SELECTION OF POTENTIAL

HURDLERS
By E. Pereverzev, B. Tabatshnik, V. Halilov

The identification and selection of potential hurdles talent can often be a difficult
task. In the following text the authors solve some of the problems in establishing
the most important parameters in hurdling performances and present model
standards on which selection can be based. The article is a condensed
translation from Legkaya Atletika, Moscow, No.2, 1984. Re-printed with
permission from Modern Athlete and Coach.

There is little information available on the identification of hurdles talent, including

such factors as at what age to begin specialized training and what is the best
criteria to be used in the selection of young athletes who have the potential to
reach international class performances. Further problems are created by the fact
that young athletes begin to compete over high hurdles relatively late in their
development.

One of the important aspects in an efficient selection procedure is the

establishment of the requirement sofapar ticularev ent,basedona“ model ”of
top performers. This model allows to identify leading performance parameters
that can be used as guidelines. Looking first at the specific physical preparation
reveals that speed factors are extremely important. High class hurdlers have
always been good sprinters.

SPEED FACTORS

Speed in sprinting and hurdling is reflexed in three components, namely the

reaction time, maximum acceleration capacity and the ability to perform
movements at maximum speed. These three components are not closely
correlated and their trainability varies. Consequently, it is advisable to use in the
selection of potential hurdlers two types of tests that establish the capacity of
acceleration and the ability to perform movements at maximum speed.

The results in hurdling are closely related also to the strength level of the athlete.
Most informative are the static strength indicators of the ankle, leg and hip
flexors, because the running speed in hurdling is decided by stride frequency.
Stride length is restricted by the placement of the hurdles. It is therefore
suggested that the strength and power levels of hurdlers can be established by
usi ngjumpi ngt est s.“ Shor t
”jumps( standingl ongandt ri
plej umps,t hev er
ti
cal
jump) indicate mainl yt hecapaci t
yt oaccel erate.“ Long”j umpi ngt ests(10
repetition hops, alternate leg take-off bounding up to 100m), give information on
maximum running speed and also speed endurance. Two hops on the take-off
leg and a long jump from a 15-stride run-up are good indicators for the approach
to the hurdle.

Specific endurance in hurdling is decided by the ability to maintain speed

between the hurdles and the speed of hurdle clearances in the second half of the
distance. The speed between the hurdles is decided by a rational combination of
stride frequency and stride length, as well as the efficiency of the hurdle
clearances. The evaluation of specific endurance in hurdling can be based on the
comparison of the time taken to cover equal length sections in the first and
second half of the distance.

This allows to establish a specific endurance co-efficient of in which

H1 and H2 represent the average time taken between two hurdles in the first and
second half respectively and H5 is the touchdown time after the fifth hurdle. Good
hurdlers have a specific endurance co-efficient of 6.85 to 7.00.

Specific technical efficiency co-efficients, to establish the level of technique

development, are based on the relationship of the running speed between the
hurdles and the running speed without the hurdles, as well as the relationship
between the speed of hurdles clearance with the running speed between the
hurdles. According to Breiser and Ilyn, excellent results in the 100m hurdles are
achieved mainly by improving the running between the hurdles and less through
the effectiveness of the hurdles clearance.

The two technical efficiency coefficients commonly used are:

in which V1 represents the speed of hurdle clearance and V2 the running speed
between the hurdles
in which V2 is the running speed between the hurdles and Vmax is the maximum
speed over the distance without hurdles.

One of the most important factors in high level hurdling is the rhythm. The athlete
has to perform a certain number of strides from the start to the first hurdle and
then between the hurdles. This restricts the stride length and makes it important
that the strides are performed in a correct length and a correct time sequence.
The importance of the rhythm has been stressed by a number of experts,
including Calvesi of Italy, who claims that rhythm is the basic component of
hurdling. Calvesi suggests that the rhythm in hurdling should be as even as
possible, despite the variations in the stride length. It should have a structure that
is similar to t
hemusi calt erm of“cr escendo” ,ast heat hlet
eat tempt stot akeeach
hurdle with a maximum acceleration after having lost some velocity during the
hurdle clearance.

PERFORMANCE MODEL

One oft heaspect sint heest ablishmentofa“ model ”ist hedy nami csofthe
development of performances over several years. An analysis of Olympic
winners (1960 - 1980) shows that the majority of athletes produce their best
performances between the ages of 22 to 25 years, but there are exceptions
(Davenport, 13.38 sec. at 33). Most top hurdlers made their first start in hurdling
at the age of 16 to 18 years, probably because of the complicated technique
involved. However, a strong physical base achieved in participating in other
sports and other track and field events allowed them to reach international class
times at the age of 19 to 20 years.

Morphological characteristics are also important in the selection of potential

hurdlers. Table 2 shows that top class hurdlers are tall and relatively light. Their
height-weight index is rather large (up to 15). As the potential height is
determined genetically, it is possible to predict it satisfactorily already at the age
of 8 to 9 years.

The model performance indicators of elite hurdlers can be helpful in designing

training processes and are presented in table 3. It becomes obvious in
comparison of the model indicators for hurdlers and sprinters that both events
have similar physical requirements. The differences, according to our studies, are
mainly in the height, the height-weight indexes, flexibility and the ability to control
movements. The co-ordination capacities of elite hurdlers, responsible for
rational movements, are reflected in their success in other technically different
events, such as the high jump, pole vault, decathlon etc.

It is important in the selection of potential hurdlers to know which performance

capacities are trainable and which are depending mainly on inherited
characteristics. It has been shown that co-ordination and flexibility indicators are
particularly important in the prediction of future hurdlers. However, tests reflecting
speed and power capacities are also valuable, although they usually show
steady progress, as does the growth in height.

The most suitable age to begin with the selection and training of hurdlers is
around 10 to 12 years. The indicators that show the largest improvement during
the first 18 months of training are flexibility and co-ordination, about 70 to 78% in
comparison with the next 3 - 4 years. This happens because the improvement in
these indicators comes to a standstill around the age of 13 years. Table 4 shows
suitable norms and the expected rate of improvement during the first 18 months
of several indicators.

It should be noted that about 75% of the training time during the first few years
should be used for a many-sided development of physical capacities and only
25% of the time for specific hurdling training. Particular attention must be paid to
develop the capacity of movement co-ordination to establish a base for the future
development of the hurdle technique.

Finally, it has been often asked if there is any value in attempting to begin the
development of young athletes in hurdling after they have already reached the
age of 14 years. The answer is that the age alone should not be regarded as a
limiting factor, provided the athlete concerned is well coordinated, flexible and
sufficiently fast. The other physical performance components required in hurdling
can be successfully developed, particularly if the athlete has for two or three
years been involved in other track and field events.