Mental and Endurance Benefits of Being an Athlete

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Mental and Endurance Benefits of Being an Athlete

The expanded concept of mental training that is used today includes all thoughts and feelings in competitive sports. Trainable areas that belong to the comprehensive definition of mental training are; concentration, motivation, mental strength, and mental preparation for competitions. 

As a competitive athlete, you have to rely on using your full sporting potential through mental strength. In these situations, in particular, competition stress, the pressure to perform, and nervousness can stand in the way of maximum physical performance.

This is where mental training comes in. Athletic performance can improve mental health. In addition to physical training, it is a known fact that mental training creates the basis for more efficient training and a solid performance in competitions. 

Definition of Mental Training in Sports

‘Mental training’ deals with the direct influence of psychological processes on movement. This encompasses certain cognitive strategies that are used to optimize movements. This is achieved through repeated, intensive “thinking through” an optimal sequence of movements, but without executing it simultaneously.

Endurance is another benefit.

In general, the term endurance describes the resistance to fatigue during prolonged stress. In simple terms, Endurance sports means that you acquire the ability to cover the longer distance at your desired pace without a break. By developing endurance, the body is trained in terms of fatigue and exhaustion of the energy stores. The loads to develop endurance always occur in the aerobic area, for example, athletes living in Surry Hills. This means that the muscle is always supplied with sufficient oxygen during exercise. If you are in a higher heart rate range during endurance training, then the pace is too fast to develop the foundation, and the load is too high. In areas from about 80% of the maximum heart rate, your muscles are gradually no longer supplied with enough oxygen. You are training in the so-called anaerobic area. 

The Advantages of Endurance Training at a Glance:

  • Improvement in fitness and  coordination
  • Support cardiovascular system
  • Easier breakdown of body fat
  • Improve muscle building
  • Active stress relief
  • Increase in well-being and concentration
  • Improving performance in primary sports

Benefits of Regular Endurance Training

You will be surprised at what positive benefits you will have, especially through regular endurance training such as running. You will want to stir up your running shoes right away.

  • For example, running regularly can protect your heart. 
  • Running actively lowers your blood lipids and cholesterol levels. Thus, the heart and blood vessels can be protected.
  • In the case of inactive “desk criminals,” on the other hand, the calcification of the vessels takes its course. The veins to the heart become blocked, and a heart attack occurs. If the veins to the head are also impermeable, a stroke will occur! In general, active people prevent cardiovascular diseases. That should be reason enough to start.
  • By running, the heart can be enlarged and strengthened, the resting heart rate is lowered, and the heart works more economically and beats longer!
  • Runners also lower the risk of developing diabetes. Overweight people with inactive muscles can no longer break down the sugar contained in their food. Consequence: This clogs the vessels. Runners regulate sugar metabolism naturally. 
  • The pancreas is also positively affected: it no longer produces as much insulin. The body cells become more sensitive to the blood sugar-lowering insulin, which, as a result, reduces the risk of developing diabetes in old age.
  • Running keeps us young! Running can make us fit, lean, and healthy. No more trace of fatigue and overweight.
  • Just the feeling of having pulled yourself up to exercise makes you happy and releases happiness hormones and puts you in a good mood. By being happier and more balanced, we also “run away” from depression. 
  • According to studies, the risk of developing cancer can also be significantly reduced! A healthy immune system recognizes such cells and destroys them. And physically active people usually have one.
  • Further studies show that runners suffer from insomnia far less often and sleep more deeply.

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