Competing in the Olympic Games is the dream of many athletes, both amateur and professional. The process by which you compete for a spot in the Olympics varies somewhat depending on your sport, but certain general principles apply to most sports.
Short track speed skating is a Winter Olympics sport that is growing in popularity due to fantastic efforts of stars such as Apollo Ohno. Many enthusiasts are drawn to the pace and quick maneuvers involved. Becoming conditioned...
Inline speed skating is a competitive sport, often referred to as inline racing, which requires a large amount of strength from the quads. Your quads, also known as quadriceps, are large muscles that stretch across the front of...
With short-track speed skating, racers need the explosive ability to burst past their rivals to compete. They also need endurance to handle longer races. Long-track speed skaters need endurance, speed and flawless form. On- and...
Quad speed skates are aptly named for the pairs of wheels mounted on trucks at the front and rear of the sole plates on the boots. Pacer manufactures skates ranging from the entry level GTX 500 to the 429 Pro. Entry-level and l...
Everyone gets a blister from time to time, but those who participate in physical activities wearing boots are at a greater risk. If your inline speed skate boot is causing blisters on your feet, it may be time to consider a new...
Qualification for the U.S. short track speed skating team is competitive. Besides being among the best athletes in the sport, you must meet a number of specific criteria to be allowed to represent the United States at the Olymp...
You're excited about your new pair of inline speed skates, but shortly after lacing your boots, your feet start to hurt. Blisters, plantar fasciitis or plantar warts can cause sore feet while wearing your inline speed skates. I...
Altitude affects speed skating performance in two ways. The high altitude means less oxygen in the air, so a speed skater not adapted to high altitude racing will have a disadvantage in stamina. However, the thin air contains f...
A flight of stairs is not simply a way to get from one place to another. Stairs are a built-in training tool you use when you cannot get on the ice for speed skating. One flight of stairs is all you need to improve your cardiov...
Practice and drills on the ice can help develop a good deal of skating speed, agility and balance, but dryland training off the ice also helps. Dryland exercises act as a supplement to your on-ice practice and will strengthen y...
The competitiveness of speed skating means that athletes must work on their technique and physical attributes all year long. The best athlete does not always win an event, as hard workers can often overcome their more skilled o...
Speed skating is the fastest non-mechanical sport in the world, meaning the athletes themselves are providing all of the power for acceleration. During speed skating races, competitors commonly propel themselves to speeds of ov...
Speed skating has been an Olympic sport since the first Winter Games in 1924. Four speed skating events for women were added in 1960. The women's 5,000-meter event was added in 1988, completing the 10-event program used today. ...
The distance is 1,312 feet around, so races typically are long and require endurance. Short-track speed races take place on a rink that is 364.57 feet around. Short-track races require many sharp turns, so dexterity and balance...
When you look at speed skating blades, you will notice that they are considerably longer than hockey and figure skates. These longer blades do serve a purpose, since the speed skating style is different from hockey and figure s...
You can perform figure skating on ice or on quad roller skates. Whether you are on blades or wheels, speed is important as a figure skater. Speed helps you attain the required number of rotations on spins and jumps. It also hel...
Long track speed skating competitions follow the European model of pinning two skaters against each other in five different skating races.
Short track speed skating requires not only speed, but balance, agility and cardiovascular fitness. To excel at short track speed skating, you should practice hard on the track and also focus on weight and cardiovascular traini...
But serious skaters have taken to the streets and tracks to set some impressive speed records over short distances and over hundreds of miles. Maybe some of these records can inspire you the next time you slip on your skates an...
It's also a demanding sport that requires stamina and strategy. Gear for this non-contact sport is relatively simple -- a helmet, speedsuit and skates. Choosing the right speed skates is a key element to picking
Inline speed skating is a sport that simulates the ice speed skating you see during the Olympic Winter Games. Speed skates feature a longer than normal wheelbase for increased grip and top-speed potential. Also, inline skates u...
Speed skates come in ice and inline skate versions. The modern speed skate design featuring tight-fitting boots and long blade bases dates back to the 1916 Olympics. Speed skates feature long blades that allow for maximum grip ...
For avid skaters or those who skate professionally, choosing the right inline speed skate is very important. Skaters can customize their skate sets or choose from pre-packaged skates. Cost and fit are two of the biggest factors...
Speed skates are designed to help you go faster with larger wheels, wider trucks and a lower boot profile than traditional or artistic quad skates. While you will most often see inline skates featured in speed competitions, the...
A quality set of speed skate wheels might not turn you into an instant speed-skater, but they will help keep you in the race. You can determine the best speed skate wheels for your needs by reviewing a few essential factors, st...
Quad speed skates are ideal for racing. These skates typically have eight wheels and move quite easily over slick surfaces. There are things to look for when you are trying to find the best quad speed skates. All of the individ...
Relays promote teamwork and physical activity. In any relay, you want to be on the team that first successfully completes the course to win the gold medal or the goodie bag. Relays can happen in the backyard, at birthday games ...
Inline speed skates are designed for maximum top speeds and are built the same way ice speed skates are, with a long base and small boot. Compared to traditional recreational inline skates, speed skates tend to be a bit more pr...
The sport of speed skating involves opposing teams of skaters racing around an oval ice rink in pairs, individual or team events. According to the Speed Skating Canada website, modern speed skating, or "long track," debuted in ...
The 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, may be best known for the U.S. men's hockey team and their inspiring gold medal performance. However, the speed skating competition at those games provided extraordinary moment...
Speed skating requires quickness, strength and endurance, so athletes must heavily train their legs so they can get strong pushes on their skates. The legs must be able to withstand long races if the skater is involved in long-...
This exciting sport offers thrills for both skaters and spectators, and the combination of sharp blades and high speeds also adds a sense of danger. Participants skate closely together on the track and must balance well-honed s...
Speed skating refers to a special event in inline skating where single competitors or teams participate in speed relays. Speed skates feature a somewhat similar design to conventional inline skates. However, certain models of s...
Many people use rollerblades to get some outdoor exercise. Rollerblades work a majority of the muscles in your body and allow you to get around town while doing it. But to effectively use rollerblades, you will need to know ho...
Inline speed skates provide a compact way of getting places on wheels and also can be worn recreationally to do tricks with. Essentially tall boots with a blade of wheels on the bottom of each one, inline speed skates are popul...
Edging is rooted in the idea that an inline skate's wheel features three "edges," each of which can be ridden on to determine the flow and direction of your skating. These three edges consist of the outer edge, which faces away...
This allows skaters to push off with great power, increasing their speed much more quickly than a figure skater or hockey player. Speed skating is the fastest human-powered sport in the world, with skaters reaching speeds of ov...
Inline speed skating events include a variety of distances and race styles, from marathon road races to indoor flat- and banked-track events. According to Alexander Bont of Bont Skates, jumping and plyometric exercises are key ...
Many skaters like to cross over from inline wheels in the warmer weather to blades on ice in the winter. While both sports involve a lot of the same basic skills, some fundamental differences do exist. It is tempting for both ...
The entry level of speed skating competitions on the Olympic level is the single-distance race. You should specialize in a single distance before pursuing team and multi-race events. The basic distance used for samalog scoring...
