Greg Foot investigates whether humans will be able to run faster and continue to break world records, or if there is a limit to human performance.
Greg explains that running involves exerting a force against the ground which in turn exerts a counter-force on the human body. The greater the force exerted by the leg muscles, the faster a sprinter can run.
He demonstrates the force exerted by running over a pressure pad and explains the force is measured in Newtons. A top athlete can exert a force of four times their body weight but this force is limited by our genes.
Greg explains the difference between slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibres and why sprinters need genes that ensure they have more fast-twitch fibres than most other people.
He then explains why four legs are better than two legs and investigates if having longer legs would enable us to run faster.
Teacher Notes
This short film could be useful for students when looking at human biology, the genetics of inheritance and how muscles work.
Students could investigate force and counter-force when a force is applied to an object in relation to Newton鈥檚 laws.
Curriculum Notes
These short films will be relevant for teaching physics and chemistry at both KS3 and KS4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/5 in Scotland.
More from the Secrets of Everything:
Can you make a star on Earth? video
Greg Foot demonstrates that a star is just like a continuous chemical reaction.
How big is one giant leap on the Moon? video
Greg Foot finds out how high he can jump on Earth compared to on the surface of the Moon.
How can you survive a lightning strike? video
Just how dangerous is lightning and how can anyone survive a direct lightning strike?
If the whole world jumped at the same time would the planet move? video
Greg Foot investigates the question on everyone's lips; what if everyone in the world jumped at the same time?
Could I survive an asteroid strike? video
Greg Foot investigates what would happen if an asteroid collided with Earth.
Why is the sky blue? video
Greg Foot discovers why the sky is blue by examining the effect of the atmosphere.
Why do boomerangs come back? video
Why a boomerang will always return to its thrower when thrown correctly.
Why is fire hot? video
Greg Foot demonstrates how fuel, heat and oxygen are required to produce fire.
Can I escape from quicksand? video
Why quick sand is dangerous and the forces involved that make it difficult to escape from.
