Starting blocks help competitive runners quickly initiate acceleration by giving them something to push off from at the start of a race. Sprinters crouch down with their feet pressed against the starting block and hands touching the ground to begin a race. When prompted with "On your marks!" by the starter, they drop one knee to the ground, and, after hearing "Get set!", runners raises their knee and prepare to launch from the starting block as soon as the starting gun fires.
Origin
According to the website SpeedEndurance.com, starting blocks were created during the late 1920s. They were patented in 1935 and began showing up in races shortly thereafter. Prior to the invention of starting blocks, however, sprinters simply dug holes in the ground to give themselves a similar launching pad at the start of races.
Rules & Regulations
The International Association of Athletics Federations, which governs track and field events worldwide, made starting blocks an official part of sprint races in 1937. According to the IAAF's website, starting blocks may be used for any race up to and including the 400-meter sprint. Runners in the first leg of the 4 x 200 m and 4 x 400 m relay events may also use a starting block.
Types
Over the past several decades, several types of starting block patents have been filed with the United States patent office. According to SpeedEndurance.com, blocks with foot plates low enough to expose the heel were popular during the 1970s. However, high blocks, which supported contact for the entire foot, were common during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Short blocks came back into style during the 1996 Olympics, and high blocks returned in 2008.
Competition
Starting blocks were first used in the Olympics during the 1948 Summer Games, and throughout the years, there has been a bit of controversy about how to create a fair start for all competitors. Indeed, as of 2011 new models of starting blocks have a small speaker installed for initiating races, and motion triggers to detect false starts. Modern sprinters nevertheless practice their technique to get the maximum benefits from using a starting block.
Member Comments