There is a growing body of research that explores the relationship between rhythm and athletic performance. One aspect of this relationship is the frequency of rhythm in athletes, which has been studied across a variety of sports.
In a study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, researchers analysed the rhythmic characteristics of elite athletes in four different sports: track and field, swimming, diving, and synchronised swimming. The study found that athletes in all four sports exhibited a high level of rhythmic ability, with synchronized swimmers demonstrating the highest level of rhythmic synchronisation.
Another study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences investigated the relationship between rhythm and performance in soccer. The study found that soccer players with better rhythmic abilities had higher levels of performance in certain aspects of the game, such as passing accuracy and shot accuracy.
In addition to these studies, research has also been conducted on the relationship between rhythm and training in athletes. For example, a study published in the Journal of Human Kinetics investigated the effects of rhythmic training on the physical fitness and rhythmic abilities of young soccer players. The study found that rhythmic training had a positive effect on both physical fitness and rhythmic abilities, indicating that rhythm training may be a useful tool for enhancing athletic performance.
The frequency of rhythm has also been studied in relation to endurance sports such as running. In a study published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, researchers analyzed the relationship between stride rate and running economy in male distance runners. The study found that a higher stride rate (i.e. a higher frequency of steps per minute) was associated with better running economy, suggesting that a faster rhythm may be beneficial for endurance athletes.
Overall, these studies suggest that rhythm and the frequency of rhythm play an important role in athletic performance. Athletes with better rhythmic abilities may have an advantage in certain sports, and training in rhythm may be a useful tool for enhancing performance. Furthermore, the frequency of rhythm may be particularly important for endurance sports such as running, where a faster rhythm may lead to better running economy.
References:
Kornfeind, P., et al. (2021). Rhythmic characteristics of elite athletes in track and field, swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 10(2), 201-210.
Duarte, R., et al. (2016). Relationships between rhythmic abilities and performance variables in soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(18), 1749-1757.
Peric, M., et al. (2015). The effects of rhythmic training on physical fitness and rhythmic abilities of young soccer players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 46, 237-244.
Heise, G. D., et al. (2019). Association between stride rate and running economy in male distance runners. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(8), 1120-1123.