SPEED AND QUICKNESS time of locomotion (motor time). The latent period is the time from initiated stimulation till the emergence of muscle biocurrents.

It has been established in different sports that the latent period of simple reactions is not subject to training, is not related to the athlete’s qualification and cannot The theory and methodology of sport coaching abound in publications dealing with developing quickness and speed. In special literature these notions are generally referred to as synonyms although many a scholar has already pointed out basic differences between them (F. Henry, 1954-1960; W. Lotter, 1962; D.Clarke, 1962; E. Fleishman, 1962; M.A. Godik, 1966; V.S. Gorozhanin, 1971; Yu. I. Shanenkov, 1970, and others). The above researchers were the first to differentiate between quickness and speed.

They have established that the ability to quickly perform trivial tasks is poorly related to the speed of multi-joint locomotions. They have pointed out that quickness is fully manifest in locomotions that do not require muscle effort, complex coordination or great energy; first and foremost, the physiological mechanism of quickness is associated with the functional properties of the central nervous system. In other words, quickness is the ability to perform high-speed locomotions with no significant external resistance or great energy. integral period of a simple motor reaction is chiefly shortened at the expense of the motor element. V. S. Farel and Ya. M.

Kotz (1970) contend that the overall time ofa motor reaction is of paramount practical interest. They recommend that the athlete’s motor reaction be characterized by measuring the duration of the whole reaction from initiated stimulation till completed locomotion. Under sport activity a complex motor reaction calls for estimating the situation, choosing the best possible decision and its quick realization. Under such conditions, the time alternatives. Which is why the more difÏcult the choice the longer the time of reaction. In this case, apart from the preserved motor time the time of reacting to the situation or signal is significantly shorter.

As the athlete’s skill grows the time of receiving and processing the information becomes shorter.

Certain differences have been found in reaction time The following specific forms should be regarded as signs of quickness: quickness of the motor reaction (both simple and complex); quickness of realizing local unloaded movement (involving the leg, the trunk or the head); quickness of realizing thus be used as a parameter of man’s quickness. The locomotions associated with changes in the body’s spatial location as well as relapsing form one kind of activity to another in the absence of significant external resistance; frequency of unloaded locomotions.

These forms of quickness are independent (or poorly dependent) of one another and are not associated with (or poorly associated) with the level of physical training; nor are they related to the speed of locomotions requiring limited muscle exertion.

Let us dwell on the forms of quickness. The quickness of the motor reaction is determined by the latent period of reacting. There are simple and complex reactions. A simple reaction is a response to a known and suddenly appearing signal through pretrained locomotions. This example can be illustrated by the sprinter’s starting reaction, speed shooting, etc. All the other types of reaction are complex ones. The time of performing a simple locomotor reaction depends on the intensity of the stimulate, its sensor modality, durations, the space under effect, the localization of the point to which the stimulant is applied, the interval of consecutive stimulants and some other conditions.

The time of a simple locomotor reaction is generally indices depending on the specifics of the motor tasks to be solved, as well as varying objectives during sport activity. Thus, in bond volley-ball players and counterattacking boxers the reaction time of a simple reaction is slightly shorter and that of a complex one is 12-17% shorter than in starting volley-ball players and attacking boxers. In some cases, (for example, in sport competitions) prediction of the imminent situation is an important factor to reduce the reaction time. For instance, an experienced goal-keeper can predict the direction of the blow by the forward’s preparatory activity.

Which is why experienced performing feigned maneuvers. As the football player’s skill grows the time of feigned maneuvers prolongs, the time of performing the game-related movements being shortened. This is necessary for the counterpart to react to the false information. A too quick performance of feigned maneuvers may fail to mislead the counterpart. Another form of quickness is the quickness of realizing a single local unloaded locomotion. realized as a single boxing punch, fencing prickle or hockey-stick movement. Local motions are also realized with an active participation of the leg and trunk muscles.

Their coordination is relatively simple and provokes no effect on the quickness of the main movement.

Under more complex motor activity related to changes coordinational structure of muscle activity grows more divided into two periods, vis., the latent period and the complicated. A vivid example of this are a boxer’s maneuvers characterized by shifts in the direction of locomotions related to the quickness of reacting to the locomotions, sudden side steps and sudden transition external signal this technique shortens its motor from defensive to offensive actions. In basketball the component. This method can be used both in competitive success of sport activity is determined by the quickness and auxiliary exercises.

To develop the quickness of of simple and complex motor reactions, time of starting movement the load shall not exceed 15-20% of the and supporting reactions in jumps, as well as by the maximum. speed of realizing a single movement. A high level of quickness is demonstrated by coordination.

It is quite effective to perform the main training exercise after previous tension-regulating work plus load squatting. Under complex locomtions the shortening of application. It has been shown that the pushing of a 5- their realization is associated with elaborating and 10kg stuffed ball stimulates the quickness of the boxer’s strengthening rational muscle coordination. The less subsequent punches. The quickness and frequency of the difÏcult and the more automated the locomotion, the boxer’s movements is effectively perfected by strengthlower the tension on the central nervous system.

Yet, the developing exercises corresponding to the boxer’s punch more complex the coordination and the larger the and defense, with their subsequent performance at the transferred mass, the higher the correlation between the maximum rate and with no load. The use of dumbbells characteristics. for developing locomotion quickness in boxers has been experimentally motivated. First, various movements Still another form of quickness is the frequency of were performed with dumbbells and then without them.

unloaded locomotions which is seldom found in its pure In both cases particular attention should be given to the form in sport activity (ball leading in basketball and ability to relax the muscles prior to the exercise, to grass hockey, boxers’ movements). The frequency of perform the locomotion very quickly and then relax simple unloaded locomotions (patting and waving) is again. not associated with the movement rate or the athlete’s Soviet scientists have proven the efÏcacy of using the speed in cyclic locomotions.

No correlation has been express information method to enhance locomotion found between the maximum frequency of all one-joint quickness in various sports (gymnastics, volleyball, locomotions and the maximum frequency of steps and handball, soccer, fencing, boxing and sprints). The the sprinter’s speed. It has thus been concluded that all essence of the method consists in comparing the real the body’s characteristics cannot be derived from the parameters of a performed exercise and their subjective frequency in one joint (A.N. Gontarenko, 1975). For estimation. This helps enhance the motor-emotional example, the tapping test can be employed for studying performance of locomotions.

Various simulation forms involving reaction to the determining the athlete’s speed qualities. The frequency situation and signal have been shown to provoke a of locomotions can be trained. In boxers, for example, the positive effect on perfecting locomotion quickness. movement rate increases as their skill grows. The respiration I would like to dwell on my experience of perfecting the quickness of motor reactions in athletes. It is known specialization. The corresponding indices are better in that the most widespread way of improving a reaction is boxers than in wrestlers.

Thus, in all its specific forms to repeat a crouch start to the sound of standard quickness is chiefly determined by two factors, viz., the commands (hand clapping, voice, start shot). In promptness of organizing and regulating the neuromotor beginners this method yields quick positive results. Yet, mechanism and the promptness of mobilizing the in its long-term use the reaction quickness gets stabilized locomotion. The former is stipulated by the genotype and its subsequent improvement is hard to achieve. The and is perfected to an insignificant degree. The latter can available data on modern physiology indicate that the be trained and is thus the main reserve in developing quickness.

Hence, the quickness of a specific locomotion adaptation to the force of stimulating. Incidentally, it has is largely secured by adapting the locomotor system to been established that the stronger the stimulation the the conditions of fulfilling the motor task and mastering quicker the adaptation. This prompted me to conclusion rational muscle coordination which would promote the of using should stimulants of varying intensity (with the complete utilization of the individual’s nervous system. prevalence of weak ones).

I believed that this would The reserve of locomotion amplitude attained by make it possible to avoid the adaptation to the force of improving the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles stimulation on the one hand, and to render the situation and the mobility of the joints, as well as by developing more complex on the other hand, namely the athlete will the ability of independent muscle relaxation promotes have to be very attentive to react to a weak signal. I told fast realization of the neuromotor program. the athletes to react as fast as possible to any signal given To improve muscle coordination locomotions should from any place.

When experimentally tested the method be rendered more difÏcult to perform. This quickly yielded quite convincing results. In my further practice I involves the muscles in the locomotion and mobilizes the often used this method not only in a crouch start but in fast motor units thus determining the elaboration of the various start exercises.

Nine Inches from Starting Line. delighted with our total BFS program. He wa impressed that he wanted to join our team. BFS president Greg Shepard has always had the philosophy, it better?” for running a fast forty the lead foot.

After a lengthy debate, Dr. line. Everything else remains the same and correct.

Over 150 Pages!

From BFS Magazine — Fall 1990. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).