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Sports Fitness Training for Peak PerformanceSports 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 movement requirements of each sport.Energy sources for sport-specific competition must be tapped according to intensity, duration, and other training variables. Strength, power, endurance, flexibility are all important parts of sport fitness. Motor (movement) efficiency requires the precise coordination of movements, or skill--another performance-related component of fitness. 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 generate sport-specific changes within the muscles and support systems of athletes, fitness activities should also improve psychological preparation, sport skill development, and other qualities that will transfer to sport performance. Sports Fitness topics include: Agility Fitness Body Coordination Endurance Fitness Fitness Components Physical Demands of Sports Power Fitness Static Stretching Strength Fitness Types of Fitness Training Warm Up Activities
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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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