Comments on: Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/ Success in Track & Field ... and Life Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:57:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Andrew http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-56464 Andrew Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:48:06 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-56464 Hi All It has been very interesting reading all your comments and thoughts about how the starting blocks have evolved and what the future will bring. I sprinted for South Africa in 1994 when at 17 years old I clocked 10.9 seconds for the 100m, during my sprinting career we found the exact floor as in the Valeri Borzov, circa 1972 image, As manufacturers and design engineers we then developed a set of starting blocks with an adjustable heal support. By adjusting the heal support whist in the get set position not only did they eliminated Achilles stretch but also reduced start times by around 0.2 seconds. A truly revolutionary product in those times, we have patented the blocks but unfortunately have not had the expertise to bring them to market, I would welcome your thoughts and any ideas on how we can bring the SUPER BLOCK into the 21 century, for any more information please go to my web www.crichton-mfg.com Thanks for reading. Andrew Crichton Hi All
It has been very interesting reading all your comments and thoughts about how the starting blocks have evolved and what the future will bring. I sprinted for South Africa in 1994 when at 17 years old I clocked 10.9 seconds for the 100m, during my sprinting career we found the exact floor as in the Valeri Borzov, circa 1972 image, As manufacturers and design engineers we then developed a set of starting blocks with an adjustable heal support. By adjusting the heal support whist in the get set position not only did they eliminated Achilles stretch but also reduced start times by around 0.2 seconds. A truly revolutionary product in those times, we have patented the blocks but unfortunately have not had the expertise to bring them to market, I would welcome your thoughts and any ideas on how we can bring the SUPER BLOCK into the 21 century, for any more information please go to my web http://www.crichton-mfg.com
Thanks for reading.
Andrew Crichton

]]> By: Vic Bulaich http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-54481 Vic Bulaich Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:01:21 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-54481 I thought Richard W Arnett invented it, the one we used in the '50's There were none others I thought Richard W Arnett invented it, the one we used in the ’50′s

There were none others

]]> By: 2009 World Track and Field Championships – Half-time Report | SpeedEndurance.com http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-40559 2009 World Track and Field Championships – Half-time Report | SpeedEndurance.com Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:58:48 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-40559 [...] and Field at the elite level has gone back and forth from low blocks to high blocks during the last 3 [...] [...] and Field at the elite level has gone back and forth from low blocks to high blocks during the last 3 [...]

]]> By: Usain Bolt Training Regimen Video - The Start | SpeedEndurance.com http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17910 Usain Bolt Training Regimen Video - The Start | SpeedEndurance.com Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:37:06 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17910 [...] leading up to the big race, and 3-5 400 meter races. I discussed the stretch reflex in the article Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution, explaining how “low” starting blocks with your heel exposed is a GOOD thing. In the [...] [...] leading up to the big race, and 3-5 400 meter races. I discussed the stretch reflex in the article Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution, explaining how “low” starting blocks with your heel exposed is a GOOD thing. In the [...]

]]> By: The MOYE Victory Starting Blocks- Is Quicker Better? | SpeedEndurance.com http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17659 The MOYE Victory Starting Blocks- Is Quicker Better? | SpeedEndurance.com Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:04:13 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17659 [...] Block The Moye Starting block concept is simple. The angles of the blocks are much different than conventional starting blocks. The rear block has a very steep angle, and the front block has a low angle for the heel of your [...] [...] Block The Moye Starting block concept is simple. The angles of the blocks are much different than conventional starting blocks. The rear block has a very steep angle, and the front block has a low angle for the heel of your [...]

]]> By: Jimson Lee http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17401 Jimson Lee Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:31:48 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17401 Bruce Lee also said, "Absorb only what is useful". My take on blocks is they are simply overrated. You need something to overcome inertia, that's the point. It could be the mondo track below you, blocks, holes in the ground, Adarian's blocks, a rubber step (like baseball), a wooden plank.... I ran in Dartmouth, and never used blocks for the 200 or 400m oval, because we were not allowed. My indoor PB 200m was set at Dartmouth, and that track is flat, not banked. Bruce Lee also said, “Absorb only what is useful”.

My take on blocks is they are simply overrated. You need something to overcome inertia, that’s the point. It could be the mondo track below you, blocks, holes in the ground, Adarian’s blocks, a rubber step (like baseball), a wooden plank….

I ran in Dartmouth, and never used blocks for the 200 or 400m oval, because we were not allowed. My indoor PB 200m was set at Dartmouth, and that track is flat, not banked.

]]> By: Fred http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17400 Fred Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:55:43 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17400 Excellent, Adarian. That's something Bruce Lee would have thought and said. Maybe someone could do some actual field analysis to determine if there might be some merit to it. The Frank Wykoff article forced me to do a little research. He actually anchored the USA 4x100 relay team which won the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Jesse Owens, Ralph Metcalfe, and Foy Draper were his running buddies that day as they set a then new world record of 39.8. Interesting line-up for the team with Owens and Metcalfe in the 1 and 2 spots. It seems they set the tempo and pretty much physically and psychologically destroyed the rest of the field before Draper received the baton for the third leg. Supposedly, Wykoff gained another 6 meters for his leg which supports the reason for a demoralized competitive field. I imagine the other countries had their elite anchoring their respective teams. Excellent, Adarian. That’s something Bruce Lee would have thought and said. Maybe someone could do some actual field analysis to determine if there might be some merit to it.

The Frank Wykoff article forced me to do a little research. He actually anchored the USA 4×100 relay team which won the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Jesse Owens, Ralph Metcalfe, and Foy Draper were his running buddies that day as they set a then new world record of 39.8. Interesting line-up for the team with Owens and Metcalfe in the 1 and 2 spots. It seems they set the tempo and pretty much physically and psychologically destroyed the rest of the field before Draper received the baton for the third leg. Supposedly, Wykoff gained another 6 meters for his leg which supports the reason for a demoralized competitive field. I imagine the other countries had their elite anchoring their respective teams.

]]> By: Adarian http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17390 Adarian Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:11:36 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17390 What if the current style of starting blocks is holding back sprint performances? What if starting blocks is the weak link? What if the current style of starting blocks is holding back sprint performances? What if starting blocks is the weak link?

]]> By: Frank Wykoff on Track and Field Starting Blocks Controversy | SpeedEndurance.com http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17365 Frank Wykoff on Track and Field Starting Blocks Controversy | SpeedEndurance.com Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:55 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17365 [...] in 1935, and have officially been used at the start of sprint races since 1937. I discussed the Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution that focused on the height of the blocks over the last 30 years, and the angles & positioning [...] [...] in 1935, and have officially been used at the start of sprint races since 1937. I discussed the Track and Field Starting Blocks Evolution that focused on the height of the blocks over the last 30 years, and the angles & positioning [...]

]]> By: Jimson Lee http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17253 Jimson Lee Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:44:39 +0000 http://speedendurance.com/2008/12/29/track-and-field-starting-blocks-evolution/#comment-17253 @Fred - Thank you for the kind words! When I was a child, I wondered the day where we'll see the high jump and pole vault using a laser beam (in a smoky environment!). That will surely increase the speed of the competition. They already use optical measuring devices in the jumps and throws events. For the longevity question, that inspires me to write a post about it. Science has revealed that strength-power-speed event athletes have "irregular" hearts because the type of training creates a thicker ventricle. Whereas endurance athletes develop a "larger" more efficient heart from cardiovascular training. Interesting? @Fred – Thank you for the kind words!

When I was a child, I wondered the day where we’ll see the high jump and pole vault using a laser beam (in a smoky environment!). That will surely increase the speed of the competition.

They already use optical measuring devices in the jumps and throws events.

For the longevity question, that inspires me to write a post about it. Science has revealed that strength-power-speed event athletes have “irregular” hearts because the type of training creates a thicker ventricle.

Whereas endurance athletes develop a “larger” more efficient heart from cardiovascular training.

Interesting?

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