Page 9 - Chapter_12

swiftly to a stimulus, visual or tactical. It method of running to develop speed. The
is quite important in sports, that an athlete athlete runs for specific distance, starting at
has good reaction ability and reflexes. It zero speed and they working towards maximal
is particularly vital in combative sports. speed during the course of running. A sprinter’s
It may be classified into simple reaction speed usually starts increasing after 30 metres,
ability and complete reaction ability. or about 4 to 6 seconds. The maximum speed
2. Acceleration Ability: This ability deals that an athlete acquires during his course of
with changing speed from low to a maximal movement lasts for about 20 metres.
state. For example, initiating with jogging,
thin continuing with running and finally
ending with sprinting.
3. Locomotor Ability: It is the ability to
maintain greater speed. For greater
distance and longer duration used in
competitive sports like 200 m and 400 m
races, swimming, speed skating, etc.
4. Movement Ability: In a single course of
movement, it is the ability of a muscle or
group of muscles to contract of maximal
speed. It is affected by flexibility, explosive
strength, coordination and technique of Acceleration run
the athlete. It is most often displayed
combative sports like wrestling and boxing, Accelerated runs are repeated with
swimming, gymnastics, jumps, etc. sufficient intervals in between. The number
of repetitions can be maintained as per the
5. Speed Endurance: It is the ability to
perform motor movements quickly capacity and limitation of the athlete. It varies
under fatigue condition. It depends on from 6 to 12 runs. It is essential to perform
explosive strength, anaerobic capacity, and warm-up before initiating accelerated runs.
endurance of an individual. Trainees are advised to take at least 4 to 5
minutes rests between the runs.
method to Develop Speed
pace run
We have already seen that it is the genetic
factors that decide the potential of an Pace run are characterised by uniform speed.
individual to achiever higher speed than his/ It means that the athlete runs the course of the
her peers. Speed can be increased upto some race at a steady and certain speed. This method
extent by a variety of training methods. Two is usually applied to races of 800 m and above.
methods of developing speed of an individual In this method, an athlete attains the
are described below: maximum speed early into the race, in long
races he runs at the risk of tiring, if the maintain
acceleration run his maximum speed throughout. An athlete
Acceleration run is preferred to increase the can run a distance of 300 m only at a full speed.
speed, especially in achieving the maximum Energy, therefore, requires to be conserved.
speed. From a static position. When an athlete For example, a sprinter whose best time is 1
runs, he does not simply start running at minute 40 seconds, applying pace run method,
maximal speed. It is acquired through gradual he should run the first half in 40 seconds and
increment. This technique is used in acceleration the next in 51 seconds.
Psychology and Sports 9