Home Learning Optimum Weight Flashcards
What is optimum weight?
Optimum weight is the weight a performer needs to be at to perform their best.
What are the four factors of optimum weight?
Bone structure, muscle girth, height, gender
Bone structure
Heavy, dense bones weigh more than
Gender
Boys tend to weigh more than girls (height/ muscle)
Muscle girth
Lots of muscle means heavier weight
Height
Taller people have longer bones which weigh more
How does the optimum weight of a sprinter differ from the optimum weight of a triathlete?
Sprinter - more muscle girth, needed in sprinting to give an explosive powerful start to run at a faster speed sooner
Triathlete - less muscle mass, need to be lighter so less energy needed to run, making their time faster
Both are tall so need less steps to run same distance, meaning they can run faster
Examples of athletes with high optimum weight
Prop in rugby
Shot putter
Sprinter
Sumo wrestler
Examples of athletes with low optimum weight
Gymnast
Long distance cyclist
Rugby winger
High jumper
Why does a rugby prop have a high optimum weight?
Large muscle girth = heavier = able to drive a scrum forwards
Why does a rugby winger have a low optimum weight?
Don’t need as much muscle or to be as tall as = lighter = able to run faster down the wing because it takes less energy to carry themselves forwards at speed
Why does a high jumper have low optimum weight?
Lighter bone structure = Lighter = able to get height through the air without coming down straight away on the bar
Why does a gymnast have a low optimum weight?
Shorter = lighter = takes less energy to fly off the ground and travel through the air / more air time allows them to compete more complex skills
Why does a long distance runner have a low optimum weight?
Less muscle mass = lighter = less energy to run forwards meaning they can run faster
Why does a sumo wrestler have a high optimum weight?
Taller/ heavier bone structure = heavier = easier to force opponent out the area
