Applicaton of force in sports activities
Answers
Explanation:
To achieve maximum force, use larger muscles in the lower body before actions of the trunk and upper body. For example, the force of a punch in boxing or throwing is greater when initiated from the lower body and hips, rather than from the shoulders.
. Maintain a firm base of support to develop maximum force for throwing and striking. For example, a tennis player can generate a more powerful stroke if the feet are firmly set against the surface of the court.
Force generated by muscles can be increased by increasing initial tension before a contraction. This increase in force production is called elastic recoil, or the stretch-shortening cycle. For example, drawing the arm back to pitch a ball or throw a javelin places the muscles of the throwing arm on stretch, increasing the force of contraction upon the initiation of the throw.
Executing a follow through at the end of a throwing or striking action maximizes force generation and eliminates the tendency to decelerate prematurely. For example, reversing the feet at the end of the shot put or discus maximizes acceleration while helping prevent fouling.
The force of a blow can be diminished by distributing the force over a greater time, distance, or area. For example, flexing the joints or rolling on the ground can help an athlete absorb the shock of landing at the end of jump or fall.
Transferring momentum from vertical to horizontal can reduce force over a longer time and greater surface area. For example, football players fall and roll to dissipate the force of hitting the ground.
Catching objects should be accomplished by extending the arms and fingers, flexing to absorb force and reduce the velocity of the object, and grasping with the fingers to secure the object.