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First published online November 28, 2008
Journal of Experimental Biology 211, 3836-3849 (2008)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2008
doi: 10.1242/jeb.024968
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Limits to running speed in dogs, horses and humans

Mark W. Denny

Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA

e-mail: mwdenny{at}stanford.edu

Accepted 20 October 2008

Are there absolute limits to the speed at which animals can run? If so, how close are present-day individuals to these limits? I approach these questions by using three statistical models and data from competitive races to estimate maximum running speeds for greyhounds, thoroughbred horses and elite human athletes. In each case, an absolute speed limit is definable, and the current record approaches that predicted maximum. While all such extrapolations must be used cautiously, these data suggest that there are limits to the ability of either natural or artificial selection to produce ever faster dogs, horses and humans. Quantification of the limits to running speed may aid in formulating and testing models of locomotion.

Key words: running, terrestrial locomotion, horse, dog, thoroughbred, greyhound, track and field, speed limits, maximum speed, evolution, world record, human


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K. Phillips
100 m WORLD RECORD COULD GO AS LOW AS 9.48 s
J. Exp. Biol., December 15, 2008; 211(24): i - i.
[Full Text] [PDF]


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