I used to run track and had a teammate that ran virtually identical

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The discussion centers on the impact of additional weight on running performance, specifically comparing two athletes with similar running times but differing body weights and strengths. The original poster questions whether a heavier athlete would maintain an advantage when both wear weighted backpacks during a race. The consensus suggests that while the heavier athlete may initially have an advantage due to strength, the physics of power output and weight distribution complicate the outcome, especially with significant weight increases, such as 100 pounds.

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rlarson
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I used to run track and had a teammate that ran virtually identical times to me in everything we did. He was a bigger guy (5'11" 180lbs. vs. 5'8" 145lbs.) and much stronger than me in the weight room.

I've always been curious about something and am not sure how the physics behind it works. If we raced each other with 25lb. backpacks on would he now have an advantage? My intuition says yes.
 
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You can't really use an argument from physics to answer this, since your reaction to the extra weight is more a function of your bodies ability to create power. There isn't a simple physical explanation for how it does. But I would probably agree with your rough reasoning.
 
Increase the weight of the backpack to (say) 100 pounds. What do you think now?
 

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