Compare the sport-specific fitness components and skill requirements for a marathon runner and a basketball player. (6 marks)
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Similarities
- Both athletes require cardiovascular fitness for sustained performance during their respective competitions. Marathon runners and basketball players need efficient heart and lung function.
- Mental resilience and concentration skills are essential for both sports under competitive pressure. Athletes must maintain focus during physical stress and make strategic decisions.
- Both require sport-specific technical skills that must be practised repeatedly for mastery. Proper biomechanics and movement efficiency are crucial for optimal performance outcomes.
- Training periodisation is important for both athletes to peak at competition times. Both sports require structured preparation phases and recovery periods for adaptation.
Differences
- Marathon runners require exceptional aerobic capacity for prolonged 42-kilometre efforts over two hours. Basketball players need anaerobic power for explosive jumping and rapid directional changes.
- Distance running emphasises slow-twitch muscle fibres for oxygen efficiency and sustained endurance. Basketball demands fast-twitch fibres for acceleration, agility and vertical leap ability.
- Marathon technique focuses on biomechanical efficiency and rhythm maintenance throughout the race distance. Basketball skills include ball handling, shooting accuracy, passing precision and defensive footwork.
- Running training prioritises high-volume progression and aerobic base development over extended periods. Basketball balances individual skill refinement with team coordination, tactical awareness and positional play development.
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Similarities
- Both athletes require cardiovascular fitness for sustained performance during their respective competitions. Marathon runners and basketball players need efficient heart and lung function.
- Mental resilience and concentration skills are essential for both sports under competitive pressure. Athletes must maintain focus during physical stress and make strategic decisions.
- Both require sport-specific technical skills that must be practised repeatedly for mastery. Proper biomechanics and movement efficiency are crucial for optimal performance outcomes.
- Training periodisation is important for both athletes to peak at competition times. Both sports require structured preparation phases and recovery periods for adaptation.
Differences
- Marathon runners require exceptional aerobic capacity for prolonged 42-kilometre efforts over two hours. Basketball players need anaerobic power for explosive jumping and rapid directional changes.
- Distance running emphasises slow-twitch muscle fibres for oxygen efficiency and sustained endurance. Basketball demands fast-twitch fibres for acceleration, agility and vertical leap ability.
- Marathon technique focuses on biomechanical efficiency and rhythm maintenance throughout the race distance. Basketball skills include ball handling, shooting accuracy, passing precision and defensive footwork.
- Running training prioritises high-volume progression and aerobic base development over extended periods. Basketball balances individual skill refinement with team coordination, tactical awareness and positional play development.