Varieties of walking in athletics. Race walking as a source of health

Race walking is known to us from the Olympic Games: this sport is included in the list light disciplines athletics, however, stands apart from its running types: in this case, it is necessary to constantly maintain contact between the ground and feet. Women compete at a distance of 20 km, and men – 20 and 50 km, in case the competition is held outside the stadium. If the competition takes place at a stadium or indoors, the distances are shorter, since walking on a hard surface, unlike walking on the ground, puts a strong load on the joints of the lower extremities.

Race walking: technique

Many people consider regular walking not intense enough and prefer to use race walking for weight loss. In order to try, you need to remember the necessary conditions for correct execution:

  • you need to quickly step on the ground, without stopping the contact of your feet with the ground for a second;
  • the leg that is in front must be straight throughout the entire period from the first step on the ground to the end of the entire vertical line;
  • at the same time you need to move as quickly as possible;
  • The arms should be bent at the elbows and make characteristic movements.

This technique is very complex, so athletes are often disqualified due to violations. Make sure you do it correctly so that what you are doing is truly race walking!

How to breathe correctly when walking?

We all know what an important role in sports has correct breathing. In this case, you need to breathe rhythmically, deeply, in time with the movement. Most importantly, even when you feel noticeably tired, do not switch to mouth breathing, this will only take away your strength even more.

Running or walking - that is the question

It is difficult to answer unequivocally what is better – running or walking. Both of these types of disciplines athletics They put quite a lot of stress on the joints of the legs, train the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, endurance, and perfectly get rid of fat deposits in the abdomen, hips and buttocks (and if you actively involve your arms in the work, then your arms too).

Of course, in this comparison we are talking about fast walking, since walking is a very light load, and in order to achieve the same weight loss results, you need to walk for at least two to three hours in a row.

It is best for each person to try each of the options and independently choose the one that seems most comfortable. Some people do not like to run and would rather walk at a fast pace than go for a run; others, on the contrary, like to develop rapid speed while jogging. Any aerobic exercise is an excellent aid to the body in strengthening health, muscles and endurance, which means that no matter what you choose, you will benefit from it in any case.

How to choose walking shoes?

It is important to choose the right shoes to protect your joints. The best option are high-top sneakers that hide ankle joint and are clearly fixed on the leg with lacing. In addition, it is important to pay attention to how the shock absorption is designed - it should be reinforced in the heel area.

If you walk in a park or forest on natural soil, then the shock absorption may be average, but if you walk on asphalt (which is not very good for your joints), then you should make sure that the shock absorbers in your sneakers are at their best.

The main thing is that sneakers should be comfortable, your size, fit well on your feet and be light and comfortable. Only in this case will you be able to not only train, but also enjoy the process itself.

Race walking- an Olympic track and field discipline in which, unlike running events, there must be constant contact of the foot with the ground. In the Olympic program, competitions for men are held outside the stadium, at distances of 20 km and 50 km, for women at 20 km. Competitions are also held on the 400 m outdoor track (10,000 and 20,000 m) and the 200 m indoor track (5,000 m).

Rules and technique

Race walking is an alternation of steps that must be performed so that the walker is constantly in contact with the ground. In this case, the following two rules must be followed:

1. It is necessary that the athlete maintains constant contact with the ground without any loss of contact visible to the human eye.

2. The forward leg must be fully straightened (i.e., not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until it passes the vertical.

The athlete’s walking technique is assessed by judges at the distance, who should be from 6 to 9 (including the senior judge).

Walking in the track and field program is the only event in which there is subjective judging. If in running athletes are removed from the race only in exceptional cases, then in walking practice disqualification at a distance is a common occurrence. There are cases when athletes are disqualified after finishing.

Judges may issue warnings to walkers using yellow paddles to warn them against breaking the rules. On one side of the blade there is a wavy horizontal line drawn (indicating loss of contact with the surface), on the other - two segments connected at approximately 150 degrees (indicating bent leg). The referee cannot warn a given athlete more than once about the same violation.

If a rule is broken, the referee shows the walker a red card. An athlete will be disqualified if three red cards from three different judges on the course are sent to the senior judge.

In addition, the chief judge may disqualify the athlete individually on the last lap (if the competition takes place in a stadium) or on the last 100 meters of the distance (if walking on the road).

Story

The first race walking competition was held in London in 1882, which consisted of five hours of continuous walking. Walking over a distance of 50 km became an Olympic discipline in 1932, and 20 km in 1956. In 1992 in Olympic program competitions among women were also included. Competitions are also held at a distance of 10 km. On winter competitions Instead of 50 km, walkers walk 35 km.

20 kilometers

Walking 20 kilometers a discipline related to race walking in the athletics program. Requires endurance and tactical thinking from athletes. Conducted on the highway. Walking 20 km was included in the program Olympic Games in men since 1956, in women since 2000.

Rules

The main error recorded by the judges is a violation of the walking style, detection of the flight phase when both legs leave the ground.

Story

Walking 20 km later than everyone else was included in the program of the Olympic Games for men (1956), replacing walking 10 km. For women, this is the first and so far the only type of race walking in the Olympic Games program. Until 1995, the women's World Championships program included a 10 km walking discipline, and starting from 1995 it was replaced by a 20 km distance.

The greatest successes in this discipline were achieved by athletes from the USSR (Russia), Italy, Poland, and Spain. Mexico. The most successful at the Olympics among men in this event was the Soviet athlete Vladimir Golubnichy - 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal(1960-1972). Famous athletes

  • Leonid Spirin (USSR)
  • Vladimir Golubnichy (USSR)
  • Robert Korzeniowski (Poland)
  • Ivanov Olympics (Russia)
  • Olga Kaniskina (Russia)
  • Elena Nikolaeva (Russia)

50 kilometers

Walking 50 kilometers- a discipline related to race walking in the men's athletics program. Requires endurance and tactical thinking from athletes. It has been an Olympic athletics discipline for men since 1932. Conducted on the highway. Walking 50 km is, so far, the only discipline that is not in the women's program official competitions IAAF.

This discipline is one of the most difficult, placing high demands on the moral and physical conditions and endurance of the athlete. Repeatedly during competitions in hot weather, cases of fainting, dehydration, and loss of coordination by athletes were observed. The 50 km walking technique (as opposed to 20 km) is characterized by greater efficiency and more accentuated contact with the ground, since the speed is comparatively lower.

Rules

The 50 km distance starts at the stadium, then the athletes go out onto the highway, do several laps (usually within the city) and finally finish again at the stadium. The main error recorded by the judges is a violation of the walking style, detection of the flight phase when both legs leave the ground.

Top-class athletes show results exceeding 3 hours 40 minutes at a distance of 50 km.

Story

The greatest successes in this discipline were achieved by athletes from the USSR (Russia), Australia, Poland, and China. Robert Korzeniewski owns the largest collection of Olympic gold medals - 3 victories at 50 km and 1 at 20 km (1996-2004).

The most famous athletes in this discipline

  • Hartwig Gauder (GDR)
  • Andrey Perlov (USSR)
  • Nathan Dix (Australia)
  • Robert Korzeniowski (Poland)

Interesting Facts

In 1976, the 50 km walk was excluded from the program of the Olympic Games in Montreal (included back in 1980). To compensate for the lack of an important start for athletes, the IAAF held a start in Malmo (Sweden) in 1976, which was given the status of a world championship. These competitions are considered the first official World Athletics Championships.

Svetlana Markova

Beauty is like a precious stone: the simpler it is, the more precious it is!

Running is not the only athletic discipline that helps maintain excellent health. All more people prefer race walking. Race walking differs from normal speed, special technique, as well as the length and frequency of steps. And its difference from running is that at any moment at least one leg is in contact with the floor (there is no flight phase). Let's find out how to practice race walking correctly and find out how effective this sport is.

Types of race walking

You can walk in different ways: slowly stroll along the embankment, rush to work and knock over everything in your path, or even engage in sports discipline. But race walking itself can also be divided into several subcategories:

  • Regular race walking. The main thing is to work with your hands correctly. They should bend like athletes do. The speed of movement reaches 7-8 kilometers per hour.
  • An accelerated form of race walking. The speed can reach 12-14 kilometers per hour. Only people can walk like this professional athletes. To achieve this pace, you will have to practice a lot.
  • Sports nordic walking. In the middle of the last century, Finnish skiers invented a new way to maintain physical fitness in the off-season at a high level. Later it turned out that their method is effective for rehabilitation after severe physical injuries. And in the nineties, Nordic walking with poles became a popular sport. Its essence is to use two poles, reminiscent of ski poles. Thanks to this, up to 90% of a person’s muscles are simultaneously loaded, and calories are burned 20%-25% faster.

Athletics offers us a choice of 2 popular disciplines for aerobic exercise - running and fast walking. And choosing which one is better is not so easy. Both disciplines help strengthen the respiratory and circulatory systems, leg joints, develop endurance and get rid of excess weight. It is best to try both disciplines and choose the one you like best. What are the main features of race walking?

  • Increased movement speed.
  • Step frequency – from 130 to 200 (and higher) per minute.
  • The length of one step during race walking reaches 90-100 cm. For athletes - up to 120 cm.
  • Until the free leg is carried through the vertical, supporting leg does not bend at the knee.
  • The pelvis constantly moves around a vertical axis.
  • Intense hand movement.

It is known that regular walking is ineffective as an aerobic exercise and a method of combating overweight: calories begin to be burned intensively only after 2-3 hours. Therefore, it is better to try sports walking. The main thing is to correctly master the technique of movements. The basic rules are:

  • Contact of the feet with the ground must be continuous. You need to step on the ground until the other foot leaves it.
  • The front leg should not bend until the free leg is level with it in the vertical plane.
  • The movement must be fast and impetuous.
  • Your arms should be bent at the elbows to a right angle and work intensively with them back and forth. This will help increase your movement speed.

Mastering this technique to perfection will require a considerable amount of effort. Interestingly, even professional athletes are often disqualified by judges from competitions for violations. Always make sure that your technique is performed correctly, only then what you are doing can be called race walking! Let's find out about the recommendations of experts. They will help you master basic skills, hone them to perfection and achieve amazing training efficiency:

  • Proper breathing plays a vital role during exercise. Breathe deeply and measuredly, the rhythm of your breathing should coincide with the rhythm of your steps. And under no circumstances start breathing through your mouth when you feel tired, this will only take away your remaining strength.
  • It is important to ensure compliance correct posture. The torso should not be overly strained and its position should not be changed abruptly. Keep your body straight, avoid bending.
  • To improve your race walking technique, contact a professional instructor or study the relevant literature.
  • Do not leave the ground with both feet at the same time, not even for a split second. otherwise walking will become running. To increase speed, use sweeping arm movements and swing your pelvis, as athletes do. Remember: your steps must be uniform and your push off the ground strong.
  • If you suffer from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory systems or have not exercised before, be sure to consult your doctor before starting exercise. It is important.
  • Before starting your workout, take a few minutes to warm up. Warm up and stretch the muscles, especially those that are actively used during race walking. Repeat the stretching after finishing the session, after waiting until your breathing and heartbeat calm down. This will help consolidate the effect.

  • Remember safety. Exercise in safe places (parks, squares) and do not expose your body excessive loads, risking injury. Increase the load gradually. If you are forced to walk along the roadway, wear bright, visible clothing. Fans of evening walking are advised to wear reflective tape or wear clothing with an appropriate insert.
  • Challenge yourself. Noticing progress in your classes, speed up the pace, do more long steps. Walk long distances. The health benefits will be greater and you will feel like a winner.
  • A glass of water drunk a quarter of an hour before training will help avoid dehydration.
  • To accurately measure distances traveled, use a pedometer. But keep in mind that while showing accurate results when walking on a flat surface, it may make mistakes when walking on hills. Regardless of your desire, the length of the step changes.
  • Special weights will help increase the intensity of exercise. These can be Nordic walking poles, small hand dumbbells, or weight vests. The heart rate and fat burning rate increase due to their use. True, the risk of joint injury also increases. Be carefull.

Clothes and shoes for training

It is very important to choose the right shoes for your activities. Pay attention to the cushioning of the sole: it should be reinforced in the heel area. For walking on unpaved surfaces (in a park or forest), average depreciation is allowed. If you exercise on asphalt (this is worse for joints), depreciation should be maximum.

Experts recommend wearing high-top sneakers that completely hide the ankle joint and are securely fastened with lacing. Special shoes for running and lightweight sneakers with hard rubber soles are suitable. The sole should not be thin, and the heel should be raised 5-10 mm in comparison. It’s good if the shoe material is breathable. Leather and nylon mesh have this characteristic. At regular classes sports, change your shoes twice a year.

Clothes for training should be appropriate for the weather and be a little lighter than normal for the temperature. When it's cold outside, wear several layers of light clothing - the heat will be retained better than when wearing one or two layers of warm clothing. Remember that clothing should not restrict movement. Don't forget about a thin woolen hat, which will protect your head from hypothermia.

In summer or when exercising indoors, you can wear a T-shirt and comfortable shorts. Be sure to wear thick, natural cotton socks designed for sports on your feet. Finally, a little advice for girls: it is most comfortable to practice walking in a supportive sports bra.

Selecting a distance

To ensure that race walking does not harm your body, but rather improves your health, it is important to select the optimal load. It is individual for everyone. According to experts, a good load for men is 56 kilometers walked per week, for women - 49 kilometers. Watch your breathing: the inhalation during race walking should be shorter than the exhalation, then the lungs are better ventilated with air.

Don’t chase record distances at the expense of your health. Listen to your body and learn to understand when you need to stop. If you feel a little tired after walking the first kilometer, the pace can be considered optimal. If you're a little out of breath, slow down. When it starts to tingle in your side, switch to a calm walk, and then stop to rest for a few minutes.

Walking speed

While the speed normal walking equal to approximately 5 km/h, during race walking it increases to 8-9 km/h. N, and professional athletes in competitions sometimes accelerate to 16 km/h. If you are exercising for health, do not try to achieve this pace. A magnificent achievement the speed will also become 10-11 km/h, then the pulse rate will be equal to 120-140 beats per minute.

It is the heart rate that is the factor that determines the required level of stress on the body during race walking. To determine the number of heart beats per minute, measure your heart rate for 10 seconds and multiply by 6. It is important that your heart rate does not fall below the point at which the exercise ceases to be aerobic. We list the lower limits of heart rate per minute for aerobic exercise:

  • 20 years – 135 strokes.
  • 30 years – 130 strokes.
  • 40 years – 125 strokes.
  • 50 years – 119 strokes.
  • 60 years – 111 strokes.
  • 70 years and older – 106 strokes.

Race walking as a way to lose weight

Fast walking keeps the muscles of the abs, legs and gluteal muscles, improves the condition of blood vessels and joints, normalizes blood pressure. Moreover, during the session the body produces happiness hormones and endorphins. Excess calories are also actively burned – up to 500 kcal/hour, so race walking is recommended for those who want to lose weight. In a month you can get rid of 2-5 extra pounds. Note that to increase efficiency, it is better to increase not the intensity, but the time of the session.

Video: Nordic walking with poles

Race walking will help you feel healthy and maintain excellent physical shape at any age. Finally, we suggest watching a video that talks about such an interesting and healthy sport as Nordic walking with poles - one of the types of race walking.

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Athletics - This olympic event sports, which includes running, race walking, all-around, running, cross-country and technical sports. Athletics is usually called the queen of sports, because it is one of the most popular sports and its disciplines have always won the largest number of medals at the Olympic Games. Track and field athletes are athletes who participate in one or more types of athletics.

Athletics Federations

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was founded in 1912 and brings together national federations. The association's headquarters are located in Monaco.

The All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) is engaged in the development and popularization of athletics in Russia, and also manages the holding of all-Russian competitions.

European Athletics is the European governing body for athletics.

History of the origin and development of athletics (briefly)

Athletics is considered a very ancient sport, as evidenced by widespread archaeological finds (coins, vases, sculptures, etc.). The most ancient of track and field events is running. By the way, the running was carried out over a distance equal to one stage - one hundred and ninety-two meters. It is from this name that the word stadium comes.

The ancient Greeks called everything physical exercise athletics, which in turn was usually divided into “light” and “heavy”. They classified exercises that developed agility and endurance as athletics (running, jumping, archery, swimming, etc.). Accordingly, all exercises that developed strength were classified as “weight” athletics.

First Olympic champion in athletics, it is considered to be Koroibos (776 BC), this date is considered to be the beginning of the history of athletics. The modern history of athletics begins with competitions in running over a distance of about 2 km by college students in Rugby (Great Britain) in 1837. Later, the competition program began to include running short distances, steeplechase, weight throwing, long jump and high jump.

In 1865, the London Athletic Club was founded, which popularized athletics.

In 1880, the Amateur Athletic Association was organized, uniting all the athletics organizations of the British Empire.

The rapid development of athletics is associated with the Olympic Games (1896), in which it was given the largest place.

How did athletics come about?

Athletics competitions have been held throughout the existence of mankind. Initially, people were interested solely in raising warriors capable of bringing victories in battles. Military interest in raising physically developed men gradually began to degenerate into sport games, the main competitions in which were endurance and strength. From this moment the birth of athletics began.

Athletics rules

The winner in athletics competitions is the athlete or team who has shown best result in the final heats or final attempts of technical disciplines.

Running athletics are usually divided into several stages:

  • qualification;
  • ¼ final;
  • ½ finals;
  • the final.

The number of competition participants is determined by the competition regulations, while men and women do not participate in general starts.

Athletics stadium

Athletics stadiums can be open or closed. Usually the stadium is combined with football stadium and the field. Outdoor stadium consists of a 400-meter oval track, which in turn is divided into 8 or 9 tracks, as well as sectors for technical disciplines. Often, javelin or hammer throwing competitions are moved outside the stadium for safety reasons.

Indoor stadiums (maneges) differ from open ones by having a shorter track (200 m) and the number of tracks into which it is divided (4-6 pieces).

Types of athletics

Let's look at what sports are included in athletics. Race walking is an athletics discipline that differs from running sports in that the athlete must have constant contact with the ground. Race walking competitions are held on a track (10,000 m, 20,000 m, 30,000 m, 50,000 m) or road (20,000 m and 50,000 m).

Running is one of the oldest sports for which official rules competitions, has been included in the program since the very first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896. Running in athletics is represented by the following types: sprint, middle-distance running, running long distances, hurdles, relay race.

Types of running in athletics:

  • Short distance running (100 m, 200 m, 400 m), non-standard distances include 30 m, 60 m, 300 m.
  • Middle distance running (800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m), additionally 600, 1000, 1610 m (mile), 2000 m can be distinguished.
  • Long distance running (5000 m, 10000 m, 42195 m).
  • Steeplechase 2000 m in the arena and 3000 m in the open stadium.
  • Hurdling (women - 100 m, men - 110 m, 400 m).
  • Relay race (4x100 meters, 4x400 meters).

Jumps are divided into vertical (high jump and pole vault) and horizontal (long jump and triple jump).

  • High jump is an athletics discipline that refers to vertical jumps of technical types. A jump consists of a run-up, preparation for take-off, take-off, crossing the bar and landing.
  • Pole vault is a technical discipline that refers to vertical jumps. In this jump, the athlete needs to go over the bar (without knocking it over) using an athletics pole.
  • The long jump is a horizontal jump and requires athletes to have sprinting qualities and jumping ability.
  • A triple jump consists of a run-up, three alternating jumps and a landing.

Throwing is an athletic exercise that requires “explosive” muscle effort. The goal in this form is to move the projectile to the maximum distance from the athlete. Types of throwing in athletics:

  • Throwing a grenade or ball, grenade weight - 700 g for men, women and middle-aged boys throw a grenade weighing 500 g. Balls weigh 155-160 g.
  • Shot put, the men's shot weighs 7.260 kg and the women's 4 kg.
  • Hammer throw, the men's hammer weighs 7.260 kg, and the women's hammer weighs 4 kg.
  • Discus throwing, men's discus weighs 2 kg, women's - 1 kg.
  • Javelin-throwing. A man's spear weighs 800 g and has a length of 260-270 cm, a woman's spear, respectively, 600 g and 220-230 cm.

All-around is a sports discipline that includes competitions in several disciplines of one or different types sports.

What does athletics include?

Running events, race walking, all-around events, runs, cross-country events and technical events.

Today, the Olympic Games program includes 24 events for men and 23 events for women. Athletes compete in:

  • running 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000 and 10,000 meters,
  • marathon running (42.195 km),
  • 110 m hurdles (women's 100 m),
  • 400 m run,
  • steeplechase - 3000 m steeplechase,
  • race walking 20 and 50 km (men only),
  • high jump,
  • pole vaulting,
  • long jump,
  • triple jump,
  • shot put,
  • discus throwing,
  • hammer throwing,
  • javelin throwing
  • all-around events - decathlon for men and heptathlon - for women,
  • relay races 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meters.

TO cyclic types athletics include: race walking, sprinting, middle and long distance running. TO technical types Athletics include: throwing, vertical and horizontal jumps.

Race walking will help you strengthen your body, become more resilient and create an ideal figure. Anyone can practice this sport. To do this you need to know the rules and techniques. Let's try to figure out how to practice race walking correctly, and what race walking should be like for beginners.

Type of sport - race walking

To many presenters healthy image People have known throughout their lives what race walking is. This is one of the features of which is the presence of constant support. This technique differs from the usual walking by a different pace, step length, and positioning of the legs. Race walking can be called health-improving, since it has a positive effect on the functioning of all organs and systems. By doing this sport, you can lose weight and.

How is race walking different from running?

Race walking differs from running in rules, technique and speed of movement. The main requirement for race walking is to step straight and rest on your heel. One leg is in contact with the surface, and the projection of the body is in vertical position. Experienced athletes highlight the following differences between running and this sport:

  1. When running, the athlete lifts both legs at once between touches to the ground, and when walking, one leg makes the movement.
  2. Allowed when running low start, and during race walking - extremely full.
  3. The rules of race walking allow you to keep your leg straight when stepping, and bent when running.
  4. Running is many times faster than walking, but the latter sport is much more rhythmic.
  5. When running, the foot is subjected to six times the load, which can lead to serious damage. Race walking is safer.

Rules of race walking

In essence, race walking is an alternation of steps performed in such a way that the athlete always has contact with the ground. It is important to follow the following rules:

  1. The forward leg must be fully extended from the very first contact with the ground until it passes the vertical.
  2. Walking technique is assessed by judges at the distance. Including the senior judge, there should be from six to nine people.
  3. Judges have the right to issue warnings to athletes using yellow paddles. On one side there is a wavy horizontal line, and on the other there are two segments connected at an angle of 150 degrees.
  4. The judge does not warn more than once about one violation of the rules of the walker.
  5. Once a rule has been broken and the walker has received a warning, the referee must send a red card to the senior referee. An athlete may be disqualified if red cards from three different judges are sent to the chief judge.
  6. The senior judge has the right to disqualify an athlete on the final lap, or on the last hundred meters of the distance.
  7. For women, the distance should be 3.5 km in the arena, 10 km at the stadium and 20 km on the highway. For men - 3.5 km in the arena, 10, 20 km at the stadium and 20, 50 km on the highway.
  8. With each new step, the foot of the front foot must come into contact with the ground until the foot of the back foot leaves the ground.
  9. The supporting leg should not bend at the knee.

Correct race walking technique

The sport of race walking has its own technique. The point is to optimally calculate the required load on the body. average speed should be between six and ten kilometers per hour. The race walking technique has the following basic rules:

  1. Your arms should be bent at the elbows at an angle of no more than ninety degrees. They help the athlete move. If the hands are positioned correctly, this will make the walker's movement much easier.
  2. The athlete should keep his back straight. However, the body should be tilted slightly forward. The main key to success in walking is maintaining a balanced center of gravity.
  3. When walking, your heel should touch the ground first, and then your toe. Rolling is also important in race walking. It should be smooth and even across the foot.
  4. Legs must not be bent.
  5. You should move rhythmically and remember to breathe. Inhalation and exhalation should be deep and even.
  6. To build up muscle mass legs, you can take a backpack with a small load on your back.

Walking shoes

For exercise to truly bring health benefits, it is important to choose the right:

  1. The shoes should fit well on the foot, but not be too tight. If the sneakers dangle on your feet, you may get injured as a result.
  2. The heel should be slightly raised.
  3. The ideal option is shoes with thick rubber soles.
  4. The upper of sports shoes should be made of breathable material. Leather or nylon mesh is a great solution.
  5. Shoes should be changed once every six months.

Race walking - benefits for the body

Before choosing this sport, many people are interested in the benefits of race walking. With its help you can:

  • normalize blood pressure;
  • reduce cholesterol;
  • strengthen the skeletal system;
  • improve insulin production;
  • increase muscle mass;
  • tone the body;
  • prevent cardiovascular diseases;
  • reduce body weight.

Race walking - contraindications

Although the benefits of race walking are obvious, this sport still has contraindications. You cannot do race walking:

  • during significant breaks in training;
  • for injuries shoulder joints and hands;
  • if race walking actively engages muscles;
  • with flat feet;
  • during hypertension;
  • after abdominal surgery;
  • with heart failure;
  • if there is a network of infection and illness accompanied by fever;
  • with anemia;
  • in the presence of coronary insufficiency;
  • during degenerative changes in the spine and joints.

Race walking - records

In total, athletes set three records in the race walking discipline - two world and one Olympic.

  1. In August 2014, Frenchman Yoann Dini set a world record among men in Zurich with a result of 3 hours 32 minutes and 33 seconds.
  2. Two years early in London olympic record installed by Sergey Kirdyapkin. His result is 3 hours 35 minutes 59 seconds.
  3. The world record for women was set in 2007 by Swedish athlete Monika Svensson. Her time is 4 hours 10 minutes and 59 seconds.

Race walking - Olympic champions

Athletes from the USSR, Australia, China and Poland were able to achieve significant success in this sport. Robert Korzeniewski has the largest collection of Olympic gold medals. He became the winner in the 50 and 20 kilometer distances. Famous race walking champions:

Among women, the following Olympic champions can be noted: