doping as an Ergogenic Aid , 1996 .

[14]  J. Dapena,et al.  Effects of Wind and Altitude on the Times of 100-Meter Sprint Races , 1987 .

[15]  A. J. Ward-Smith.  New insights into the effect of wind assistance on sprinting performance. , 1999, Journal of sports sciences.

[16]  J. Hamilton,et al.  Heavy ions–looking ahead , 1973 .

[17]  J. R. Mureika.  The Legality of Wind and Altitude Assisted Performances in the Sprints , 2001 .

[18]  A J Ward-Smith,et al.  A mathematical analysis of the bioenergetics of hurdling. , 1997, Journal of sports sciences.

[19]  Mike D Quinn.  The effects of wind and altitude in the 400-m sprint. , 2004, Journal of sports sciences.

[20]  Nicholas P. Linthorne,et al.  The Effect of Wind on 100-m Sprint Times , 1994 .

[21]  Mike D. Quinn.  The effects of wind and altitude in the 400-m sprint , 2004 .