Athletes improve their performance through cross training
Student athletes at The King’s Academy have begun to practice for their fall season sport: football players are strapping on their pads and cross country runners are lacing up their shoes. However, for some, fall is not the only time of year that they compete. TKA offers a number of diverse sports which gives plenty of opportunity to try new things.
Many athletes engage in cross-training to improve their main sport. Since sports rotate seasonally, students are able to find open time to test out different athletics. Training during off season is found to be advantageous as it keeps the player disciplined while also developing other skills such as consistency, strength and conditioning. Sophomore Ansley McDonald is one example; playing soccer each spring consistently and competing in cross country for the first time this fall to train endurance.
“Cross training is beneficial to athletes because you can not only learn another sport and use them in your main sport, but you can also condition for your main sport,” McDonald said.
The same techniques and moves that are used in one’s sport can be used in various ways in a different sport. For example, cross country requires long distance running, which builds leg strength and endurance that will ultimately benefit Mcdonald in the soccer season.
“Running and swimming can complement each other because of the required cardiovascular fitness, but while running can put stress on knees, ankles and hips, the low impact of swimming can help those joints recover while still being very cardio focused,” Assistant Athletic Director and JV Girls soccer coach Lakyn Watkins said.“Basketball and volleyball can complement each other because of the required quick recreations, footwork and vertical jumping demands of both. Soccer and basketball can complement each other in terms of the pace of the games and forcing athletes to see the field and passes.”
Many sports can compliment each other, such as soccer and cross country, effectively promoting recovery and retaining balance for each other. Working specific parts of your body that normally would not be developed. For instance, swimming builds upper body strength that isn’t normally trained on a cross country course.
¨I would encourage a student-athlete who specializes in one sport to make sure that they have a work-out outside of their sport that works the muscles other than the ones they use while they play,” Athletic Director Chris Camp said.
Watkins also notes that cross-training does have its limits, particularly as athletes get older and more serious about a certain sport. She encourages athletes to give their passion everything they have and to do it for the Lord.
“The amount of hours and effort someone puts into developing a skill will translate to how they perform,” Watkins said.
As Christians, whatever we put our hard work into should ultimately be to glorify our Father. Cross training is another way we can give our all for Christ by excelling in more than one sport and using our gifts and talents to bring honor to God.
“God calls us to do our best in all that we do and requires that we make the most of the gifts that He blesses us with. When an athlete can look at it this way, they should want to do their very best any chance they get. Even participating in sports can be a way to worship and bring glory to God,” Watkins said.
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