Lifestyle factors which affect sports performance

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Obviously, many other lifestyle factors can also influence sports performance and general health. In the three months before the intervention, the player had suffered 3 upper respiratory tract infections and missed 3 competitive matches and 2 weeks of training. He routinely commenced morning training sessions without breakfast and was estimated to be in a large daily energy deficit. During the timeline of the research, there was a positive increase in serum vitamin D concentration as well as a decline in the number of upper respiratory tract infections.

More significantly with regards to training and competing, he maintained availability for all training and matches over the week period. This case study shows how even at the elite level of soccer, players are often unaware of the optimal fueling their body needs to help them perform their best. Acute fatigue can happen when there is a decrease in muscle power and the power and intensity required by an athlete to perform an activity is not there.

Acute fatigue is part and parcel of the high level of training and endurance required by an elite athlete and should be accompanied by rest and recovery. Optimal performance results when an athlete has a balanced approach to training and recovery. When physical exertion and emotional stress are not addressed, fatigue can become more of a chronic issue and this can lead to ongoing tiredness, reduced sleep quality, poor performance and an increased risk of injury and illness.

Warning signs can be monitored through use of relevant questionnaires and daily metrics. Most elite athletes have a natural talent for their sport. But what motivates them to drive themselves to succeed? Given the pressures and demands associated with competitive sport, it is not surprising that interest in athlete burnout has been on the rise. The role of motivation in athlete burnout is something that has been looked at in research.

From a self-determination theory perspective, burnout is associated with a chronic failure to meet your psychological needs. Numerous studies have found that intrinsic motivation is negatively related to athlete burnout, while amotivation has been shown to be positively related to burnout symptoms.

Everyone experiences times when they are less motivated and times when they feel the world is at their feet. The most successful athletes are not always the strongest and the fastest but maybe they are the best at staying motivated.

Anxiety is an inescapable part of being an athlete and as it is almost impossible to eradicate it completely, the key is how the individual actually deals with it. The study found that increasing carbohydrate consumption improved performance as well as mental focus. While moderate alcohol consumption may provide health benefits, abuse reduces athletic performance. According to the University of Georgia, a strong correlation exists between excessive consumption and lack of strength, power, aerobic performance and motor skills.

Alcohol affects the body's organs and the central nervous and cardiovascular systems; it also reduces muscle energy stores. Consuming more than five drinks in one sitting causes these negative effects for several days, and longer in the case of chronic abuse. Alcohol intensifies dehydration during athletics and slows reaction times, reduces running and cycling ability, decreases grip strength and speeds fatigue. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends alcohol avoidance for at least 48 hours prior to athletic events.

The NATO Research and Technology Organisation study also confirmed what many already know: factors such as age, body composition, gender and genetic makeup affect athletic performance. As humans age, they lose muscular strength, making weight-bearing exercise training a vital part of any older adult's fitness routine.