Analyse how the specific health-related fitness component requirements differ between a marathon runner and a rugby forward. In your answer, compare and contrast the relative importance of each component for these athletes and explain how their training programs would reflect these differences. (8 marks)
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Sample Answer
- Cardiorespiratory endurance is paramount for marathon runners who need sustained oxygen delivery during 42.2km races, while important but less critical for rugby forwards who play with intermittent high-intensity efforts.
- Muscular strength requirements differ dramatically, with rugby forwards needing significant upper and lower body strength for scrums, tackles and contact situations, while marathon runners require moderate strength primarily for maintaining efficient running form.
- Muscular endurance in the lower body is crucial for both athletes but serves different purposes – maintaining stride efficiency over hours for runners versus repeated explosive efforts like rucking and mauling for rugby forwards.
- Flexibility requirements are moderate for both but focus on different areas – runners need good hip mobility and hamstring flexibility, while rugby forwards need shoulder and neck flexibility for scrummaging and tackle positions.
- Body composition differs significantly – marathon runners benefit from lower body fat percentages (typically 5-12% for elite males) to maximise power-to-weight ratio, while rugby forwards maintain higher muscle mass and moderate fat levels (15-20%) for protective mass in collisions.
- Marathon training emphasises high-volume, moderate-intensity aerobic work with supplementary strength maintenance, while rugby forward training balances strength development, power training, and intermittent high-intensity conditioning.
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Sample Answer
- Cardiorespiratory endurance is paramount for marathon runners who need sustained oxygen delivery during 42.2km races, while important but less critical for rugby forwards who play with intermittent high-intensity efforts.
- Muscular strength requirements differ dramatically, with rugby forwards needing significant upper and lower body strength for scrums, tackles and contact situations, while marathon runners require moderate strength primarily for maintaining efficient running form.
- Muscular endurance in the lower body is crucial for both athletes but serves different purposes – maintaining stride efficiency over hours for runners versus repeated explosive efforts like rucking and mauling for rugby forwards.
- Flexibility requirements are moderate for both but focus on different areas – runners need good hip mobility and hamstring flexibility, while rugby forwards need shoulder and neck flexibility for scrummaging and tackle positions.
- Body composition differs significantly – marathon runners benefit from lower body fat percentages (typically 5-12% for elite males) to maximise power-to-weight ratio, while rugby forwards maintain higher muscle mass and moderate fat levels (15-20%) for protective mass in collisions.
- Marathon training emphasises high-volume, moderate-intensity aerobic work with supplementary strength maintenance, while rugby forward training balances strength development, power training, and intermittent high-intensity conditioning.