Sports Agility Training
Sports agility training is important for many athletes. This skill is more complex as athletes dodge balls, jump over hurdles and perform intricate dance moves. Agility training helps train the muscles, helps teach proper movement and enhances the athlete's overall ability in the chosen sport.
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About
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Agility is the term used to describe the ability to stop and start motion. Sports agility training can look very different, depending on the sport. In football, agility can include jumping in the air to catch the ball, running and dodging other players. Dancing uses jumping and maneuvering agility exercises to complete complicated steps and such moves as pirouettes. Swimming uses agillity training to increase flexibility and strength in muscles by working on swimming strokes and reaching and stretching in and out of the water.
Importance
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Practicing proper movements through training minimizes injury and helps to enhance a player's abilities as the motions that will be needed during the game or event are practiced. An athlete who practices agility training also benefits from better balance, rhythm and spatial awareness. It simply increases the overall athletic ability of the athlete.
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Benefits
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Sports agility training improves quickness and reaction time. It can also help with coordination, balance and muscle and joint strength.
Training Methods
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In sports agility training, a combination of several types of training occurs: speed, power and endurance. Agility training should be performed in conjunction with cardio training, as well as interval training---both methods that elevate heart rate levels.
Exercises
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While many exercises can be done for sports agility training that are more specific to the sport being trained for, some exercises can be helpful for any athlete. Using a ladder and an exercise ball, many sports agility exercises can be practiced.
With a ladder laying on the ground, jump into each square of the ladder with both feet until reaching the end. Do not look down, and pump the arms while doing jumping. Another option is to alternate jumping into each square on one foot.
Exercise balls are great to use during lunges, which helps with stability. Or try jumping up and over the ball, which helps with balance.
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References
- Photo Credit running image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
