How is it physically possible to continue breaking sporting records?

. UK edition

Armand Duplantis clears the bar high above the ground during a pole vault competition
Fifteen world records down … Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole vault during the Herculis athletics meeting in Monaco. 2026. Photograph: Valéry Hache/AFP/Getty Images

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts

Obviously, progressions in sports clothing technology must make a small difference to the abilities of an athlete – but how on earth is it physically possible that we continue to break world records, year-on-year? Are humans really faster or stronger than they were decades ago? Jennifer Michaelson, Newlyn

Post your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be published next Sunday.