The ability to jump requires not just strength but power, which is a combination of speed and strength. To lift your body weight into the air, your muscles must contract quickly and forcefully. Athletes spend many hours training to increase the height of their vertical jump.

Michael Phelps retired from competition in 2012 as the most successful Olympic athlete to date. Phelps won 22 Olympic medals, including 18 gold medals, according to USA Swimming.

Playing sports at any level of competition, from pickup games in your backyard to collegiate and professional levels, provides many benefits. From improving cardiovascular health to improving your feelings of self-esteem, sports can impact your life in significant ways.

Several conditions, including liver problems, systemic infection and cancer, can cause an enlarged spleen, but the most common cause of an enlarged spleen is the virus mononucleosis, according to the textbook "Biology: Life on Earth With Physiology."

Whether you've struggled with arthritis or are recovering from an injury, knee problems mean you'll have to eliminate a number of sports, like those that require running or jumping, from your life. You don't have to sit on the bench when you have problem knees, however.

The safest sports to play are those with the lowest injury rates. While almost any activity can pose some injury risk -- even if it’s just a pulled muscle or wear-and-tear to a joint -- non-contact sports generally are the safest ones.

Becoming a professional athlete might be a dream for some sports enthusiasts and athletes, but it’s not always the best bet. Intense competition, a life on the road and grueling practice might take some of the fun out of enjoying a sport from an amateur standpoint.

Sports-related dental injuries affect all ages and all sports. Colliding with another player or the ground often causes broken teeth, lacerated tissues and teeth getting dislodged partially or completely. Teenagers may need to have wisdom teeth extracted.

Student athletes should be relieved to learn that, according to researchers at the Brown Center on Education Policy, a commitment to school sports does not have to translate into compromised academic performance.

Playing sports provides important benefits for young and old alike, ranging from improvement in fitness and health to development of team spirit and feelings of accomplishment. Find a sport that you love and you'll stick with it while at the same time learning some essential life lessons and reaping positive rewards.

Besides obvious examples, such as race horse jockeys, the height of an athlete doesn't necessarily limit anyone's ability to participate in a particular sport. What height does impact, however, is your ability to play certain positions.

Playing sports provides participants with opportunities to develop skills in communication and team building, according to Keith Zullig, a public health researcher. These skills enable people to function effectively as leaders, as well.