Key words: 400 m hurdles for women
The national record of Bulgaria in 400 m hurdles for women, 54,55 s, set by Vanya Stambolova, is analyzed in this article. Subject of the study are the variation of the running speed and its components -longitude and frequency of the running steps in the different parts of the distance. The correlation of the speed in each part of the distance with the theoretical average optimal level is defined. The number of running steps in the first lengths between the hurdles, and the average rhythm for all lengths between the hurdles are correlated to the height of the athlete. The level of realization of the performance at 400 m sprint in the record run is defined as an index of the sub-factor special endurance of the athlete. The conclusions of the analysis reveal that the recordperformanceofBulgaria at400mhurdlesfor women isdefinedwithirrational distribution oftheefforts inthe running distance, which isshownasaslower speed inthe beginning andarelativelyhigherspeedatthe end of the distance. Although the competitor manages to perform optimal number of steps in the beginning and inaverage, herabilitiestoutilizethespecial endurance, shownatthe400msprint,isunsatisfactory.The study shows that the potential abilities of the athlete in the 400m hurdles with maximal realization of the speedstrengthabilitiesandthespecialendurance
are suggesting aresultlessthan53seconds.Theauthorsfeelthat the given analysis will be useful for the sports practice, as a source of information, helping as the future preparation of the record holder, as well as the other competitors in this event.