adults and aged netball players
When adults and aged personnel are participating in netball, a highly aerobic sport, there are special considerations that need be remembered. The main three are their heart conditions, bone density, and flexibly and joint movement.
Heart Conditions
As an individual ages, their heart becomes less efficient in pumping blood which in turn decreases the effectiveness of their cardiovascular system. This leads to a reduction in their bodies ability to carry oxygen, meaning they fatigue easier and have a lengthier recovery time than the younger netball players.
Fractures and Bone Density
The decrease in bone density in older personnel cause their bones to become brittle and more susceptible to fractures. This can be problematic as netball is a contact sport and falls are commonly taken.
Flexibility and Joint Mobility
Due to less elasticity in the muscles, tendons and ligaments, flexibility decreases with age. This can reduce joint mobility of an older person and prevent them from moving at their once full potential. Netball is a very agile sport and the inability to move quickly and to full joint mobility may be disadvantageous.
In conclusion, whilst older individuals are still able to play netball, there are many other sports (e.g. swimming) that would be more suitable to their current health conditions. If older personnel choose to play netball they should be careful and take precautions to prevent injury.
Heart Conditions
As an individual ages, their heart becomes less efficient in pumping blood which in turn decreases the effectiveness of their cardiovascular system. This leads to a reduction in their bodies ability to carry oxygen, meaning they fatigue easier and have a lengthier recovery time than the younger netball players.
Fractures and Bone Density
The decrease in bone density in older personnel cause their bones to become brittle and more susceptible to fractures. This can be problematic as netball is a contact sport and falls are commonly taken.
Flexibility and Joint Mobility
Due to less elasticity in the muscles, tendons and ligaments, flexibility decreases with age. This can reduce joint mobility of an older person and prevent them from moving at their once full potential. Netball is a very agile sport and the inability to move quickly and to full joint mobility may be disadvantageous.
In conclusion, whilst older individuals are still able to play netball, there are many other sports (e.g. swimming) that would be more suitable to their current health conditions. If older personnel choose to play netball they should be careful and take precautions to prevent injury.
female netball players
In all sports, there are certain considerations that have to be remembered when it comes to female athletes. There are four main ones that consist of; eating disorders, iron deficiency, bone density, and pregnancy.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are common in females globally, and are developed in sport through high levels of physical activity paired with a low sense of self esteem. Anorexia and Bulimia are two common types of eating disorders seen in female athletes. Eating disorders can lead to starvation and dehydration as the body is not getting its required nutrients. This can cause a number of problems for an affected individual, including fatigue, dizziness and falling unconscious.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is common in females as they require twice the amount of iron that men do. This is due to the loss of blood during their menstrual cycle (iron being the main component of blood). As irons role in the body is to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide, an iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, tiredness and feeling lethargic.
Bone Density
When an individual has a low bone density, it raises the chances of getting a fracture. This is especially prevalent in women as they can suffer from osteoporosis, or the softening of the bone. Osteoporosis is developed through a deficiency in calcium, which can be found in dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can limit general movement and agility and pregnant women suffering from high blood pressure, multiple pregnancies or past miscarriages are advised against participating in sport. Some female athletes develop a condition called amenorrhea, in which their menstrual cycle completely stops.
All of these must definitely be considered before playing a game of netball as they can affect performance. Fatigue, dizziness, and the feeling lethargic can reduce speed, power and endurance during the game. Low bone density increases a players risk of fractures, and playing whilst pregnant has the potential can cause health problems.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are common in females globally, and are developed in sport through high levels of physical activity paired with a low sense of self esteem. Anorexia and Bulimia are two common types of eating disorders seen in female athletes. Eating disorders can lead to starvation and dehydration as the body is not getting its required nutrients. This can cause a number of problems for an affected individual, including fatigue, dizziness and falling unconscious.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency is common in females as they require twice the amount of iron that men do. This is due to the loss of blood during their menstrual cycle (iron being the main component of blood). As irons role in the body is to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide, an iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, tiredness and feeling lethargic.
Bone Density
When an individual has a low bone density, it raises the chances of getting a fracture. This is especially prevalent in women as they can suffer from osteoporosis, or the softening of the bone. Osteoporosis is developed through a deficiency in calcium, which can be found in dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can limit general movement and agility and pregnant women suffering from high blood pressure, multiple pregnancies or past miscarriages are advised against participating in sport. Some female athletes develop a condition called amenorrhea, in which their menstrual cycle completely stops.
All of these must definitely be considered before playing a game of netball as they can affect performance. Fatigue, dizziness, and the feeling lethargic can reduce speed, power and endurance during the game. Low bone density increases a players risk of fractures, and playing whilst pregnant has the potential can cause health problems.
children and young athletes
When participating in netball, special considerations should be taken with children to prevent injury and health complications.
Medical Conditions
Prior to playing netball, the existing medical conditions of the young players should be disclosed to the coach/manager. Conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and asthma can have a large influence on the capability and performance of young netball players, and management plans should be in place and given to the coach/manager. Children suffering from diabetes should be have resources on hand to aid in regulating their blood glucose levels (sugar), e.g. an insulin injection. Children suffering from asthma should have resources to aid in the respiration, e.g. a asthma puffer. Children who suffer from epilepsy should be taking medication to prevent seizures, and if one occurs there must be a plan of action for the coach/manager to follow.
Overuse Injuries
Young netball players are prone to overuse injuries, commonly stress fractures, due to insufficient warm up, defective equipment, over-training and substandard technique. In order to prevent injuries from occurring it is important to ensure that the young players are doing a sufficient warm up, using proper equipment and technique, and only training within a safe intensity and duration.
Thermoregulation
As children are more susceptible to heat stress than adults as during exercise they develop a higher core body temperature. This is mainly because of a reduced sweating mechanism that cause children to sweat less than adults. In order to prevent sun damage and heat stress, it is recommended that children taking constant breaks in a shaded area, and consume sufficient fluids. Children are also more affected by the cold and should therefore wear clothing suitable to the colder temperatures.
Appropriateness of Resistance Training
When performing resistance training, children should target developing their skill and technique. Performing resistance training at an intensity that does not match their age and skill level can result in muscle damage and injury. A beneficial way for children to perform resistance training would be to start off doing push ups and learning the proper skill, then after they have reached a safe age and skill level, progressing to more repetitions and/or intensity.
Medical Conditions
Prior to playing netball, the existing medical conditions of the young players should be disclosed to the coach/manager. Conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and asthma can have a large influence on the capability and performance of young netball players, and management plans should be in place and given to the coach/manager. Children suffering from diabetes should be have resources on hand to aid in regulating their blood glucose levels (sugar), e.g. an insulin injection. Children suffering from asthma should have resources to aid in the respiration, e.g. a asthma puffer. Children who suffer from epilepsy should be taking medication to prevent seizures, and if one occurs there must be a plan of action for the coach/manager to follow.
Overuse Injuries
Young netball players are prone to overuse injuries, commonly stress fractures, due to insufficient warm up, defective equipment, over-training and substandard technique. In order to prevent injuries from occurring it is important to ensure that the young players are doing a sufficient warm up, using proper equipment and technique, and only training within a safe intensity and duration.
Thermoregulation
As children are more susceptible to heat stress than adults as during exercise they develop a higher core body temperature. This is mainly because of a reduced sweating mechanism that cause children to sweat less than adults. In order to prevent sun damage and heat stress, it is recommended that children taking constant breaks in a shaded area, and consume sufficient fluids. Children are also more affected by the cold and should therefore wear clothing suitable to the colder temperatures.
Appropriateness of Resistance Training
When performing resistance training, children should target developing their skill and technique. Performing resistance training at an intensity that does not match their age and skill level can result in muscle damage and injury. A beneficial way for children to perform resistance training would be to start off doing push ups and learning the proper skill, then after they have reached a safe age and skill level, progressing to more repetitions and/or intensity.