WHAT IS A MOTOR ACTION CIRCUIT? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The motor action circuit or training circuit is a set of physical activities that aim to condition the resistance and speed of an individual. For example, a motor action circuit could consist of a 20-meter run, vertical jumps, obstacle draws, push-ups, and sit-ups.

This conditioning is done through high intensity aerobic exercises. Being a circuit, it is made up of a series of activities that are executed one followed by the other (in sequence). According to some terminologies, each of the different activities are "stations."

Each activity is generally short-lived. However, each of these requires an effort on the part of the one who executes the motor circuit.

Some of the most common exercises in a motor action circuit are sit-ups, planks, lats, parachute jumps, jogging in the same position, squats, abdominal twisting, among others.

This type of physical training was developed in 1957, in England. Its creators are RE Morgan and GT Adamson from the University of Leeds.

Organization of the motor action circuits

Seasons and physical activities

To develop a motor action circuit, one begins by delimiting the number of stations that will comprise it. Station is understood to be each of the activities that make up the circuit.

Once the desired number of stations is known, the activities are distributed. All activities should be tried to be equally demanding.

It should be noted that it is not recommended that two exercises succeed one another designed to train the same area of ​​the body.

This means that if in station # 1 you must do squats, it is best that in station # 2 do not exercise the legs (but the arms, for example).

It is suggested that the stations be organized in a circular manner. This facilitates the flow of students, avoids confusion and "traffic" between one station and another.

Groups

When organizing a motor action circuit, the number of individuals who will participate in it must be taken into account.

If the number is large, then the total must be divided by the number of stations that have been established in the circuit. On the other hand, if the number is reduced, then there will be only one participant for each station.

Duration and rotation

To begin the motor action circuit, each group or individual is placed in a station. When instructed by the coach, each group should begin to do the exercise that corresponds to them.

After a few seconds, the coach will give a signal to indicate to the groups that they must change stations. Thus, each group will go to the next station as quickly as possible and begin to do the new exercise.

It is recommended that each station last between 30 and 60 seconds. This creates a fast pace, necessary for the best performance of the circuit.

Activities present in motor action circuits

Some of the most common activities in motor action circuits are as follows.

To exercise the arms

1-Lift small weights, between one and two kilos (the weight may vary taking into account the age of the participants).

2-Extend your arms to one side of the body (at shoulder height) and make circular movements.

3-Hitting the air.

To exercise the abdomen

1-Lie on your back, lift your legs and bend your knees at a 90 ° angle. Try to lift the torso towards the legs without altering their position.

2-Lie on your back and put your hands behind your neck. Raise the torso, making the right elbow touch the left knee. In the next repetition, the movement should be reversed (left elbow with right knee).

3-Lying on the back, raise the legs and lower them slowly but without touching the floor.

4-Stand up, with the legs separated at the level of the shoulders. Do abdominal twist, that is, move the upper part of the body to one side without displacing the hips.

To exercise your back

1-Dorsals. Lie on the abdomen, place the hands behind the neck and lift the torso (without moving the legs).

To exercise the legs

1-Perform repetitions of squats.

2-Make jumps with extension. The starting position for this jump is with the legs apart with an opening of one meter (more or less) and the knees bent without them exceeding the limit of the feet.

3-Then, you must jump extending your knees completely. When you are descending, you must return to the starting position.

4-Perform parachute jumps. This jump is done by squatting. From this position, you jump extending your body and legs. As you descend, you return to the squatting position.

5-Lateral elevation. For this, you must be lying on one of the sides. Elevate the leg as far as it will go. Perform ten reps and then switch to the other leg.

To exercise the whole body

Jump rope.

2-Jogging in the same position.

3-Perform planks (holding the weight of the body with the elbows and with the toes).

4-Make earwigs.

Motor action circuit example

- First station: Jogging in the same position.

- Second station: Do 15 - 20 sit-ups.

- Third station: Hitting the air.

- Fourth station: Perform 15 - 20 squats.

- Fifth station: Make numbers.

- Sixth station: Make parachute jumps.

Advantages and benefits of motor action circuits

Motor action circuits generate multiple benefits for the individuals who practice them.

1To begin with, they improve fitness.

2-Many of the stations include cardiovascular activities, which allows you to burn fat quickly.

3-The variety of exercises prevents the participant from getting bored with physical activity.

4-The repetitions improve the performance of the participants.

5-You can measure the progress of individuals through the resistance they demonstrate in the execution of the circuit.

6-They allow you to quickly and accurately train different parts of the body (arms, abdomen, legs, back).

References

1. PE Circuit Training. Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from livestrong.com
2. Circuit Training. Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from revisionworld.com
3. Circuit Training. Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from primaryresources.co.uk
4. Circuit Training. Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from wikipedia.org
5. Circuit Training. Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from brianmac.co.uk
6. Incorporating Fitness into Daily Physical Education. Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from growingyoungmovers.com
7. What are the benefits of Physical Education in School? Retrieved on September 7, 2017, from livestrong.com