Cutting Edge 2012 - Behind Athletics

The science behind the medals.

Ever since the earliest Olympic games we have relied on technological advancements to drive the development of sport. From chariot races to the javelin, science and technology have shaped the ways in which our athletes compete and perform.

So what can science and technology do for our modern athletes, and how does the introduction of new technologies affect their performance, could it actually be making them softer?

This video from RCUK explores some of the current technologies being used to tap into and enhance the performance of our top runners. Understanding the biomechanics of the sport allows us to recognise when athletes are at their peak and when they are at risk of injury. Advancements in how we measure performance also allow coaches to provide more in depth training programmes and judge the effectiveness of their interventions.

The video was filmed in Sheffield as part of a 'Cutting Edge 2012', a series of sports science events funded by RCUK and run by the Royal Institution in collaboration with the Centre for Sport Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam University.