Optimal geometry for oval sprint tracks.

Greene, P R; Monheit, M A · J Biomech · 1990

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Track aspect ratio is defined as the percentage of lap length devoted to turns on an oval running track. Equations based on experiments are developed to model a composite runner with a specified top speed, during an acceleration phase in the straightaways and a centripetal phase in the turns. We calculate velocity deficits for several common track sizes over the range of aspect ratios and predict that, under our assumptions, a perfect circle is the optimal track shape.

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