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For the traditional Track & Field athlete seeking maximum performances at the end of the summer season, fall can be the AR, winter the TR, spring the BU and summer the OP phase. Basic Components of Development Physiological mechanical Neurophysiological Health Psychological Strength technique motor learning recovery modalities Philosophy Quickness motor control ice bath motivation Power massage confidence Flexibility sauna commitment Endurance - aerobic - anaerobic threshold nutrition maturity Specific aerobic/anaerobic % utilization mental relaxation Sociological Dehydration athlete - coach Teamwork
Affective Characteristics; definitions Physiology Strength - Strength is the maximum force, which can be applied to a resistance in one repetition, assuming no limit to time required. Quickness - Quickness is the distance, which can be moved per unit of time assuming no resistance. Quickness can also mean the frequency of repeating a specific movement pattern. Power - power is strength time's quickness. Power is what affects performance, since time and resistance (of body, body segments, implement) are factors in all performances. Strength and quickness are relevant only as they affect power. To maximize power, maximize strength and quickness, independently and specific to the movement patterns. Flexibility - Flexibility is the range of motion permitted of body segments at the joints. Dynamic flexibility (with movements at the frequency of event) is relevant to performance, and avoidance of injury, in track and field. Static flexibility (i.e.: with slow movements) is not. There is no relationship between Dynamic and static flexibility. There is an optimum flexibility at each joint for maximum performance in each event, for each specific athlete. Too much flexibility is as detrimental as too little. Endurance - Endurance is the ability to sustain a movement pattern (movement and frequency) over an interval of time. There are four different interdependent "endurances", defined by the movement intensity and time period. 1. Aerobic Endurance - Aerobic endurance is the ability to sustain a low intensity movement pattern over a long period of time (i.e.: at stress loads where adequate O2 is supplied to the muscle cell to buffer H+ and C+ ions produced in the metabolism of glucose to produce ATP, the final fuel for muscle contraction). The Max VO2 and the percentage of the Max VO2, which may be sustained, determine aerobic endurance. Aerobic energy is also utilized in the recovery of anaerobic stores. 2. Anaerobic Endurance - Anaerobic endurance is the ability to sustain a high intensity movement pattern (i.e.: at stress loads where ATP is produced without adequate O2 to buffer the H+ and C+) Anaerobic endurance is determined by the ATP and CP stores, the efficiency of the anaerobic breakdown of glucose to produce ATP, and the ability of the muscle cell to tolerate H+, C+ and resulting lactic acid buildup. 3. Anaerobic Threshold - The Anaerobic threshold is the stress level at which anaerobic stores begin to be utilized to sustain the intensity of the movement pattern. 4. Endurance at Specific Anaerobic - Aerobic % utilizations - All track and field events (except the marathon) are performed at intensity levels above the anaerobic threshold, but at durations requiring the use of anaerobic and aerobic energy. Anaerobic and aerobic energies are utilized, at proportions commensurate with the intensity level and duration of the event. Body Composition - Body composition is the optimum percentage of lean body mass to total body mass, increased by increasing lean mass (muscle and bone density) and / or decreasing fat mass. Excess fat reduces the physiological capacity of the body to adapt to training, and decreases the mechanical efficiency of movement. Generally, athletes need to minimize body fat percentages. However, reduction of fat below optimum levels reduces training effect and performance, and increases the susceptibility to injury and illness. Mechanical - the optimum mechanics of each event are the movement patterns, which produce maximum effectiveness (instantaneous results i.e.: speed) and or efficiency (results per cost i.e.: running efficiency = speed/ energy utilization), therefore producing maximum performance. Technique involves not only the correct body positions, but also the correct order and timing of changes in those positions. Home Back Forward
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