Have you ever wondered if there might come a time when humans reach their peak physical development? For example, could there be a point where Olympians can no longer set records? Is this possible?
In 1908, the marathon record was 2:55:18. Over the next 50 years, this time was broken 22 times, reducing the record by more than 40 minutes! However, everything changed afterward. In the following 50 years, the time was reduced by only 10 minutes, and since 2002, the record has improved by less than four minutes. It seems something has shifted…
This general pattern is observed in almost all sports; occasionally, there are jumps due to changes in rules or the introduction of new techniques and equipment, but the improvement due to muscle work is becoming less and less.
Various studies have attempted to extrapolate this trend to determine the limits of human capability. For example, research conducted at the University of Wyoming, USA, showed that the time for running 100 meters is not limited by how much force a runner can apply to the ground but by how quickly they can move their legs forward again after each step.
Other studies suggest that the maximum possible time for the 100-meter dash is around 9.44 seconds—only 0.14 seconds faster than Usain Bolt’s current world record, set in 2009.
Usain Bolt, a Jamaican sprinter specializing in short distances, has held the 100-meter dash record since 2009, with a time of 9.58 seconds. Interestingly, the first record was set by Reginald Walker of South Africa, who ran 100 meters in 10.80 seconds in 1908.
Despite these biological limitations, there will never be a time when Olympic records stop being broken for one simple reason: spectacle. Every competition must adapt to give us the exciting prospect of new records being set; otherwise, it will be replaced by other competitions and shows.