CHANGES IN RACE WALKING STYLE FOLLOWED BY APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL LOADS

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different loads in specific power training of race walkers on movement control. Essential aspects of movement control are avoidance of high impact forces and adequate core stability. We investigated three different forms of special power training (walking with 1.8 kg weight waistcoat, walking with 1.6 kg hand-held weights and tethered walking- 2.0-2.5 kg). The clearest changes were caused by tethered walking. We found that additional loads may significant reduce impact forces (-17 %) as well as the duration of the flight phase (-19 %). Additional core training supports the effects on movement control

INFLUENCE OF FATIGUE ON RACE WALKING STABILITY

In competition race walkers have to demonstrate ground contact and knee straightening stable although the coordination of the body segments varies. The aim of this study was to investigate the stability of the movement structure adhering to the rules under the influence of increasing fatigue. Four female race walkers of the National Junior Team performed two training sessions on a treadmill. With the help of video analysis and dynamometric platforms underneath the treadmill relevant gait variables of all steps could be analyzed. Although velocity and performance level of the four athletes were comparable, the results showed individual characteristics of stability - variability of the movement structure and individual compensating effects under increasing fatigue

COORDINATIVE THRESHOLD IN RACE WALKING

According to the international competition rules race walkers have to keep contact to the ground and their knee straightened. In order to investigate the influence of adhering to the rules 20 race walkers performed a step test on a treadmill. Depending on velocity, movement coordination changed from a correct walking technique to an incorrect one and afterwards to running. Incorrect walking begins with occurrence of flight time and bending knee dependent on performance level between velocities of 2.75 to 4.0 m/s. The investigation shows a linear function between velocity and flight time, and a nonlinear one between velocity and knee straightening. To mark the maximum increase of offence against knee rule in course of velocity the term of coordinative threshold is introduced