1. Qualities of Physical Preparation for Martial Arts
Martial Arts: Unit 1

2. Flexibility
FLEXIBILITY can be defined as the range of movement at a joint. Flexibility can be displayed statically or dynamically.
Static Vs. Dynamic

3. Speed
SPEED can be defined as the time between two points. There are a number of sub- qualities of speed

4. Strength
STRENGTH can be defined as the ability to produce force. There are a number of sub- qualities of strength.

5. Endurance
ENDURANCE can be defined as the ability to produce effort with minimal diminishment. Literally “to endure”. There are a number of sub -qualities of endurance.

6. Nutrition
Just as a car runs best with a full tank of gas, your body needs the right kind of fuel from food. A balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water will give your body what it needs for peak performance
(See article on Nutrition)

7. Hydration
Water is essential to keep you hydrated. Dehydration (when your body doesn’t have enough fluids to work efficiently) can cause muscle cramps, and dizziness or lightheadedness. When you are physically active, dehydration is not only dangerous, but can also keep you from performing your best.
(Read article on Hydration)

8. Sleep
Many of the world’s greatest athletes eat, sleep, breathe, and live for their sport. But did you know that in addition to physical conditioning and conscious eating, sleep plays a major role in athletic performance and competitive results? The quality and amount of sleep athletes get is often the key to winning. REM sleep in particular provides energy to both the brain and body. If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to repair memory, consolidate memory, and release hormones. (see article on sleep)

9. Recovery
Recovery is becoming increasingly important to the high-performing athlete in a bid to reduce fatigue and enhance performance.
Some of the more common recovery techniques utilised by athletes include hydrotherapy, active recovery, stretching, and massage.

10. Psychological Preparedness
Your “Mental Wellness” can affect your performance… there are entire fields of study devoted to the psychology of sport. The sooner you learn to identify a balanced sense of wellness for yourself, the greater your chances of success in physical performance.

11. Tactical Preparation * The Game Plan…
Consider the physical effects of tactical preparation when developing a training program in order to avoid over-training.

12. Technical Preparation
The “Skills” for technique… It refers to the development of skills. The higher the skill component in the sport the more critical or important is this type of preparation.