1. Matthew McLaughlin
1 Participation of an individual
Age
Our age directly affects our physical maturity
• Strength decreases as we get older
• Oxygen capacity reduces with age
• heart becomes less efficient
• Increased blood pressure
• Skill levels can improve with age and experience!
• Injury recovery time lengthened
Age categories are set in all school sports as a preventive measure so
physical maturity doesn’t dominate sport
Disability
There are four different types of disability:
• Physical
• Mental
• Permanent
• Temporary
Facilities
• Ramps
• Lifts
• Parking

2. Matthew McLaughlin
• Coaches/helpers
• Changing facilities
• Toilets/Showers
• Organised clubs
Adapting rules and equipment e.g.
1. Changing rules- No scrums in Rugby
2. Equipment changes- Ball bearing in Football
Gender
Woman are smaller overall, they have-
• a flatter broader pelvis
• less total muscle mass
• less oxygen capacity – work harder as less muscle and more weight
• higher percentage of fat
• smaller lungs
• smaller heart
Physique - somatotypes
ENDOMORPH = FAT PERSON (e.g. PROP FORWARD)
ECTOMORPH = TALL + THIN, LANKY (e.g. MARATHON RUNNER)

3. Matthew McLaughlin
MESOMORPH = MUSCULAR, TALL (e.g. SPRINTER)
Environment
Weather
• can't be controlled
• certain types of weather can lead to postponement and cancellation
E.g. Rain – cricket
Pollution
• Causes problems due to lack of oxygen when competing outdoors.
Altitude
• Height above sea level.
• At high altitudes endurance events become harder.
Humidity
• amount of water vapour in the air
o cooling body difficult
o can cause dehydration
Terrain
• Landscape 

4. Matthew McLaughlin
Risk and challenge
Risk
• Organisers should be fully qualified + check participants age and
gender.
• Stay within rules/laws.
All sports have dangers these should be eliminated where possible
Challenge
• grading systems of how challenging (e.g. skiing )
o Rugby → big opponent
o Marathon → personal
Training
PRE-SEASON
1. focus on fitness for your particular sport
2. muscular endurance power
3. speed work
4. techniques, skills and strategies
PEAK SEASON

5. Matthew McLaughlin
1. emphasise speed
2. practise your skills at high speed and in competitive situations
3. add extra fitness sessions if you do not compete enough
OFF SEASON (PAST SEASON)
1. rest
2. general fitness
3. develop muscular strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness
4. develop your sports skills