Does size really matter?

Ask your girlfriend what she thinks.

This study is not based on mathematical data in relation to running. There are other contributing factors that result in the tendency for taller athletes to perform better. Generally the tallest of the children in a family is the first born male. This is the due to the fact that they use the majority of the nutrients in an unused womb making them more likely to have a better immune system and more complete development throughout life. We also see the psychological tendency in people to treat taller people better, because height is seen as a attractive and charismatic feature. So taller people are generally the individuals who are better nourished and treated in society. It stands to reason that they would perform better at a sport that has no correlation between height and performance based solely on the principle that they are better cared for throughout their life.

Uh, I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a gf.

I read that thing briefly. Looked to me as though they only looked at the world record holders. That is a pretty small sample size.

That study is so bogus and I am ashamed that the quote made it to the front page. They are suggesting to adopt weight classes for track and swimming to level the playing field?! WTF.

I heard its not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean, which is great news for me.

I don't think height and weight matter nearly as much as people often think. I'm a guy who's 5'8 in shoes and around 115 pounds (which I've heard is pretty much ideal for a long distance runner) and I have extremely lousy prs of 27:30 for 8k and 1:16:18 for the 1/2 marathon. I think that your genetically determined muscle structure, composition, and flexibility play the biggest role in success.

I was faster at age 8 than now although I am at least a foot taller .NCAA champ TRINDON HOLIDAY is only 5' 5". Bolt is not the norm , most tall guys cant make their long legs move fast enough.My best time for 100m in my prime was probably 11.2 but we ran yards not meters on a slow cinders track with inferior track shoes.I could also run a 4.45 mile and the national record was about 4.17 .

Of course one thing to consider is the average person is taller than 50 yrs ago, 100 yrs ago, etc.

I think the article was mainly about speed-power events, where height and weight could help you produce more power. But in longer distances, like marathons and Tour de France mountain climbs, shorter and lighter is generally better.

All the difference in the world.