In stadiums, there is an unwritten yet well-known rule that dictates running counterclockwise. But where did this rule come from, and how does it relate to human anatomy? Furthermore, are there any competitions that deviate from this norm?
This article will explore all of these questions.
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World Athletics Standard
World Athletics (former IAAF) has mandated that running in stadiums should be done counterclockwise, leaving no room for exceptions.
But how did this rule originate? There are several theories surrounding this topic, and we will delve into the most popular ones.
History
Let’s take a trip back to 1896 when the first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens. During those inaugural Games, athletes were required to run clockwise.
This practice continued in 1900 in Paris, in 1904 in St. Louis, and once again in 1906 in Athens.
This rule prompted numerous complaints from athletes. It was these complaints that led to the establishment of the current rule by the International Olympic Committee in 1913, which dictates running counterclockwise in stadiums.
Anatomical Theories
The human body is slightly heavier on the left side due to the heart’s placement. Consequently, when running counterclockwise, the body naturally leans a bit to the left, offering a potential advantage.
Moreover, the majority of individuals have a dominant right hand and leg. As a result, moving counterclockwise allows for better body control and increased speed, as wider steps are taken with the right leg in that direction, particularly during turns.
There is another physiological explanation for this phenomenon. Blood naturally flows from left to right through our veins.
Running counterclockwise enhances blood circulation by harnessing the centrifugal force generated during the activity. Conversely, running clockwise would hinder blood flow, making circulation more difficult.
Other Theories
One theory suggests that the Earth’s rotation influences athletes to move faster in the same direction, known as the Coriolis effect, at least in the Northern Hemisphere.
Interestingly, no world records in athletics have been set south of the equator. However, this could be due to the fact that the majority of the world’s population resides in the Northern Hemisphere.
On the other hand, several world records in track cycling have been achieved in the Southern Hemisphere, including countries like Brazil, Bolivia, and Australia, which partly negates the importance of the Coriolis effect in athletics.
Another physics concept to consider is the vector of angular velocity. According to this concept, when movement occurs to the left, the vector points upward, indicating less resistance to motion.
In contrast, during clockwise movement, the vector points downward, resulting in a significant increase in the effort required for running.
Moreover, we find it more comfortable to observe runners moving from left to right, as it aligns with our reading direction. However, it’s worth noting that this theory does not account for languages that are read from top to bottom or from right to left.
Cyclists in track cycling, racehorses on tracks, and speed skaters also commonly move in a counterclockwise direction.
As you can see, there is no definitive answer as to why running counterclockwise benefits performance results, but many theories are somehow connected to the laws of physics.
Competitions Held in a Clockwise Direction
In athletics, all running events worldwide are conducted in a counterclockwise direction. However, in other sports like circular car racing and horse racing, this rule is not strictly followed.
For instance, in countries like Germany, France, and Australia, competitions on racecourses take place in both directions without a set national standard. Additionally, most Formula 1 tracks are designed for clockwise movement.
