What do track and field athletes have on the bottom of their shoes?

Answer 1

Depending on what events Track and Field athletes participate in, depends on the kind of shoes they wear.

Running:

Spikes: a light weight shoe with short metal spikes on the bottom to get more traction on the turf. They are used to "dig in" and help the runners get the most optimal speed possible. Sprinters spikes generally don't have padding on the heel and are designed to bring the runner up on their toes. Distance spikes have padding on the heels because it they are going a longer distance, where the heel has more impact on the turf.

Jumpers: High, long, and triple.

Have a variation of spikes. Long/triple jumpers have a spike similar to a sprint spike but with more padding to absorb the impact of the foot on the toe board as well as are designed to keep sand out. High jumpers have a heavier spike that has rubber that runs up on the toe incase they roll onto their foot as they jump.

Javelin:

Javelin throwers wear a heavy boot that can either be low cut or go up the ankle. They have longer spikes, because of the demand for a more sudden stop in the "block position" at the end of the throw where all force is exuded from the feet to the hips to the shoulders.

Discus/Hammer/Shotput:

These athletes wear shoes with very little traction and are very flat, smooth, rubber soles. These allow for the athlete to get the most spin and speed in the throw in which they can glide easily on the concrete. There are glides- used for shot put which have a little more traction because the throw does not spin. Discus/hammer uses rotationals to get the most out of the spin technique.

Answer 2

spikes, it helps the athletes get grip on the track so they won't slip.