New tool may reveal why Bolt is the fastest

Scientists may soon find the secret behind the athletic prowess of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt — the fastest man on earth, thanks to a new tool that allows them to analyse muscle proteins and observe the molecules at work.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Germany have further developed cryo-electron microscopy, a technique that can be used to explain the cause of muscle diseases and identify features that make the musculature of top athletes so efficient.

A tissue sample from the world record holder Bolt could enable researchers to find why some people can run faster than others.

“With cryo-electron microscopy we can observe the natural changes in the interplay of muscle proteins. It would also enable us to discover whether this interplay differs in Usain Bolt’s muscles from that in other people’s muscles,” said Mr Stefan Raunser, from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology.

Special protein constellations could consequently result in the optimal development of muscle strength, which is not achieved in other sprinters. “All top athletes probably have genes that enable them to achieve top performances,” said Mr Raunser.

Given that skeletal muscle contains both fast muscle fibres capable of rapid bursts of power and slow ones that are suitable for enduring activity, Bolt’s musculature may be composed of a particulary effective combination of fibres.