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
That’s a good question. And I can’t really answer which is more impressive. I know there’s a lot of controversy over a particular type of shoe that’s legal in running events this year. And a few years ago there was a swimming costume that was controversial.
As for how world records keep getting beaten, there’s a lot.
As more people are born the chances of the right person with the perfect genetics (big lungs, long legs,unusual flexibility etc.) Increases. So inevitably there’s always going to be someone better eventually
Add in that our understanding of training and nutrition is always improving and it’s not really surprising that records get beaten.
Then you can also consider than sponsors throw more money at a sport. That adds a lot.
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