Compare and contrast the skill-related fitness requirements of a sprinter and a soccer midfielder. Analyse how their training programs would differ to reflect these specific requirements. (8 marks)
--- 24 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
Show Answers Only
Sample Answer
- Sprinters primarily require explosive muscular power for acceleration and maximum speed, while soccer midfielders need sustained power output combined with frequent recovery for repeated sprints throughout a 90-minute match.
- Speed is paramount for sprinters who train specifically to maximise their acceleration and top-end velocity, whereas midfielders require contextual speed that includes deceleration control and multidirectional movement.
- Reaction time for sprinters focuses narrowly on start signals, while midfielders need broader reactive abilities to respond to teammates, opponents, and ball movement in unpredictable situations.
- Agility is moderately important for sprinters during acceleration phases, but critical for midfielders who constantly change direction in response to play development.
- Coordination for sprinters centres on cyclic, repetitive movements with minimal variation, while midfielders require complex coordination for simultaneous running, ball control, and tactical awareness.
- Sprinter training would emphasise maximum intensity, short-duration power development with extensive recovery periods, whereas midfielder training would incorporate intermittent high-intensity activity with limited recovery to mirror game demands.
- Sprinters would focus on linear speed development and block start reaction drills, while midfielders would emphasise multidirectional agility, small-sided games, and decision-making scenarios under fatigue.
- Both athletes require periodised training programs, but with different work-to-rest ratios and movement pattern emphases reflecting their sport-specific demands.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
- Sprinters primarily require explosive muscular power for acceleration and maximum speed, while soccer midfielders need sustained power output combined with frequent recovery for repeated sprints throughout a 90-minute match.
- Speed is paramount for sprinters who train specifically to maximise their acceleration and top-end velocity, whereas midfielders require contextual speed that includes deceleration control and multidirectional movement.
- Reaction time for sprinters focuses narrowly on start signals, while midfielders need broader reactive abilities to respond to teammates, opponents, and ball movement in unpredictable situations.
- Agility is moderately important for sprinters during acceleration phases, but critical for midfielders who constantly change direction in response to play development.
- Coordination for sprinters centres on cyclic, repetitive movements with minimal variation, while midfielders require complex coordination for simultaneous running, ball control, and tactical awareness.
- Sprinter training would emphasise maximum intensity, short-duration power development with extensive recovery periods, whereas midfielder training would incorporate intermittent high-intensity activity with limited recovery to mirror game demands.
- Sprinters would focus on linear speed development and block start reaction drills, while midfielders would emphasise multidirectional agility, small-sided games, and decision-making scenarios under fatigue.
- Both athletes require periodised training programs, but with different work-to-rest ratios and movement pattern emphases reflecting their sport-specific demands.