Sports technical training aids and methods of their use in training athletes

I think it’s no secret to anyone that modern sport is a whole industry, which is developing by leaps and bounds day by day. Moreover, we are not talking exclusively about bodybuilding and fitness, but about sports in general. The efforts of numerous scientists and researchers are aimed at improving the methods of training athletes and promotion their sports results. It’s no wonder that every day more and more technical solutions and even entire training complexes and systems come to the aid of coaches, aimed at more thorough preparation and polishing of key movements of athletes... It is these progressive techniques that we will talk about today...

Analysis of technical means currently used in scientific research on sports and in the practice of coaching allows us to determine the following main directions in the development technical means in sports (TSS):

1. instruments for medical, biological and pedagogical research;
2. ACS and computer technology;
3. equipment for restoring body functions;
4. referee information devices;
5. teaching and training tools.

Of the above list, we are most interested in: modern innovative technical training tools and methods of their use in the everyday training of athletes. Naturally, this is especially relevant for us right now, on the eve of the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

1. Developments of VNIIFK.
2. The use of TSOT in athletics.
3. Modern developments for training swimmers.

Developments of VNIIFK.

A particularly promising area is the organization specialized gyms. For example, in VNIIFK a training and research complex has been created, including a number of simulators, information from which is sent via wired (or wireless) communication channels to the information and computing center (ICC), located in the next room. The coach and athlete have the opportunity directly in the conditions of one training session and even when performing a single sports exercise to purposefully correct the course of the training lesson.

Many coaches and athletes know how important it is to receive urgent information about the state of the neuromuscular system. For this purpose, the dynamometry method is widely used. Our compatriots - sports experts, researchers I. A. Vanin and L. V. Voschukov proposed a design universal dynamometer, which allows you to record the strength of various muscle groups without an amplifier on a pointer device.

Our Belarusian colleagues at the State Institute of Physical Culture and personally Honored Trainer of Russia G.V. Nikolaenko created a simulator for determining time parameters operational thinking in wrestling. Their device, consisting of a control panel, a simplified model of a wrestler with programmed poses, an answer block, and a storage device, makes it possible to study the processes occurring in the consciousness of a wrestler. G. V. Nikolaenok, who trained the world champion in classical wrestling A. Zubkov, uses tactical training simulator and development of situational thinking of their students. At the same institute, V. A. Tereshchenko developed a radio telemetry system to obtain information about the physical condition of swimmers. The “athlete’s device” consists of three sections. An electronic transducer of physiological indicators is placed in one of them, a transmitter is placed in the other, and the power supply is installed in the third section. The developed device makes it possible to transmit information from the water when a swimmer dives. The device provides high reliability during operation and differs from similar devices in its significantly smaller size.

An example of the use of TSOT in training runners.

Our developers at VNIIFK for sprinters created a training complex for “facilitating leadership” based on a motorcycle. The simulator is equipped with a “suspension” to insure the athlete, while artificially reducing his weight. The “suspension” is mounted on a frame that is closely connected to the motorcycle. A runner on this simulator reaches a speed that exceeds his record result, i.e. the runner’s speed qualities improve. The exercise is highly specialized; it observes the principles of conjugation not in a separate phase of movement, but in the entire structure of the main competitive movement.

To control technical actions in discus throwing a research and training complex has been created, with the help of which the strength, speed and rhythmic components of the discus throwing technique are recorded using a three-coordinate accelerometric sensor mounted on the thrower’s hand. The set of devices includes a computerized system, a digital video camera and a photo camera. When an athlete performs a rotational-translational movement, the relay system automatically synchronously starts and stops the entire complex of equipment. The equipment complex records external changes and positions of the athlete’s body parts and the apparatus (disc), and the biomechanical characteristics of movement. All equipment installed in the vehicle can be used at the training site.

As is known, in the work of a trainer there is a large amount of purely mechanical work, which can be performed using automatic devices, which helps to improve the management of sports training.

In order to speed up and improve the training of track and field athletes, it has been developed system of technical means. For a thorough analysis of sprint running, seismography techniques are used, and simultaneous measurement of running time and the length of each step is carried out using a contact speedograph. To determine the ability to run over medium and long distances, a method for assessing aerobic performance at a heart rate of 170 beats/min is used, which makes it possible to predict the result in running over the specified distances. In order to generate a certain speed and the ability to maintain it, a treadmill is used, running at the desired speed, while the heart rate is simultaneously recorded. To teach the correct run-up, for example, in high or long jumps, a technique is used that involves recording the optimal run-up on a high-quality video with subsequent analysis - listening to the frequency of steps.

Other sports use a number of technical devices designed to master motor skills, improve execution techniques and the correct rhythm of movements.

Modern developments for training swimmers.

So in a research laboratory CSKA a training complex has been developed for learning to swim breaststroke. This device is intended for learning the nuances of the technique of correctly coordinating the movement of the legs and arms with the athlete’s breathing. The device has mechanical and electrical parts and a breathing device. The mechanical part is designed to teach competent movement techniques. In turn, the electrical component allows the athlete to control the movement of the legs and consists of a remote control, which has a power supply, two rows of three-color signal lamps, contact devices and heel stops.

In subsequent articles in this section we will continue to introduce you to all kinds of technical innovations, used in the training of athletes of various types. You will learn all the latest training secrets of both our and foreign athletes. Of course, the greatest interest for us is, first of all, training innovations for the needs fitness and bodybuilding. However, we will try not to “offend” other sports. There is still a lot of interesting things ahead!