Sports Fitness Training for Peak Performance
Sports fitness training prepares athletes for the physical demands of competition. Physical fitness for one sport is not exactly the same as for another. Training activities must be specific to the energy, muscular, and motor requirements of each sport.
Energy sources for sports competition involve the use of oxygen
(aerobic)
for activities that are continuous over a period of time, no oxygen
(anaerobic)
for short-term, explosive events, or a combination of both. Muscular requirements involve how much strength, power, endurance, and flexibility are needed for a sport. Motor (movement) efficiency requires the precise coordination of movements, or skill, which is controlled by the brain and nervous system.
Olympic Discus Champion Ludvig Danek,
Jan Svenden (L), Denise Wood (R)
An effective fitness program is a carefully designed regimen of specialized activities that are progressively intensified to condition athletes for peak performance. To further boost each athlete's success,
individual differences
require appropriate adjustments.
The overall positive effects of physical conditioning on the athlete's body include: (a) more efficient use of oxygen, (b) improved use of fat for energy, (c) increased muscle size to exert greater force,(d) improved blood flow, (e) greater lung capacity, (f) increased size of the heart to pump more blood in one stroke, (g) better coordination, and (h) stronger bones, ligaments, and tendons to reduce injuries.
While a primary focus of any fitness training program is to improve the physiological functions, fitness activities should also improve psychological preparation, skill work, and other qualities that will transfer to sport performance.
Sports Fitness topics include:
Agility Fitness
Endurance Fitness
Fitness Components
Physical Demands of Sports
Power Fitness
Strength Fitness
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Sources:
Martens, R. (2004). Successful coaching (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Powers, S.K., Dodd, S.L., & Noland, V.J. (2006). Total fitness and wellness (4th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Education.

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