A recent study conducted by the National Athlete Career and Education (NACE) and AIS ACE programs at the Australian Sports Commission has found sporting performance may be boosted by a well-balanced lifestyle combining work, study and training.
The NACE and AIS survey of 143 AIS athletes looked at their attitudes and approaches to sport, study and other activities. NACE consultant Dr Nathan Price said the findings of the study indicate that sport–life balance has a positive effect on an athlete’s performance and longevity in their sport.
"More than 90 per cent of athletes surveyed indicated they believed that actively engaging in non-sporting pursuits helped to lengthen their sporting career,” Dr Price said. “Of those athletes that were studying or working, 72 per cent believed that their sporting performance benefited from them undertaking education or employment.
Jared Tallent, who recently won the 20km walk gold medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, and a silver in the 50km and bronze in the 20km at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, said maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle has helped his international success.
“There’s definitely a positive relationship between my life balance and athletic performance,” Tallent said. “I have been able to maintain long periods of being injury free mainly because I haven’t over trained and have spent time on other commitments.”
Tallent currently combines his training with studying a Bachelor of Business Studies in Financial Planning at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University.
“It’s easy to let sport take over when you are competing at an elite level,” Tallent said. “But it’s good to have other passions in life so that you have something to move onto once you finish your sporting career.”
The NACE program supports more than 3000 elite athletes across Australia each year in managing their education, work and sports performance, as well as preparing them for life after sport.
No comments:
Post a Comment