Types of speed: In general there are five types of speed abilities. Speed depends to a considerable extent on the central nervous system. They are: reaction ability, movement speed, acceleration ability, locomotor ability and speed endurance.
(a) Reaction ability: It is the ability to react effectively and quickly to a signal. In sports, signals can be of different types, e.g., visual, tactile, acoustic. Depending upon the degree of complexity of the reaction required the reaction ability can be further differentiated into simple and complex reaction ability.
(b) Movement speed: It is the ability to do a single movement in minimum of time. Movement speed is of high relevance in cyclic sports. In cyclic sports it is important in initial phase (e.g.. start movement) or in phase during the total period at cyclic activity, e.g., turns in swimming, hurdle clearance, etc. In acyclic sports, movement speed is very closely bound with technique and tactical action. Movement speed depends largely on explosive strength and technique.
(c) Acceleration ability: It is the ability to achieve high speed of locomotion from stationary position or from a slow moving position. Acceleration ability depends to a great extent on explosive strength technique and movement frequency. It is very important in all team games, racket sports where high running speed are to be achieved over short distances.
(d) Locomotor ability: It is the ability to maintain maximum speed of locomotion from maximum possible duration or distance. Locomotor ability is important in only few sports or events, e:.g.. 100 m, 200 m, short sprint, speed skating where an event ends in few seconds. It depends to a large extent on mobility of the nervous system which allows for high movements frequency.
(e) Speed endurance: It is the ability to do sports movements with high speed under conditions of fatigue. It is a combination of speed and endurance abilities. It is of different nature in cyclic and non-cyclic sports. In cyclic sports the speed endurance is required to continue movements with high speed inspite of the rapid accumulation of fatigue during the activity. In non-cyclic sports the speed endurance is required to do movements again and again with maximum possible speed under conditions of fatigue. For example repeated sprints in football. Speed endurance depends considerably on anaerobic capacity, technique and psychic factors.
