Track tests: types, classification and characteristics

Athletics is a more complex sport than one might think, and the track events that comprise it, all of them very varied, are true demonstrations of great physical and mental capacity of athletes.

Let's take a closer look at what exactly these types of tests are, as well as see what capabilities are required to pass them and how many types there are.

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What are track events?

Track events are different activities that are part of athletics. This sport is one of the oldest and most practiced throughout history, being made up of different competitions in which jumps, launches of various objects and, of course, races are performed at various distances.

Track events are given this name because they are usually carried out on a track, usually an oval-shaped circuit, made up of two parallel lines that are joined at the ends with two curves. The measures of the track vary depending on the type of competitions that are going to be carried out.

As an ancient human activity, athletics has been changing the amount of trials experienced athletes have faced throughout history. What all these tests do have in common is that the athlete must have a great capacity to self-improvement, obtained after a hard effort that is rewarded in the form of high performance and endurance.

Athletes skills

In order to pass the track tests, it is necessary to have well-developed abilities, both physical and mental. The athlete must have impeccable coordination And, to achieve your sporting goals, you must undergo tough training. Athletics is not just running faster than other contenders. It requires great preparation and willpower to achieve the objectives that one sets.

In fact, something that may seem as simple and banal as the warm-up is key to being successful in the competition, in addition to promoting the preservation of the physical integrity and health of the joints, muscles and bones. Furthermore, the competition has the potential to be so complex that the style in which the race is started can cause precious seconds to be lost or make one tire faster.

These physical activities can not only be a great strain on a physical level. Athletes are subjected to a strong mental load, since both before and during competition they must react to stimuli and take appropriate decisions to ensure that they achieve a good Outcome.

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The most important types of track events

Then We will see the main track events best known and seen in international competitions.

Foot races

The foot races are athletic competitions whose objective is to determine who is the competitor who achieves walk or run a distance in the shortest time possible. Within foot races, the following six can be differentiated:

1. Sprint race

In these competitions you must travel between about 100 and 400 meters in the shortest time possible, depending on the distance agreed in the competition itself. Normally, the distance traveled is done in a straight line, on level ground and without obstacles, especially if it is a relatively small distance such as 100 meters.

At longer distances it is more common to use the entire track, going through the curves of the circuit.

2. Long distance and middle distance running

Medium-distance races have to be covered between 800 and 3,000 meters, while long-distance races exceed 3 kilometers. In this type of race resistance takes on a much more important role than speed.

3. Road racing

Unlike the previous ones, which take place within the traditional athletics circuit, road races are characterized by being done outside the stadium, in places such as roads or tracks. The most characteristic example of this are marathons.

4. Cross country racing

This type of competition is basically a long-distance race but it is carried out in different spaces, usually in the field itself.

5. Hurdle passage race

It is a race in which there are obstacles along the way. It is inspired by equestrian, in which the horse has to jump hurdles, only in this case it is the participants themselves who have to jump them.

6. Relay race

Groups consisting of four competitors normally participate, who must travel a distance in the shortest possible time, each of them traveling part of the journey.

Each participant must pass a wooden stick to the next, called a witness, which is the object with which the race must be carried out.

Athletic march

The athletic march has its origins in Great Britain. It consists of moving, walking, for a distance of between 20 and 50 kilometers. Participants should walk as fast as they can, and always having one foot in contact with the ground.

Jumps

There are many jumping competitions, depending on whether or not there is an object with which to help jump and also the height to overcome.

1. Pole vault

It is a very old competition, which dates back to Classical Greece, although it has undergone modifications over time. It consists of passing over a crossbar without making it fall, using a pole as an aid to perform the jump.

2. Long jump

The long jump consists of jumping from as close as possible to a 'starting plate', after you've done a run to get momentum.

3. High jump

Similar to pole vault, only without it. It consists of jumping on a horizontal bar without knocking it down when passing over it.

4. Triple jump

As its name indicates, consists of performing three jumps after gaining momentum from the starting plate. Whoever has managed to move more meters by doing this wins.

Releases

Throws basically consist of throwing various objects as far as possible. These They can be a heavy ball, a javelin, a discus or even a hammer, which is a ball tied to a string.

Combined tests

In combined events, athletes must face several track events consecutively.

Generally, these tests are ten and they are called decathlon, although there are other varieties with less number of tests, such as heptathlon and triathlon.

Bibliographic references:

• Campos, J; Gallach, J. (2004). Athletics techniques. Practical teaching manual. Barcelona, ​​Spain. Editorial Paidotribo.
• Hornillos, I. (2000). Athletics. Barcelona, ​​Spain. Editorial INDE publications.