Is it true that athletes today are stronger and faster than athletes back then?

[toxicxr6]

Absolutely no question

It's hard to prove it in basketball because the game has so many variables


But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

I'm not saying that humans are evolving but our understanding of the human body has.. Technology is the main reason for the improvements..

[aj1987]

Absolutely no question

It's hard to prove it in basketball because the game has so many variables


But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

I'm not saying that humans are evolving but our understanding of the human body has.. Technology is the main reason for the improvements..

Haven't most of the weight lifting records been set in the past 10 years as well?

[f0und]

the overall athleticism has improved league wide a little bit. but peak athletes of today vs peak athletes of yesteryear, theres hardly any difference.

[ralph_i_el]

More people to pull from, especially because the game has exploded in terms of global popularity. Larger population to pull from= more great athletes and talented players.

This doesn't mean that the top level guys are any more talented and athletic, it just means we're more likely to have MORE great athletes and talented players. I would say that the league is much deeper today than at any point.....but what do I know, I've only been watching seriously for ~10 years.

[SwayDizzle]

we might the slo mo version, i cant even see the ball on that crossover

[feyki]

Those handles would be equally effective in this day and age, it just doesn't look cool.

People don't understand which it works . They just looks on show .

[StephHamann]

yes no?

something to do with human evolution?

Yes

[PP34Deuce]

There are better athletes. there's been more focus on player athletics than their fundamentals.

There's more guys that can go from the free throw line than the past I'm sure.

DR J, MJ, Drexler, Pippen, Baylor were all ahead of their time athletically. They were doing things not heard of. Same with Bill Russell and Wilt.

Other guys, just aren't as athletic on average.

[TemporaMutantur]

It due to:

1. Bigger outreach and general interest
2. Better training/nutrition etc.


Otherwise, not enough time has passed for there to be a significant jump as to physique on a evolutionary scale.

[90sgoat]

Absolutely no question

It's hard to prove it in basketball because the game has so many variables


But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

I'm not saying that humans are evolving but our understanding of the human body has.. Technology is the main reason for the improvements..

Moron talking out your ass:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=389763

World Records in Athletics

100m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
200m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
400m dash: Michael Johnson - 1999

High Jump: Javier Sotomayor - 1993
Long Jump: Mike Powell - 1991
Tripple Jump: Jonathan Edwards - 1995

Shot Put: Randy Barnes - 1990
Discus Throw: Jurgen Schult - 1986
Hammer Throw: Yuriu Sedykh - 1986
Javelin Throw: Jan Zelezny - 1996

[aj1987]

Moron talking out your ass:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=389763

World Records in Athletics

100m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
200m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
400m dash: Michael Johnson - 1999

High Jump: Javier Sotomayor - 1993
Long Jump: Mike Powell - 1991
Tripple Jump: Jonathan Edwards - 1995

Shot Put: Randy Barnes - 1990
Discus Throw: Jurgen Schult - 1986
Hammer Throw: Yuriu Sedykh - 1986
Javelin Throw: Jan Zelezny - 1996

Probably because of:

This is because sports science was already at close to peak in the 80s while steroid use was easier and more effective due to less efficient testing.

* era. Cheaters who couldn't set records without doping.

[90sgoat]

Probably because of:


* era. Cheaters who couldn't set records without doping.

Jamaica is a third world country where half the athletes have been caught doping.

I hope you realize all contestants in every single track and field event on highest levels are doped.

[TYCRO]

yes.

Funny that people always post this, despite there not being many similar instances. Also, if he dribbled like modern day players, he would be called for carrying constantly.

[Marchesk]

But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

Yeah, but equipment and track surface, not to mention PEDs, matter a lot there. The kind of track Bolt runs on compared to the kind Jesse Owens ran on are very different, not to mention shoes and starting blocks.

[Marchesk]

Jim Ryun ran a 3:55 mile in high school in 1965. That was broken one time in 2001, for US high schoolers. Kenyan records might be a bit different. They are the Jamaicans of middle distance.