1. Which teacher would be more suited to each of these sports? Why?
Optimum weight
Starter
You have two minutes to discuss with the rest of your group. Write your answers in your book.
Which teacher would be more suited to each of these sports?
Why?
Mr Morris
Mr Cathie

2. Optimum weight Learning Objectives
4 - Understand what optimum weight is and the definition
5 - Understand the factors involved with optimum weight and how they can effect sport
6 - Know why different sports have different optimum weights

3. Optimum Weight
Definition “Optimum weight is the most favourable weight for an individual, giving them the greatest opportunity to be successful in an activity”

4. Optimum weight ‘most favourable’ or ‘best’
Q: Can you explain why this may be important in sport?
Q: What factors do you think impact?
Height
Gender
Bone Structure
Muscle Girth

5. Height - Will affect your weight, generally taller people are heavier than shorter people.
Height can be an advantage in activities where you need to outreach your opponent, e.g. basketball.
When the use of longer levers may be beneficial, e.g. cricket/rowing.

6. Gender – Will make a difference to your weight.
Males tend to have more muscle mass and therefore weigh more.
This provides men with an advantage in activities requiring strength and power.

7. Bone Structure – people with a heavier bone structure would normally be heavier in weight.
Everybody has a different bone structure (frame size)
Bone strength is important in many activities, in particular contact sports such as rugby.

8. Muscle Girth – the size of a muscle (circumference)
People with bigger muscles will weigh more.
In most cases, muscle girth increases with training
Muscle weighs more than fat and can be classed as overweight
Bigger muscles are an advantage in activities requiring power, speed and strength – e.g. javelin.

9. Sportspeople and average weight
Many elite sports performers, for example sprinters and rugby props, might be considered to be overweight because they are heavy due to their muscle mass. This does not mean they are fat!
Jockeys and feather weight boxers may be considered to be underweight.
HOWEVER, they are all in fact the OPTIMUM weight for their sport.
The weight of a jockey usually ranges from 108 to 118 lb (49 to 54 kg).

11. Task 1
The next few slides will show two athletes, you must decide based on the optimum weight factors, who would weigh more….
Write your answers on your whiteboard

12. Factor = Height
Usain Bolt = 95kg
Michael Phelps = 88kg

13. Factor = Gender
Serena Williams = 70kg
David Beckham = 75kg

14. Factor = Muscle Girth
Simone Biles = 47kg
Ronda Rousey = 61kg

15. Factor = Bone Structure, Muscle Girth (legs)
David Pocock = 115kg
Anthony Joshua = 106kg

16. Exam questions