A Wonderleaf question
How do athletes run so fast?
a real page from the book
Athletes run so fast because they push the ground very hard, land in powerful, quick steps, and use muscles built for sudden bursts. Their arms swing to steady the body, their torso leans forward, and training teaches every part to fire together. Sprint speed is force plus timing.
A top sprinter may fit more than four steps into a single second, with each foot on the track for only a blink. Many do not take full breaths during the shortest races; their muscles rely on stored energy while the whole body stays balanced and aimed ahead.
Wonder words
- stride
- gravity
- muscles
- rhythm
Try it out
Race across the room once, then try again while swinging your arms strongly and noticing what changes.
Read the whole picture book
Watercolour scenes, straight answers, about three minutes cover to cover.
Open the picture bookOne more wonder: Why is space so dark?
And the next question?
Ask anything — Wonderleaf writes and illustrates a picture book for it. That's the whole idea.
Ask your own questionThe next wonder, by email
A new question goes up every Sunday evening. We email it to you Monday morning, free to read that week.
One wonder a week, nothing else, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.