If you are a lover of music, you may know this infamous name. Once you learn about him, you will never forget about him.
September 5, 1946, Farrokh Bulsara was born in the British territory of India. Now, you have probably never heard that name, but Farrokh Bulsara started going by Freddie Mercury later in life. Mercury was born in Stone Town in the British protectorate of Zanzibar in India.
Fun fact: He was born with four extra front teeth, which helped with various vocal ranges. While having a range of vocals, he also took piano lessons since he was 7. Even though he was born in India, he was a British citizen and his family eventually immigrated to England.
When Mercury was in England, he graduated with a degree in graphic arts and design. After he achieved his degree, Mercury joined a few bands. The bands came and went, but finally, one stuck, and this one would be one most people would know, called Queen.
Freddie Mercury used his degree and designed the band’s logo. The logo is known as the “Queen’s crest” and is made up of a combination of the band members’ zodiac signs, which are Two Lions (Leo), a crab (cancer), and two fairies (Virgo).
Another fun fact about Freddie Mercury is that his speaking voice naturally fell into the baritone range, but when singing, it was in the tenor range. Those who specialize in music say he was selling his voice and owned it.
Besides his voice and his background in design, Mercury also wrote songs from some of Queen’s top Albums like “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Killer Queen”, “Somebody to Love” and so many more. He would involve many ranges of genres and styles in his writing.
Freddie Mercury did have a solo career where he produced two albums. Even though his career was not as successful as when he was with Queen, he debuted in the top 10 of the UK Music Charts. His Two albums were “Mr. Bad Guy” and “Barcelona”.
Unfortunately, Freddie Mercury passed away on November 24, 1991, due to bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS. Queen and Freddie Mercury’s work is still admired today worldwide and enjoyed by many.
We Used to Live Here, by UK #1 Best Selling Kindle Author Daniel Hurst kept me on my toes the whole book. This book was set in the UK. The family in this book just moved into a new home, that they were planning to remodel.
The Burgess family moves into a bigger, outdated home which they had decided they were going to remodel, but when Stephanie finds something behind the wallpaper in one of the rooms she starts to wonder about it. Then a couple that had previously owned the house stopped by unannounced one day and asked if they could take a walk around the house and take a trip down memory lane. Once they leave, the Burgess family finds out some very interesting information and Stephanie launches herself into her own investigation of the house. A hidden wall with troubling messages only adds fuel to the fire and she continues to search for answers to what seems to be a very troubling past. All of the evidence that she has compiled leads her to the worrying discovery that it could be linked to a crime from the past that is still unsolved.
This book starts off a little slow in my opinion, but the ending is worth it. I am still reeling over what happened at the end of the book. I really enjoyed this book and the major plot twist that was found at the end. I do believe that there almost needs to be a second book to elaborate a little more on the ending of the book.
Overall, I give this book a 4/5. I can not get over the ending, but the slow beginning kind of knocked the rating. I really did enjoy the book though.
I’m unsure if an “Amazon Addict” support group exists, but I need one. I treat my Amazon app like a form of social media. It is definitely not healthy, but there are worse things. As I was browsing Amazon this week looking for clothes, kitchen items, and skincare products I didn’t need, a thought popped into my head.
“Mal, do you remember when you saw that snail mucin skincare serum a million years ago on TikTok? You should 100% spend all your money and buy it!”
Surprise, surprise, I bought it. Thankfully, I did not spend all my money; the serum cost less than $16. My package arrived two days later; thank you Prime shipping. The second Alexa announced my package had arrived I sprinted upstairs faster than Usain Bolt. I ripped open the package like a five-year-old on Christmas Day, then ran to the bathroom to wash my face (a clean face is a necessity when testing any skincare product). Once my face was clean, it was time to try.
The first thing I noticed was how sturdy the bottle was. Usually, skincare bottles in the less than $20 price range are fragile and super sketchy, but not this one. The next thing I noticed was the words on the bottle being in Korean, but I had prepared for this and did some pre-testing Googling to read the instructions. Now that I was informed, I ripped off the lid and pumped the serum onto my palm. I was not a fan of the nozzle on the pump. It was too short, and I had difficulty making sure the product landed on my hand and not down the side of the bottle. Once I finally had enough product on my palm (around four pumps), it was time to Rock n’ Roll. I liked how easily the serum applied to my entire face. Sometimes, with a thicker serum, the product pills on the skin and doesn’t sink in very well. This was not the case with the Snail Mucin. Once my face and neck were evenly covered, I applied my usual moisturizer and went to bed. The following morning, when I looked at my skin, I could already see how much of a difference the serum made. My skin was glowy, smooth, and hydrated. I looked like I had slept for more than five hours (thank God). For my fellow dry-skin peeps, I recommend 11/10. The description for the product says the serum can help with acne, fine lines, and dehydrated skin. I most definitely agree. The COSRX Snail Mucin Essence is worth a try for anyone, regardless of age. The results are noticeable and impressive after only one night. Give it a shot.
Hello! Welcome to campus for the 2023-24 school year. Returning students, we hope your summer was relaxing, and for new students, we hope you are enjoying your new home here at DC. This year, we will be splitting the responsibilities of The Defender’s Editor in Chief position.
To introduce ourselves,
I am Dana Peterson, a senior here at DC. I have a double major in English and Communication Studies. In my time here, you may have seen me around campus serving as a Writing Consultant, Admissions Ambassador, or Course Tutor for COMM 120. I have also spent three years as the Secretary of the Defiance College Student Senate and received the Wanda May LeMaster Service Award. Actively, I am participating in the Reeder C. Hutchinson Assistantship in the Humanities, serving as an Athletic Communications Intern, and conducting research within the Rome McMaster Learning Community.
And I am Hanna Young, a junior working towards a double major in Sports Management and Communication Studies. I am a commuter student so most of the time you see me it will be during the day, however, I am also a photographer so when I am not working for my hometown paper I am more than likely taking pictures for Yellow Jacket athletics. Last fall I was a Peer Leader for one section of FYE-100 and this semester I am a Peer Leader for a section of World Issues. Last year I was the sports photographer for The Defender.
This year, we plan to present the campus community with a broad range of articles, and we are sure you’ll find something that sparks your interest. Additionally, if you are interested in publishing articles with us, or have ideas about what you would like to see in The Defender, please contact Dana at dpeterson003@defiance.edu, or Hanna at hyoung001@defiance.edu.
I am a Disney child and am not afraid to admit it. Except for most Pixar movies, Disney has never released anything that I didn’t like. At least they hadn’t until 2016. When Disney announced they were making a live-action of The Little Mermaid, I was salty (pun intended). The Little Mermaid (1989) was my favorite movie as a child. I saw myself in Ariel. I was a pale redhead who was stubborn and didn’t want to listen to my parents. She was my idol. I would watch the movie every day, all day. The second the film ended, I would run to the VHS player, hit STOP, and then hit REWIND to watch it again. My older brother definitely hated me. I would sing “Part of Your World” by Jodi Benson like it was my job. When my family visited Disney World, we waited for what felt like forever in line so Ariel could sign my mermaid autograph book. In the summer, I would beg my brother to play mermaids with me in the pool even though I knew he would say no. According to my mother, when I was four years old, I told her I was going to be a mermaid when I grew up. Unfortunately, my tail never appeared.
I wasn’t angry when Disney announced live-action remakes of classics like The Lion King, Aladdin, or The Beauty and the Beast, but the minute I heard about The Little Mermaid, I was angry. I didn’t understand why Disney had to take what I perceived as a perfect film and redo it. My negative attitude towards the remake had nothing to do with any casting decisions or lyric changes; it was the project as a whole. I refused to watch any trailers, listen to interviews, or sing along to the new songs when they appeared on Spotify. It was childish, but I didn’t care. When the film finally came to theaters, I refused to go. It wasn’t until the remake appeared on Disney+ that I finally decided to watch it.
Before the movie started, I told my youngest brother, “If the movie sucks, we’re turning it off. If it doesn’t suck, then we’re going to watch it, and I’m going to complain the whole time.” The poor boy must have been so confused. Surprisingly, I didn’t instantly turn the film off or complain when the characters appeared. I was actually enjoying it. However, the moment of truth hadn’t arrived yet: Halle Bailey’s version of “Part of Your World.” As soon as Halle was cast as Ariel, I Googled her and listened to her music. I knew she could hold a tune and had a beautiful voice, but I was still skeptical. Jodi Benson’s version was my childhood, and nothing was going to change that, but when I heard Halle start singing during the “Part of Your World” scene, all my worries and anger disappeared. Halle was amazing. She captured my attention, and regardless of the fact a new actress was playing my Ariel, I didn’t care. I was just as amazed listening to Halle sing “Part of Your World” for the first time as I was listening to Jodi sing it twenty years earlier. Halle’s version will never beat Jodi’s in my brain, but I loved it nonetheless. The movie continued, and I was enthralled. When the ending scene with King Triton, Ariel, and the other merpeople happened, I unashamedly shed a few tears. I clicked out of the movie, hit restart on the Disney+ screen, and watched it again. I was so stuck in the past that I had told my brain I would hate the remake for years. I had to rewatch The Little Mermaid (2023) twice to appreciate and enjoy the film without prejudice. I am back in my mermaid phase and don’t care. I’m twenty years older than I was the first time, but I’m not counting. If you see me on campus with my mermaid backpack from 2003, mind your own business.
Did you know that “Fun Facts About Tacos That You Probably Never Knew” states that “According to NationalTacoDay.com, Americans are eating billions of tacos every year, 4.5 billion to be more specific?” Americans love Taco Bell and around half of the U.S. population will visit a Taco Bell once every eleven days. Another interesting fact is that Taco Bell actually started as a burger chain in 1954 and changed to selling tacos because they were located in a Hispanic neighborhood.
Tacos have been around for hundreds of years, and the biggest taco ever made was on November 20th, 2011, in Queretaro, Mexico. This taco was an amazing 246 feet long and was made with carnitas as the filling. Every year, national Taco Day is celebrated on October 4th. In 1966, the first taco truck originated in New York, and it didn’t have a full kitchen but was mainly used for catering.
Another interesting fact is that according to “Fun Facts About Tacos That You Probably Never Knew” states, “According to Mexican traditions, seafood tacos are meant to be eaten at lunch, while antojitos are to be eaten at dinner time.” The word “taco” is translated as “light lunch,” which is quite ironic when you consider the fact that people like to fill their tacos with all kinds of different things. Some of these different things include pork, chicken, beef, fried grasshoppers, and different salad toppings such as lettuce, shredded cheese, and tomatoes. Another interesting fact about tacos is that they have their own tv show on Netflix called Taco Chronicles.
To finalize, tacos have been around for hundreds of years, and thousands of people will enjoy eating tacos.
I would like to introduce you to our 19th President and first female president of the college, Dr. Richanne Mankey. In January, she started her eighth year at Defiance College. She was elected the president in the fall of 2015. She felt an “essence” during her interview at the college. She loves that the people at the college are serving the students and are dedicated to them and their success. Her favorite part about working at Defiance College is all of the people, including the students, faculty, staff, and trustees. Growing up Dr. Mankey lived in Tiffin, Ohio. She came to Defiance, Ohio from Buffalo, New York.
President Mankey went to Ohio Northern University for her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also finished her Sociology degree in her post-graduate studies. After attending Ohio Northern University, she attended the University of Dayton for her Master of Science in Education with a focus in Counseling. Lastly, President Mankey attended Teachers College at Columbia University for her Doctor of Education in the Organization and Leadership AEGIS program.
Growing up President Mankey always looked up to Queen Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth I was born in 1533. Then she ascended to the throne in 1558. Dr. Mankey states that “when she assumed the throne and was successful in a male-dominated world by being diplomatic and by living the values she held.” Some of President Mankey’s hobbies include home renovation. Dr. Mankey and her husband like to buy an older home and fix it up. If President Mankey could travel anywhere in the world she would want to go to New Zealand. She stated that “I have a high school exchange sister on the North Island, and I would take any opportunity to see her and her family again.” Her favorite animal is an owl because it symbolizes wisdom.
Some questions about advice were asked to President Mankey. Some advice that President Mankey wanted to share with college students is “No matter whether or not you like the class, activity, or event, find at least ONE thing you can learn from each experience. I would also say that finishing (at least) the bachelor’s degree is important, and something that you will appreciate having completed as your life journey unfolds.” President Mankey was asked for her own definition of success. She states that “You can only lead from who you are and when you have the confidence to do that it facilitates being able to engage others in important discussions around problem-solving and ideas that help to improve the human condition whether an organization, family, or community.”
President Mankey left me with one piece of inspirational advice to share with everyone. An African proverb that has always inspired President Mankey is If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
Postponed to Wednesday, May 3rd at 4pm due to the rainy conditions.
(Tuesday, April 25th) Softball vs Kalamazoo College
Canceled due the rainy weather conditions.
Transylvania University 6 vs Defiance College 1
The Defiance College baseball team traveled to Transylvania University on Saturday for a two game series. The game was silent until the Yellow Jackets struck in the bottom of top of the fifth inning when sophomore Gunner Gregg crushed the ball over the fence in left center field (0-1). Transylvania answered Gregg’s home run by scoring several runs in the bottom of the next inning. A single by Henry Mitcham scored Bryce Dreher (1-1). Then an Austin Taylor single scored Henry Mitcham which was followed by a Houston Manning homer to score himself, Walter Munday, Austin Taylor (5-1). Transy added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Henry Mitcham homered (6-1). Defiance recorded 8 hits in the contest including: one from Mitchell Roever, Hunter Bostater, Trent Murdock, and Gunner Gregg, while Alex Morr and Josh Vischer lead the way with 2. The Yellow Jackets had three pitchers see action in the first game on Saturday. The starting pitcher was senior Cohen Nies, he faced 29 batters throwing 102 pitches with 68 of those being in the zone in his 6 innings of work. Junior Johnny Hammerstein faced 5 batters in his 1 inning on the bump, throwing 19 pitches with 12 of those being strikes. The last pitcher to see action was junior Jeremy Russo, he faced 3 batters throwing 12 pitches with 7 of those being strikes in his one inning of work.
Transylvania University 9 vs Defiance College 4
In the second matchup between Defiance College and Transylvania University on Saturday, the Yellow Jackets came short. Transylvania started off the game hot, scoring on back to back doubles, Henry Mitcham doubled to score T Youngbloo then Austin Taylor doubled to score Mitcham (2-0). The Yellow Jackets tied the game in the top of the next inning after sophomore Gunner Gregg hammered the ball over the left field fence to score himself and sophomore Jacob Hild (2-2). Transy tacked on some more runs in the bottom of the second inning after a Braden Becker bunt and a throwing error Houston Manning scored which was followed by a balk to score Walter Munday (4-2). Calvin Schubert singled to score T Youngbloo and Braden Becker (6-4). Defiance scored again in the fifth inning when freshman Ethan Jenkins doubled to score Gunner Gregg (6-3). Henry Mitcham stole home in the bottom of the fifth inning (7-3). Transy added their last runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Calvin Schubert reached home on a muffled throw and then Zach Forner homered (9-3). The Yellow Jackets tacked on their last run in the top of the ninth inning after senior Hunter Bostater grounded out to score junior Trent Murdock (9-4). Defiance had 7 hits in the contest Mitchell Roever, Jacob Hild, and Ethan Jenkins each had one and Trent Murdock and Gunner Gregg each had two. Two pitchers saw action for Defiance. Starting pitcher, freshman Blake Bowman faced 27 batters throwing 91 pitches with 54 of those being strikes in his 5 innings. The next pitcher to spend time on the bump was sophomore Tyler Dehan who faced 12 batters, throwing 45 pitches with 33 of those falling into the zone in his 3 innings pitched.
(Saturday, April 29th) Softball vs Franklin College
Postponed to Sunday, May 7th at 1pm and 3pm due the inclement weather.
Men’s Track & Field at the HCAC Outdoor Championships
The Defiance College Men’s Track & Field team rounded out their season at the HCAC Outdoor Championships on Saturday. Freshman Marlon Brown competed in the 400-meter dash running a time of 49.36 seconds. He also competed in the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 22.61 seconds which earned him 5th place. Senior Ja’Qway Janvier also ran in the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 22.74 seconds. Sophomore Gavin Maratea competed in the 100-meter dash finishing with a time of 11.57 seconds earning him a new PR. Freshman Landon Sensmeier competed in the 100-meter dash finishing in 12.65 seconds earning a new PR. He also competed in the javelin throw, finishing with a distance of 24.87 meters earning him his second PR of the meet. Freshman Isaac Miler competed in the long jump jumping 6.13 meters which earned him a 10th place finish. Junior Ron Scott competed in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw finishing with distances of 11.35 meters, 28.33 meters, and 24.73 meters. Earning him 13th in shot put, 18th in discus, and a PR in the hammer throw. The 4×100 meter relay team of Ja’Qway Janvier, Marlon Brown, Gavin Maratea, and Isaac Miler finished with a time of 43.90 seconds earning the group 7th place.
Women’s Track & Field at the HCAC Outdoor Championships
The Defiance College Women’s Track & Field team completed their season at the HCAC Outdoor Championship on Saturday. Sophomore Hailei Haynes competed in the 100-meter dash finishing with a time of 13.06 seconds earning her 7th place and a new PR. Senior Lisa-Maria Markau also competed in the 100-meter dash completing the race with a time of 12.38 seconds capturing 2nd place and a new PR. She also competed in the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 26.01 seconds earning her second PR of the day as well as 3rd place. Sophomore Shanti Elkins also tackled the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 27.57 seconds. The last Yellow Jacket to compete in the 200-meter dash was freshman Shyla Pemebrton who finished in 27.62 seconds earning her 9th place. Sophomore Lexi Coward captured a new PR in the 800-meter run finishing with a time of 3:15.54 which also earned her 16th place. Senior Brianna Snider earned a new PR in the javelin throw by hitting 22.96 meters. The 4×100 meter relay team made up of Lisa-Maria Markau, Shanti Elkins, Hailey Haynes, and Shyla Pemberton finished with a time of 49.87 seconds earning them 2nd place marks. The 4×400 meter relay team composed of Lisa-Maria Markau, Shyla Pemerbton, Brianna Snider, and Lexi Coward finished with a time of 4:58.34.
Mount St. Joseph University 10 vs Defiance College 2
Senior Alex Morr awaits a pitch against Mount St Joseph on Sunday.
Defiance College faced off against Mount St. Joseph University on a rainy Sunday at Defiance High School. Mount St. Joseph got off to a hot start scoring five runs in the first two innings. Patrick Murray and Tyler Herbers both walked with bases loaded to score Kevin Schaaf and Ethan Mason (2-0). Then a single by Andrew Clements scored Patrick Murray and Carter Owen (4-0). Then on a fielding error Ethan Mason earned first base while Anton Mere scored (5-0). In the bottom of the second inning Defiance put their first score on the board when sophomore Gunner Gregg doubled to score junior Trent Murdock (5-1). In the top of the seventh inning Mount St. Joseph added three more runs when Tyler Herbers singled to score Carter Owens and Ryan Murray and then Jordan Harley singled, scoring Herbers (8-1). In the top of the ninth inning Mount St Joseph scored their last runs after Andrew Clemons singled to score Tyler Herbers and Patrick Murray (10-1). Defiance scored their last run in the bottom of the ninth inning after Trent Murdock doubled, scoring senior Alex Morr (10-2). The Yellow Jackets recorded 6 hits in the contest: one coming from Tim Bobeck, Austin Horning, Gunner Gregg, and Trent Murdock. Alex Morr paved the way and recorded two hits. Two pitchers saw action in the first game. Starting pitcher sophomore Sam Thombs faced 28 batters, throwing 122 pitches with 63 of those being strikes going 5.2 innings. Junior Johnny Hammerstein came in in relief throwing 3.1 innings, facing 21 batters. He threw 76 pitches with 47 of those falling into the zone.
Mount St. Joseph University 15 vs Defiance College 3
Junior, Mitchell Roever prepares to swing at a pitch in the game against Mount St Joseph on Sunday.
In the second game of the day Defiance grabbed a lead early, however, they could not hang on to it. Mount St Joseph scored in the top of the first inning when Ryan Murray grounded out to score Kevin Schaaf (1-0). Sophomore Gunner Gregg doubled to score senior Alex Morr and junior Mitchell Roever (1-2). Senior Hunter Bostater then grounded out to score Gunner Gregg (1-3). Started chipping away at Defiance’s lead in the top of the second inning when Luke LeGault doubled to score Jordan Sanders (2-3). Then in the top of the next frame Ryan Murray singled to score Kevin Schaaf (3-3). Mount St Joseph jumped into the drivers seat for the rest of the game putting up 12 runs in four innings. In the fourth inning Jordan Sanders homered, followed by an Anton Mere singled that scored Jordan Harley, a double by Ryan Murray scored Ethan Mason, and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Clements scored Ryan Murray (9-3). In the fifth inning Anton Mere tripled to score Jordan Harley, then Kevin Schaaf doubled scoring Anton Mere, and then Carter Owen grounded out to score Kevin Schaaf (12-3). In the sixth inning a throwing error Jordan Sanders scored then Anton Mere hit a sacrifice fly that scored Jordan Harley (14-3). Lastly, in the seventh inning Max Kline doubled to score Carter Owen (15-3). The Yellow Jackets recorded 6 hits in the contest. Garret Long, Jacob Hild, Alex Morr, and Mitchell Roever each contributed one, while Gunner Gregg added two. Five pitchers saw action in the second game on Sunday. Starting pitcher sophomore Tyler Sickmiller faced 17 batters throwing 38 pitches with 32 of those being strikes in his 3.1 innings on the bump. Freshman Ethan Jenkins faced 6 batters in his 0 innings pitched, throwing 29 pitches and 15 strikes. Then sophomore Jeffrey Varga threw 32 pitches and 21 strikes while facing 10 batters in his 1.2 innings pitched. Junior Jeremy Russo threw 1 inning, facing 7 batters, throwing 23 pitches with 13 of those falling in the zone. The last pitcher to see action was sophomore Damarius Taylor who faced 5 batters in his 1 innings pitched, throwing 15 pitches, 10 of those being strikes.
(Next Week May 1st – May 7th)
*Home Events are indicated in purple*
(Tuesday, May 2nd) Baseball vs Ohio Northern University
Location: Rutter Field
Time: 4pm
(Wednesday, May 3rd) Baseball vs Kalamazoo College
Location: Kalamazoo College
Time: 4pm
(Wednesday, May 3rd) Softball vs Anderson
Location: Sal Hench Field
Time: 3:30pm and 5:30pm
(Saturday, May 6th) Baseball vs Hanover University
Location: Rutter Field
Time: 12pm and 3pm
(Saturday, May 6th) Softball vs Mount St Joseph University
Tim Rickabaugh – Sociology of Sport (SPMT 320) instructor
Recently (April, 2023) the US House of Representatives passed a Transgender Sports Ban Bill with no member voting across party lines on the controversial issue (219 Republicans “for” and 203 Democrats “against”). This bill states that, “Transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male would be barred from competing on girls or women’s teams at federally funded schools and colleges”. Being that this is an issue central to the study of sport sociology, our SPMT 320 course discussed the bill and then voted on it as a class.
Despite 95% of our SPMT students personally supporting transgender individuals and rights as a whole, the class voted 16 to 3 in favor of the transgender sport ban. At face value, this would appear to be quite a contradiction, however, our students focused upon the central issue of fair competition when voting on the ban instead of placing judgement on transgender persons. In fact, 90% of our students felt that deciding whether to support the sport ban should require deep self-questioning and self-reflection upon one’s personal beliefs and attitudes.
What the class found to be most alarming was that it appeared that not a single member of the US House of Representatives appeared to question their own personal beliefs or to struggle with the issue; They simply voted along party lines. When questioned if the House vote indicated that politicians display fixed/rigid beliefs on issues related to the rights of transgender individuals, 85% agreed that our representatives cared more about voting along party lines than individually considering the importance of the issue. Both sides, Liberals and Conservatives alike, failed to show any true appreciation of the delicate balance between fairness in athletic competition with the inherent right of all individuals to participate in sports.
If Defiance College sport sociology students can take the time to personally consider, and struggle with
such a complex issue, why can’t our elected members of the US House of Representatives?
Sports have always been a testament to human potential, showcasing the limits of physical and mental abilities. However, the factors that determine an athlete’s performance remain a subject of intense study and debate. While some attribute success to natural talent or genetics, others emphasize the importance of training, nutrition, and psychological factors. In reality, the interplay between nature and nurture is complex, with a growing body of research shedding light on the role of genetics and training in elite sports.
The Role of Genetics in Athlete Performance
Genetics plays a crucial role in determining an athlete’s physical attributes, such as height, muscle mass, lung capacity, and metabolism. However, the extent to which genes influence performance varies depending on the sport and the individual. For instance, height and body size are advantageous in basketball and volleyball, while endurance and aerobic capacity are crucial in long-distance running and cycling. Moreover, genetic variations can affect an athlete’s susceptibility to injuries, recovery time, and response to training.
Recent studies have identified several genes that are associated with athletic performance, including ACTN3, which is linked to fast-twitch muscle fibers, and ACE, which affects the body’s response to training. However, the influence of these genes is limited, and their expression is also affected by environmental factors, such as training and nutrition. Therefore, while genetics can provide a blueprint for an athlete’s potential, it is not a guarantee of success.
The Importance of Training and Nutrition
Training and nutrition are critical factors that can enhance or limit an athlete’s performance, regardless of their genetic predisposition. Training involves a systematic and progressive approach to improving physical and mental abilities, such as strength, speed, agility, and decision-making. Effective training programs incorporate periodization, which involves varying the intensity, volume, and frequency of training to optimize performance and prevent injury.
Nutrition is equally important, providing the fuel and nutrients that support an athlete’s physical and mental demands. Proper nutrition involves a balanced and personalized approach, taking into account an athlete’s energy needs, nutrient requirements, and individual preferences. In addition, hydration is critical for maintaining fluid balance and preventing heat-related illnesses.
The Role of Psychology in Athlete Performance
While genetics and training are critical factors, the role of psychology in athlete performance cannot be overlooked. Mental skills, such as motivation, focus, confidence, and resilience, are essential for athletes to perform at their best under pressure. Moreover, psychological factors can affect an athlete’s decision-making, risk-taking, and emotional regulation, which can impact their performance and well-being.
Effective mental skills training involves techniques such as visualization, goal-setting, self-talk, and mindfulness, which can enhance an athlete’s mental toughness and performance. In addition, sports psychology can help athletes manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues that can affect their performance and quality of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, athlete performance is a complex interplay between genetics, training, nutrition, and psychology. While genetics can provide a blueprint for an athlete’s potential, it is not a guarantee of success. Effective training and nutrition programs can optimize an athlete’s physical and mental abilities, while mental skills training can enhance their mental toughness and well-being. Therefore, a holistic approach that considers all these factors is essential for athletes to reach their full potential in sports.
