Contextualization

Track and field is often considered the oldest form of sport competition, accompanying humanity since the ancient Olympic Games in Greece to the modern global events, such as the Olympics and World Championships. It is the essence of sport, based on skills that are the foundation of physical activity: running, jumping and throwing. These fundamental skills are manifested in various disciplines that make up track and field, such as short and long distance running, high and long jump, and shot put and discus throw.

These modalities demand not only excellent physical condition, but also refined technique and a tactical understanding of the event. In addition, track and field is a metaphor for human development, as each athlete constantly seeks to overcome their best performance, symbolizing the personal journey in search of excellence. It teaches us about discipline, perseverance and the importance of fair play.

In the school context, track and field can be a powerful tool for the physical and socio-emotional development of students. It allows for the application of physics concepts such as speed, acceleration and Newton's laws, as well as notions of physiology, such as energy metabolism and muscular and cardiovascular adaptations. The practice of track and field also contributes to the understanding of the importance of regular physical activity for health and well-being.

Importance of Track and Field in the Real World

In the real world, track and field offers more than just the chance to compete and break records. It plays a significant role in promoting health, building communities and fostering inclusion. Track and field programs in schools and clubs encourage physical activity among young people, helping to combat public health problems such as obesity and physical inactivity.

In addition, track and field can be a catalyst for empowerment and social transformation. Sporting events, in particular, have the power to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures, promoting tolerance, respect and mutual understanding. Track and field athletes often become role models for young people, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and commit to excellence in all areas of life.

Reliable Resources

To support the study and provide an informed debate on the theme of track and field, I suggest the following reliable resources:

• Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt) - Official website of the Brazilian Athletics Confederation, containing information on modalities, rules, competitions and Brazilian athletes.
• Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) - Portal of the Brazilian Olympic Committee with information on track and field in the Olympics, history of competitions and data on Olympic athletes.
• SportScience - Website that publishes scientific articles related to sports, including research on biomechanics, physiology and sports psychology.
• Fundamentals of Running Training - Book available for sale in bookstores such as Livraria Cultura, which explores the scientific and practical aspects of running training, essential for a deep understanding of track and field.

These resources will be the basis for the research and development of your project, and will help you to understand track and field in a comprehensive way, connecting the content with practice and everyday life.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Olympic Journey - Exploring the Basics of Track and Field

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to provide students with a practical experience of the basic modalities of track and field, promoting understanding of the rules, technique, and physical impacts involved in each activity. Through active participation, students will develop technical and socio-emotional skills related to sport practice, while also exploring the theory behind the activities.

Detailed Project Description:

Each group of 3 to 5 students will represent a "country" in a mini Olympic event organized at the school. The event will consist of a series of challenges based on track and field modalities: short distance running, long jump, shot put (adapted with lighter balls) and relay race. The group should investigate the technical and theoretical aspects of each modality, practice, and finally compete in a small tournament.

Materials Needed:

• Running track or marked area for short distance running and relay
• Tape measure to measure distances in the jump and throw
• Marked area for the long jump with sand surface
• Light weight balls for the shot put (alternatively, use medicine balls of appropriate weight for age)
• Relay baton
• Stopwatches to record times
• Notebook and pen for taking notes during training and competitions
• Camera or smartphone for video recording of activities

Project Duration:

The execution of the activity should take approximately two to four hours per student, distributed throughout the week.

Detailed Step-by-Step:

1. Group Formation and Research: (30 min)

   • Form groups and choose a "country" to represent.
   • Conduct a brief research on the track and field practiced in that country.

2. Theoretical Exploration (1 hour)

   • Study the basic rules and techniques of each chosen modality.
   • Investigate the physical aspects (biomechanics, physiology) involved.

3. Practice and Training (1-2 hours)

   • Practice the running, jumping and throwing techniques.
   • Record observations on the performance and techniques used.
   • Record videos of the training sessions for later analysis.

4. Internal Competition (1 hour)

   • Hold a mini tournament between the groups, competing in the studied modalities.
   • Record the results obtained by each group.

5. Analysis and Reflection (30 min)

   • Review the recorded videos, discussing the techniques and performances.
   • Compare the results with professional marks (contextualizing the differences).

Project Deliverables:

After the conclusion of the practical part, each group must produce a report, containing the following topics:

1. Introduction: Contextualize track and field and its importance, describe the objectives of the project (1 page).

2. Development:

   • Explain the theory of the modalities practiced, including the rules and technique (2 pages).
   • Describe the methodology and practical activities, including training and competitions (2-3 pages).
   • Present and discuss the results obtained, with analysis of videos and records of performances (2 pages).

3. Conclusion:

   • Summarize the main points of the project, the lessons learned and the applicability of the knowledge acquired in everyday life and in future sport practices (1 page).

4. Bibliography:

   • List all resources used for research and theoretical foundation, including books, articles, websites and videos (1 page).

The written document should be clear, concise and complementary to the practical activities carried out. Its elaboration will be part of the project evaluation process, considering both the quality of the content and the collaboration and teamwork evidenced.