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Analyse the physical and technical demands for a performer in a physical activity of your choice - Leaving Cert Physical Education - Question 13 - 2022
Question 13
Analyse the physical and technical demands for a performer in a physical activity of your choice. You are not permitted to use pentathlon as your chosen physical act... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Analyse the physical and technical demands for a performer in a physical activity of your choice - Leaving Cert Physical Education - Question 13 - 2022
Step 1
Physical and Technical Demands of Swimming
Answer
When considering an athlete in swimming, such as a competitive swimmer, it is essential to analyze both the physical and technical demands associated with the sport.
Physical Demands
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Cardiovascular Endurance: Swimming requires high levels of cardiovascular fitness to sustain the activity over varying distances. Swimmers often engage in intense training sessions to enhance their aerobic capacity, allowing them to maintain speed and energy throughout races.
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Muscular Strength and Power: This sport demands significant muscular strength, particularly in the shoulders, arms, and legs, to propel through the water effectively. Strength training is critical to developing the necessary muscles for strong strokes.
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Flexibility: Swimmers need exceptional flexibility in their shoulders, back, and legs. Increased flexibility aids in achieving a streamlined position, which is crucial for minimizing drag in water.
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Body Composition: An optimal body composition, often characterized by low body fat and high muscle mass, can enhance buoyancy and hydrodynamics, leading to better performance.
Technical Demands
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Stroke Technique: Mastery of various strokes (e.g., freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke) is vital. Swimmers must develop precise movements in their arms and legs to maximize efficiency and speed.
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Breathing Coordination: Effective breathing is critical in swimming. Athletes need to practice synchronizing their breaths with their strokes to maintain momentum while ensuring they have enough oxygen.
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Starts and Turns: Explosive starts and swift turns significantly impact race times. Swimmers must develop this technique through drills and practice, as these elements are critical for competitive success.
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Race Strategy: Understanding pacing, when to sprint, and how to conserve energy for the finish are essential technical skills that can influence race outcomes.
In summary, a swimmer must integrate these physical qualities with technical skill to perform effectively in competitive swimming.
Step 2
Linking Demands to Performance
Answer
The analysis above correlates directly with performance in competitive swimming:
- Cardiovascular endurance allows swimmers to maintain their speed throughout the race, preventing fatigue.
- Muscular strength and power contribute to faster strokes and quicker starts, giving athletes a competitive edge at the beginning and end of races.
- Flexibility improves overall stroke technique, enabling cleaner movements that can reduce drag.
- Technical skills, like stroke technique and breathing, are fundamental as they directly influence the efficiency of movement through the water.
- Starts and turns can determine the outcome of races, as a well-executed start or flip turn can yield significant time savings.
- A well-thought-out race strategy helps swimmers maximize their performance by optimizing energy usage throughout the event.