Patrick Finley: Scientists ponder navels, gravity

A study published this month in the International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics - what, you're not a subscriber? - said as much.

Your area of origin determines where your center of gravity - be it pelvis, or belly button - is located, the report said.

The result, according to three authors of the study, is that black runners are inherently 1.5 percent faster than whites, while whites are 1.5 percent faster in the pool.

Athletes of West African origin have a center of gravity that is, on average, three centimeters higher than of their white counterparts.

That leads to an advantage in running speed, and a deficit in swimming speed, according to Adrian Bejan, Edward C. Jones and Jordan D. Charles, authors of "The Evolution of Speed in Athletics: Why the Fastest Runners are Black and Swimmers White."

Bejan is a Duke professor from Romania. Jones, who is African-American, teaches at Howard University.

"We all understand this is a potential controversial topic," Bejan said by phone. "But the observation is obvious. The science about it is obvious."

If running is the act of falling forward without falling down, then mass that falls from a higher center of gravity goes faster.

Conversely, a lower center of gravity gives swimmers a longer torso, allowing them to ride the wave created by the stroke longer, like a dolphin.

Arizona Wildcats swim coach Frank Busch said that a long torso "is a build that's significant in all the great swimmers, but it's not something that's the only thing. … But the percentages are in your favor."

UA track and field coach Fred Harvey said the advantage of a high center of gravity was "absolutely valid," though he didn't agree with generalizations about an athlete's country of origin.

"One of the things I look for in sprinters and hurdlers is not necessarily their total height," he said, "but their inseam - how high their hips are."

The study cites men's 100-meter freestyle world records, which have been set exclusively by white swimmers since 1922.

Every world record in the men's 100-meter dash since 1968 has been set by a black runner.

Jones said that to put the study "in terms of race would be grossly incorrect." He stressed that race is a social construct; the study uses place of origin instead.

"But at the same time, it's not semantics to say that if you look at characteristics that people of a certain geographic origin that have adapted to survive in a certain environment, those characteristics might help them thrive in a sport," he said.

Last year, Bejan published a study concluding that, in general, larger animals were faster. That led Jones, who had studied the body composition of a wide range of children, to e-mail Bejan and introduce himself and brainstorm their findings.

"We have more than a eureka moment here," Bejan said. "It's physics. It's important to know. It's science."

Bejan said he grew up idolizing Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics who sought to determine the best athletes in a "completely egalitarian" way, regardless of class or biology.

While a 1.5 percent advantage doesn't erase that idea, it makes Bejan think.

He's doing more than contemplating his navel.

"Now we know (that's) not true," he said. "It does matter where you come from when it comes to winning races."

THE FINLEY FIVE: FIVE THINGS WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS WEEK

Pac-10 media day

1The league's annual getting-to-know-you is usually short on circus elements, but I can't wait to see USC's Lane Kiffin alongside can't-miss talkers Rick Neuheisel and Jim Harbaugh at the Rose Bowl.

Fantasy

2With most NFL teams either in training camp or packing up for it, this week is a good time to double-down on fantasy football magazines. It's never too early to do research for a draft that comes next month.

Cut day

3USA Basketball is expected to cut four players from the national team by the end of today in preparation for the World Championships in Turkey in August. Watch out, JaVale McGee!

Louganis

4Greg Louganis, a four-time gold medal-winning Olympic diver, will speak at the opening ceremonies of the USA Diving Junior and Age Group National Championships tonight at 6:30. Tickets can be purchased at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center.

Adiós, Jennie

5Jennie Finch, the Arizona Wildcats legend who announced her retirement last week from softball, will end her playing career tonight as a member of the U.S. national team. The World Cup of Softball final is on ESPN2 at 6 p.m.

Patrick Finley

Contact Patrick Finley at 573-4145 or pfinley@azstarnet.com or follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/patrickfinley