How to Have the Time of Your Life
We Investigated running to determine which factors most affect runners' race performance, and how the different factors relating to race performance are related. In this experiment we studied the relationships between runners' race times, heights, body masses, power outputs, percentages of body fat, ages, and genders. In our experiment, we collected and analyzed the race times, heights, body masses, power outputs (derived by an equation), percentages of body fat, ages, and genders of runners at two different races: an 1150 meter race at the Macmob Mathematics Science Technology Center (MMSTC) comprised of high school students and a 5 kilometer race in Flint, Michigan comprised of the general population. We analyzed this data and compared the results from the two races. We also conducted a side experiment where we sought a relationship between walkers' body masses and the amount of horizontal propelling force. We used the results from this experiment to derive an equation of power, which we compared to others we had found.
We hypothesized that race time would increase as body mass, body fat, and age increased, and decrease as height and power increased; that height would increase as age increased; that body mass would increase as body fat and age increased; that power would decrease as body fat increased and increase as age increased; and that body fat would increase as body mass and age increased. We also hypothesized that males would run faster than females. Our research confirmed most of our hypothesis.
Research Done By:
George Rosbury
Richmond
Timothy Tucker
Cousino
Warren Consolidated Schools