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From Oxford to Hawaii Ecophysiological Barriers Limit Human Progression in Ten Sport Monuments

Author

Listed:
  • François-Denis Desgorces
  • Geoffroy Berthelot
  • Nour El Helou
  • Valérie Thibault
  • Marion Guillaume
  • Muriel Tafflet
  • Olivier Hermine
  • Jean-François Toussaint

Abstract

In order to understand the determinants and trends of human performance evolution, we analyzed ten outdoor events among the oldest and most popular in sports history. Best performances of the Oxford-Cambridge boat race (since 1836), the channel crossing in swimming (1875), the hour cycling record (1893), the Elfstedentocht speed skating race (1909), the cross country ski Vasaloppet (1922), the speed ski record (1930), the Streif down-hill in Kitzbühel (1947), the eastward and westward sailing transatlantic records (1960) and the triathlon Hawaii ironman (1978) all follow a similar evolutive pattern, best described through a piecewise exponential decaying model (r2 = 0.95±0.07). The oldest events present highest progression curvature during their early phase. Performance asymptotic limits predicted from the model may be achieved in fourty years (2049±32 y). Prolonged progression may be anticipated in disciplines which further rely on technology such as sailing and cycling. Human progression in outdoor sports tends to asymptotic limits depending on physiological and environmental parameters and may temporarily benefit from further technological progresses.

Suggested Citation

  • François-Denis Desgorces & Geoffroy Berthelot & Nour El Helou & Valérie Thibault & Marion Guillaume & Muriel Tafflet & Olivier Hermine & Jean-François Toussaint, 2008. "From Oxford to Hawaii Ecophysiological Barriers Limit Human Progression in Ten Sport Monuments," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(11), pages 1-6, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0003653
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003653
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Geoffroy Berthelot & Valérie Thibault & Muriel Tafflet & Sylvie Escolano & Nour El Helou & Xavier Jouven & Olivier Hermine & Jean-François Toussaint, 2008. "The Citius End: World Records Progression Announces the Completion of a Brief Ultra-Physiological Quest," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 3(2), pages 1-5, February.
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