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The elastic energy stored in your tendons can contribute up to 35 % of your energy needs when running. Sports scientists have studied the change in length of the knee extensor tendon in sprinters and nonathletes. They find (on average) that the sprinters' tendons stretch 41 mm , while nonathletes' stretch only 33 mm .

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Hello. Your question is incomplete. However, I managed to find it completely on the internet and I realized that you forgot to mention that the question asks you for the maximum energy difference between velovistas and non-athletes, considering that the spring constant for the tendon of the two groups is equal to 33n/mm.

To make this calculation you will need to use Hooke's law, using the formula: ¹/2*K*x², where "K" will be the value of the spring constant for the tendon and "X" will be the value of the sprinter and non-athlete terms.

So for the sprinter we will have the calculation:

¹/2*33*41² -------> 0,5*33*1681 = 27736. 5 Nmm

(To facilitate the calculation, first solve the division of ¹/2 and then multiply 41 by 41, lastly, just multiply all the results.)

For the non-athlete we will have the calculation:

¹/2*33*33² -------> 0,5*33*1089 = 17968. 5 Nmm

(To facilitate the calculation, first solve the division of ¹/2 and then multiply 41 by 41, lastly, just multiply all the results.)

Now, to reach the final result, you only need to subtract the two values presented by the sprinter and the non-athlete.

27736.5 - 17968.5 = 9768 Nmm

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