Standard Grade Physical Education

Speed

What is SPEED?

• It is the ability to cover a distance or perform a movement in as short a time as possible.

Some examples:

• A sprinter would use their whole body to generate speed

• A soft ball player would use their arms (part of their body) to swing the bat as quickly as possible

* Different activities require different types of speed.

Reaction Time

This is the length of time it takes to respond to a stimulus. For example:-

• A sprinter responds to the sound of a gun.• A tennis player responds to the action of their

opponent.

The quicker the reaction time the greater the advantage.

• Reaction time can be improved through practising the activity itself, eg. A series of sprint starts.

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Running speed depends on a number of factors...

• Range of movement in ankles, hips and shoulders

• Strength of muscles

• Stride length and frequency

• Correct technique

• Force exerted by leading leg

• Ability of muscles to cope with a build-up of lactic acid

How can speed be improved?

• Using strength training methods to strengthen the leg muscles which will enable them to contract faster.

• A combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. This increases muscular endurance and allows muscles to increase their ability to cope with lactic acid build-up.

Tasks:

1. Describe two situations where speed would be beneficial in an activity of your choice.

(E.g, Forward beating a defender in hockey)

2. Q50 P21 (Questions in SGPE)