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Performance constraints in decathletes

Author

Listed:
  • Raoul Van Damme

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Robbie S. Wilson

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Bieke Vanhooydonck

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Peter Aerts

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

Physical performance by vertebrates is thought to be constrained by trade-offs between antagonistic pairs of ecologically relevant traits and between conflicting specialist and generalist phenotypes1,2, but there is surprisingly little evidence to support this reasoning3,4,5. Here we analyse the performance of world-class athletes in standardized decathlon events and find that it is subject to both types of trade-off, after correction has been made for differences between athletes in general ability across all 10 events. These trade-offs may have imposed important constraints on the evolution of physical performance in humans and other vertebrates.

Suggested Citation

  • Raoul Van Damme & Robbie S. Wilson & Bieke Vanhooydonck & Peter Aerts, 2002. "Performance constraints in decathletes," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6873), pages 755-756, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:415:y:2002:i:6873:d:10.1038_415755b
    DOI: 10.1038/415755b
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    Cited by:

    1. Fröhlich, Michael & Gassmann, Freya & Emrich, Eike (ed.), 2015. "Zur Strukturanalyse des Mehrkampfes in der Leichtathletik: Eine empirische Studie zum Zusammenhang von Leistung und Erfolg im Siebenkampf der Frauen und Zehnkampf der Männer," Schriften des Europäischen Instituts für Sozioökonomie e.V., European Institute for Socioeconomics (EIS), Saarbrücken, volume 11, number 11.

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