Race walking is a competitive form of athletics, a type of walking characterized by alternating steps performed in such a way that the athlete constantly makes contact with the ground and there is no loss of contact with the track visible to the human eye. The forward (supporting) leg must be fully straightened (not bent at the knee joint) from the moment of the first contact with the ground until the vertical is passed.
Like regular walking, sport walking is a cyclic movement, as it involves repeated repetitions of the same movements of individual body parts in a certain sequence. The increase in speed during sport walking, compared to regular walking, is achieved by increasing the length and frequency (pace) of movements. Normal walking is characterized by a stride length of 70-85 cm with a frequency of 100-120 steps per minute and a speed of 5-6 km/h. In sports walking, the speed is 12-14 km/h. This is due to the fact that the length of the steps is 110-120 cm and the frequency is 180-200 steps per minute.
The technique of walking
The athlete’s speed in race walking is achieved by placing the leg straight at the knee joint on the ground, rotating the pelvis around the vertical axis, active movements of the shoulder girdle and arms, high coordination and efficiency of all movements.
The rules of race walking competitions require constant contact with the ground and a straightened leg position when placing your feet on the ground.
A step with one foot and then the other forms a unit of movement – a cycle. The cycle is considered from the moment of pushing off, landing or any other position of the athlete. After returning to the starting position, the next cycle begins. In a cycle, there are two periods of single support (left and right foot) and two periods of double support, between which the free foot moves forward and performs the next step.
The beginning of the cycle can be considered the moment when the supporting leg finishes pushing off, but has not yet lifted its toe off the ground, and the other, free leg, in a straight position, places its heel on the ground. After completing the push-off, the leg first moves up and down, and then is brought forward low above the ground. After straightening, it is placed on the ground. Simultaneously with the transfer of body weight to the front leg, the supporting leg becomes the swing leg after pushing off. In the second half of the half cycle, she repeats the previous movements of the other leg. After it hits the ground, a new cycle begins.
When the swing leg moves forward, the pelvis rotates around the vertical axis, which increases the stride length. This increase is also achieved by straightening the leg at the knee joint and placing it on the heel.
Rules of the competition in sports walking
Official race walking competitions are held at the following standard distances:
- Indoor (arena): 3000 m (women), 5000 m (men and women);
- Outdoors (stadium, highway):
- 5 km;
- 10 km (juniors, juniors);
- 20 km, 50 km (men, women).
Other competitions may have different distances and may be timed.
If the competition is held on a highway, the athletes cover the distance in laps of 1 km to 2 km. The start and finish are held in the same place, which can be a stadium.
For distances between 5 km and 10 km, there are beverage/freshment stations (providing only water), and for distances over 10 km, there are food stations.
Athletes receive warnings for breaking the rules (obvious loss of contact with the ground or bending the leg at the knee). If athletes receive a certain number of warnings, they are penalized with penalty corridors or disqualified.