Training in Sports

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Speed is the rate of motion or the rate of change of position. It is expressed as distance moved per unit of time. Speed is measured in the same physical units of measurement as velocity. Speed is defined as the ability of an individual to perform similar movements consecutively at the Fastest rate, e.g., short distance races like 100 metres and 200 metres. Speed as the capacity of an individual to perform a successive movement of the same pattern at a fast rate.

Types of Speed

Movement speed: It is the ability to do a movement in minimum time. It depends upon technique, explosive strength, flexibility and coordinative abilities.

Locomotor ability: It is the ability to maintain maximum speed for a maximum time or distance. Events like 100mt, 200 mt, 400mt require this ability.

Speed Endurance: Speed endurance is the ability to perform movements with high speed under conditions of fatigue. This depends upon technique, local muscular endurance and lactic acid tolerance ability.

Methods for improving speed

Acceleration runs: It is the ability to increase speed from jogging to running and finally sprinting. It depends on explosive strength, the frequency of movement & technique. To attain maximum speed from a stationary position this is practised after learning proper technique.

Pace run or races: A competitive pace race is a timed race in which the objective is not to finish in the least time, but to finish within the prescribed time and in the best physical condition. In some races, the prescribed time is very narrowly defined and the winner is the competitor who finishes closest to the prescribed time. Complete recovery is ensured between two repetitions. This means to run the whole distance of a race at a constant speed. In this, the athlete runs the race with uniform speed.