Strength training is becoming more popular as a way for athletes to improve their performance in their sport. Whether it's golfers, triathletes, or basketball players, the current sports science community virtually universally believes that all sportsmen may benefit from some kind of strength training.
The primary reason for this is that strong people are generally considered to be those who are able to lift heavy objects and/or pull themselves out of a tight spot. In other words, strong people are likely to have a better chance of surviving in the real world.
For example, someone who is weak can easily be beaten in a fight because they won't be able to defend themselves if attacked. But, a strong person would be able to defend themself by beating their opponent with their muscles rather than their fists. The same thing goes for sports such as kayaking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. You need strong legs and arms to avoid dangerous obstacles and keep up with the group while exercising at high levels, so strength training is essential for successful competition in these sports.
In addition to these practical reasons, there are also scientific studies showing that strength training can increase an individual's muscle mass, which may help them maintain their height as they get older. Weight training has also been shown to be helpful for people who have arthritis or other joint problems, because it reduces pain and stiffness associated with these conditions.
Strength and conditioning, on the other hand, have acquired legitimacy as an applied sports science and are acknowledged as a profession in their own right in many high-performance athletic systems throughout the world in recent years. It has become a crucial and important part of elite athletes' training and preparation in a variety of sports. Strength and conditioning coaches work with athletes of all ages and genders to improve physical capacity, increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, and maintain or restore bone density.
Sports scientists use scientific research methods to investigate how muscles, bones, and organs function under stress in order to develop effective strength and conditioning programs for athletes. They may also study how injuries occur so that preventive measures can be taken by athletes and coaches.
Conditioning is any activity that enhances an athlete's potential performance by enhancing his ability to tolerate or recover from exercise-induced fatigue, exertion, or stress. The term "conditioning" was originally coined by Dr. Maxwell Irvine to describe the process by which animals adapt to their environment. Today, it includes activities such as weightlifting, resistance training, aerobic exercise, and yoga that aim to enhance an athlete's overall fitness.
Irvine proposed eight categories of conditioning: endurance conditioning, speed conditioning, power conditioning, strength conditioning, balance conditioning, reaction time conditioning, and cognitive conditioning. However, today's sports scientists do not generally separate conditioning into distinct categories but rather view it as one component of a more comprehensive approach to athlete development.
How Strength Training Can Aid in the Prevention of Sports Injuries Most athletes concentrate on aerobic exercise to increase their endurance, but some overlook an equally vital area of exercise: strength training. Even in activities where loading on muscular mass is desired, such as swimming or running, strength training may be quite useful. For example, strength training can help prevent injury by enhancing muscle stability and flexibility.
Muscle strength affects how easily you can perform daily tasks as well as athletic performance. It's therefore not surprising that people who lack strength suffer from chronic pain and disability. However, even people who are physically fit can suffer injuries during an activity. For example, a strong athlete who practices gymnastics or dances may have a higher risk of injury than someone who exercises at a lower intensity. Risk factors for sport injury include age, gender, experience, fitness level, type of activity, and body structure. While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will incur a sports injury, knowledge of the potential risk factors can help identify those most at risk.
Strength training is an important part of any exercise program because strong muscles are more stable than weak ones. Strong muscles are also better able to withstand stress while recovering faster from injury. Finally, strength training improves overall fitness and reduces your risk of injury. Whether you're an athlete who suffers from an existing injury or just want to avoid future problems, incorporating strength training into your routine can help prevent sports injuries.
At your risk, disregard strength training. Sports science advancements have alerted the football world to the benefits of disciplines such as Olympic lifting and general resistance training. Strength training is now recommended for athletes of all sports, including football.
The National Football League (NFL) has also taken notice and will no longer permit players to suffer a "concussion" while on the field of play. Starting with the 2016 season, all NFL players will be required to wear helmets that meet or exceed the standards set by the league. In addition, every team will be required to have a concussion expert available during games to diagnose symptoms and manage players who suffer from them.
Strength training can help an athlete at risk of suffering a concussio nous injury by reducing his or her chances of having a second one. After all, someone who has twice been hit in the head may be at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head injuries. CTE has been diagnosed in retired NFL players such as Terry Bradshaw and Mike Webster.
Concussions are a common occurrence in football. According to a study published in the Journal of Athletic Training, nearly half of all college football players suffered from at least one concussion during their career.