Factors affecting participating

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  • Created by: arsenal14
  • Created on: 28-10-16 16:51

Age

As we age, it becomes harder to participate in certain sports.

  • Oxygen capacity reduces because of a less effective heart and less elastic arteries meaning blood flow reduces. Strenuous activity, such as marathon running, becomes harder to undertake.
  • Flexibility reduces as we age as well as weight gain which can also reduce flexibility which tens to peak in mid-teens.
  • Strength aslo decrease as we get older but only peaks after childhood therefore younger people and children will not have maximal strength.
  • Skill levels can improve with age and experience as well as when we grow and gain strength.
  • Recovery times increase with age because of the gradual build up of wear and tear and also the increased risk of diseases, such as osteoporosis which can lead to more easily broken bones.

Age divisions

Most junior sport competitions are organised into divisions based on age such as under 14 football leagues allowing players to compete against similarly aged and physically matched opponents. However in some sports such as tennis, physicality is not so much an issue and it is often possible to play up and age group.

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Gender

Physical differences

  • Body shape, size and physique are generally different in women and men.
  • Women - smaller heart and lungs (less oxygen carrying capacity), flatter and broader pelvis (childbirth), higher percentage of fat (average 25%) and less muscle mass.
  • Men - Lower percentage of fat (average - 15%), higher muscle mass meaning higher muscle strength and power and less flexible because of higher muscle mass.
  • Girls tend to mature faster than boys so from the age of 11, sports tend to compete single gender.
  • Female menstratution and hormonal change is a disadvantage during competition and males tend to be less effected by hormonal change.

Discrimination and percieved differences

  • Women are often seen as the "weaker gender" and not always allowed the same oppotunities as men. Women's football is only a very new sport in comparison to the mens game and it is still often seen as a mens game.
  • In the olympics, the women were only given the 1500m in athletics in 1972.
  • Some religions do not allow certain sports participation such as swimming due to the amount of skin on show.
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Disability

There are four categories of disability:

  • Mental
  • Physical
  • Permanent
  • Temporary

Adaptations

Sports can be adapted to cater for certain disabilities. Examples include:

  • Wheelechair basketball has different rules to do with travelling due to the addition of wheelchairs.
  • Paralympic sports are categorized in relation to the severity of the disability and the nature of the sport. In para-swimming, the number after S/SB/SM suggests the severity of the disablity with 1 being most severe as well as categories for those visually and hearing impaired/mental disabilites.
  • Adapted equipment is also used such as bells in the football in blind football to hear the movemnt of the ball.

It is a legal requirement for all facilites to allow easy access for wheelchairs such as wider doors as well as disabled parking and provision such as lifts.

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Culture

Religion

  • Certain religions have strict dress codes requiring un-practical clothing for certain sports. For example, hijab's are worn by muslims and so some athletes chose to continue wearing them during competitions.
  • Religions that have specific holidays or celebrations that can clash with competitions. For example, some devout christians do not compete or train on Sundays (Sabbath) therefore missing out on potential medals.
  • Ramadan means that some athletes are fasting during training or competitions affecting their performance.

Gender

  • In some cultures, it is seen as unacceptable for women to compete in certain or all sports. Sports such as football and rugby have only recently become more widely played by women although still far behind the mens game and still not played in many countries.
  • Extreme religious views by certain cultures mean that women are harrased by men and abused when competing.
  • There are also sports viewed as "girly" such as dance where boys and men are often builled or seen as weak for taking part in.
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Physique

Body types (somatotypes)

  • Endomorph - Roughly pear shaped, wide hips and shoulders, tendency to gain fat (especially on the upper arms and thighs) and short legs compared to their trunks. Example - rugby players because their bulk is an advantage.
  • Mesomorph - Wedge shaped, broad shoulders, muscled arms and legs, narrow hips and minimal fat percentage. Example - swimming where they excel in speed, agility and strength as well as being all round athletic.
  • Endomorph - Long, thin and slender, thin arms and legs, narrow shoulders and hips and very little amounts of fat and muscle. Example - gymnastic events where their slight build is an advantage .
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Environment

Weather

  • Training - If it is snowy or icy, it may be dangerous for outdoor sports such as road cycling or football to take place in caution of slipping or falling causing an injury. Also, some facilities may only be outdoors and may not be useable in rainy or icy weather.
  • Competing - If conditions are dangerous or un-useable such as too windy/wet/hot/cold/dry or foggy then it may be stopped or called off before hand.

Pollution

Air pollution affects both training and competitions. If pollution levels are too high then this can be a serious health risk, even more for those with another health condition. This can sometimes mean moving indoors where there is air conditioning or climate control.

Altitude

Training and even living at a height above sea level can be a serious advantage for someone taking part in endurance events due to the increased oxygen carrying capacity.

Humidity

Humidity combined with heat can be dangerous and may lead to dehydration if not kept cool.

Terrain

Certain sports eed specific landscapes in order to take place such as Skiing and snow or climbing and rock faces.

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Risk and Challenge

Challenging activites

  • Outdoor and adventurous sports are more challenging than other sports. For example, climbers will have different challenges, heights and difficulty each time they climb a new wall or rock. Water sports such as surfing are challenging due to the need to adapt to the conditions.
  • Challenge also occurs in other sports such as in rugby when tackling a bigger opponent.

Risk

  • Although a degree of challenge may be needed, safety must be first priority and fully considered. For example, all risks and hazards must be spotted.
  • Participants must always participate within the rules to ensure theirs and others safety. For example, studs must not be sharp to prevent injuries.
  • Organisers need to be fully qualified and ensure there is the correct number and right people present.
  • It is important to always have a first-aid kit and trained first aider as well as an emergency phone.
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