I have a theoretical question. What do you think is the absolute fastest time possible for a human being in the 100 yard freestyle. One way I was looking at it was to start at 1.00 second and say, will anyone ever be able to swim it in 1.00 sec. No. Will anyone ever be able to swim it in 2.00 seconds. No...so on and so on. At what time do you stop and say, hmmm, maybe someday someone would be able to swim that fast.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by jim thornton
It's a very interesting question. Perhaps if someone with algebraic skills and the history of the 100 m world record (this might be a better distance to look at because more people have swum it), you could plot the performances over time. I would assume the rate of improvement has been slowing, and you might be able to come up with some sort of asymtote type line we'll likely never, as a species, bust through.
The problem is that while this is a valid mathematical exercise, it is a bit problematic as a useful exercise. The reason is that this assumes that there can be no paradigmatic shifts in technique, training, rules, or other variables. Still, it might be fun. If I can find a site with the records progression and I have a few minutes (not likely at this time of year, but...), I'd like to look at this problem.
I suspect that the theoretical limit is more complicated and based on a combination of the following:
a) How fast can one react to the starting signal.
b) How far can one go in the air at the start.
c) What is the theoretical limit for underwater speed given one's anthropometric data, up to the legal limit for staying under water.
d) What is the theoretical limit for speed for being on top of the water. (Approx 1 body length per second, I believe.)
e) How quickly can one make a flip turn.
f) How much velocity can be generated off that flip turn and how much streamlining can be affected off the turn.
As was discussed in another thread, I'd bet that all things being equal, height will be a strongly correlated factor (it might have a slight negative correlation for a) and e)).
-LBJ
Originally posted by jim thornton
It's a very interesting question. Perhaps if someone with algebraic skills and the history of the 100 m world record (this might be a better distance to look at because more people have swum it), you could plot the performances over time. I would assume the rate of improvement has been slowing, and you might be able to come up with some sort of asymtote type line we'll likely never, as a species, bust through.
The problem is that while this is a valid mathematical exercise, it is a bit problematic as a useful exercise. The reason is that this assumes that there can be no paradigmatic shifts in technique, training, rules, or other variables. Still, it might be fun. If I can find a site with the records progression and I have a few minutes (not likely at this time of year, but...), I'd like to look at this problem.
I suspect that the theoretical limit is more complicated and based on a combination of the following:
a) How fast can one react to the starting signal.
b) How far can one go in the air at the start.
c) What is the theoretical limit for underwater speed given one's anthropometric data, up to the legal limit for staying under water.
d) What is the theoretical limit for speed for being on top of the water. (Approx 1 body length per second, I believe.)
e) How quickly can one make a flip turn.
f) How much velocity can be generated off that flip turn and how much streamlining can be affected off the turn.
As was discussed in another thread, I'd bet that all things being equal, height will be a strongly correlated factor (it might have a slight negative correlation for a) and e)).
-LBJ
