Another post that I wanted to comment on but didn't have the time. A common misconception is that a tail wind "pushes a runner along." This of course is true only where the aiding wind is so great it is greater than the runners velocity with respect to the ground. Even with a tail wind a runner experiences a retarding force. This force is proportional to the square of the runner's velocity with respect to the air and his cross sectional area. Thus, Gerald, being larger than most runners, actually experienced a greater retarding force than smaller athletes whether the wind was positive or negative.
The figure of merit in being able to overcome head winds is the ratio of force generated at a high rate of muscular contraction to cross sectional area. It is likely, however, that Gerald's weight training improved his ability to generate force at a high rate of contraction and gave him an advantage in a head wind over smaller (and weaker) athletes. Gerald Woodward wrote: > Dan, > > This is what I was trying to say in my previous email. I was a tall (6' 3", > 206 lb.) sprinter (9.6 sec. 100 yards, 21.3 sec. 220 yards). Because of > my height and breadth, I could take more advantage of tailwinds than could > some of my shorter and smaller competitors (normally 5' 6" to 5' 10" and 135 > to 160 lbs). > > I also was able to better handle headwinds because of the additional > strength that I developed as a football player lifting weights. It was not > a matter of training for winds as it was being able to recognize that I > needed to make a slight modification in my running style if I had a tailwind > versus a headwind and use it to my best advantage. > > If the athlete has had good coaching and is intelligent, and most are, they > can and do use differing conditions to their advantage in any sport. > > Woody -- Wayne T. Armbrust, Ph.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Computomarx™ 3604 Grant Ct. Columbia MO 65203-5800 USA (573) 445-6675 (voice & FAX) http://www.Computomarx.com "Know the difference between right and wrong... Always give your best effort... Treat others the way you'd like to be treated..." - Coach Bill Sudeck (1926-2000)
