Does height effect how fast you run?

Question

It is for a science fair project.

Answer 1

IF you are in great shape, YES. Your legs are longer and you will take longer strides, however short people are very fast also. (some) You do not have to be tall to be fast. Leg muscle strength is a must no matter how tall you are.

Answer 2

Each step would be a little longer, but this is only one of the many factors involved. Average people of the same physical condition..my bet would be the longer legged people would do better. But the circulation, distribution of oxygen, lung function..so many other factors go into a competitive level of athletics. Other differences..like whether you smoke, what shape you're in...would make so much more difference. Sometimes shorter people have a lower center of gravity and seem to be more graceful...so I would guess it's not a big factor..but a factor.

If you took a pro-basket ball player and a little person..of course it would make a bigger difference..but most people will not see such drastic differences and variation on their leg legnth, particularly in similar age groups, the way we normally compete...not so much that it could be considered an unfair advantage.

Answer 3

I am not a doctor but I do believe it does. If someones legs are longer and the agility factor is even, then the longer strides should equate to a faster gait. Henceforth there should be more speed to the taller person. Even though it seems someone that is shorter seems to run really fast it is due to the amount of extra steps to cover the same amount of ground. Therefore I believe the taller person can run faster.

Answer 4

Logically because of longer limbs a tall person should have larger strides & run faster than others. This is also true as seen in Olympic 100, 200m sprints. But I feel for longer races 1500m & above the blood circulation of a taller person may be taking a few micro seconds more & the resultant oxygen shortage may result in breathlessness. This is just a personal presumption but sounds logical.

Answer 5

As people get taller and remain proportional, their volume increases in three dimensions. Volume is equal to weight. However, their muscle strength increase in two dimensions. Muscle strength is a function of its cross sectional area generally. This is why Yoa Ming and Shaq will never catch Kobe. There is an ideal size where a particular height maximizes all these factors. It is probably between 5.5 and 6 feet in height though is based on many factors including coordination.

Answer 6

I dont think so....with one exception...shorter people seem to fair better in cross country races. Other than that I think how fast you run is based 90% on natural talent and 10% on training. Some short people are naturally talented, some tall people are naturally talented.

Answer 7

LOOOOL.. I think it does in a way.
I dont wanna repeat all of the stuff they said but most of it is right! What Dan p said about the longer angle is right.. But in my case, I dont run that fast :p I'm with Jo on this:
That would explain my problem -- I hate to run cause I don't do it very well >> Only I'm 5'10 :p

Answer 8

First of all i say shame, little cheater. But ill help u anyway. IF u have longer legs the more distance is coverd. think of this as an angel the bigger it gets the wider it gets . but some people only have tall backs so the running princile doesn't apply

Answer 9

Dear Issac B

Take into account height minus weight adding in speed velocity even body mass would play a key factor I believe in this fast run equation
aire go feather vs dumb bell scenario lighter than air .. you know
Imagine for a moment..............close your eyes your in a car with the windows down air bursting in, gliding into every nuke and cranny. holding speed back... compared to windows up air flowing over and across therefore helping speed. heard that saying so fat can't run in between the rain drops... lol.... answer I believe height might help for your feet would be longer to cover more ground. smile....

Answer 10

velocity = Frequency x Wavelength so which you may run quicker you'll be able to desire to advance the frequency of strides or advance the size of the stride. good judgment might advise that the longer your legs (i.e. the taller you're) the longer the wavelength. whether the taller you're in many circumstances the slower your strides grow to be (they might desire to return and forth better), so its a compromise particularly. So top could be significant, yet once you maximise your frequency or your wavelength, then you particularly would be speedy, and it particularly is the place the wellbeing element is obtainable in. by technique of being extra wholesome you are able to maximise the two components.