TED2014
David Epstein: Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?
大衛．艾波思坦: 運動員是否真的變得更快、更好、更強？
Filmed:
Readability: 4.7
8,652,776 views
當你在看過去數十年的運動成就時，似乎人類在各方面都已經變得更快、更好、更強。但是大衛．艾波思坦在這次愉快的反直覺演講中指出，我們可不能高興地太早。影響運動記錄的因素有許多，而自然天賦的發展不過是其中之一。
David Epstein - Sports science reporter
David Epstein is an investigative reporter who covers the wide-open space where sports, science and medicine overlap. Full bio
David Epstein is an investigative reporter who covers the wide-open space where sports, science and medicine overlap. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
The Olympic motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius."
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奧林匹克的格言是“Citius, Altius, Fortius”
00:16
Faster, Higher, Stronger.
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意為 “更快、更高、更強”。
00:19
And athletes have fulfilled that motto rapidly.
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而運動員們迅雷不及掩耳地做到這一格言。
00:22
The winner of the 2012 Olympic marathon
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2012年奧林匹克馬拉松的冠軍記錄是
00:26
ran two hours and eight minutes.
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兩小時八分鐘。
00:28
Had he been racing against the winner
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如果讓這位2012年的馬拉松冠軍
00:30
of the 1904 Olympic marathon,
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在1904年的奧林匹克馬拉松中競賽，
00:32
he would have won by nearly an hour and a half.
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他要比當年的冠軍快一個半小時。
00:35
Now we all have this feeling
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此時此刻，我們都覺得
00:37
that we're somehow just getting better
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某程度上我們作為人類
在日漸一日地、勢不可擋地進步，
00:39
as a human race, inexorably progressing,
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00:41
but it's not like we've evolved into a new species
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但這種進步，又並不像是在區區一世紀內
00:43
in a century.
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就進化成另一個新物種的那種。
00:45
So what's going on here?
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那麼到底是怎麼回事呢？
00:47
I want to take a look at what's really behind
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我想看看運動進步歷程的背後
00:49
this march of athletic progress.
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到底藏著什麼秘密。
00:51
In 1936, Jesse Owens
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1936年，傑西·歐文斯
00:54
held the world record in the 100 meters.
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在一百米田徑中創下了新的世界紀錄。
00:56
Had Jesse Owens been racing last year
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如果傑西·歐文斯參加了
00:59
in the world championships of the 100 meters,
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去年的世界一百米田徑賽，
01:01
when Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt finished,
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牙買加短跑運動員
尤賽恩·博爾特衝到終點時，
尤賽恩·博爾特衝到終點時，
01:04
Owens would have still had 14 feet to go.
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歐文斯離終點還有十四英尺。
01:07
That's a lot in sprinter land.
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在短跑賽場上，十四英尺可不是小數目。
01:09
To give you a sense of how much it is,
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為了讓大家感受一些其中的區別，
01:10
I want to share with you a demonstration
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我想跟大家分享
運動科學家羅斯·德科
構思的一個範例。
構思的一個範例。
01:12
conceived by sports scientist Ross Tucker.
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01:15
Now picture the stadium last year
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現在，請大家想像自己身處
01:18
at the world championships of the 100 meters:
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去年世界杯百米錦標賽的賽場：
01:20
thousands of fans waiting with baited breath
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成千上萬位運動迷屏住呼吸，
01:22
to see Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history;
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等候看見尤賽恩·博爾特
這位歷史上最快的人；
這位歷史上最快的人；
01:26
flashbulbs popping as the
nine fastest men in the world
nine fastest men in the world
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閃光燈奮然驟現，只見世界上最快的九個人
01:29
coil themselves into their blocks.
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現身於他們各自的起跑器旁。
01:31
And I want you to pretend
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我要大家想像
01:32
that Jesse Owens is in that race.
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傑西·歐文斯也在這九個人當中。
01:35
Now close your eyes for a
second and picture the race.
second and picture the race.
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現在，閉上眼睛，想像一下這場比賽。
01:38
Bang! The gun goes off.
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梆！槍聲一響。
01:40
An American sprinter jumps out to the front.
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一名美國短跑運動員一下就躍到前列。
01:42
Usain Bolt starts to catch him.
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尤賽恩·博爾特開始追上這位運動員。
01:44
Usain Bolt passes him, and as
the runners come to the finish,
the runners come to the finish,
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尤賽恩·博爾特超越了他，
每位運動員衝線終點時，
每位運動員衝線終點時，
01:45
you'll hear a beep as each man crosses the line.
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你都會聽到“嗶”一聲。
01:48
(Beeps)
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（”嗶“）
01:50
That's the entire finish of the race.
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然後整場比賽就結束了。
01:53
You can open your eyes now.
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現在大家可以睜開雙眼。
01:54
That first beep was Usain Bolt.
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第一聲“嗶”是，尤賽恩·博爾特。
01:57
That last beep was Jesse Owens.
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最後一聲“嗶”，是傑西·歐文斯。
01:59
Listen to it again.
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再聽一次。
02:01
(Beeps)
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（“嗶”）
02:03
When you think of it like that,
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這樣聽來，
02:04
it's not that big a difference, is it?
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是不是覺得差別不大？
02:06
And then consider that Usain Bolt started
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那麼想一下，尤賽恩·博爾特起步時
02:08
by propelling himself out of blocks
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腳下有起跑器
02:11
down a specially fabricated carpet
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將他推向特製的地面地毯，
02:13
designed to allow him to travel
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這種地毯的設計允許他
02:15
as fast as humanly possible.
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以人類所能達到的最快速度奔跑。
02:17
Jesse Owens, on the other hand,
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而傑西·歐文斯呢，
02:19
ran on cinders, the ash from burnt wood,
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則在煤渣路上跑，
盡是木頭焚燒後剩下的灰渣，
盡是木頭焚燒後剩下的灰渣，
02:22
and that soft surface stole far more energy
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而那種柔軟的路面在他跑步的過程中，
02:25
from his legs as he ran.
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吞噬了他腿上大量的精力。
02:26
Rather than blocks, Jesse
Owens had a gardening trowel
Owens had a gardening trowel
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傑西·歐文斯沒有起跑器，
只有一把種花用的泥鏟，
只有一把種花用的泥鏟，
02:29
that he had to use to dig holes
in the cinders to start from.
in the cinders to start from.
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他只能用這把泥鏟
在起跑的煤渣路上挖坑。
在起跑的煤渣路上挖坑。
02:33
Biomechanical analysis of the speed
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對歐文斯運動關節速度
的生理力學分析顯示
的生理力學分析顯示
02:35
of Owens' joints shows that had been running
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如果歐文斯的關節跑步接觸面
02:38
on the same surface as Bolt,
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能夠跟博爾特的一樣，
02:39
he wouldn't have been 14 feet behind,
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歐文斯就不會被拋在十四英尺外，
02:42
he would have been within one stride.
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而是只差一步之遙就能趕上博爾特。
02:44
Rather than the last beep,
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歐文斯不會是最後的一“嗶”，
02:46
Owens would have been the second beep.
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而是第二“嗶”。
02:49
Listen to it again.
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再聽一次。
02:51
(Beeps)
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（“嗶”）
02:53
That's the difference track
surface technology has made,
surface technology has made,
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這就是田徑跑道接觸面
技術進步所產生的差別，
技術進步所產生的差別，
02:55
and it's done it throughout the running world.
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而這一技術在賽跑界比比皆是。
02:57
Consider a longer event.
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想一個時間更長的運動時間。
02:59
In 1954, Sir Roger Bannister
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1954年的羅傑·班尼斯特爵士
03:02
became the first man to run
under four minutes in the mile.
under four minutes in the mile.
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是人類歷史上第一個
在四分鐘內跑完一英里的人。
在四分鐘內跑完一英里的人。
03:05
Nowadays, college kids do that every year.
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現在，每年都有大學生達到這一紀錄。
03:08
On rare occasions, a high school kid does it.
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偶爾，一個高中生也可以做到。
03:11
As of the end of last year,
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截至去年年底
03:12
1,314 men
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有一千三百一十四個人
03:15
had run under four minutes in the mile,
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已經可以在四分鐘內跑完一英里，
03:17
but like Jesse Owens,
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但是跟傑西·歐文斯一樣，
03:19
Sir Roger Bannister ran on soft cinders
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羅傑·班尼斯特爵士跑的是軟煤渣路，
03:21
that stole far more energy from his legs
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他腿部的力量都被這煤渣路吞耗了，
03:23
than the synthetic tracks of today.
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不能與今日的塑膠跑道相比。
03:25
So I consulted biomechanics experts
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我因此找了一些生理力學專家
03:27
to find out how much slower it is to run on cinders
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諮詢在煤渣路上跑步
到底比在塑膠跑道慢多少，
03:30
than synthetic tracks,
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03:31
and their consensus that it's
one and a half percent slower.
one and a half percent slower.
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他們一致認為，慢1.5%。
03:34
So if you apply a one and a half
percent slowdown conversion
percent slowdown conversion
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因此，如果你按1.5%的算法
03:37
to every man who ran his sub-four mile
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來計算每位在塑膠跑道上
03:40
on a synthetic track,
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在四分鐘內完成了一英里的速度，
03:41
this is what happens.
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這就是呈現的結果。
03:43
Only 530 are left.
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只剩下五百三十人。
03:45
If you look at it from that perspective,
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如果你從這個角度來看的話，
03:47
fewer than ten new men per [year]
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每年只有不到十個人
03:49
have joined the sub-four mile club
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能夠跟隨羅傑·班尼斯特爵士
03:50
since Sir Roger Bannister.
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加入這個“四分鐘內一英里“俱樂部。
03:53
Now, 530 is a lot more than one,
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現在，五百三十人遠比一個人多，
03:56
and that's partly because
there are many more people
there are many more people
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其中的部分原因是，
03:57
training today and they're training more intelligently.
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現在越來越多人接受訓練，
而且訓練相當有技巧。
而且訓練相當有技巧。
04:00
Even college kids are professional in their training
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跟羅傑·班尼斯特爵士相比，
大學生的訓練也要比他的專業，
04:02
compared to Sir Roger Bannister,
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04:03
who trained for 45 minutes at a time
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班尼斯特爵士當年在醫學院
上完婦科課之後才去訓練，
上完婦科課之後才去訓練，
04:05
while he ditched gynecology lectures in med school.
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而且每次只是訓練四十五分鐘。
04:08
And that guy who won the 1904 Olympic marathon
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贏得1904年奧林匹克馬拉松賽的那位仁兄
04:10
in three in a half hours,
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在半小時內跑完三英里，
04:12
that guy was drinking rat poison and brandy
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那位仁兄是一邊喝著老鼠藥和白蘭地，
04:14
while he ran along the course.
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一邊跑完整程馬拉松。
04:16
That was his idea of a performance-enhancing drug.
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那些就是他所謂的增強表現藥。
04:19
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
04:21
Clearly, athletes have gotten more savvy
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相比以前，現在的運動員對增強表現的藥物
04:23
about performance-enhancing drugs as well,
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顯然已經更加精通，
04:25
and that's made a difference
in some sports at some times,
in some sports at some times,
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而這有時也會使某些
運動顯示出差距變化，
運動顯示出差距變化，
04:27
but technology has made a difference in all sports,
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但是科技在所有運動領域中
創造差距變化，
創造差距變化，
04:30
from faster skis to lighter shoes.
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例如速度更快的雪橇、更加輕便的鞋子。
04:32
Take a look at the record for
the 100-meter freestyle swim.
the 100-meter freestyle swim.
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我們看看百米自由泳的記錄。
04:35
The record is always trending downward,
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這個記錄一直往下降，
04:38
but it's punctuated by these steep cliffs.
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但卻不時出現這些突然峭降。
04:41
This first cliff, in 1956, is the introduction
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第一次的峭降是在1956年
第一次引入翻騰轉體技巧。
04:44
of the flip turn.
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04:45
Rather than stopping and turning around,
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運動員不再需要停止再轉身，
04:47
athletes could somersault under the water
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而是可以在水上一百八十度轉體，
04:49
and get going right away in the opposite direction.
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往反方向繼續前游。
04:51
This second cliff, the introduction of gutters
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第二次的峭降，當時引入了水槽設計，
04:54
on the side of the pool
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在游泳池四周的水槽
04:56
that allows water to splash off,
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允許水濺出，
04:57
rather than becoming turbulence
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而不是形成漩渦，
04:58
that impedes the swimmers as they race.
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給運動員在比賽中造成阻礙。
05:01
This final cliff,
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最後一次峭降，
05:02
the introduction of full-body
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當時引入了
05:04
and low-friction swimsuits.
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低摩擦力的全身泳衣。
05:05
Throughout sports, technology has
changed the face of performance.
changed the face of performance.
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在運動歷程中，
科技已經為運動性能改頭換面。
科技已經為運動性能改頭換面。
05:09
In 1972, Eddy Merckx set the record
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1972年，艾迪·莫克斯
05:12
for the longest distance cycled in one hour
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創下了一小時內最長的單車行程記錄
05:14
at 30 miles, 3,774 feet.
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三十英里三千七百七十四英尺。
05:18
Now that record improved and improved
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這個記錄在不斷地更新再更新，
05:21
as bicycles improved and became more aerodynamic
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自行車不斷地在更新，更加符合空氣動力學，
05:24
all the way until 1996,
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一直到了1996年，
05:25
when it was set at 35 miles, 1,531 feet,
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當時的記錄是三十五英里一千五百三十一英尺，
05:30
nearly five miles farther
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跟1972年的艾迪·莫克斯相比，
05:32
than Eddy Merckx cycled in 1972.
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幾乎超出五英里。
05:35
But then in 2000, the International Cycling Union
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但是在2000年，國際自行車聯盟決定
05:38
decreed that anyone who wanted to hold that record
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任何想要打破這個記錄的人
05:41
had to do so with essentially the same equipment
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所使用的設備必須與1972年
05:44
that Eddy Merckx used in 1972.
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艾迪·莫克斯所使用的基本一致。
05:47
Where does the record stand today?
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今日這個記錄又是多少？
05:49
30 miles, 4,657 feet,
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三十英里四千六百五十七英尺，
05:53
a grand total of 883 feet
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比起四個世紀之前
艾迪·莫克斯所騎的行程
05:56
farther than Eddy Merckx cycled
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不過多出整整八百八十三英尺。
05:57
more than four decades ago.
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05:59
Essentially the entire improvement in this record
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這一記錄的突破，
06:02
was due to technology.
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基本源於科技。
06:04
Still, technology isn't the only
thing pushing athletes forward.
thing pushing athletes forward.
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但是，科技並不是推使
運動員前進的唯一因素。
運動員前進的唯一因素。
06:07
While indeed we haven't evolved
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的確，我們尚未在一個世紀內
06:08
into a new species in a century,
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完全進化成另外一個新物種，
06:10
the gene pool within competitive sports
154
358198
1960
但是競賽運動的基因庫
06:12
most certainly has changed.
155
360158
2392
很肯定已經發生了變化。
06:14
In the early half of the 20th century,
156
362550
1909
在二十世紀上半葉，
06:16
physical education instructors and coaches
157
364459
1685
體育教育的指導員和教練都認為
06:18
had the idea that the average body type
158
366144
2272
平均的身體類型
06:20
was the best for all athletic endeavors:
159
368416
2371
是所有運動的最適宜的體型：
06:22
medium height, medium weight, no matter the sport.
160
370787
3323
中等身高、中等體重，
無論是對何種運動而言。
無論是對何種運動而言。
06:26
And this showed in athletes' bodies.
161
374110
1972
這在運動員的體態上可以體現。
06:28
In the 1920s, the average elite high-jumper
162
376082
2253
20世紀20年代，平均優秀跳高運動員
06:30
and average elite shot-putter
were the same exact size.
were the same exact size.
163
378335
3715
跟平均優秀鉛球選手
有完全一樣的體型。
有完全一樣的體型。
06:34
But as that idea started to fade away,
164
382050
1910
但是這樣的想法開始消失，
06:36
as sports scientists and coaches realized that
165
383960
2076
因為運動科學家和教練發現
06:38
rather than the average body type,
166
386036
1592
平均身體體型並非是最好的，
06:39
you want highly specialized bodies
167
387628
1912
你需要的是
專門適合某種運動類型的體型，
06:41
that fit into certain athletic niches,
168
389540
2330
06:44
a form of artificial selection took place,
169
391870
2305
並且開始了某種人為的篩選，
06:46
a self-sorting for bodies that fit certain sports,
170
394175
2623
自我篩選出適合某種運動的體型，
06:48
and athletes' bodies became
more different from one another.
more different from one another.
171
396798
2660
而不同運動員的體型差距越來越大。
06:51
Today, rather than the same size
as the average elite high jumper,
as the average elite high jumper,
172
399458
3956
時至今日，平均優秀跳高運動員的體型
跟平均優秀鉛球選手的體型不再一樣，
06:55
the average elite shot-putter
173
403414
1014
06:56
is two and a half inches taller
174
404428
1651
後者比前者要高2.5英寸，
06:58
and 130 pounds heavier.
175
406079
3089
並且重130磅。
07:01
And this happened throughout the sports world.
176
409168
1919
而這樣的事情在運動界比比皆是。
07:03
In fact, if you plot on a height versus mass graph
177
411087
2665
事實上，如果你要畫一張身高體重對照表，
07:05
one data point for each of two dozen sports
178
413752
2528
為二十世紀上半葉的二十四種運動
07:08
in the first half of the 20th century, it looks like this.
179
416280
3285
畫出各自的數據點，
則會得到這樣的一張圖。
則會得到這樣的一張圖。
07:11
There's some dispersal,
180
419565
1485
稍微呈現離散，
07:13
but it's kind of grouped
around that average body type.
around that average body type.
181
421050
3010
但還是圍繞著平均體型而出現。
07:16
Then that idea started to go away,
182
424060
1579
然後這樣的想法開始消失，
07:17
and at the same time, digital technology --
183
425639
1701
與此同時，數位科技——
07:19
first radio, then television and the Internet --
184
427340
2207
首先是無線電台，然後是電視、網路——
07:21
gave millions, or in some cases billions, of people
185
429547
2377
向數百萬人或者數十億人
07:24
a ticket to consume elite sports performance.
186
431924
3179
提供了消費精英運動表演的門票。
07:27
The financial incentives and fame and glory
afforded elite athletes skyrocketed,
afforded elite athletes skyrocketed,
187
435103
3873
得到金錢獎勵以及名望榮譽
的運動員直線上升，
的運動員直線上升，
07:31
and it tipped toward the tiny
upper echelon of performance.
upper echelon of performance.
188
438976
4193
並且漸漸擠向性能表現的頂端。
07:35
It accelerated the artificial
selection for specialized bodies.
selection for specialized bodies.
189
443169
3427
這種情況加速了專門合適體型的人為挑選。
07:38
And if you plot a data point for these same
190
446596
1628
如果你要為今日同樣的二十四類運動
07:40
two dozen sports today, it looks like this.
191
448224
3882
畫一張數據點表的話，
看上去會是這樣（藍色部分）。
看上去會是這樣（藍色部分）。
07:44
The athletes' bodies have gotten
192
452106
1427
運動員的體型
07:45
much more different from one another.
193
453533
2194
已經大大地拉開差距。
07:47
And because this chart looks like the charts
194
455727
2109
正因為這張圖看上去
07:50
that show the expanding universe,
195
457836
1731
與顯示宇宙擴展的圖相似，
07:51
with the galaxies flying away from one another,
196
459567
2460
就像不同的星系飛離另外其他星系一樣，
07:54
the scientists who discovered it call it
197
462027
1644
發現這張圖的科學家把這張圖命名為
07:55
"The Big Bang of Body Types."
198
463671
3289
“體型大爆炸”。
07:59
In sports where height is prized, like basketball,
199
466960
2408
在重視身高的運動中，例如籃球，
08:01
the tall athletes got taller.
200
469368
1790
高的運動員會越來越高。
08:03
In 1983, the National Basketball Association
201
471158
3106
1983年國家籃球協會（NBA）
08:06
signed a groundbreaking agreement
202
474264
1323
簽訂了一份具有歷史性意義的協議，
08:07
making players partners in the league,
203
475587
2052
允許選手加入聯盟，
08:09
entitled to shares of ticket revenues
204
477639
1550
能夠分享門票收益
08:11
and television contracts.
205
479189
1907
和電視合約收益。
08:13
Suddenly, anybody who could be an NBA player
206
481096
2203
霎時間，任何可能成為NBA選手的人
08:15
wanted to be,
207
483299
1196
都想成為NBA選手，
08:16
and teams started scouring the globe
208
484495
1846
而籃球隊也開始在全球搜索，
08:18
for the bodies that could
help them win championships.
help them win championships.
209
486341
2280
尋找可以幫助他們贏得冠軍的體型。
08:20
Almost overnight,
210
488621
1743
一夜間，
08:22
the proportion of men in the NBA
211
490364
1378
NBA中
08:23
who are at least seven feet tall doubled
212
491742
1892
至少有七尺高的人數比例
08:25
to 10 percent.
213
493634
1765
翻倍到10%。
08:27
Today, one in 10 men in the NBA
214
495399
2023
今日，NBA中，十個人
08:29
is at least seven feet tall,
215
497422
2182
就有一個至少有七尺高，
08:31
but a seven-foot-tall man is incredibly rare
216
499604
2149
但是在大眾人口當中，
08:33
in the general population --
217
501753
1519
七尺高的男人是相當少見的——
08:35
so rare that if you know an American man
218
503272
2650
少見的程度是，如果你認識一個美國男人
08:38
between the ages of 20 and 40
219
505922
1405
他剛好在二十歲到四十歲之間，
08:39
who is at least seven feet tall,
220
507327
2136
又剛好至少有七尺高，
08:41
there's a 17 percent chance
221
509463
1772
那麼就有17%的可能性
08:43
he's in the NBA right now.
222
511235
1805
他現在就是NBA的人。
08:45
(Laughter)
223
513040
2938
（笑聲）
08:48
That is, find six honest seven footers,
224
515978
2876
也就是說，隨意找七位老實的七尺高人
08:51
one is in the NBA right now.
225
518854
3230
就有一個在NBA工作。
08:54
And that's not the only way that
NBA players' bodies are unique.
NBA players' bodies are unique.
226
522084
2829
NBA選手體型的獨特之處不僅如此。
08:57
This is Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man,"
227
524913
2615
這是列奧納多·達·芬奇的“維特魯威人”，
08:59
the ideal proportions,
228
527528
1423
擁有最理想的體態比例，
09:01
with arm span equal to height.
229
528951
1999
臂長與身高相等。
09:03
My arm span is exactly equal to my height.
230
530950
2508
我的臂長與身高剛剛相等。
09:05
Yours is probably very nearly so.
231
533458
2136
大家的也大概一樣。
09:07
But not the average NBA player.
232
535594
2162
但是一般的NBA選手卻不是這樣。
09:09
The average NBA player is a shade under 6'7",
233
537756
2807
平均的NBA選手身高約六尺七寸，
09:12
with arms that are seven feet long.
234
540563
2311
但手臂有七尺長。
09:15
Not only are NBA players ridiculously tall,
235
542874
2798
NBA選手不僅高得離譜，
09:17
they are ludicrously long.
236
545672
2278
而且還長得荒唐。
09:20
Had Leonardo wanted to draw
237
547950
1005
如果當初里奧納多想要畫的
09:21
the Vitruvian NBA Player,
238
548955
1975
是維特魯威NBA選手，
09:23
he would have needed a rectangle and an ellipse,
239
550930
1973
他估計要用長方形和橢圓，
09:25
not a circle and a square.
240
552903
2782
而不是圓形和正方形。
09:27
So in sports where large size is prized,
241
555685
2165
因此那些重視體型的運動裡面，
09:30
the large athletes have gotten larger.
242
557850
2071
體型大的運動員已經越變越大了。
09:32
Conversely, in sports where
diminutive stature is an advantage,
diminutive stature is an advantage,
243
559921
2979
相對而言，在小巧體型佔優勢的運動裡面，
09:35
the small athletes got smaller.
244
562900
2217
小巧的運動員就越變越小。
09:37
The average elite female gymnast
245
565117
1663
平均優秀女體操運動員
09:38
shrunk from 5'3" to 4'9" on average
246
566780
2763
在過去三十年內
就從五尺三寸縮水到四尺九寸，
09:41
over the last 30 years,
247
569543
1337
09:43
all the better for their power-to-weight ratio
248
570880
2115
更加符合他們的力量—體重比例，
09:45
and for spinning in the air.
249
572995
1770
也更加適合在空中旋轉。
09:46
And while the large got larger
250
574765
1362
因此體型大的運動員越來越大，
09:48
and the small got smaller,
251
576127
1364
體型小巧的就越來越小，
09:49
the weird got weirder.
252
577491
2428
而體型怪異的就越長越怪。
09:52
The average length of the forearm
253
579919
1550
水球運動員的前臂的平均長度
09:53
of a water polo player in relation
254
581469
1751
跟他們的整只手臂相比
09:55
to their total arm got longer,
255
583220
1857
變得更加長了，
09:57
all the better for a forceful throwing whip.
256
585077
2129
這樣更加容易進行有力擊打。
09:59
And as the large got larger,
257
587206
1727
正如體型大的運動員越來越大，
10:01
small got smaller, and the weird weirder.
258
588933
2370
體型小巧的就越來越小，
體型怪異的就越長越怪。
體型怪異的就越長越怪。
10:03
In swimming, the ideal body type
259
591303
2193
在游泳中，理想的體型是
10:05
is a long torso and short legs.
260
593496
1895
軀體長、雙腿短。
10:07
It's like the long hull of a canoe
261
595391
1939
這就正如獨木舟
10:09
for speed over the water.
262
597330
1706
船體長就可以在水中快速行走。
10:11
And the opposite is advantageous in running.
263
599036
1765
而在跑步運動中則恰恰相反。
10:13
You want long legs and a short torso.
264
600801
2015
跑步需要的是長腿短軀。
10:15
And this shows in athletes' bodies today.
265
602816
2196
而這已體現在運動員的體型上來。
10:17
Here you see Michael Phelps,
266
605012
1595
這裡你看見的是邁克爾·菲爾普斯，
10:18
the greatest swimmer in history,
267
606607
1464
歷史上最偉大的游泳員，
10:20
standing next to Hicham El Guerrouj,
268
608071
2869
旁邊站的是希查姆·艾爾·奎羅伊，
10:23
the world record holder in the mile.
269
610940
1987
世界一英里田徑紀錄保持者。
10:25
These men are seven inches different in height,
270
612927
2817
這兩位男士身高相差七寸
10:27
but because of the body types
271
615744
1202
但正因為他們的體型
10:29
advantaged in their sports,
272
616946
1863
使他們在運動中獲得優勢，
10:31
they wear the same length pants.
273
618809
2388
他們穿的是同樣長度的褲子。
10:33
Seven inches difference in height,
274
621197
1494
身高相差七寸，
10:34
these men have the same length legs.
275
622691
2520
但卻有同樣長的腿。
10:37
Now in some cases, the search for bodies
276
625211
1958
有時候，為了尋找
10:39
that could push athletic performance forward
277
627169
1973
能夠優化運動表現的體型，
10:41
ended up introducing into the competitive world
278
629142
2643
結果會把一些之前
沒有參加過運動競賽的人群
沒有參加過運動競賽的人群
10:43
populations of people that weren't
previously competing at all,
previously competing at all,
279
631785
3139
帶進這個運動競賽世界裡，
10:47
like Kenyan distance runners.
280
634924
2752
比如肯亞的中、長跑運動員。
10:49
We think of Kenyans as being great marathoners.
281
637676
3330
我們認為肯亞人
是偉大的馬拉松運動員，
是偉大的馬拉松運動員，
10:53
Kenyans think of the Kalenjin tribe
282
641006
2378
而肯亞人則認為卡倫津部落的人
10:55
as being great marathoners.
283
643384
2100
才是偉大的馬拉松運動員。
10:57
The Kalenjin make up just 12 percent
284
645484
2095
卡倫津部落的人口
10:59
of the Kenyan population
285
647579
1797
僅佔肯亞人口的12%，
11:01
but the vast majority of elite runners.
286
649376
2169
但大部分的卡倫津都是出世的奔跑者，
11:03
And they happen, on average,
287
651545
1306
他們剛好都有
11:05
to have a certain unique physiology:
288
652851
2104
獨特的生理機能：
11:07
legs that are very long
289
654955
1081
他們的腿相當長
11:08
and very thin at their extremity,
290
656036
2538
同時又相當瘦，
11:10
and this is because they have their ancestry
291
658574
1418
這是因為他們的祖先
11:12
at very low latitude
292
659992
1435
生活在緯度相當低、
11:13
in a very hot and dry climate,
293
661427
2415
溫度相當高、空氣相當乾燥的氣候裡，
11:16
and an evolutionary adaptation to that
294
663842
1890
作為進化適應的調整，
11:17
is limbs that are very long
295
665732
958
他們的腿相當相當的長
11:18
and very thin at the extremity
296
666690
1519
也相當相當的瘦，
11:20
for cooling purposes.
297
668209
1774
目的是為了給身體降溫。
11:22
It's the same reason that a radiator has long coils,
298
669983
3029
其中的原理，跟水箱長長的冷卻管一樣，
11:25
to increase surface area compared to volume
299
673012
1842
目的是為了給流量增加表層接觸面，
11:27
to let heat out,
300
674854
1942
散發熱量，
11:28
and because the leg is like a pendulum,
301
676796
1513
由於雙腿就像鐘擺，
11:30
the longer and thinner it is at the extremity,
302
678309
1657
越長越瘦，
11:32
the more energy-efficient it is to swing.
303
679966
2779
擺起來就越能節省能耗。
11:34
To put Kalenjin running success in perspective,
304
682745
2594
為了理解卡倫津田徑的成功，
11:37
consider that 17 American men in history
305
685339
2727
大家可以想想，
歷史上有十七名美國人
歷史上有十七名美國人
11:40
have run faster than two hours and 10 minutes
306
688066
2629
在兩小時十分鐘內
11:42
in the marathon.
307
690695
1289
完成馬拉松賽。
11:44
That's a four-minute-and-58-second-per-mile pace.
308
691984
3047
這速度是每英里四分鐘五十八秒。
11:47
Thirty-two Kalenjin men did that last October.
309
695031
2935
去年十月份就有三十二位
卡倫津人達到這速度。
卡倫津人達到這速度。
11:50
(Laughter)
310
697966
2094
（笑聲）
11:52
That's from a source population the size
311
700060
1821
這相當於在種源群落內
11:54
of metropolitan Atlanta.
312
701881
2827
擁有亞特蘭大的大都市規模。
11:56
Still, even changing technology
313
704708
1574
但是科技帶給運動的改變
11:58
and the changing gene pool in sports
314
706282
1606
以及基因庫帶給運動的改變
12:00
don't account for all of the changes in performance.
315
707888
2473
都不是運動表現中所有變化的主要因素。
12:02
Athletes have a different mindset than they once did.
316
710361
2890
現在的運動員現在的
心理想法與以往截然不同。
心理想法與以往截然不同。
12:05
Have you ever seen in a movie when someone gets
317
713251
1369
大家看電影的時候
12:06
an electrical shock
318
714620
1272
有沒有曾經看過人遭受電擊
12:08
and they're thrown across a room?
319
715892
2323
被拋到房子的另一邊的情景？
12:10
There's no explosion there.
320
718215
1571
其實這並不是爆炸。
12:11
What's happening when that happens is that
321
719786
1238
其實在遭受電擊時，
12:13
the electrical impulse is causing
322
721024
1462
電脈衝使得
12:14
all their muscle fibers to twitch at once,
323
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2130
人所有的肌肉纖維瞬間扭曲，
12:16
and they're throwing themselves across the room.
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然後他們把自己拋到房間的另一頭。
12:19
They're essentially jumping.
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實質上他們是在跳躍。
12:21
That's the power
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這就是
蘊藏在人類體內的力量。
12:22
that's contained in the human body.
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12:24
But normally we can't access nearly all of it.
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但是一般情況下
我們基本不能使用全部的力量。
我們基本不能使用全部的力量。
12:26
Our brain acts as a limiter,
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我們的大腦就像一個限制器，
12:28
preventing us from accessing
all of our physical resources,
all of our physical resources,
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阻止我們不讓我們
使用我們體內的所有資源，
使用我們體內的所有資源，
12:30
because we might hurt ourselves,
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因為我們可能會因此傷害到自己，
12:32
tearing tendons or ligaments.
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把肌腱或韌帶扭斷。
12:33
But the more we learn about
how that limiter functions,
how that limiter functions,
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但是我們越是知道
這個限制器的運作方式
這個限制器的運作方式
12:36
the more we learn how we can push it back
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我們就越是知道
我們怎樣才能將這個限制器
我們怎樣才能將這個限制器
12:38
just a bit,
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推開一點，
12:40
in some cases by convincing the brain
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有時候通過說服大腦，
12:42
that the body won't be in mortal danger
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身體再推向極端一點，
12:44
by pushing harder.
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也不會受到致命的危險，
12:46
Endurance and ultra-endurance sports
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耐力運動和極端耐力運動
12:47
serve as a great example.
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就是一個很好的例子。
12:49
Ultra-endurance was once thought to be harmful
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極端耐力運動曾經被認為
12:51
to human health,
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會給人類健康帶來危害，
12:52
but now we realize
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但是現在我們意識到
12:54
that we have all these traits
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我們有各種特性
12:55
that are perfect for ultra-endurance:
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來進行這些極端耐力運動：
12:58
no body fur and a glut of sweat glands
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我們的身體沒有皮毛，卻有一整套汗腺，
13:01
that keep us cool while running;
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這樣我們就可以在奔跑時冷卻體溫；
13:03
narrow waists and long legs compared to our frames;
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與我們的肢體相比，
相對細窄的腰和長長的腿；
相對細窄的腰和長長的腿；
13:06
large surface area of joints for shock absorption.
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大面積關節可以吸收震動。
13:09
We have an arch in our foot that acts like a spring,
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我們腳上有彈簧一樣的腳踝，
13:12
short toes that are better for pushing off
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短腳趾更加適合推動
13:14
than for grasping tree limbs,
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而不是扣緊樹枝，
13:15
and when we run,
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當我們奔跑時，
13:17
we can turn our torso and our shoulders
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我們可以這樣轉動我們的軀幹和肩膀
13:18
like this while keeping our heads straight.
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又可以同時保持頭部向前。
13:20
Our primate cousins can't do that.
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我們的靈長類表親就做不到這點。
13:22
They have to run like this.
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牠們只能這樣跑。
13:24
And we have big old butt muscles
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我們還有大大的股肌
13:26
that keep us upright while running.
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讓我們可以在奔跑時保持直立。
13:28
Have you ever looked at an ape's butt?
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你有沒有見過猿的臀部？
13:30
They have no buns because they don't run upright.
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牠們沒有臀部，因為牠們不能直立奔跑。
13:33
And as athletes have realized
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運動員意識到
13:34
that we're perfectly suited for ultra-endurance,
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我們十分適合做極端耐力運動，
13:37
they've taken on feats
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他們已經開始做一些
13:38
that would have been unthinkable before,
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以前絕對想都不敢想的壯舉，
13:40
athletes like Spanish endurance racer Kílian Jornet.
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譬如西班牙的耐力運動競技員基李安·左內。
13:44
Here's Kílian running up the Matterhorn.
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這是基李安跑馬拉松。
13:46
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
13:48
With a sweatshirt there tied around his waist.
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他腰間綁著這件運動衫。
13:50
It's so steep he can't even run here.
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這裡相當陡峭，他根本就不能在那裡跑。
13:52
He's pulling up on a rope.
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他現在在拉著繩索向上爬。
13:54
This is a vertical ascent
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他要垂直攀爬
13:55
of more than 8,000 feet,
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至少八千尺，
13:57
and Kílian went up and down
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而基李安上去下來
13:59
in under three hours.
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花了不到三小時。
14:01
Amazing.
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1919
太神奇了。
14:03
And talented though he is,
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雖然基李安很有才，
14:04
Kílian is not a physiological freak.
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但是他不是生理怪人。
14:07
Now that he has done this,
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既然他現在已經完成這一壯舉，
14:09
other athletes will follow,
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其他運動員也會跟隨他的腳步，
14:11
just as other athletes followed
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1517
正如其他運動員跟隨了
14:12
after Sir Roger Bannister
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1574
羅傑·班尼斯特爵士的腳步
14:14
ran under four minutes in the mile.
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在四分鐘內跑完一英里。
14:16
Changing technology, changing genes,
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不斷改變的科技、不斷改變的基因、
14:18
and a changing mindset.
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不斷改變的思想。
14:20
Innovation in sports,
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運動的創新——
14:22
whether that's new track surfaces
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不管是跑道表面，
14:23
or new swimming techniques,
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還是新的游泳技巧，
14:25
the democratization of sport,
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運動的民主化——
14:27
the spread to new bodies
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向新體型、
14:28
and to new populations around the world,
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全球新人口的傳播，
14:31
and imagination in sport,
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和運動的想像力——
14:33
an understanding of what the human body
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理解人類身體
14:34
is truly capable of,
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真正的能耐，
14:36
have conspired to make athletes stronger,
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1892
這些都已經共同
協力使得運動員
協力使得運動員
14:38
faster, bolder,
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2523
比從前更強、更快、
更大膽、更好。
14:40
and better than ever.
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1977
14:42
Thank you very much.
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非常感謝。
14:45
(Applause)
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（掌聲）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
David Epstein - Sports science reporterDavid Epstein is an investigative reporter who covers the wide-open space where sports, science and medicine overlap.
Why you should listen
David Epstein writes about the developing science around sport -- from performance-enhancing drugs to the lucky genetics that separate a professional athlete from a duffer. A science writer and longtime contributor to Sports Illustrated, he's helped break stories on steroids in baseball, fraudulently marketed health remedies, and big-money irregularities in "amateur" college football. In 2007, inspired by the death of a childhood friend, he wrote a moving exploration of the most common cause of sudden death in young athletes, a hard-to-diagnose heart irregularity known as HCM.
Now an investigative reporter at ProPublica, Epstein is the author of The Sports Gene, a book that explores the complex factors that make up a championship athlete. Is there such a thing as natural greatness, or can even extreme skills -- like the freaky-fast reaction of a hockey great -- be learned? Conversely, is the desire and will to master extreme skills something you're born with?
More profile about the speakerNow an investigative reporter at ProPublica, Epstein is the author of The Sports Gene, a book that explores the complex factors that make up a championship athlete. Is there such a thing as natural greatness, or can even extreme skills -- like the freaky-fast reaction of a hockey great -- be learned? Conversely, is the desire and will to master extreme skills something you're born with?
David Epstein | Speaker | TED.com