Billiards (pool) Fitness Training

Billiards (pool) Description

Billiards, commonly referred to as pool, is a relaxing, enjoyable activity in which participants use a cue stick to carom balls off of a cue ball and into the pockets on a pool table. Billiards can be played by almost anyone; virtually no fitness requirements are necessary to play a good game of pool. Hand-eye coordination, dexterity, skill, and understanding of angle manipulation are important for advanced play.

Billiards (pool) Risks

• Scraped hands from splintered stick
• Blisters on fingers or hand
• Bruises/contusions from rebounding wild shots (rare)

Billiards (pool) Sport-specific applications

• Pool and billiard tournaments are held on local, regional, national and international levels

Billiards (pool) Equipment required

• Pool or billiards table: should be regulation if you are practicing for competition
• Stick/cue: should be smooth and balanced
• Balls

Billiards (pool) Applicable substitutions

• Shuffleboard
• Fishing
• Golf (using a power cart)
• Other low intensity, recreational activities that use the upper body muscles

Billiards (pool) Reference sources, organizations and publications

• Billiard Congress of America (BCA): 1700 South 1st Ave., Eastdale Plaza, Suite 25A, Iowa City, IA 52240, (319) 351­2112

Mode

Recreational

Fitness Benefits

• Cardiorespiratory 0
• Flexibility 0
• Muscular Strength 0
• Muscular Endurance 0
• Body Fat Recution 0

Fitness Requirements

• Cardiorespiratory 0
• Flexibility 1
• Muscular Strength 0
• Muscular Endurance 0
• Coordination/Skill 3

Muscle groups used

Primary muscles: triceps, shoulders and forearmsAssistance muscles: biceps, lower back, chest, abdominals and obliques

Energy expenditure

Approximately 0.019 Calories per minute per pound of body weight