Track and Field | Traditional Summary
Contextualization
Athletics is one of the oldest and most universal sports, with roots that date back to Ancient Greece, where it was one of the main competitions of the first Olympic Games held in 776 BC. This sport encompasses a variety of events that test different physical abilities, including strength, speed, endurance, and precision. Among the most well-known events are running, race walking, throwing, and jumping, each with its specific rules and techniques.
The importance of athletics goes beyond competitions. It is widely practiced in schools and communities due to its accessibility and the physical and mental benefits it provides. By understanding the different events and their rules, students can better appreciate the complexity and diversity of this sport, as well as recognize the positive impacts that regular practice of athletics can have on health and overall well-being.
Running
Running is one of the most popular and diverse events in athletics, encompassing races of different distances and requiring various physical skills. Sprint races, such as the 100m, 200m, and 400m, focus on maximum acceleration and muscle explosive power. A quick start and maintaining high speed are crucial in these races. Mid-distance races, such as the 800m and 1500m, require a combination of speed and endurance, in addition to pacing and positioning strategies. Long-distance races, such as the 5000m, 10000m, and marathon, require high cardiovascular endurance, energy management, and a steady pace for long distances.
Each type of race has specific rules. In sprint races, for example, athletes must remain in their designated lanes from start to finish. In mid-distance and long-distance races, runners can change lanes after a certain distance, seeking the best position to maintain pace and avoid collisions.
Running techniques vary according to distance. In sprint races, the block start technique is essential for good performance. In mid-distance and long-distance races, energy conservation and stride efficiency are key to maintaining endurance throughout the race.
Running has a significant impact on the human body, primarily developing cardiovascular endurance, leg muscle strength, and lung capacity. Regular running practice can improve overall health, increase aerobic capacity, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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Sprints: 100m, 200m, 400m.
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Mid-distance races: 800m, 1500m.
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Long-distance races: 5000m, 10000m, marathon.
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Specific rules for each type of race.
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Varied techniques according to distance.
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Impact on the development of cardiovascular endurance and lung capacity.
Race Walking
Race walking is a unique event in athletics that is distinguished from running by its specific movement technique. In race walking, athletes must keep one foot in contact with the ground at all times, and the supporting leg must be straight when the foot touches the ground. This technique is rigorously monitored by judges during the event, and any violations can result in disqualification.
Common distances for race walking are 20 km and 50 km, for both men and women. These distances require a combination of endurance, technique, and mental discipline, as the events can last several hours. Race walking is performed on closed circuits on roads or athletic tracks, and athletes must maintain a steady pace while adhering to specific technical rules.
Race walking develops physical and mental skills distinct from running. The walking technique requires coordination, strength in the leg and trunk muscles, as well as robust cardiovascular endurance. Regular practice of race walking can improve posture, muscle endurance, and aerobic capacity.
The impact of race walking on the human body is significant, especially in developing muscle and cardiovascular endurance. The specific technique also helps strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the trunk and legs, promoting correct and efficient posture.
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Specific rules: one foot in contact with the ground and straight supporting leg.
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Common distances: 20 km and 50 km.
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Performed on closed circuits.
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Development of coordination, muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance.
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Positive impact on posture and muscle endurance.
Throwing
The throwing events in athletics test athletes' strength and technique in throwing objects for maximum distances. The main throwing events are: shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, and javelin throw. Each event has its specific techniques and rules that must be followed for the throw to be valid.
In shot put, athletes use a heavy metal sphere that must be thrown from a circle 2.135 meters in diameter. The most common technique is the rotational technique, where the athlete spins within the circle before releasing the shot. In discus throw, the athlete throws a metal disc from a 2.5-meter diameter circle, using a similar rotational technique as shot put.
Hammer throw involves throwing a metal ball attached to a cable, also from a circle 2.135 meters in diameter. The technique requires strength and coordination to spin the hammer several times before releasing it. In javelin throw, the athlete runs down a short track before throwing a javelin as far as possible, using a combination of speed, strength, and throwing technique.
Throwing events significantly impact the development of explosive strength, coordination, and specific technique. Regular practice of these events strengthens the muscles of the shoulders, arms, trunk, and legs, and enhances motor coordination and the ability to generate force quickly.
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Main events: shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw.
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Specific techniques and rules for each event.
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Development of explosive strength and coordination.
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Positive impact on shoulder, arm, trunk, and leg muscles.
Jumping
Jumping events in athletics include high jump, pole vault, long jump, and triple jump. Each of these events tests athletes' ability to achieve the highest height or distance possible using specific techniques and defined rules.
In high jump, athletes run toward a horizontal bar and jump over it, using techniques such as the Fosbury Flop, where the athlete arches their body over the bar backward. The height of the bar progressively increases until only the competitors who can clear it remain.
Pole vault involves using a flexible pole to help the athlete jump over a horizontal bar. The technique requires a combination of speed, strength, and coordination to efficiently use the pole and achieve impressive heights. In long jump, athletes run down a track and jump as far as possible into a sand pit, using a take-off and flight technique to maximize distance.
Triple jump is a sequence of three jumps (hop, step, jump) performed on a track before landing in a sand pit. The technique requires precise coordination and body control for smooth transitions between jumps. Jumping events develop explosive strength, coordination, and specific techniques, with significant impacts on the muscles of the legs and trunk.
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Events: high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump.
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Specific techniques for each event.
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Development of explosive strength and coordination.
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Impact on leg and trunk muscles.
To Remember
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Athletics: a set of sports events that include running, race walking, throwing, and jumping.
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Running: events that test athletes' speed, endurance, and strategy over different distances.
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Race Walking: an event that requires a specific technique of keeping one foot in contact with the ground at all times.
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Throwing: events that involve throwing objects for maximum distances using specific techniques.
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Jumping: events that test athletes' ability to achieve the highest height or distance possible.
Conclusion
The lesson thoroughly covered the main events of athletics, including running, race walking, throwing, and jumping. Each event was explained with an emphasis on its specific rules, techniques, and the physical impacts on the human body. By understanding these events, students can appreciate the complexity and diversity of athletics, as well as recognize the physical and mental benefits provided by participation.
The knowledge gained about running, race walking, throwing, and jumping allows students to value the importance of proper training and correct techniques to achieve good performance and avoid injuries. Additionally, the discussion on the physical impacts on the human body highlighted how each event contributes to the development of specific skills such as cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and coordination.
We encourage students to explore more about athletics, whether by engaging in related physical activities or watching competitions to observe the techniques discussed in class. This additional exploration can further enrich their understanding and appreciation of the sport, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
Study Tips
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Review the class materials, including slides and demonstration videos, to reinforce learning about the techniques and rules of each athletics event.
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Watch athletics competitions, such as the Olympic Games, to observe the techniques and rules discussed in class in practice.
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Practice the athletics events discussed, even in a recreational way, to experience the physical impacts and develop a practical understanding of the techniques.
