Modeling energy loss around the curve

There have been several attempts to model racing performances in track and field based on statistical fits of world records. However, none of the models considered account for the fact that the 200-400m sprints are partially run on a curve, which should reflect in the overall race time. I present a simple model which serves to determine a sprinter's energy loss around the curve, and use this to predict possible world records based on 1996 athletic records.

"A Simple Model for Predicting Sprint Race Times Accounting for Energy Loss on the Curve"
- HTML, PostScript [2 Mb], PostScript 2 [199 kb]; PDF
- Published: Can. J. Phys. 75, 837-851 (1997)
"And the winner is . . . Predicting the outcome of the 150m showdown"
- HTML, PostScript [81.5 kb]
- Published: Athletics: Canada's National Track and Field/ Running Magazine (June 1997)
"Testing the Sprint Curve Model using the 150m Bailey-Johnson Showdown"
- HTML, PostScript [93 kb]
- Published: Appendix, Can. J. Phys. 75, 837-851 (1997)

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Please send quuestions or comments to Jonas Mureika at newt@physics.utoronto.ca, or to the address/fax listed.

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