How Good Can We Get? Using mathematical models to predict the future of athletics

Abstract

Track and field world records have risen and fallen throughout the history of the sport. A recent rash of record-breaking performances has prompted the question: "How good can we get?". This article offers a review of several attempts to answer this question, based on mathematical modeling of key physiological processes. The predictions are compared with present-day world records, and a discussion of the future of athletics ensues...