IMPROVING PHYSICAL FITNESS
COMPONENTS FOR GAELIC:
BODY COMPOSITION
NOVEMBER 30, 2015
– HANNAH VAN BUUREN
Having the right body composition is essential for GAA players today and in her latest column, sports science researcher
and fitness expert South Africa based Hannah van Buuren,
tells us what is required.
Body composition, anthropometric dimensions, and morphological characteristics play a vital role in determining the
success of an athlete (Koley, Kumaar, & Shadagopan, 2012;
Claessens, Lefevre, Beunen, & Malina, 1999; Rico-Sanz, 1998).
In particular measurements of anthropometric profiles &
body composition were found to determine performance in
both football players (Rico-Sanz, 1998) and gymnasts (Claessens et al., 1999). Body size and composition can be considered important in sports where you have an advantage of being
tall (basketball, midfielders in Gaelic) or small (jockeys), heavy
(sumo wrestlers) or light (gymnastics). In many other sports,
for example Gaelic football, correct body composition and size
is also very important as part of the overall fitness profile of
the team.
LOW BODY FAT
It appears that in tasks that involve a body being moved
through space, estimated body fat percentage has been thought
to negatively affect performance as fat is not considered as a
contractile tissue, and it also represents extra weight that the
athlete needs to carry while performing a movement. Therefore athletes with a low estimated fat percentage will perform
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better in tasks that require one to move a body though space
(Gabbert, 2002; McArdle, Katch, & Katch, 1986). Therefore in
Gaelic football, all positions of play would be in an advantage
if they have less body fat – excess body fat could slow them
down, or negatively affect their performance in various movements. For example, a midfielder carrying excess fat could inhibit his jump height in the middle due to the unnecessary
weight he has to move into the air; the corner forward and
back would be slow in their turning ability when needing to
run for the ball into attack, and or follow their player to defend. All positions in Gaelic would be of an advantage of having minimum excess fat and increasing their muscle mass…
SO HOW DO WE AS PERFORMANCE TRAINERS
IMPROVE BODY COMPOSITION?
Getting lean and shredded is not the easiest thing in the
world when you are already fit and have a relatively low body
fat, like most of our players are. It takes effort and attention to
detail. The key is to make sure you don’t degrade your health,
lose muscle mass, or compromise athletic performance in the
process.
NUTRITION
1. Create a moderate calorie deficit for gradual fat loss so that
performance and muscle mass are maintained. Add things
that increase energy expenditure during the day such as a