The history of sports goes back to the beginning of history, and continues to be played in modern times by children as young as preschoolers all the way through professional sports teams and Olympic athletes. Although the majority of players take part in sports more for recreation or fitness, many also view sports as a competition. In order to be successful in competition, there are several key factors that can place athletes above the rest.
Fitness and Athleticism
Sports that involve movement or strength require substantial levels of athleticism, which is gained through keeping the body physically fit. This fitness is essential in everything from throwing a football to sprinting in a track and field event. The type of fitness required varies depending on the sport. For example, a tennis player needs additional strength in muscles like the soleus muscle in the calf for push-offs, while a basketball player may spend more time on muscles like the triceps, which is needed for shooting the basketball. In general, above average heart and lung strength is also needed for the cardiovascular requirements of most sport.
Skill
Developing skills specific to your sport are also important to your overall level of success. In some cases skills may come more naturally, but natural or not, most skill comes through practice. Professional athletes become professional through many hours of practice with an emphasis on improving the motor skills, movement, speed, endurance and knowledge needed to play their specific sport. Developing skill through practice not only occurs during a sporting season, but is also pursued off-season in order to be all that you can be, suggests the American Council on Exercise.
Perseverance
Perseverance is also key to success in sports. Perseverance is the ability to continue working towards your athletic goals regardless of failures, losses or injury. Even the highest paid athletes in the world face challenges and lose games. What has helped them become professional athletes is the ability to overcome losses and keep trying until they succeed. Success comes from persevering and learning from your failures, and using that knowledge to prepare and be more successful in future sporting events.
Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand-eye coordination is essential for success in sports. In fact, your eyes, brain, legs and arms must work together to fulfill the goal of pretty much every athletic event or sport that is played. Hand-eye coordination revolves around the brain. As you play a sport, your eyes transfer visual cues to your brain, which in turn sends signals to your arms and legs for movement. Everything from catching a ball to running or dodging an opponent on the field requires this communication roadway between your vision and motor skills. Problems such as vision impairment or motor disorders can seriously affect your hand-eye coordination. This coordination also can decrease with age, suggests Erik Nieuwenhuis MS, PT from St. Luke's Iowa Health System.
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