Since peoples arms weigh so much, how much faster would we run WITHOUT arms?

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2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:09am EDT

Good morning fellow runners. Honest physiology question here.

Lighter means faster. That is not debatable. Siffan hassan weighs 98 pounds, and that is a huge reason why she is the best in the world. They don't make a Lamborghini a featherweight vehicle for no scientific reason. Lighter means faster. Shoes included.

Physiologically, our arms weigh between 50 and 75 pounds combined (rough estimate). So my question is how much faster all of us would be without arms. How much faster would the wr mile be if el guerrouj was armless? What about kipchoge and his marathon record?

Look, I know for sprinters arms can generate a slight "pull" that acts as a crank to sort or crank things up. But overall it's still just excess weight, plus arms are unaerodynamic. I am proposing that the wr for the mile would be 9 seconds faster with no arms, and the marathon would be 11 minutes faster with no arms. Come on now, we are talking about el g and kipchoge weighing 50 pounds less.

None of you can sit here and provide a counterargument that arms are somehow more physiologically faster than running with no arms. I will read your rebuttal and I'm ready to debate it, but no such proven rebuttal exists. At the end of the day, arms are just added excess weight and all they do is slow us down. The only benefit they serve is having a hand, that might benefit lonely single males.

-the430miler
Owner, teXXXas tanning salons LLC

Coach and adjunct professor

A university in san antonio

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:16am EDT

re: the430miler

You'd tip right tf over in the first turn. 🙄

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:17am EDT

re: the430miler

No arms, don’t need shoulders either. That’s gotta be 20 more pounds and much better aerodynamics.

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:19am EDT

re: the430miler

I don't see any armless people running in the Olympics

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:20am EDT

re: the430miler

the430miler wrote:
Good morning fellow runners. Honest physiology question here.
Lighter means faster. That is not debatable. Siffan hassan weighs 98 pounds, and that is a huge reason why she is the best in the world. They don't make a Lamborghini a featherweight vehicle for no scientific reason. Lighter means faster. Shoes included.
Physiologically, our arms weigh between 50 and 75 pounds combined (rough estimate). So my question is how much faster all of us would be without arms. How much faster would the wr mile be if el guerrouj was armless? What about kipchoge and his marathon record?
Look, I know for sprinters arms can generate a slight "pull" that acts as a crank to sort or crank things up. But overall it's still just excess weight, plus arms are unaerodynamic. I am proposing that the wr for the mile would be 9 seconds faster with no arms, and the marathon would be 11 minutes faster with no arms. Come on now, we are talking about el g and kipchoge weighing 50 pounds less.
None of you can sit here and provide a counterargument that arms are somehow more physiologically faster than running with no arms. I will read your rebuttal and I'm ready to debate it, but no such proven rebuttal exists. At the end of the day, arms are just added excess weight and all they do is slow us down. The only benefit they serve is having a hand, that might benefit lonely single males.
-the430miler
Owner, teXXXas tanning salons LLC
Coach and adjunct professor
A university in san antonio

Arms may be an extra weight but the benefit they provide would well out weigh any negatives. They aid substantially in balance and provide momentum and power to help drive your legs forward. Essentially, your arms propel you forward, help get your body airborne with each stride, and guide your overall running rhythm. Without arms yes you would weigh a great deal less but you would be placed at an extreme disadvantage to run well and efficiently.

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:20am EDT

re: the430miler

Would Lange Armstrong have to change his name to Lance Strong ?

This post was removed.

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:24am EDT

re: Kenny59

Kenny59 wrote:
I don't see any armless people running in the Olympics

there are some decent ones in the paralympics. no arms or with useless, very lightweight stubs.

they are nowhere near olympic level, but is that sample size or mechanical disadvantage?

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:31am EDT

re: high school xc coach

high school xc coach wrote:
Kenny59 wrote:
I don't see any armless people running in the Olympics
there are some decent ones in the paralympics. no arms or with useless, very lightweight stubs.
they are nowhere near olympic level, but is that sample size or mechanical disadvantage?

Sample size. Like I said, they have a biomechanical ADVANTAGE due to having to lug around much less weight.

2 years ago 08/20/2023 10:58am EDT

re: the430miler

It would be a little difficult in a relay race.

2 years ago 08/20/2023 11:02am EDT

re: the430miler

what about without head? Useless weight for some

2 years ago 08/20/2023 11:15am EDT

re: the430miler

I'd rather see them do 100m sprints with both arms being numb.

2 years ago 08/20/2023 12:50pm EDT

re: the430miler

You always post your fake resume when you start a thread like it's supposed to give you credibility. If you can't post the truth then why post it at all ?

2 years ago 08/20/2023 1:28pm EDT

re: the430miler

Your head is clearly unnecessary weight

2:18 at the casino and back on the grid... wrote:
You always post your fake resume when you start a thread like it's supposed to give you credibility. If you can't post the truth then why post it at all ?

Can you run 4:30?

2 years ago 08/20/2023 1:40pm EDT

re: Reality Checker

Reality Checker wrote:
2:18 at the casino and back on the grid... wrote:
You always post your fake resume when you start a thread like it's supposed to give you credibility. If you can't post the truth then why post it at all ?
Can you run 4:30?

In my younger days almost 3 in a row but I am questioning the credit he takes for thinking he is a coach. You are no reality checker. You are probably the OP. Speak up

2 years ago 08/20/2023 1:42pm EDT

re: Impala31

Impala31 wrote:
what about without head? Useless weight for some

Why stop there? How about no torso..

2 years ago 08/20/2023 1:48pm EDT

re: Harley David

Harley David wrote:
Your head is clearly unnecessary weight.

This one got me. LOL!

2 years ago 08/20/2023 2:05pm EDT

re: the430miler

the430miler wrote:
Good morning fellow runners. Honest physiology question here.
. . .
Physiologically, our arms weigh between 50 and 75 pounds combined (rough estimate). So my question is how much faster all of us would be without arms. How much faster would the wr mile be if el guerrouj was armless? What about kipchoge and his marathon record?
Look, I know for sprinters arms can generate a slight "pull" that acts as a crank to sort or crank things up. But overall it's still just excess weight, plus arms are unaerodynamic. I am proposing that the wr for the mile would be 9 seconds faster with no arms, and the marathon would be 11 minutes faster with no arms. Come on now, we are talking about el g and kipchoge weighing 50 pounds less.
None of you can sit here and provide a counterargument that arms are somehow more physiologically faster than running with no arms. I will read your rebuttal and I'm ready to debate it, but no such proven rebuttal exists. At the end of the day, arms are just added excess weight and all they do is slow us down. The only benefit they serve is having a hand, that might benefit lonely single males.
-the430miler

1) A typical runner's arms, together, weigh less than 20 pounds. For most distance types, they'll weigh less than 15. The only people with arms that weigh "between 50 and 75 pounds" are not--trust me on this--runners.

2) I've actually known a person or two without arms. They didn't run. If you trip, what are you going to break your fall with?

3) Arms help counteract the lateral forces generated in a running step. Without arms, the twisting that arms (properly used) can negate would be taken up by the torso and the amount of force actually moving the runner forward would be reduced.

4) Relay times would be much slower IMO. Mouth-to-mouth passes would be tough, with a considerable danger of dropping the baton.

5) I bow to your assessment of the advantages of having at least one hand. I accept your superior knowledge and experience in this matter.

6) I can't believe I'm feeding this troll so copiously. My bad.

2:18 at the casino and back on the grid... wrote:
Reality Checker wrote:
Can you run 4:30?
In my younger days almost 3 in a row but I am questioning the credit he takes for thinking he is a coach. You are no reality checker. You are probably the OP. Speak up

Sounds like a "No"

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