Final answer:
Weightlifting is commonly used by athletes to enhance functional power in their sports due to its role as an anaerobic exercise that increases muscle strength, essential for intense, short-duration activities (1).
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the options given, weightlifting is often used by athletes to enhance functional power in their sports. Weightlifting is considered an anaerobic exercise, which is beneficial for increasing muscle strength and is essential for sports that require short bursts of intense activity. This contrasts with aerobic exercises like running and swimming, which primarily improve cardiovascular health and muscular endurance, or flexibility exercises like yoga, which improve the range of motion and can help prevent injuries.
Furthermore, the development of a suitable body composition, especially for athletes in power sports such as weightlifting or football, often involves increased energy intake and protein consumption to build muscle mass. The importance of starting postures is also critical for sports like swimming, where a good start can significantly impact performance in races. Athletes work to reduce drag forces, as seen with swimmers and bicyclists who wear specialized body suits to enhance their efficiency during competition.