Chapter 1I - Anatomical, Physiological, and Biomechanical Differences of Athletes Flashcards
Explain childhood, vs adolescence vs senior.
Childhood - time prior to the development of secondary sex characteristics
Adolescence - the period between adult hood and childhood
Senior - Over 65
Explain the difference in how the youth Grow(th), development and maturation.
Growth - An increase in the size of the body part or the entire body and results from an increase in the number of cells
Development - Refers to the progression that occurs from fetus to adult.
Maturation - Process of body becoming fully functional, which occurs at puberty when secondary sex characteristics develop, and a child transitions to adolescence.
Puberty - impacts physical and motor skills, as well as body composition.
There is substantial variation in the growth and development rates of children so age can be understood from three different perspectives.
Explain chronological, biological, and training age. - When it comes to youth specifically.
Which should be used when grouping kids together for fitness testing and athletic competitions.
Chronological age - refers to the years and months the child has been alive. Children of the same chronological age can be at different maturities.
Biological age - takes puberty in consideration. Impacts motor skills, muscular strength and fitness.
Training age - length of time the youth has been doing a formal, supervised resistance training program.
What is the gold standard for determining biological age.
Assess skeletal age via x-rays or radiograph of the wrist or iliac crest to compare bone ossification to standard reference radiographs.
Explain a youth resistance training program?
Better to overestimate of underestimate a child’s ability?
Can preadolescent boys and girls increase strength through training, and is it due to muscle mass?
- youth athlete is not a mini adult. Youth begin resitance training programs based on thier previous training experience, maturity levels, physical abilities, and goals.
- Better to underestimate ability and then ramp up.
- Preadolescent girls and boys can significantly improve thier muscular strength beyond the natural improvement associated with growth and maturation.
- Increase strength primarily due to neuro factors like motor unit recruitment, activation, synchronization and firing.
What are the two most important factors in development of a youth (under 18) program?
- Quality of instruction such as the demonstration of appropriate technique and employing the appropriate rate of progression
- Work large muscle ( squats, lunges, dead lifts, and push-ups)
What are some consideration for older adults? Osteopenia vs osteoporosis numbers? Sarcopenia?
Bones are becoming more fragile with age due to reduced bone density (BMD). Osteopenia refers to a BMD level that is between -1 and -2.5 standard deviations of the BMD of young adults. and osteoporosis is a BMD of 2.5 standard deviations below that of young adults.
Especially be mindful of wrist, hips and spine.
Sarcopenia - Loss of muscle mass, and therefore strength and power
Explain cocontraction and preactivation in older adults.
- Older adults use strategies such as increased muscle activity before (preactivation) and immediately after (cocontraction).
- Increased muscle tension associated with preactivation and the joint stabilization provided by cocontraction can help to offset balance and postural problems.
How does aging impact exercise response? Can seniors still improve their power and strength?
Aging does not decrease the body’s ability to adapt to resistance exercise, so it is possible to see large improvements in muscle mass, power, strength, BMD, and motor function.
- Exercises should consist of resistance and power programs .
How is resistance training program different for older adults when it comes to safety?
- It’s similar to young adults, however, medical hx, training hx, nutrition, and other variables should be considered.
- All older adults should complete a medical hx with a risk factor questionnaire prior to beginning a training program.
Female athletes vs males when it comes to body fat %
On avg, adult females weigh less than males but have a higher body fat % and less lean mass. When considering absolute strength, females are about 2/3 strong as males, with lower body strength being closer to males compared to upper body.
When strength is related to body weight, women match up more evenly, but still less.
Two important health risk specific to women include female athlete triad and osteoporosis/amenorrhea
The female athlete triad refers to the interrelationships between BMD, energy availability (With or without an eating disorder)and menstrual function.
Amenorrhea - absence of a menstrual cycle for more than 3 month) and these increase the risk of stress fracutres, endocrine, and reproductive problem, and performance decrements.
Females who are participating in insufficient caloric intake are at risk for osteoporosis and amenorrhea
Female athletes vs males when it comes to body fat %
On avg, adult females weigh less than males but have a higher body fat % and less lean mass. When considering absolute strength, females are about 2/3 strong as males, with lower body strength being closer to males compared to upper body.
When strength is related to body weight, women match up more evenly, but still less.
