Can Humans Run Vertical Loops? The Science Behind Running Feats

[Loren Booda]

Theoretically, can a human in 1g circuit completely a vertical loop solely by running?

 

[Gokul43201]

What's a "1g circuit" ?

 

[NateTG]

Let's say that top speed for a human is 10m/s. (Faster than me, but Carl Lewis can do it.)

The centripetal acceleration is \frac{v^2}{r}. In order for the runner not to fall from the top of the loop he must be at least in free fall at the top of the loop. So we get
\frac{100\frac{m^2}{s^2}}{r} > 9.81 \frac{m}{s^2} \rightarrow r < \frac{100}{9.81} m

So if the human could maintain top speed all the way up, then it would be possible for someone like Carl Lewis to run a loop that was 10m high.

This is, of course, unrealistic. According to the same calculations, someone who can run 5m/s should be able to run a 3m high loop. (This is not possible -- at least not for normal humans)

There are major factors that the calculation ignores - one is that the amount of energy that goes into going up the loop while maintaining that speed is quite large -- certainly larger than what a human can produce -- that there will be a loss of friction as the runner goes up the loop which increases the problems with energy consumed by climbing , and also that, for a circular loop, the runner would be pulling 2G's while running at the bottom of the loop.

Depending on how you define running a loop, running up a wall, and then flipping back would qualify. This is something that people can certainly do (watch "Singing in the rain" for a spectacular example.) Based on footage like that I would say that at least some humans can run loops.

 

[Loren Booda]

NateTG

Depending on how you define running a loop, running up a wall, and then flipping back would qualify. This is something that people can certainly do (watch "Singing in the rain" for a spectacular example).

With wingtips yet. Thanks for your competent delineation.