As I understand it, we’re partly breaking speed/jumping records because of equipment: better shoes or whatever will make a huge difference.
Not trying to belittle their achievements, but to me somebody breaking a weightlifting world record is a little more impressive, as presumably everything is identical every time except the person themselves?
How are we still breaking those sorts of records? Better training? Are we artificially selecting for better weightlifters (ie, olympic weightlifters have olympic weightlifting kids)?
In: Biology
First off, we have much larger populations from which to draw athletes. As world population grows, as more countries prosper to the level that people can participate in sports rather than just try to survive a subsistence lifestyle. 100 years ago, Olympic athletes were only from wealthy families in a couple dozen countries.
And training has improved. Athletes train more, have better coaching, as well as nutritionists, sports psychologists to help them achieve maximum performance.
Medical advancements also allow athletes to recover faster from minor injuries and keep careers alive after major injuries. There are fewer athletes who have careers derailed before they can reach the top of the sport.
And then there is equipment. Better shoes, more aerodynamic clothing and such. But that’s the least of the improvements over time.
Latest Answers