Tag Archive for 'fisica'

Physical and motor activity are two different concepts

Physical activity refers to any movement of the body induced by skeletal muscle capable of giving rise to an energy expenditure in excess with respect to the rest condition. Any force exerted by skeletal muscles can determine an increase of energy expenditure. The activity can vary depending on length, intensity, frequency, number of affected muscle groups, causing adaptations to different levels of equipment and structures involved.

Motor activity is based on the ability of the Central Nervous System to process information and produce the resulting movements so adapted to the external or internal environmental needs.

Therefore, when we talk about physical activity, if it was a car, we told how its various  mechanical and electronic parts allow it to move. If we integrate the car driver we will start to talk of motor activity, in which the latter decides how to use the  car / human body quality.

Also we have to remove the concept of psychomotor activity, since the concept of motor activity includes the activities of cognitive processes  which are part of any expression of the Central Nervous System.

New fields of mental coaching

The mental aspect of sport is not only related on technical or tactical training. This aspect is only part although important. I would say that the first aspect of the mental coaching concerns the implementation of the daily life of an athlete, and then his/her daily lifestyle. Nutrition, sleep, friends and family are significant aspects of the success. In many sports, for example, weight control is an essential aspect  of the performance and live in a conscious and positive these aspects increases the athlete well-being. Research conducted by the United States Olympic Committee found that family and friends are needed for success as they provide economic support, encouragement and emotional stability. The second aspect refers to the mental component of fitness. Feeling fit and ready to face any situation of their athletic performance is an essential part of self-confidence and viceversa. In fact, the motivation and the mental capacity to resist effectively to physical fatigue and exercise intensity promote the quality of the training sessions. Moreover, in many sports you should develop abilities not depending of other technical skills and who are however crucial to determine the result. I think the serve in volleyball and tennis, free throws in basketball, penalties in football, kicks in rugby, start in motor sports or sailing. These situations need to be trained mentally with accuracy.