Race walking wins out.You've seen it at races, sometimes on the road, and maybe you've tried it yourself. It's not running, not jogging jogging Aerobic exercise involving running at an easy pace. Jogging (1967) by Bill Bowerman and W.E. Harris boosted jogging's popularity for fitness, weight loss, and stress relief. , not walking, not even power walking. Race walking is an entirely different game. Olympic-style race walking is designed to propel the body as fast as possible without becoming airborne as in running or jogging. Although power walking is a great exercise, it is not as fast and efficient as Olympic race walking. Since race walking limits impact forces as compared to running or jogging, and maximizes the cardiovascular challenge of walking, it can be a good way for runners to cross train or return from injury. Some proponents actually believe that race walking can improve running times. While that claim can be challenged, it is certain that impact forces are reduced and that race walking may prevent an injury or help get you back on the road after an injury. What's more, you burn about the same number of calories racewalking race·walk·ing n. The sport of walking for speed, the rules of which require the racer to maintain continual foot contact with the ground and to keep the supporting leg straight at the knee when that leg is directly below the body. and running a mile! What is it exactly? Race walking is defined as moving forward in a way that produces continuous contact with the ground. The advancing leg must be straight from the moment of contact with the ground until it is vertical. The rear foot can't leave the ground until the advancing foot makes contact. For race walkers, the challenge is to maintain a stride as fast as possible without being illegal and getting disqualified dis·qual·i·fy tr.v. dis·qual·i·fied, dis·qual·i·fy·ing, dis·qual·i·fies 1. a. To render unqualified or unfit. b. To declare unqualified or ineligible. 2. . Take a good look at the race walking literature and it is immediately clear that a great deal of attention is given to biomechanics The study of the anatomical principles of movement. Biomechanical applications on the computer employ stick modeling to analyze the movement of athletes as well as racing horses. Biomechanics and technique. In order to move faster there are only two variables--stride length and stride frequency. Increasing stride length stride length Biomechanics The distance between 2 successive placements of the same foot, consisting of 2 step lengths; SL measured between successive positions of the left foot is always the same as that measured by the right foot, unless the subject is walking in a curve too much results in illegal steps and the risk of disqualification dis·qual·i·fi·ca·tion n. 1. The act of disqualifying or the condition of having been disqualified. 2. Something that disqualifies: illness as a disqualification for enlistment in the army. . So, the race walker works primarily on increasing stride frequency. This is achieved by focusing on heel placement, when to raise your toes, how the foot rolls, hip rotation, overall posture, arm swing, and head position. Runners may benefit from giving even half as much attention to technique as race walkers do. If running is taking its toll on your body and you'd like an alternative that can keep you racing, give race walking a try. Check out the official race walking homepage of USATF USATF United States of America Track and Field (governing body for T&F, Race Walking & Distance Running) at www.racewalk.com. (CN) |
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