As it gets colder, the energy and motivation around school sports tends to drop. Winter doesn’t just change how games look, it changes how players perform.
Cold weather might seem like just an inconvenience, but exercising in the cold pushes your body to work harder than usual.
“Your body will fatigue faster in the cold weather without adequate fuel,” said Julie Carpenter, a licensed athletic trainer at the Froedtert & MCW Sports Medicine Center. “The cold slows down all of your body’s chemical processes, including your nervous system’s ability to generate a muscle contraction.”
The challenge isn’t only physical. The mental side of playing through bad weather can be just as difficult. Motivation starts to slip when practices occur less indoors, or in early evenings. These things can make it challenging to stay consistent, but those who push through end up proving to themselves what they’re capable of.
In some ways, winter becomes a test. Those who stay consistent and practice instead of taking a break are the ones who come back stronger in the spring. The conditions might not be ideal, but that’s what makes the effort stand out.
Winter’s effect in sports doesn’t always show up as a key factor in highlight reels. Sometimes, it’s just something you learn yourself. And it really can be difficult to overcome.
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