Factors that Affect One's Performance in Sports
Athletes are both born and made. Some people have natural athletic ability which complements their knowledge of game strategies and team dynamics, while others work for years to become star players. However, on game day, there are many factors that influence a player's performance, some of which are completely out of control of the athlete. Some of these factors are illness, sleep, psychological state and playing environment.
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Illness
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Any kind of illness will affect an athlete's performance during a game, meet or other competition. Even something as simple as the common cold stimulates an immune response in the body. The immune process, during which white blood cells attack germs in the body, causes fever and fatigue. An illness such as a cold, bronchitis or pneumonia will also decrease lung capacity, bringing on fatigue at an earlier-than-normal period and possibly causing the athlete trouble breathing.
Sleep
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An athlete aspiring to the best possible performance needs at least eight hours of sleep the night before. An eight-hour sleep cycle allows the body to fully cleanse the blood of toxins; any less interrupts the cycle and decreases the functionality of the athlete -- or any other person. Lack of adequate sleep can cause not only fatigue, but also sometimes headaches and dizziness.
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Depression
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Depression -- along with other psychiatric disorders -- also profoundly affects the performance of an athlete. Depression not only manifests itself as sadness or lack of motivation, but also possibly in eating disorders, lack of sleep and sometimes even addiction to drugs or alcohol. All of these will diminish an athlete's performance. Eating disorders, or simply lack of appetite, deprive the body of nutrients needed to produce energy. Chemical addiction will affect an athlete in profound ways; starvation, lack of motivation, loss of coordination, loss of judgment, loss of ability to judge distance and death are all possible outcomes.
Environment
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The game-day environment can also affect an athlete's performance. The altitude of the city in which the game is played can alter a player's blood oxygen levels; the higher the altitude, the less oxygen is in the air. Playing in a city such as Denver, Colorado, or Cuzco, Peru, will be an entirely different experience than playing in a locale that is at sea level. Extreme heat or extreme cold will also affect an athlete's performance. On an extremely hot and humid day, an athlete needs far more water to stay hydrated and alert, whereas on an extremely cold day, an athlete needs to stay warm lest the cold cause muscle stiffness.
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References
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