800 meters: Why faster first 400?

Discussion in 'Biology & Genetics' started by Dinosaur, Jul 27, 2012.

  1. Dinosaur Rational Skeptic Valued Senior Member

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    Modern 800 meter runners run the first 400 meters faster than the second 400 meters.

    Circa 40-60 years ago, the second 400 meters was faster. In the past, an 800 meter runner whose ultimate speed was (for example) 1:50 typically ran 55.5 to 56 seconds for the first 400 & then 54.5 to 54 seconds for the second 400 meters. A runner in that era who ran say 53 seconds for the first 400 meters had difficulty running as fast as 57 seconds for the second 400 meters (Assuming that the best he could do was 1:50).

    Why the difference?

    Are modern runners physically different: Better cardio-vascular system; Better muscles; Better blood chemistry, allowing more efficient elimination of waste products from muscle tissues.

    Have modern training methods developed a different type of runner?

    Might the difference be due to coaches being able to find runners with a different set of physical characteristics? Id est: The modern type of runner existed long ago, but ran other distances or did not try out for a track team.​

    The historical reason for the faster second 400 was (I think) due to being able to go all out for the last 100 to 150 meters without concern for muscles being tied up & hardly usable at the end of the race.

    BTW: Bolt (100 meters) seems to be a fundamentally different runner than those who used to be world class sprinters. He has a sustained top speed noticeably faster than his competitors. His stride is longer.

    Does anyone here know of a better forum in which to discuss the above issue?
     

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