20. Movement
What kinds of skills are needed in different sports?
Muscles are made to move
Humans learn to walk when they are 1–2 years old. At that point, the human muscles are well enough developed to support a moving body by themselves.
How long can a human run? If you move a lot and do it regularly, even a distance of several kilometers will pose no problems to you. However, sooner or later you will realize that your muscles are beginning to tire.
Your muscles need energy and oxygen. These substances are transmitted to your muscles by your bloodstream.
In the muscles, the energy is used to contract muscle cells. This reaction is not possible without oxygen.
If there is not enough oxygen available to the muscle, it will start to feel painful. When exercising, you may notice that you will begin to breathe more quickly. This is a sign that your body requires more oxygen.
To move, you need:
How long can a human run? If you move a lot and do it regularly, even a distance of several kilometers will pose no problems to you. However, sooner or later you will realize that your muscles are beginning to tire.
Your muscles need energy and oxygen. These substances are transmitted to your muscles by your bloodstream.
In the muscles, the energy is used to contract muscle cells. This reaction is not possible without oxygen.
If there is not enough oxygen available to the muscle, it will start to feel painful. When exercising, you may notice that you will begin to breathe more quickly. This is a sign that your body requires more oxygen.
To move, you need:
- Oxygen. You get it by breathing air. During exercise, your breath rate will become more rapid.
- Energy. You get it from food. During long exercises, you can eat quickly digestible foods, such as bananas.
Your muscles use oxygen and energy to contract. This makes produces movement.
Why does practice make you better at moving?
Sports and physical exercise require the co-operation of multiple muscles. The brain cannot direct all of these simultaneously. Instead, a skilled athlete completes their movements habitually, as if by instinct.
Muscles can be taught to co-operate with one another through practice. This is why athletes practice their sport every day. Practice makes perfect.
Depending on the sport, athletes must develop their speed, their strength or their endurance. All of these things can be improved through practice.
You can increase your movement by "teaching" your muscles to contract at faster rates. Likewise, you can increase your strength and endurance by practicing.
Sports are not the only form of physical exercise. You can also improve your speed, strength and endurance by walking, swimming and bicycling.
Muscles can be taught to co-operate with one another through practice. This is why athletes practice their sport every day. Practice makes perfect.
Depending on the sport, athletes must develop their speed, their strength or their endurance. All of these things can be improved through practice.
You can increase your movement by "teaching" your muscles to contract at faster rates. Likewise, you can increase your strength and endurance by practicing.
Sports are not the only form of physical exercise. You can also improve your speed, strength and endurance by walking, swimming and bicycling.
Terminology
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| energy | A "power" that your body gains from sugar. Muscle cells use energy to contract. |
| oxygen | A substance released by plants during photosynthesis. Humans breathe oxygen from air. Cells need oxygen to function. |