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(a) (i) Outline the initial planning considerations for individual athletes looking to improve their performance - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 30 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 30
(a) (i) Outline the initial planning considerations for individual athletes looking to improve their performance. (ii) Explain why periodisation would be include... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:(a) (i) Outline the initial planning considerations for individual athletes looking to improve their performance - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 30 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline the initial planning considerations for individual athletes looking to improve their performance.
Answer
To enhance performance, individual athletes should consider the following initial planning aspects:
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Assessment of Current Performance: Athletes should begin by evaluating their current fitness level, skillset, and overall performance to identify areas that need improvement.
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Goal Setting: It is crucial to establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that provide a clear direction for training.
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Resources Availability: Athletes must consider the availability of resources such as access to coaching, training facilities, and equipment that can support their training needs.
Step 2
Explain why periodisation would be included when planning a training year.
Answer
Periodisation is a structured approach to training that is vital for athletes for several reasons:
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Optimizes Training Adaptations: By dividing the training year into specific phases (macro, meso, and micro cycles), athletes can maximize physiological adaptations needed for peak performance at the right time.
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Prevents Overtraining: Periodisation allows for controlled variation in training intensity and volume, which helps to minimize the risk of overtraining and injury.
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Enhances Recovery: Scheduled recovery periods within the training plan ensure that athletes can recuperate physically and mentally, allowing for sustained performance improvements.
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Aligns with Competition Schedule: By integrating training cycles with competitive events, athletes can peak at specific times to enhance performance during important competitions.
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Psychological Preparation: Periodisation also accommodates mental freshness and motivation, crucial for maintaining long-term engagement and performance.
Step 3
To what extent has the use of technology created unfair competition in sport?
Answer
The impact of technology on competition in sport is significant and often controversial. Its effects can be analyzed in the following ways:
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Advancements in Equipment: Modern innovations in sports equipment, such as aerodynamically-designed bicycles or swimwear, give certain athletes competitive advantages that can skew results based on skill alone.
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Performance-Enhancing Devices: Technology that assists in training, like heart rate monitors and analysis software, can sometimes provide unfair advantages, allowing some athletes to train smarter rather than harder.
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Access Disparities: Not all athletes have equal access to advanced technology, which can lead to differences in training quality and performance, creating an uneven playing field.
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Ethical Considerations: The use of technology raises ethical questions about what constitutes fair competition. For example, the line between legitimate technological support and performance-enhancing technology can be blurry.
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Judging and Decision Making: Technology can also assist officials in making decisions, which might be perceived as unfair if technology alters outcomes based on errors in human judgment.
In conclusion, while technology has the potential to enhance performance and training, it also presents challenges that have led to discussions about fairness and equity in sports. The extent of unfair competition varies across different sports and depends largely on regulatory standards and access to technology.