The Skeletal System and its involvement in sports performance
The Skeletal System plays a vital role in bettering sports performance. The Skeletal System provides shape for the body, generates red and white blood cells as well as protecting vital organs. Each of our bones has a specific role which contributes to sporting performance. Long bones which a cylindrical in shape and longer in length than width have a large role in creating movement an example of a long bone is the Humerus, tibia or fibula. Short bones provide a lot of strength but limited movement, an example of a short bone is Carpals and Tarsals. Flat bones protect our vital organs from injury or harm, this is extremely important for sports performance. An example of a flat bone includes ribs and scapula. Irregular bones give our body its shape and help attach muscles to bones which provide movement. When used in conjunction during physical activity, these bones increase sports performance and better movement and the body’s ability to perform simple tasks. Sports performance is also bettered through components such as body size, flexibility and agility, balance and coordination which are all closely linked to the skeletal system or musculoskeletal system.
Body size has a profound impact on the skeletal system and its involvement in sports performance. Many athletes are genetically predisposed to a certain body type or size which helps better improve their overall sports performance. Examples include larger builds for football players, broader shoulders and tall, solid builds for swimmers, tall lean builds for long distance runners and short stocky builders for sprinters, these body types are often determined by genetics and bone size and structure. Due to genetics, athletes can be born with bigger or small bones and frames which can improve sports performance depending on certain factors such as the chosen sport and frame structure.
Flexibility is also very much impacted by the skeletal system and has a profound effect on sports performance. If an athlete is flexible they are able to complete tasks with greater ease and are able to move more dynamically depending on their range of motion. Flexibility is determined by the joints and their range of motion which like body size is often determined by genetics but also can be increased by practice, stretching and specific sporting drills. If an athlete is inflexible greater stress is placed on the musculoskeletal system to perform well which means a greater risk of injury.
Agility, balance and Coordination are very much affected by genetics and body type. Generally, if an athlete is agile and coordinated they’ve got a strong body structure and a powerful musculoskeletal system. However, agility, balance and coordination can be improved through certain drills and exercises which are exclusive to the athletes chosen sport or activity.
Body size has a profound impact on the skeletal system and its involvement in sports performance. Many athletes are genetically predisposed to a certain body type or size which helps better improve their overall sports performance. Examples include larger builds for football players, broader shoulders and tall, solid builds for swimmers, tall lean builds for long distance runners and short stocky builders for sprinters, these body types are often determined by genetics and bone size and structure. Due to genetics, athletes can be born with bigger or small bones and frames which can improve sports performance depending on certain factors such as the chosen sport and frame structure.
Flexibility is also very much impacted by the skeletal system and has a profound effect on sports performance. If an athlete is flexible they are able to complete tasks with greater ease and are able to move more dynamically depending on their range of motion. Flexibility is determined by the joints and their range of motion which like body size is often determined by genetics but also can be increased by practice, stretching and specific sporting drills. If an athlete is inflexible greater stress is placed on the musculoskeletal system to perform well which means a greater risk of injury.
Agility, balance and Coordination are very much affected by genetics and body type. Generally, if an athlete is agile and coordinated they’ve got a strong body structure and a powerful musculoskeletal system. However, agility, balance and coordination can be improved through certain drills and exercises which are exclusive to the athletes chosen sport or activity.
Impacts of sport on the Skeletal System
Exercise and physical activity has a positive impact on the skeletal system as the bones condition improves as when the skeletal muscle is pulled from the origin and insertion mechanical stress occurs which means more mineral salts and collagenous fibres are said to be produced. Bones and joints are kept lubricated by synovial fluid as they have little to no blood supply. When exercising there is an increase in synovial fluid production which means that the bones and joints are kept well lubricated, nourished and healthy. Due to these two factors bone size, quality and density is said to improve due to the increased weight being placed on the skeleton. The Skeletal System responds to increased levels of exercise by producing more calcium. Your Osteoblasts (cells which transport calcium to your bones) speed up and transport more calcium to your bones during exercise which has a positive effect on the skeletal system as calcium is one the most important minerals in your body. Exercising specific bones regularly has an extremely positive effect on the skeletal system as this means that bones become stronger and density improves.