Weird human question.

"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy)
11/10/2016 at 11:00 • Filed to: Human Performance, Horsepower Wars, Usain Bolt, Ketie Ledecky, Peter Sagan, Math and shit

Somewhat related car for your time.

Right. Here’s my question: how much horsepower do some of Earth’s greatest human athletes, Usain Bolt, Katie Ledecky, and Peter Sagan, make?

Torque figures are probably harder to find, but if you do, post it, too.

DISCUSSION (7)

ttyymmnn > Wheelerguy
11/10/2016 at 11:04

Here, let me Google that for you.

http://speedendurance.com/2010/08/31/how-much-horsepower-does-usain-bolt-generate/

BunkyTheMelon > Wheelerguy
11/10/2016 at 11:05

Not to be a dick, but Google turns up all sorts of human horsepower calculators . . .

bhtooefr > Wheelerguy
11/10/2016 at 11:12

Here’s a study of elite track cyclists (some of the most power-dense humans) from 2005: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/uwic/ujpa/2005/00000005/00000003/art00014

Upshot, as high as 3 horsepower. That’s not sustained at all, though.

Mattbob > Wheelerguy
11/10/2016 at 11:13

Are you looking at peak numbers, or sustainable numbers? I imagine Sagan could output a couple HP. One horsepower is a lot of watts though. According to this article he put out a peak of 1225 watts or 1.64HP during an uphill sprint stage. http://www.bicycling.co.za/race-news/tour-de-france/tour-features/just-how-super-is-peter-sagan/ Average output is going to be a lot lower depending on what is going on.

Birddog > BunkyTheMelon
11/10/2016 at 11:18

That one is pretty much dead on.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Wheelerguy
11/10/2016 at 11:21

From Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_power

Elite athletes can produce about 400 watts for an extended period of time. That’s a bit over 1/2 HP.

For peak power that seems to be a bit harder to find. I found one reference saying cycle sprinters can make 2000 watts in short bursts (a bit over 2.5 HP). Another one talks about powerlifting and states that some bursts have a power output of ~3600 watts (~4.8HP).

http://athleticlab.com/power-outputs-olympic-weightlifting-vs-powerlifting-by-jesse-wang/

5HP is probably pretty close to peak human power right now.

NJAnon > Wheelerguy
11/10/2016 at 19:47

Unfortunately not enough horsepower in “on paper” contests to compete with cars Wheeler (if thats what your wondering). Humans have been getting faster according to evolution scientists though.