Track spikes

Spikes ( spiked shoes ) are common in athletics shoes with spikes attached to the sole. Thus, a more efficient power transmission on the one hand allows the other hand, the grip is significantly improved, which is particularly important in wet career of considerable advantage.

Variants

Due to the various requirements that are placed on spikes, discipline-specific shoes have been developed over time. In general, the spines are attached at the level of the anterior third of the sole of the foot. It can be mounted on the heel height but, particularly in the disciplines javelin and high jump, also thorns.

Running disciplines

In the running events varied substantially the hardness, and damping of the shoe. Does the sprint shoe usually a rigid, hard plastic plate as the sole and no heel cushioning, a medium or long -distance shoe has a more flexible sole and has padding in the heel area. In addition, a distinction can be made ​​between short sprints and long sprint spikes. With increasing race distance, the hardness of the shoe decreases, while the padding to. The limited to a certain length spikes are only in the front third of the shoe sole, as there takes place when Vorfusslauf the impression from the ball of the foot. Thorns on the heel height would interfere with the rotor only unnecessary when rolling. The typical length of individual spikes, depending on use and shoe model on the track 3-9 millimeters. In cross-country running spikes are used to 15 mm depending on the terrain. Mostly, the spikes can be replaced individually, but also shoes with built- spikes are produced.

Brush shoes

In preparation for the 1968 Olympics so called brush shoes ( engl. brush spikes ) were used which had 68 spikes instead of the usual four or six spines and achieved a better adhesion to the newly developed Tartan tracks. However, they were not approved for international comparisons and came back out of the use, as they are the tartan track destroyed more and more after a short time due to the high number of thorns. The U.S. sprinter John Carlos ( 200 m), Vince Matthews and Lee Evans ( 400 m ) achieved with them in the summer of 1968, world best, but were not recognized by the IAAF as world records. Similar brush shoes are still worn by Bobsportlern.

Throwing events

In the throwing events shot put, discus and hammer throw no spikes are used, since the athletes whose floor is made of concrete their devices from a so-called throwing circle, discard. In contrast, javelin spikes are virtually indispensable. They are generally higher than the usual all- spikes, as in the course of dropping very strong forces act on the hocks and is therefore a certain amount of support beneficial. Furthermore, they have also thorns in the heel region, for the discharge of the whole foot is placed flat on the ground.

Jumping events

For the disciplines Wide, triple jump and pole vault the sprinting spikes are used very similar shoes. For the high jump spikes are used, which are a little higher than normal spikes, since here too enormous forces on the ankle during the jump. Also possess high jump shoes in the heel additional spines, because the foot is completely placed on the jump on the floor.