Read this scenario:

Question

Maya, a member of the high school track and field team, is learning about the benefits of strength training for improving her sprinting speed. Eager to see quick results, she incorporates heavy weightlifting into her routine. During an afternoon session at the school's gym, Maya adds significantly more weight to the squat rack than she's accustomed to. She feels the strain in her muscles and has difficulty maintaining her form. Maya pushes through the discomfort, believing it to be a necessary part of improvement. Her determination leads her to not only increase the weight drastically but also extend the length of her workout beyond her usual limit. When she runs at the next track practice, she feels a sharp pain in her hamstrings. After practice, she is unable to fully extend her legs. She decides to keep her workout the same but to add more stretching.

From what you have read in this scenario, what strategies need to be improved? Evaluate how effective Maya’s change to her workout routine will be and provide additional suggestions for improvement. Write 2–3 paragraphs using what you have learned in the course about safe and effective strategies to improve movement skills.

Write the correct answer in 8th grader words and keep it within 2-3 paragraphs

Answer 1

Maya’s approach to strength training needs some important changes to help her improve safely and effectively. While it's great that she wants to lift heavier weights to get stronger, she should focus on gradually increasing the weight instead of adding so much all at once. This is known as "progressive overload," which means slowly increasing the weight as her body gets stronger. By doing too much too soon, like lifting heavy and extending her workout, she put herself at risk for injury, which is what happened with her hamstrings. Rest and proper form are crucial for her improvement, and she should listen to her body when it’s telling her to stop or slow down.

Instead of just adding more stretching to her routine, Maya should also consider focusing on her overall training plan. She should include a mix of strength training that gradually increases in intensity, alongside proper warm-ups and cool-downs. For example, incorporating lighter weights with more repetitions would help her build strength without straining her body. Additionally, working with a coach or trainer who can help her with good form and technique can prevent injuries. Lastly, it’s important for Maya to give her muscles time to recover, which means not working out the same muscle groups every day. Incorporating rest days and listening to her body will help her avoid injuries and improve her sprinting speed effectively.