{"id":958,"date":"2017-08-01T18:53:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-01T18:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mathworks.com\/headlines\/?p=958"},"modified":"2023-02-22T09:14:58","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T14:14:58","slug":"researchers-use-image-processing-to-study-usain-bolts-stride-does-scoliosis-make-him-faster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mathworks.com\/headlines\/2017\/08\/01\/researchers-use-image-processing-to-study-usain-bolts-stride-does-scoliosis-make-him-faster\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers use image processing to study Usain Bolt’s stride. Does scoliosis make him faster?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Times<\/em>\u00a0article,\u00a0Something Strange in Usain Bolt\u2019s Stride<\/a>, asked the question: Is Usain Bolt the fastest sprinter ever in spite of \u2014 or because of \u2014 an uneven stride that upends conventional wisdom?<\/p>\n

Bolt, an eight-time Olympic gold medalist, holds the world record in the 100 m and 200 m race, as well as of part of the 4 x 100 m relay. Bolt is also the only sprinter to win\u00a0Olympic 100 m\u00a0and\u00a0200 m\u00a0titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016), a feat referred to as the “triple double.” Yes, he\u2019s that fast. But\u00a0he also has scoliosis<\/a>. In fact, his right leg is 1\/2 inch shorter than his left leg, per his autobiography.<\/p>\n

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Usain Bolt in the 200m heats, August 7, 2012. Image Credit: Wikipedia CC license.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

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Understanding the mechanics of sprinting<\/h2>\n

Researchers from Southern Methodists University (SMU) are experts in the biomechanics of sprinting. The\u00a0SMU Locomotor Lab, led by\u00a0Peter Weyand, accessed Bolt\u2019s running mechanics to understand what makes him so fast.<\/p>\n

They knew from previous studies of world class sprinters to expect peak forces nearing 1000 pounds for each stride. They also understood and that sprinters\u2019 feet are in contact with the ground less than 1\/10th<\/sup>\u00a0of a second. They knew that Bolt was taller than his competitors, taking longer strides. Bolt typically finishes a 100 m race in 41 strides versus his competitors\u2019 45. What they didn\u2019t know was that Usain Bolt has an uneven stride.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0The New York Times<\/em>\u00a0article, the team did not know that one of Bolt\u2019s legs was longer than the other when they began their study. They discovered that instead of the typical one to\u00a0three-percent\u00a0difference in stride, Bolt\u2019s left leg is in contact with the ground 14% longer than his right leg. There was also a significant difference between the force created by his left foot and that of his right foot. His right foot created a peak force of 1080 pounds, whereas the force created by his left foot hitting the track was calculated to be 955 pounds. The difference in peak force is clearly seen in the video below:<\/p>\n

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