Science of Track & Field Memorabilia

Celebrate the sport science of track and field with memorabilia from Zazzle! Colorful graphs from Schottenbauer Publishing are featured on these mugs, magnets, keychains, & postcards. Direct links to each collection are included below:

     

A variety of other sport science collections are also available from Schottenbauer Publishing on Zazzle, which features regular sales on most items.  


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Effects of Technique in Shot Put Throws

Correct technique is essential to success in track and field events, but the reasoning behind the skills may not always be obvious to students. For example, consider the following two graphs, comparing shot put throw techniques. The graphs are excerpted from The Science of Track & Field, Volume 3 from Schottenbauer Publishing. Both graphs show a throw from standing position, but the first graph includes a proper launching technique upwards and outwards from the shoulder, while the second graph shows a throw consisting almost entirely of horizontal rotation. Both throws include minimal turning at the waist.

Discussion Questions

1. For each graph, make a table with the following (x, y) coordinates: (a) initial position, (b) furthest point of recoil, (c) approximate point of release, (d) apex of trajectory, (e) end of trajectory. Mark points (b) and (c) with a horizontal line on the graphs, for visual reference.
2. Calculate the following and add them to the table: (a) horizontal length of active throw, (b) horizontal length of trajectory, (c) vertical height of trajectory to apex, (d) vertical height of trajectory from apex to ground, (e) time of trajectory from release to ground, (f) average horizontal speed of the throw, (g) average vertical speed of the throw, (h) average horizontal speed of the trajectory.
3. Which throw involves a faster horizontal speed of throw?
4. Which throw results in a higher apex of trajectory, as measured from point of release? As measured from apex to end point?
5. Which throw is more successful? Why?
6. Why does the red line go down in the first graph, and up in the second graph? 
7. Redraw the graphs so that the approximate furthest point of recoil begins at (0,0), and both throws are in the same direction, from left to right.

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Correct versus Incorrect Technique in Hammer Throw

One of the elucidating practices in laboratory work is the comparison of correct and incorrect technique in track and field. The athletic techniques which have been codified for each of the track and field events were refined by athletes, but the logic of using those techniques is not always obvious to the public. 

For instance, consider the hammer throw. A traditional hammer throw involves a weighted ball on a long metal rod, with a handle for easy grasp. First, the hammer is swung upwards several times, gaining momentum. This may be in pendulum motion, or in circles at an angle to the ground. Then, the hammer is swung around in horizontal circles above the head, as the thrower takes three circular steps. Finally, the hammer is released, resulting in a forwards trajectory into the field.

The graphs below, excerpted from The Science of Track and Field: Volume 1 from Schottenbauer Publishing show differences between two types of hammer throws, contrasting and comparing incorrect and correct techniques in laboratory conditions. 

Discussion Questions:

1. As measured by the accelerometer, in which direction is the centripetal force? 
2. What is the average centripetal acceleration during the motion? 
3. As measured by the accelerometer, which direction is vertical?
4. What is the average acceleration in the vertical direction during the motion? Is this acceleration equal to the acceleration due to gravity? Why or why not?
5. Draw a horizontal sketch of the wireless device in relation to the hammer motion. Label the axes on the device.
6. Draw a vertical sketch of the wireless device in relation to the hammer motion. Label the axes on the device.
7. Is the motion of the hammer entirely horizontal to the ground? How can this be determined?
8. In this graph, does the the arm move in relation to the torso? How can this be determined?

Discussion Questions:

1. Separate the graph into four sections, based on type of movement present. Label each section with one of the following: (a) Release, (b) Pendulum Motion, (c) At Rest, (d) Stepping Rotation.
2. Which of the four sections above is most similar to the first graph? How are these motions similar? How are they different?
3. For each section of the graph, what are the maximum and minimum forces? The maximum and minimum accelerations? Make a table, listing the four sections sequentially.
4. How many times is the hammer swung in pendulum motion? How is this indicated on the graph?
5. Are the pendulum swings only in one plane? Describe the motion.
6. Are the three circular steps shown in the graph? If so, how? Are any steps evident in the first graph above?
7. Are the circles perfectly horizontal to the ground? If not, what is the maximum variation in the vertical direction during the three steps?
8. Is the hammer released in a horizontal or vertical direction, or a combination of the two directions? What data from the graph indicate direction of the release?
9. What is the time of release of the hammer? 
10. What is the height of the measurement device at release? 
11. What occurs after release of the hammer?
12. Using data from the two graphs above, describe several potential benefits of correct hammer throw technique.
13. Using the graphs above, suggest potential results of using incorrect technique, such as: (a) Pendulum Motion Alone, (b) Circles Alone, or (c) Overhand Throw Style.
14. Compare and contrast the laboratory conditions used in the graphs above with real, Olympic hammer conditions. Do these conditions change any answers to the questions above?

Now, consider the theory of correct and incorrect hammer technique. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What forces affect the hammer during the thrower's preparatory motions?
2. What forces affect the hammer at release?
3. What forces affect the hammer during its free trajectory?
4. Why are circular steps used when throwing hammer? Why not throw hammer from pendulum swings alone?
5. Why are repetitive motions used when throwing hammer? Why not throw hammer after one swing or circle?
6. If speed were equal, which release direction results in the longest throw distance? Several options to consider include: (a) horizontal, (b) vertical, (c) mostly horizontal, (d) mostly vertical, (e) equally horizontal and vertical.
7. What environmental conditions affect release of the hammer? Are these substantial?

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Applying the Science of Balls to Track & Field

Individuals seeking to understand the science of track and field have at their disposal a more traditional source of knowledge pertaining to the motion of balls.  

Reflection Question: How does the motion of a ball compare to the motion during the following track and field elements?

1. Running
2. Jumping
3. Throwing

The graphs below are excerpted from The Science of Balls: Volumes 1, 2, & 3 (Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved). 

Discussion Questions

1. What is the relevance of each graph to track and field? Name at least one event which is similar to each graph.
2. In Graph 1, how far does the ball travel?
3. What is the highest speed obtained by the ball in Graph 1?
4. Why does the acceleration change in Graph 1?
5. Sketch the motion of the ball in Graph 2. What is the trajectory?
6. Describe the shape of the velocity in Graph 2, and compare it to Graph 1. Why are they different?
7. Describe the shape of the acceleration in Graph 2, and compare it to Graph 1. Why are they different?
8. What is the shape of the curve in Graph 3? Describe the trajectory of the ball. 
9. What forces act on the ball in Graph 3? Are these different than in Graphs 1 or 2? If so, how?
10. How does the material construction affect the graphs? What would happen if the ball were made out of hard plastic? (The dodge ball is made out of foam.)

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The Role of Biophysics for Understanding Track & Field

What happens when a muscle contracts? What types of chain reactions are required in muscles for completing complex moves? The study biophysics provides some insight into these interesting questions.

The two graphs below are excerpted from The Science of Track and Field: Volume 2 (Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved). 

Discussion Questions

1. In these two graphs, what is the maximum reading? What is the minimum reading?
2. What are the similarities between the two graphs?
3. What are the differences between the two graphs?
4. In these graphs, what type of motion does each region represent, from left to right: a) the initial straight line, b) the first spike, c) the low region, d) the next set of spikes, e) the final line?
5. What has happened to cause the observed differences in the final third of these graphs?

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Schottenbauer Publishing

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