Track and Field: Introduction | Active Summary

Objectives

1. Identify and describe the main modalities of athletics, such as running, walking, throwing, and jumping, highlighting their rules and specific characteristics.

2. Analyze the physical and physiological impacts that athletics activities can have on the human body, relating them to benefits and possible injuries.

3. Develop teamwork and communication skills during practical activities in the classroom.

Contextualization

Did you know that athletics is one of the oldest forms of sports competition? It dates back to the Ancient Greek Olympic Games and forms the foundation of many modern sports. For example, the marathon, one of the most iconic events in athletics, has its roots in the legend of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians. Its history and evolution over the centuries make athletics not just a sport, but a global cultural heritage.

Important Topics

Running

Running is the backbone of athletics, covering distances that range from 100 meters to the marathon. Each race has its own specificities, such as the starting technique, the type of track, and the rules of the race itself. This component of athletics not only demands speed and endurance but also emphasizes the importance of technique to achieve maximum performance.

• Starting Technique: Essential to avoid false starts and ensure fair competition.

• Types of Track: Can vary according to distance and level of competition, directly influencing athletes' performance.

• Race Rules: Include prohibitions against obstruction, overtaking rules, and disqualification for infractions.

Throwing

Throws in athletics include shot put, discus throw, javelin, and hammer throw. Each modality requires specific strength, technique, and coordination. These events highlight the importance of strength and explosiveness training, in addition to being an example of how different types of athletes can excel in different disciplines within the sport.

• Technique: Each throw requires a specific technique that maximizes distance.

• Equipment: The implements used must meet weight and dimension standards, ensuring fairness in competition.

• Safety Measures: Essential to protect athletes and spectators from accidents.

Jumping

Jumping events in athletics, such as high jump, pole vault, and long jump, test acrobatic skills, speed, and technique. These modalities are not only exciting to watch but also challenge athletes to surpass their own marks and limits, encouraging technical innovation and specialized physical training.

• Jump Technique: Each modality has its unique technique that maximizes distance or height.

• Equipment: The type and quality of equipment, such as landing mats, are crucial for athletes' safety.

• Judging: Jumps are judged by a panel observing the technique, height, or distance achieved.

Key Terms

• Athletics: A set of sports modalities that include running, throwing, and jumping, practiced on tracks, roads, or specific terrains.

• Decathlon: An athletics competition that encompasses ten events, including running, jumping, and throwing.

• Marathon: A long-distance race that measures 42.195 km, originating from the legend of Pheidippides.

To Reflect

• How can technique influence performance more than brute strength in many modalities of athletics?

• In what ways can athletics competitions be adapted to include athletes with different physical abilities or limitations?

• What is the role of rules in athletics, and how do they ensure safety and fairness in competitions?

Important Conclusions

• We reviewed the main modalities of athletics, such as running, throwing, and jumping, highlighting their techniques, rules, and physical impacts.

• We discussed the importance of athletics not only as a sport but as an essential part of global cultural and sporting history.

• We explored how athletics promotes physical, mental, and social skills, such as teamwork, discipline, and respect, which are fundamental not only in sports but in daily life.

To Exercise Knowledge

1. Create a training diary for one week, where you will simulate athletics training. Include notes on which physical and mental skills each modality works on. 2. Design a creative poster representing the evolution of athletics from the Ancient Greek Olympic Games to the present day. Use colors and images to highlight the changes and innovations. 3. Conduct research on famous athletics athletes and prepare a brief report on their careers, highlighting their main achievements and challenges.

Challenge

Create a 2-minute video demonstrating a technique from one of the athletics modalities. It can be a jump, a run, or a throw. Try to explain the technique in a way that anyone who watches can understand and try to replicate.

Study Tips

• Watch videos of athletics competitions to observe the techniques of professional athletes. Try to identify the rules being applied during the events.

• Practice the learned skills, such as running and jumping, in your free time. This will not only reinforce your learning but also improve your physical health.

• Read articles or watch documentaries about the history of athletics to gain a deeper understanding of how the sport has evolved and its influences on society.