Different Sports Work Different
Muscle Groups - A Quick List
By:
Megan
Hazel
The concept of different sports using different
muscle groups seems like an obvious tenet, yet most people do not think about
exercising to improve their performance in a particular sport. They are only
concerned with practicing the sport. Of course, it is logical to assume that
extensive practice of a particular sport will train the needed muscle groups to
be in great shape. However, the reverse is not always true. For instance, just
because you exercise the muscles used by playing football does not mean you will
be a good football player, but it is a start.
Some of the muscle groups that are called into play when becoming proficient at
a particular sport are fairly obvious, but others certainly take a little more
thought to identify the muscle groups. At the professional level, an athlete
will work on the major muscle groups, but maintaining balance in the entire body
through recognition of the lesser muscles is important as well. So, while many
sports focus on one aspect of the body, overall balance is emphasized as well.
To say that a person involved in racing, whether bicycle, ice skating or foot
races is required only to develop the long muscles of the legs would be an
understatement. By no means can the rest of the body can be ignored. Likewise,
when one's arms and shoulders are highly developed, as is needed for lifting the
tremendous weights involved in many sports, you should not ignore the need for
strength to straighten the legs and stand upright under the muscle weight you
have built.
GOLF
A golfer certainly needs to be able to have both strength and flexibility in the
forearms, upper arms and shoulders in order to hit those long drives while
hoping for a hole in one. At the same time, abdominal muscle development helps
to maintain control of the direction and lift on the golf ball. If the golfer
avoids a motorized cart and walks the course, the legs and thighs will be
tightened and stamina through increased lung capacity will be fostered.
BICYCLING
The obvious muscle groups affected when one is strongly entrenched in the sport
of bicycling are those in the hips, buttocks and thighs. Especially when the
sport reaches its more strenuous version known as mountain biking, the arms and
shoulders are also involved.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This sport generally develops the arms, shoulders and upper back, but the
muscles of the legs and buttocks are required in order to accomplish some of the
weightlifting moves. As the name suggests, weightlifting builds power and its
benefits can be translated into many other sports.
ICE SKATING
Both figure skating and speed skating require a strong development of calves,
thighs and buttocks in order to be performed well. Though it is a lower body
type of workout, ice skating can help with overall balance and will work your
abdominal area as well, which serves as the area that transfers power from your
legs to your arms and shoulders.
BASKETBALL
Basketball is essentially a complete workout, though more cardio than strength
building. People who play basketball often will develop muscles across the
shoulders because of the constant lifting motion for the basketball and the
raising of arms to defend. Regular movements while playing basketball require
strength and flexibility in the muscle groups of the upper arms, shoulders and
even the obliques. Dribbling the ball requires a substantial development of the
muscles in the hands and wrists, as well as the forearms, shoulders and upper
arms. In addition, running requires a build up in the strength and stamina of
the leg muscles.
SWIMMING
Swimming is another complete body workout. You will see a buildup in the muscles
of the shoulders and arms particularly when there is an overhand stroke such as
the Australian crawl. Also, muscles of the hips and thighs are required in order
to perform the various kick strokes.
TENNIS
Tennis requires a level of complete fitness, but particularly in the muscles of
the back, shoulders, and arms. In addition, the ability to move around the court
quickly requires legs, thighs and calf muscles that are trim and fit. Power
hitters in tennis can not only hit the ball hard, they have the ability to
control where they want it to land with split second timing. The muscles
required to leap, reach and use both a forehand movement and backhand stroke are
particularly important in players who reach a professional or semi-professional
level.
While certain types of sports develop particular muscle groups more than others,
it's still important to work on over all fitness.
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