INTRODUCTION Naturally, people have misconceptions of their body –especially seen in children. This is due to the lack of experience with one’s body awareness. These inaccurate assumptions have many influences and it varies between gender. Though, with a well-developed understanding of body awareness, time and practice, one can gain a more precise sense of their body relative to the space around them. Athletes especially want to refine their movements by having an accurate perception of themselves. This allows them to enhance their performance and efficiency in a competition.
METHODS
In lab, each subject estimated what their height and width would be if their body were to be projected on the wall. While standing 15 feet away from the wall, …show more content…
A lot of my guesses either had no error or close to 0. The reason I am not surprised is because all my life I have participated in some rhythmic hobby. I started dancing when I was 5, then gymnastics when I was 8 and continued to do gymnastics until now, as well as various other performing sports. In order for me to refine my movements, I practice in front a mirror and gained a greater awareness of my body relative to space. Only HH and HW were different but I know I see myself smaller than I am. All my life I have been called petite or that it is a good thing I am small, therefore my perception of myself is a reflection of how others view me as …show more content…
For example, in basketball, if an athlete underestimates their wingspan (HR) when attempting to catch the ball, they will overcompensate and step farther out to reach it. Our class average underestimated HR by 7.2 inches, and so if the basketball player reaches for these extra inches this will increase their chances of catching the ball. Another example when a gymnast is on the uneven bars. They must have an accurate concept of the distance between their hips and toes (HL). When a gymnast pikes by lifting their legs up by the hips, they avoid hitting the lower bar, but they cannot pike too much or it could slow down their momentum. By having precise body awareness, they can increase their speed to a high potential without hitting the bar. On average, our class had close to 0
METHODS
In lab, each subject estimated what their height and width would be if their body were to be projected on the wall. While standing 15 feet away from the wall, …show more content…
A lot of my guesses either had no error or close to 0. The reason I am not surprised is because all my life I have participated in some rhythmic hobby. I started dancing when I was 5, then gymnastics when I was 8 and continued to do gymnastics until now, as well as various other performing sports. In order for me to refine my movements, I practice in front a mirror and gained a greater awareness of my body relative to space. Only HH and HW were different but I know I see myself smaller than I am. All my life I have been called petite or that it is a good thing I am small, therefore my perception of myself is a reflection of how others view me as …show more content…
For example, in basketball, if an athlete underestimates their wingspan (HR) when attempting to catch the ball, they will overcompensate and step farther out to reach it. Our class average underestimated HR by 7.2 inches, and so if the basketball player reaches for these extra inches this will increase their chances of catching the ball. Another example when a gymnast is on the uneven bars. They must have an accurate concept of the distance between their hips and toes (HL). When a gymnast pikes by lifting their legs up by the hips, they avoid hitting the lower bar, but they cannot pike too much or it could slow down their momentum. By having precise body awareness, they can increase their speed to a high potential without hitting the bar. On average, our class had close to 0