Technique characteristics of athletes aged 13–15 years specialized in race walking at the stage of preliminary basic preparation

Abstract

The analysis of the technique of performing a competitive exercise by athletes aged 13–15 years, who specialize in race walking at the stage of preliminary basic training is the basis for further optimization of technical training, both at this and the following stages of long-term improvement.The objective of the study was to determine the main kinematic characteristics of the technique of athletes specialized in race walking at the stage of preliminary basic training. Methods. The kinematic characteristics of the technique of 31 athletes (age – 14,68 years; S = 0,65) at a distance of 3 km at the championships of Ukraine in race walking 2016–2021, as well as the individual dynamics of these indices in two athletes at the stage of specialized basic preparation at a 10 km distance were analyzed. Results. To achieve the level of results at a distance of 3 km – 14:11 (S = 0:22), the average speed at the distance constitutes 3,53 m·s-1 (S = 0,09), stride length – 1,13 m (S = 0,05), stride frequency – 3,13 stride·s-1 (S = 0,12), the duration of the support phase – 0,289 s (S = 0,016), and that of flight – 0,032 s (S = 0,010). The knee joint angle during foot placement on support constituted 179,70º (S = 1,59), the angle of foot placement on support – 69.99º (S = 1,48), and the take-off angle – 60,78º (S = 1–34). Conclusions.The values of technique biomechanical characteristics of athletes aged 13–15 years at the stage of preliminary basic preparation reach high indices and approach those of junior and adult athletes of high national level at distances of 10 and 20 km, respectively. The age of 13–15 years for athletes who specialize in race walking is important for the formation of the basic elements of technique, namely the stride length and frequency and the main kinematic characteristics that affect their values, and should be taken into account when designing their process of technical preparation and long-term improvement strategy in general.