Energy-Athletes

Task 2 – Describe (P3) or explain (M1) the concept of energy intake and expenditure in sports performance.

When an individual grows up to be an athlete, we question them on why they are so talented. There are two factors that are taken into account on this topic, and that is their genetic features or their biocultural characteristics. After long studies, philosophers finally agreed that human development is comprised of two factors: nature and nurture. People argue about this because they believe it is what determines our personality and behavior. Nature is the genetics that determines the result, and nurture is the environment that determines the result. Although these factors can be debatable, most scientists believe both of these contribute to the idea of exercise and sports science. Some believe it is the

Isometric contractions appear when there is no change in the length of the contracting muscle. This occurs when carrying an item in front of you. As the weight of the item is pulling your arms down, but your muscles are contracting to hold the items at the same level. Isokinetic contractions are really similar to isotonic, in that the muscle changes length during the contraction. Where they are different is that Isokinetic contractions produce movements of a constant speed. What you need to measure this is something called a isokinetic dynamometer. Concentric contractions are those which cause the muscle to shorten. An example is bending the elbow from straight to fully extended, causing a concentric contraction of the Bicep muscle. Eccentric

If I was curling a 7-kg dumbbell my bicep muscles would contract isometrically when the muscle is at the certain length for a certain amount of time. For example when you hold a bicep curl in a certain position for 1 min.

With a track athlete they may be performing in various events throughout the day that require them to cover various distances or the procession of various skill sets. Events such as sprints may be 400 meters and require incredible speeds that may only be maintained for short periods of time. They may be involved with relays where they require coordination and pace matching for the baton to be passed. Or they could be a hurdler and require wait-high leaps on a repeated basis. No matter the task at hand it will require the combined use of speed, agility and strength in order for them to be competitive.

Athletes are typically stronger, quicker, and more coordinated than those who do not involve themselves with physical activities. An athlete is not just someone who works out 7 days a week though. They push themselves to become better at the sport they play, or the activity they participate in. Some sports require excessive physical demand, while others are less physically demanding and more mentally challenging. Soccer, for instance, requires excessive amounts of running, which can be very difficult to a person with untrained legs and lungs. But golf on the other hand, is a more calm and relaxing sport that requires a higher strategy IQ, as well as focus and patience. Remember, an athlete is not limited to being defined by the body's physicality, but also the skill set of the athlete. Many sports require less physical demand and a higher demand for greater skills. Hunting is a sport that definitely requires a minimal amount of healthy physique, but a huge amount of special skills and focus. It takes a lot of skill to be able to shoot such small

Cardio-respiratory endurance is how well your lungs heart and muscles work togther to keep your body active and healthy. Muscular strength is the ability for a muscle to develop maimal froce. Muscular Endurance is the ability of a group of muscles repeatedly exert force against resistance. Flexibility requires in many sports and having good flexibility helps to prevent injury Body Composition is determined within two types of mass which are Body fat and Fat-free mass. Ability to use the maximum of force as quickly as possible, such as throwing or jumping Is to change the direction of your body or to have the ability to change the position of your body Is the ability to move to or more body parts, efficiently and smoothly Speed is important

Isometric muscle contractions occur when the muscle contracts but there is no movement. For example when someone holding a wall sit position. Isotonic muscle contractions result in movement. There are two types of isotonic muscle contraction, Concentric and Eccentric. Concentric muscle contractions are the most common form of contraction. These occur when the muscle shortens in length in order to make the bone move. These contractions occur when the body is working against

Each subject was performed several Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) tests in order to determine the maximum muscle activity of the investigated muscles. During each MVC test, the subject was asked to against a specific muscle resistance maximally. In addition to maximally exertion, they were asked to do this test slowly to avoid the jerk which can induce

Isometric: An isometric action is when the muscle activates with a force and tension but there is no movement at the joint. There is no lengthening or contraction of the muscle fibers and the limbs don't move. When the myosin cross bridges attach to the actin, yet they do not slide past one another to cause a

Isometric contractions is another type of contraction which occurs when there is no change in the length of the contracting muscle. This contraction takes place when carrying an something heavy in front of you as the weight is pulling the arms down the but the muscles are contracting to keep the object on the same level. Another example can be when you grip something, like a tennis racket. There is no movement taking place in the joints of the hand, but the muscles are contracting to provide a force that is enough to provide a force enough to keep a firm and steady hold on the racket. The amount of force the muscle is able to produce during an isometric contraction depends on the length of the muscle at the point contraction. Each muscle has

Energy drinks, are beverages that contain large doses of sugar (up to a quarter cup per can), caffeine and other ingredients, like the stimulatory herb Guarana and the amino acid Taurine. Dr. Erin Duchan, a pediatrician and co-author of a review of the current science about energy drinks for athletes, published recently in The Physician and Sports Medicine, said “There’s good evidence that caffeine is ergogenic (substance used for the purpose of enhancing performance) “ and “it can, in the right circumstances, improve athletic performance.’ (Duchan, 2014)

A muscle contraction is when the muscle length changes during contraction. Contractions occur when a muscle has been stimulated by a nerve impulse that has reached a muscle fibre. When a muscle contracts it is called an isotonic contraction and generates force by changing the length of the muscle. Isotonic muscles are either concentric or eccentric contractions. Concentric contractions cause the muscles to shorten whilst generating force and the angle of the joints which are attached to the muscle to change. An isometric contraction is where contractions generate force without the length of the muscle altering resulting in no movement.

Isometric: During isometric contractions, muscles stay in a static position and this helps muscular endurance as you will be working on the muscles endurance on how long it will be able to last whilst static. For example when you stop halfway through a press-up or if you are doing a plank, these are good examples as you have to stay in an isolated position. Also another example of this would be dorsal raises in a static position, when you hold your head up and your legs up when you are laid on your front. This type of muscle work is easy to undertake but it can cause sharp increases in blood pressure as the blood flow is increased and it is also rapidly leads to fatigue.

Eccentric contractions cause muscles to lengthen in response to a greater opposing force. Isometric contractions generate force without changing the length of the muscle.