Name: Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?
Uploaded: 2014-04-29T14:59:23Z
Duration: 14 min 39 s
Description: When you look at sporting achievements over the last decades, it seems like humans have gotten faster, better and stronger in nearly every way. Yet as David Epstein points out in this delightfully counter-intuitive talk, we might want to lay off the self-congratulation. Many factors are at play in shattering athletic records, and the development of our natural talents is just one of them.

*Olympia*

How much higher? How much faster?

Biomechanical analysis of the sprint and hurdles events at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics

The Sub-4 Alphabetic Register

I meant to say “per year,” not “per decade.” That was just a verbal mistake, and I didn’t even realize I’d made it until I saw the video later. Really in the moment! 

Sir Roger's Run

The 1904 Olympic Marathon May Have Been the Strangest Ever

*The Race Against Time*

The Physical Characteristics of the Athlete

Kenya’s Running Tribe

When you look at sporting achievements over the last decades, it seems like humans have gotten faster, better and stronger in nearly every way. Yet as David Epstein points out in this delightfully counter-intuitive talk, we might want to lay off the self-congratulation. Many factors are at play in shattering athletic records, and the development of our natural talents is just one of them.

David Epstein: Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?

Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?

Jesse Owens vs. Usain Bolt comparison reveals how advances in technology and training have narrowed historic performance gaps.

Advancements like synthetic tracks and biomechanics reveal it’s technology, not human evolution, enhancing athlete performance.

A shift in physical education ideals and global talent scouting led to specialized body types dominating diverse sports niches.