Inclined ramp for track and field training and training methods therefor

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/157 150, filed Sep. 30, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a training device and training methods for practicing and improving track and field events and in particular, for practicing starts and jumps for such events.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional track and field training, numerous practice repetitions are performed to improve performance. For those running events which start from a typical starters stance, it is important to practice starts since the ability to quickly transition upwardly from the starters stance to the running position can significantly improve performance. Similarly for jump events, it is important to maximize jumping abilities, particularly the pushoff from the takeoff or launch area, to improve the overall performance of the jumping event being performed. Examples of such jumping events include high jump, long jump and pole vault.

The invention relates to a training aid which improves the quality of practice repetitions for both running and jumping events and results in improved competition times when the running and jumping events are performed without the training aid. The training aid is a portable inclined ramp which is positioned within the start area for sprint training and the launch or takeoff area for jump training. The inclined ramp has an inclined surface covered with a track material and spikes which temporarily anchor the ramp in place on existing track material during training periods.

When used for sprint starts, the ramp faces toward the runway wherein starter blocks are placed on the ramp. When the athlete is in the start stance, the hands are lower than the feet which increases forward lean and improves the quality of training. For jumping events, the inclined ramp is placed next to the event apparatus such as the long jump pit or the high jump equipment, with the ramp facing toward the approach runway. The athlete runs to the inclined ramp and plants their push off foot on the inclined surface. The inclined ramp again improves the quality of training performed.

Therefore, a single training aid is provided which is usable for both start and jump training to improve competition performance.

Other objects and purposes of the invention, and variations thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a plan view of an inclined training ramp of the invention for track and field training.

FIG. 2

is a left side elevational view of the training ramp which includes starter blocks illustrated in phantom outline.

FIG. 3

is a left side perspective view of the training ramp and starter block of

FIG. 2

positioned for use.

FIG. 4

is a left side perspective view illustrating an athlete positioned in the starter blocks.

FIG. 5

is a front perspective view of the athlete of FIG.

4

.

FIG. 6

is a right side elevational view of the athlete during a start from the training ramp.

FIG. 7

is a front perspective view of a high jumper using the training ramp to practice high jumps.

FIG. 8

is a side perspective view of the athlete practicing a high jump.

FIG. 9

is a diagrammatic plan view of the foot positions of a sprinter starting from the inclined training ramp.

FIG. 10

is a diagrammatic plan view of the foot positions of a high jumper using the inclined training ramp.

FIG. 11

is a diagrammatic plan view of the foot positions of a long jumper illustrated in solid and of a triple jumper illustrated in phantom outline.

FIG. 12

is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a pole vaulter using the training ramp.

FIG. 13

is a partial side elevational view of the foot of a jumper in a planted position.

FIG. 14

is a table comparing start times of sprinters using the training ramp and not using the training ramp.

FIG. 15

is a graph comparing the high jump results of a test group using the training ramp and a non-ramp control group.

FIG. 16

is a graph comparing the long jump results of a test group using the training ramp and a non-ramp control group.

FIG. 17

is a graph comparing the 100 meter sprint times of a test group using the training ramp and a non-ramp control group.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly”and “leftwardly”will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly”and “outwardly”will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an inclined training ramp

10

as illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, and the methods of using the training ramp

10

to practice jumps and starts for various track and field events which events are diagrammatically illustrated in

FIGS. 9-12

.

Generally, the inclined training ramp

10

may be positioned in a first orientation with an inclined surface

12

thereof facing forwardly for practicing starts as illustrated in

FIGS. 1-4

. Further, the training ramp

10

may be reversed and placed in a second orientation so that the inclined surface

12

faces rearwardly for use in practicing jumps such as for the high jump (FIGS.

7

and

10

), the long jump or triple jump (FIG.

11

), and the pole vault (FIG.

12

). While the training ramp

10

typically is not used in competition, the inventive training ramp

10

and its methods of use have provided significant advantages in training which has resulted in improvements in competition results as discussed herein in further detail.

More specifically, the training ramp

10

includes a rigid frame structure

14

that includes a horizontally enlarged top plate

15

which is supported on upstanding webs

16

.

The top plate

15

is formed of a planar rigid material such as steel and has a wide front end

15

a

and a narrower rear end

15

b

so as to have a trapezoidal shape. The narrower end

15

b

generally defines the region in which a foot of a jumper is planted or the feet of a sprinter are placed. As such, the rear end

15

b

can be made narrower since the area required for placement of the feet is relatively narrow. However, when practicing starts, the corners of the training ramp

10

proximate front end

15

a

define areas in which the hands of a sprinter are placed and accordingly, the front end

15

a

is made wider to accommodate the spacing of the hands when an athlete is in the set position (FIG.

3

).

The webs

16

include a pair of central webs

17

which extend generally rearwardly in parallel relation to each other and rigidly support the top plate

15

thereon. The webs

16

taper from the rear to the front of the training ramp

10

such that the top plate

15

is inclined upwardly. The top plate

15

preferably is inclined at an acute angle of 6.3 degrees although this angle may be varied. Further, the training ramp

10

preferably has an overall length of thirty-eight (38) inches which is sufficient to accommodate most athletes particularly for start training, and has a height of four (4) inches. The dimensional relationship between the length and height defines the aforementioned incline angle.

The frame structure

14

further includes front and rear pairs of transverse webs

18

and

19

respectively. The transverse webs

18

and

19

have inner ends which are rigidly connected to the central webs

17

and further extend outwardly to the outermost edges of the top plate

15

. As such, significant support is provided to the top plate

15

even when the foot of a jumper is planted thereon so as to minimize if not eliminate deflection of the top plate

15

when jump forces are applied thereto.

Still further, the frame structure

14

includes a rear wall

20

which is rigidly connected to the rear ends of the central webs

17

. The height of the rear wall

20

is selected so that the terminal rear edge of the top plate

15

is at the preferred height of four inches and the top plate

15

is inclined at the desired inclined angle.

To facilitate placement and repositioning of the training ramp

10

during use, a generally U-shaped handle

22

projects rearwardly from an exterior face of the rear wall

20

. This allows a user to lift the rear of the training ramp

10

and carry same. During use, the training ramp

10

is laid flat on a suitable support surface

24

such as a track (

FIGS. 2 and 3

) or the like wherein the frame structure

14

is disposed in load bearing engagement with the support surface

24

.

To prevent movement of the training ramp

10

during starts and jumps, the frame structure

14

further includes a rear anchor plate

28

which projects from the rear wall

20

and lies generally flat on the support surface

24

during use. The training ramp

10

also includes central anchor plates

30

. Each of the anchor plates

28

and

30

includes holes

31

(

FIG. 1

) extending vertically therethrough wherein each of the holes

31

has an anchoring spike

32

(

FIG. 2

) which projects downwardly therefrom.

More particularly, the anchoring spikes

32

have threaded ends which engage the holes

31

. For example, the spikes

32

may be conventional track spikes such as those used in running shoes. In use, the anchoring spikes

32

are embedded into the track surface

24

and prevent horizontal movement or shifting of the training ramp

10

during sprints and jumps. Since conventional track surfaces

24

typically are formed of a layer

35

of a rubberized or resilient track material, the spikes

32

readily engage the surfaces

24

. The length of the spikes

32

may be varied depending upon the thickness and type of track material.

To prevent corrosion, the frame structure

14

is coated with a weather resistant material such as a nylon material or the like. This coating provides an aesthetically suitable finish while resisting corrosion. To facilitate coating of the frame structure

14

, the top plate

15

also includes support holes

36

, from which the frame structure

14

is suspended during the coating process.

The upper surface of the top plate

15

also includes a material layer

38

, preferably of a rubberized track material. The material layer

38

not only permits use of shoes with spikes thereon, but the layer

38

also facilitates use of a conventional starter block

39

thereon. More specifically, the material layer

38

is bonded to the entire upper surface of the top plate

15

and has the same trapezoidal shape. Preferably, the material layer

38

is approximately a half-inch thick although other thicknesses may be suitable.

More specifically with respect to the methods of training with the training ramp

10

, use of the training ramp

10

for starts is illustrated in further detail in

FIGS. 2-6

. Referring to

FIGS. 2 and 3

, the training ramp

10

is positioned with the front end

15

a

vertically adjacent to a lane

45

of a conventional track. A lane

45

typically includes longitudinal stripes or lines

46

which define the opposite side edges thereof. For training purposes, a starting line

47

preferably is provided which starting line

47

may be formed of a piece of white tape which is secured or adhered directly to the front edge of the ramp material

38

.

To assist in timing starts, a hand pad

50

may be provided near one of the front corners of the ramp

10

. The hand pad

15

is electronically connected to a timing device

51

through intermediate wiring

52

. When an athlete's hand is removed during a start, the timing device

51

is automatically triggered. The hand pad

50

and timing device

51

are conventional and thus, a detailed discussion thereof is not necessary.

For start training, a conventional starter block

39

is placed on the top of the training ramp

10

. The starter block

39

includes a pair of blocks

55

which project upwardly and typically are rearwardly offset relative to each other to accommodate the left and right feet of an athlete

56

who is training for starts. Conventional starter block

39

also includes spikes

57

(

FIG. 2

) which project downwardly and engage the ramp material

36

to prevent rearward shifting of the starter block

39

during use.

Referring to

FIGS. 4 and 5

, in a conventional start stance, the left and right feet

60

and

61

of the athlete

56

are positioned against their respective blocks

55

, while the hands

62

of the athlete

56

are placed on the upper surface of the ramp

10

proximate the front corners thereof. To facilitate timing of the practice starts, the right hand

62

preferably is placed on the timer pad

50

which pad

50

registers the exact time which the hand

62

is removed during a start.

The athlete

56

thereby is supported entirely on the training ramp

10

during use. Since the ramp

10

is inclined, the athlete's feet

60

and

61

are disposed at a higher elevation than the hands

62

which forces the athlete

56

to lean forwardly when in the set position. As such, more of the athlete's bodyweight is shifted forwardly toward the hands

62

. As discussed herein, this starting position has proven to be a more favorable position than would otherwise occur if the ramp

10

was not used.

Referring to

FIG. 9

, the subsequent movement and placement of the feet

60

and

61

during takeoff is illustrated therein. As can be seen, when the athlete

56

is in the start position, the feet

60

and

61

are placed in the blocks

55

. While the left foot

60

is positioned forwardly of the rear foot

61

, it will also be understood that some athletes

56

may perform better by reversing the position of the feet

60

and

61

with the forwardmost foot being the right foot

61

.

During use, the training ramp

10

is positioned in a first orientation proximate a lane

45

wherein the ramp surface

12

faces forwardly in the direction in which the athlete

56

will be running. Preferably, the starter block

39

is then positioned thereon. The starter block

39

may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly on the ramp material

36

to adjust the distance between the starting line and the blocks

55

and accommodate differences in the height of athletes

56

or allow use of different stances. Since the starter block

39

is maintained in position only by the spikes

57

, shifting of the starter block

39

can be accomplished easily by raising and resetting the starter block

39

.

Thereafter, the athlete

50

takes up the set position seen in

FIGS. 4 and 5

wherein the feet

60

and

61

are positioned in the blocks

55

while the hands

62

are placed near the front corners of the training ramp

10

. The athlete

56

then takes off or leaves the starter block

39

typically by driving with the forwardmost leg and foot

60

. After an appropriate stride, the right foot

61

is planted on the lane

45

and the athlete

56

continues running as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG.

9

.

Study results are provided herein which show that athlete's sprint times improved at a greater rate by training on the inventive training ramp

10

. It is believed that this improvement results from several factors as discussed hereinafter.

More particularly, when training and practicing on a conventional flat surface for starts, particularly for sprints, several characteristics have been identified as contributing to efficient, effective sprint starts. In particular these factors include forward lean, knee drive, arm action and propulsive contact on the first step. Athletes and coaches therefore strive to optimize these characteristics although often times this can prove difficult, especially with novice athletes, since improved start times typically result from subjectively developing a “feel” for the optimal form which optimizes these characteristics.

The inventive training ramp

10

is believed to significantly improve the athlete's ability to optimize these characteristics. In particular, by using the starter block

39

in combination with the training ramp

10

, the athlete when in the set position is tilted forwardly as illustrated in FIG.

4

. As such, the athlete

56

is placed in a more favorable physical position and therefore is better able to develop a “feel” for the optimum form when starting.

As seen in

FIG. 6

, the athlete

26

when taking off from the starter block

36

has an improved angle of attack as designated by reference line

65

which reference line extends generally through the longitudinal center line of the athlete

56

. This allows the athlete

56

to develop a more horizontal leg thrust as the athlete

56

rises from the starter block

39

. This thereby increases the forward lean of the athlete

56

relative to a more vertical forward lean designated by reference line

66

which the athlete might typically use. This improved angle of attack or forward lean

65

not only allows the athlete

56

to develop a better “feel” for the optimum form during starts but also allows the athlete

56

to actually perform more starts during a training session with less effort or strength. The athlete

56

is better able to accomplish a greater number of correct or optimized starts, which thereby is believed to improve actual flat start times, i.e. starts conducted on conventional tracks without the training ramp

10

. Further, starting from the ramp

10

also requires more aggressive arm action which further develops this beneficial characteristic.

In particular, the athlete develops a better “feel” for optimum form such that the practice times with the training ramp

10

are better. Further, this improvement in practice times also results in improvements in times during training and races conducted on flat surfaces without the training ramp

10

. This improvement is believed to be shown by the test results discussed in further detail herein.

Besides providing distinct advantages when practicing starts, the training ramp

10

also provides distinct improvements when training for jumping vents such as the high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault.

When practicing for these jumping events, the training ramp

10

is usable therewith without any structural modifications. Rather, the training ramp

10

is merely positioned in a reversed second orientation wherein the inclined surface

12

faces towards the direction in which the athlete

56

will approach.

More specifically,

FIGS. 7

,

8

and

10

illustrate the training ramp

10

as used for practicing the high jump. The training ramp

10

is used with conventional high jump equipment which equipment includes a landing pad

69

and a crossbar arrangement

70

. The crossbar arrangement

70

is conventional and includes a pair of support posts

71

which are laterally spaced apart and disposed proximate a front edge of the landing pad

69

. The support posts included a lower base section

72

, a vertically extendible upper section

73

and a crossbar

74

. The opposite ends of the crossbar

74

are supported on support pegs

75

which project outwardly from the upper pole section

73

.

While the object of high jumping obviously is to increase the elevational height of the crossbar

74

over which the jumpers are able to jump onto the landing pad

69

, a critical part of such training and improvement is in developing proper form for the jump in combination with improvements in the physical abilities and strength of the athlete

56

.

The training ramp

10

is used for practicing jumps by placing the training ramp

10

in the takeoff area in front of the crossbar arrangement

70

. Specifically, the narrow end

15

b

of the training ramp

10

is disposed closely proximate to the crossbar arrangement

70

but the training ramp

10

is oriented generally at a forty-five (45) degree angle relative to the crossbar

74

. Preferably, the upper third of the inclined surface

12

defines a target area in which the athlete

56

attempts to plant their takeoff or jumping foot which for the illustrated athlete

56

is the left foot

60

.

The athlete

56

uses a conventional form during practice; wherein the left foot

60

is planted while the right leg and foot

61

are lifted upwardly. The athlete

56

drives upwardly with the left leg and foot

60

during which time the athlete

56

arches their back when traveling over the crossbar

74

. During the approach for takeoff, the athlete

56

also uses the conventional approach generally illustrated by the footprints of FIG.

11

. While the general approach and jumping techniques are for the most part conventional, the training sessions are greatly improved by use of the inventive training ramp

10

.

It is believed that the inclined angle of the take-off surface

12

modifies the interaction of the surface reaction force generated between the foot

60

and the inclined surface

12

when the foot is planted on the training ramp

12

. This modified surface reaction force is believed to convert some of the jumper's ground speed into vertical lift to further improve the jumper's flight. Jumping height is also improved by the vertical height of the take-off area on which the foot

60

is planted.

Still further, it is believed that the incline ramp

10

also improves the muscular development of the lifting muscles primarily in the ankle and foot area. Referring to

FIG. 13

, when the foot

60

is planted on the inclined surface

12

, the heel

60

a

is actually at a lower elevation than the toe

60

b

. During a jump, the heel

60

a

travels from the lower position illustrated in solid upwardly to the upper position illustrated in phantom outline which positions thereby define the vertical range of motion through which the heel

60

a

travels. This vertical range of motion is greater than the vertical range of motion of the heel when jumping from a flat surface since the heel starts at a lower elevation relative to the toe

60

b

on the ramp

10

.

Since the foot

60

generates a lifting force, the foot

60

actually works through the greater vertical range of motion which is believed to improve muscular development and thereby improve jumping ability. This increased angular range of motion not only occurs in the ankle joint through the increased vertical range of motion of the heel

60

a

, but also in the joint at the ball of the foot. In particular, since the toes

60

b

also are at an inclined angle, pivoting of the foot

60

about this joint occurs through a greater angular range. This unique motion thereby results in increased contact time of the foot

60

with the ramp

10

which emphasizes the jumping movement and is believed to improve the muscular impulse generated by the foot joints.

Further, since the inclined surface

12

is rigid, the angle of the surface reaction force remains constant along the length of the training ramp

10

, thus, allowing the same ankle flexion to occur during each jump regardless of the position of the foot

60

. Thus, even if the planting location of the foot

60

varies upwardly, downwardly or sidewardly on the ramp

10

during repeated practice runs, the improved motion of the ankle is maintained substantially constant.

This cooperation between the inclined surface

12

and the jumping foot

60

is believed more conducive to jump training. More particularly, the incline in combination with the height of the training ramp

10

makes it easier to accomplish the same jump with the ramp

10

than without the ramp

10

and accordingly, training is less exhausting. This permits shorter runs up to take-off location on the ramp

10

, and more attempts per session. The training ramp

10

also is believed to adjust the jumper's flight during practice and aid in muscular development. Since the quality and quantity of training is increased, greater improvements may be achieved.

As mentioned previously, the training ramp

10

may be used for a variety of jumping events. For example, referring to

FIG. 11

, the training ramp

10

is positioned for use when training for the long jump. Equipment for the long jump is conventional and typically includes a landing pit

80

which is filled with loose sand, a runway

81

which extends forwardly to the landing pit

80

and a fault line or toe board

82

which extends transversely across the runway

81

. Typically, the runway

81

includes a suitable track material such as that used for the sprint lane

45

.

During training, the training ramp

10

is positioned on the runway

81

proximate to the landing pit

80

. While the training ramp

10

is at least positioned proximate to the toe board

82

, the training ramp preferably is positioned so that it overlies the toe board. While this position still requires the athlete to plant their foot

60

and jump before reaching the toe board

82

to avoid a fault, at least an end portion of the training ramp

10

extends beyond the toe board

82

so that the preferred foot planting position is disposed approximately two-thirds of the way up the inclined surface

12

. This permits the athlete, if a fault occurs, to still land on the ramp

10

without stepping off of the ramp

10

. Once the athlete lands in the landing pit

80

, the feet

60

and

61

are generally disposed in a side-by-side position.

The same equipment and arrangement of the training ramp

10

may also be used for training for the triple jump. In the triple jump, the steps on the runway

81

are farther apart as generally illustrated in phantom outline for feet

60

and

61

. The final step for the third phase of the triple jump still occurs on the training ramp

10

as illustrated in solid by footprint

60

.

When jumping from the training ramp

10

during the long jump and triple jump, the interaction of the training ramp

10

and foot

60

is substantially the same as that discussed above with respect to the high jump and as illustrated in FIG.

13

. Thus, the foregoing discussion of the benefits of the training ramp

10

during jumping events is believed equally applicable to the high jump and triple jump.

Further, the training ramp

10

also is believed to provide similar advantages to training for the pole vault as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG.

12

. The pole vault equipment includes a landing pad

86

, a crossbar arrangement

87

having vertical support posts

88

and a crossbar

89

, and a runway

90

leading up to the crossbar arrangement

87

. The runway

90

includes a plant box

91

which receives the lower end of a vaulting pole

92

during a pole vault.

As generally illustrated in

FIG. 12

, the training ramp

10

is spaced away from the plant box

91

a distance which is proximate the distance between the planting foot

60

of the athlete

56

and the lower end of the pole

92

. As such, as the athlete

56

drives the pole

92

into the plant box

91

, the jump leg

60

of the athlete

56

is planted onto the inclined surface

12

of the ramp

10

which allows the athlete

56

to drive upwardly therefrom. It is believed that use of the training ramp

10

with pole vaulting also provide advantages and improvements in performance.

As discussed hereinafter, a significant amount of experimentation has been conducted on use of the training ramp

10

for sprint starts and jump starts, and significant benefits are believed to be shown by the results of this experimentation which results are set forth in

FIGS. 14-17

.

Referring to

FIG. 14

, a first experiment was conducted by comparing sprint start times of a group of athletes for starts first conducted on a flat surface without the training ramp

10

and then for starts conducted with the ramp

10

. Specifically, a group of

13

college aged sprinters performed a number of five-meter and ten-meter sprint starts with the training ramp

10

(designated “Ramp” in

FIG. 14

) and without the training ramp

10

(designated “Flat”). The test starts included four on the normal flat surface, and four with starting blocks placed on top of the training ramp

10

. All of the trial times were measured by fully automatic timing in seconds, and the mean differences between the trials for all participants are set forth in FIG.

14

.

As can be seen, significant improvements were measured when using the ramp even with no prior experience with the ramp

10

. The study indicates that the training ramp

10

of the invention creates a more favorable body positioned for accelerating. These improvements are attributed to be improved body lean during set and take-off phases of the sprint start, increases in stride length during the first three steps from the blocks while maintaining a favorable body angle, and a demand for greater arm action which creates a more aggressive starting action which increased arm action is reported by a post use participant survey.

Referring to

FIGS. 15-17

, another experiment was conducted to further investigate the effects of training with the training ramp

10

.

FIGS. 15-17

are graphs which depict the results of training with the ramp

10

over a period of eight weeks.

More specifically, seventy-eight (78) high school aged athletes trained for eight weeks with and without the training ramp

10

. Thirty-six of these athletes utilized the ramp wherein

20

used the ramp for jumping events and

16

used the ramp for sprint starts. The remaining

36

athletes trained normally without utilizing the ramp

10

wherein

20

athletes trained for jumping events and

16

athletes trained for sprint events. Data was collected for training volume, competition performances and improvements therein, personal best efforts, and incidents of injury which factors were monitored for eight continuous weeks.

Generally, the graphs of

FIGS. 15-17

reveal significant improvements in the test group using the ramp

10

for the long jump, high jump and 100 meter sprint. As seen in

FIG. 15

, the high jump test group had an overall improvement at the end of the test which was more than 1.0 inch greater than the non-ramp control group. Referring to

FIG. 16

, the long jump test group improved more than six inches over the non-ramp control group. Referring to

FIG. 17

, the sprint test group improved more than 0.27 seconds over the non-ramp control group. This test data is believed to show the significant improvements which may be attained by using the training ramp

10

of the invention in the training methods disclosed herein.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, and of the methods of use lie within the scope of the present invention.