  Running world records (WRs) contain information about physiological
characteristics that determine running performance. The progression of WRs over
time encode the evolution of these characteristics. Here we demonstrate that a
previously established model for running performance describes WRs since 1918
for men and since 1984 for women with high accuracy. The physiological
parameters extracted from WR for each year are interpreted in terms of
historical changes in training approaches and corresponding physiological
adaptions, technological progress, social effects, and also the use of
performance enhancing drugs. While the last two decades had witnessed
stagnation of WRs, recent improvements in endurance have enable new WRs,
presumably aided by recent technological advancements.
