Technique and Tactics of Elite Male Race Walkers

Abstract

Performance level and overall competitiveness in the men’s 20km race walk have both increased in recent years. The demands on athletes aspiring to top-level success are also increasing, necessitating in-depth analysis of the event as the basis for further improvement. The paper presents data on the variants of tactics used by the world’s elite and the biomechanical characteristics of the top athletes at 2014-2016 Ukrainian national championships. The author’s findings include that major championship medallists cover the second half of the race at high velocity (4.26–4.38 m·s–1) and performance improves due to increases in stride length and frequency and a decrease in absorption time. He concludes that the following methodical approaches should be developed: a) optimum expansion of the volume of race walking at competitive and higher velocity with an accentuation on stride length increase, 2) use of race walking at varying velocities aimed at developing the ability for gradual and sharp velocity increases in the last segments of the race, 3) searching for and using the most efficient special and auxiliary means (of strength, speed-strength, coordination direction, etc.) aimed at a more effective take-off and enhanced hip joint mobility.