A Historical Study on the Improvement of Track and Field Facility and Equipment in Japan

Abstract

The admirable records made on track and field events were created not only by the improvement of training methods, but also by facility and equipment. The purpose of this study was to make clear the history on track and field facility and equipment in Japan. The major results were as follows: ( 1 ) Running tracks were planned oval in shape and the circumference length of the oval was changed to 400 metres in 1920s. ( 2 ) The width and length of the track became approximately existing conditions in 1920s. ( 3 ) first all-weather track was constructed at Sendagaya, Tokyo in 1968. ( 4 ) The metal hurdle was recognized as standard equipment in Japanese competitions in 1940s. ( 5 ) The pole-plant box was placed on the ground in the latter half of 1920s. The fiber glass pole was accepted in the first half of 1960s. As mentioned above, the facility and equipments on track and field have been improved for better performance for the athletes, and to prevent from poor conditions such as windy or rainy weather. The second decade of this century perhaps was the most remarkable period in the development of these facility and equipment.