Physics of sports

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Physics of sports

• Physics 208
• Professor Kenneth Young

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locker room vs lab

• Doers vs eggheads
• How does theory of running help runners?
• How much does practice help?

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physics is experiments

• The basis for any scientific law is experiment.
• Not because the principle is logical
• In complex situations the logic and the
  experiment may be unclear.
  
• Its sometimes helpful to break it down into
  components which are analyzable.

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sports and human potential

• We hear statements such as the 4 minute mile
  cannot be broken . Then it is broken.
  
• Is this a strike against the eggheads?
• Im not actually aware of any science behind the
  original claim.
  
• How about pole vaulting higher than 5 meters?

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historical sports science (or other competition)

• Before the machine age, the cultivation of the
  living machines humans and animals was
  profoundly important.
  
• Martial arts
• Use of tools. Swords, spears, bows and arrows.
• Use of animals. Horses. but much improved with
  better toolssaddles and stirrups.

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How can physics help?

• Here is a systematic philosophy for evaluating
  claims.

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Advertising cons you into thinking youre the
one,

• You can do whats never been done,
• Meanwhile life goes on all around you.
• Bob Dylan, 1960.

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Jumping shoes eg.

• Do the 150 sneakers help you be like Mike?
• Float through the air
• Go above the hoop
• Why do high jumpers use thin unsprung track shoes?

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Course organization and evaluation

• ASUW publishing
• More recent information on the web
• http//www.phys.washington.edu/young

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help with physics

• TA . Hours to be arranged.
• Myself MWF after class in physics of sports lab.
  B143.
  
• Chat room?
• Email?
• Hypermail?

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experience.

• Demonstrations
• excercises

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Testing

• There will be 4 term tests and a final.
• The final is worth 2 term tests.
• Schedule is in Introduction chapter.

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Makeup?

• No makeup or extra tests
• Only the top 4 tests will be counted toward
  grade.
  
• No test 0.
• If youre satisfied with first 4 tests, you can
  skip the final with no penalty.

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