Essay on Volleyball Barriers: Personal and Interpersonal Factors

This essay examines the personal and interpersonal barriers that hindered the student's participation and performance in volleyball, using Figueroa and An's (2017) framework. The student reflects on how relationships with family, peers, coaches, and societal pressures, along with individual factors like physical and mental health, impacted their progress. The essay details how negative experiences, such as poor balance, bullying, and stereotypes, affected their self-esteem and confidence. The student outlines strategies to overcome these barriers, including regular exercise, meditation, and fostering a supportive team environment. The essay highlights the importance of self-belief and proactive measures to achieve success in volleyball, demonstrating an understanding of the psychological and social aspects of sports performance. The essay concludes by emphasizing the student's commitment to overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals in the sport.

Running head: VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1
VOLLEYBALL
Professor Peter Figuero has developed an important tool that helps in investigating the
different issues that mainly remains based on the equity, access and equality in sports. This has
been constructed over five levels that are cultural, structural, institutional, interpersonal and
individual (Figueroa & An, 2017). Each of the levels of the framework is seen to be connected
with each other that in turn help in assessing the physical activities of individuals. The main
purpose of the essay is to discuss mainly two important levels of the framework (interpersonal
and individual) that had created significant barriers for my participation in the volleyball game. I
will mainly conduct an evaluation about how these levels had affected my performance in the
long run and the initiatives that I will take to overcome the barriers in the game of volleyball.
One of the levels is the interpersonal level. This level is mainly seen to affect my
behavior, my personal progress as well as my access to effective participation in the game
(Mezzadri et al., 2017). This level will help to discuss how my relationships with my parents,
peers, sport models, coaches and siblings had been influencing in my career and the sporting
opportunities I had in volleyball. My families role is highly impacting as they are the agents who
are directly associated with my attitudes, behaviors, access and participation. They provide
resources like money, time, enthusiasm, courage and people skills that are very important for an
individual like me who is progressing with volleyball game opportunity. I often used to fall on
the ground while practicing as I had a poor balance and hurt myself several times. This made me
bed-ridden for several days for which I had to miss volleyball classes in schools. I used to be
weak initially and feared to lead the team. My coach used to treat me badly as I performed
poorly and had no enthusiasm. My other teammates used to make fun of me when I used to fall
while playing. This affected me mentally and emotionally resulting in poor self-esteem and lack
of confidence. This delayed my entire sports career. Moreover, several stereotypes had affected

2
VOLLEYBALL
me when I came to hear that such sports have no future by my friends who were not engaged
with sports. At one time, I had succumbed to the societal pressures and got depressed and
anxious. These societal pressures were acting as barriers. All these had cumulative effect on me
both physically and mentally and I felt like leaving this obsession finally.
Another level that I would discuss is the individual aspects that had affected my progress
in volleyball. I cannot take up much stress at a time. Volleyball required me to practice the game
in open sun that harmed my skin as well. As my immunity system was weak, I often used to fall
sick and suffered from severe back pain, pain in limbs and arms and many others. Moreover, my
skin was sensitive and so I developed skin problems. All these made me lose my enthusiasm on
the game. My physical and mental weakness acted as barriers in my volleyball game.
Researchers have stated that athletes should have zeal and enthusiasm to overcome all
barriers that come in the way (Barron et al., 2018). I will not be blown away by the stereotypes
of my friends and will stick to my aim. In order to develop my physical stamina, I will regularly
exercise and will join a gymnasium after I get attain financial stability. Regular exercises
increase physical stamina (Pedersen & Saltin, 2015). Moreover, I will also undertake meditation
and yoga sessions. These help individuals to overcome their anxious nature and will help them to
calm down mentally (Saini & Lahange, 2017). It will increase my concentration that will have
better effect on my game. I have understood that self-esteem and self-confidence are the only
ways that would help me overcome all the barriers. Therefore, I will try to be confident in the
decisions I take and will handle all my life problems successfully. I will not let pressure destroy
my zeal and will overcome all barriers not by escaping from them but facing them with strength
and vigor. Moreover, I will try my best to develop a team with my coach that will promote equity
among team members irrespective of skills, gender, race and others. This will prevent any

3
VOLLEYBALL
individuals from being bullied by others unlike the situations I faced. All these will increase my
self-esteem and my performance will develop.
Therefore, the framework had helped me two analyze two important levels and how it
had helped me in shaping as a sports person. I will try my best to dedicate myself fully so that I
can achieve success in my life.
References:

4
VOLLEYBALL
Barron, D.M., Alvarez, C.C., Kulkarni, S. & Ratajczak, J., Nestec SA, (2018). Compound use in
promoting energy expenditure. U.S. Patent Application 15/554,855.
Figueroa, R., & An, R. (2017). Motor skill competence and physical activity in preschoolers: a
review. Maternal and child health journal, 21(1), 136-146.
Mezzadri, F. M., e Silva, M. M., & Figuerôa, K. M. (2015). Development of a method for
research in sports policy in Brazil&58; an approach to method of mixed
research. Motrivivência, 27(44), 49-63.
Pedersen, B. K., & Saltin, B. (2015). Exercise as medicine–evidence for prescribing exercise as
therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in
sports, 25(S3), 1-72.
Saini, K. B., & Lahange, S. M. (2017). Critical Review Study On Contribution Of Yoga In
Sports. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research, 5(6).