Track and field is a sport that challenges humans at their most basic, primal abilities. It pushes the athletes to see how far they can throw, how high they can jump and how fast they can run. Success in these events relies on building and developing natural speed, strength and power. There are many devices that can be used to hone in on specific aspects such as technique or explosiveness in order to maximize skills in each area.
Speed and agility can be challenged by doing agility ladder drills. An agility ladder is a plastic ladder that lays flat on the ground. Drills are performed by using different foot motions and patterns through the ladder segments. The purpose of the agility ladder is to activate fast twitch muscle fibers and increase coordination. Both of these skills are necessary to reach your maximum potential as an athlete.
Technique and mobility can be challenged by performing a series of hurdle drills. These drills use a combination of full-sized track hurdles and smaller 6 to 12-inch training hurdles. Drills can be performed that exaggerates the movements of efficient running form in order to program the body to move at the fastest speed, using the least amount of energy. The drill sets also increase the flexibility and strength needed to most effectively perform these motions.
Plyometric boxes are another tool essential to track and field athletes. These boxes may be wooden, metal or foam. Boxes are used to complete plyometric drills such as box jumps. These drills challenge and build the body’s explosive ability. These skills are essential to building speed and power. All of this equipment is necessary to perform drills and exercises that allow the athlete to become as strong and efficient, as possible. When training at a high level and pushing their body to the limit, athletes will, inevitably, experience aches, pains and injury.
Kinesiology tape is becoming an increasingly present tool to keep athletes healthy and training hard. StrengthTape is used by athletes to provide more stability and support to joints and tendons in order to both protect and prevent injuries. This product also allows for better range of motion and circulation, allowing athletes to perform these intense drills while minimizing the chance of causing damage.
This equipment used to build strength and power utilized, in combination, with Strength Tape allows the athletes to challenge the physical limits of their bodies and come back stronger and faster.