Dr. Ralph Mann is a pioneer in conducting sports research, and using these results to produce computer-based teaching technology. An authority in the field of Sport Biomechanics, Dr. Mann has become a leader in analyzing the performance of top amateur and professional athletes. A world class Track athlete himself, Dr. Mann won 5 national championships and 3 collegiate championships in the hurdles. He set the world record in the intermediate hurdles, was ranked number one in the world numerous times, and won several international titles. In the Munich Games, he won the Olympic Silver Medal in the 400 Meter Hurdles. In 1982, Dr. Mann was one of the six individuals that created the Elite Athlete Program that brought sports science to USA Track and Field. Since that time, he has served as the Director of the Elite Athlete Sprint and Hurdle Program. Essentially every elite sprinter and hurdler during this time period has been biomechanically analyzed, with the goal of understanding the characteristics of great sprinters and hurdlers. This information has been used to evaluate and improve the performance of virtually every US sprint/hurdle athlete since the program's inception. This book contains the findings of this unique effort.

A physicist explains the science behind some of the greatest feats in sports history—from diving like Greg Louganis to bending it like Beckham. Nothing is quite as thrilling as watching superior athletes do the seemingly impossible. From Doug Flutie's "Hail Mary" pass to Lance Armstrong's record-breaking climb of Alp d'Huez to David Beckham's astounding ability to bend a soccer kick, we marvel and wonder, "How did they do that?" Well, physics professor John Eric Goff has the answers. In this scientific tour of the wide world of sports, John Eric Goff discusses the science behind American football, soccer, cycling, skating, diving, long jumping, and a host of other competitive sports. Using elite athletes as starting points, Goff explains the basic physical properties involved in amazing and everyday athletic endeavors. Accompanied by illustrations and mathematical equations, each chapter builds on knowledge imparted in earlier chapters to provide a firm understanding of the concepts involved. Fun, witty, and imbued throughout with admiration for the simple beauty of physics, Gold Medal Physics is sure to inspire readers to think differently about the next sporting event they watch.

This guide starts with a conditioning programme before tailoring the training exercises and drills to the development of sport-specific performances. The training programme is designed for peak performance during the competitive season.

Dr. Ralph Mann is a pioneer in conducting sports research, and using these results to produce computer-based teaching technology. An authority in the field of Sport Biomechanics, Dr. Mann has become a leader in analyzing the performance of top amateur and professional athletes. A world class Track athlete himself, Dr. Mann won 5 national championships and 3 collegiate championships in the hurdles. He set the world record in the intermediate hurdles, was ranked number one in the world numerous times, and won several international titles. In the Munich Games, he won the Olympic Silver Medal in the 400 Meter Hurdles. In 1982, Dr. Mann was one of the six individuals that created the Elite Athlete Program that brought sports science to USA Track and Field. Since that time, he has served as the Director of the Elite Athlete Sprint and Hurdle Program. Essentially every elite sprinter and hurdler during this time period has been biomechanically analyzed, with the goal of understanding the characteristics of great sprinters and hurdlers. This information has been used to evaluate and improve the performance of virtually every US sprint/hurdle athlete since the program's inception. This book contains the findings of this unique effort. This updated 2015 edition contains over 70 additional pages covering new information on both the Start and Full Speed mechanics. In the Hurdles, research on the Steps between the barriers for both the Short and Long races has been added, as well as ground breaking information on how Hurdle Technique should be taught.