The importance of sprinting in many sports has resulted in the search for the most appropriate training methods to improve sprint performance. Authors of recent reviews conclude that resistance training is an effective means to improve sprint performance. Others, however, have reported that resistance training is not as effective as simply engaging in sprint training.
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Plyometric training is a series of explosive bodyweight resistance exercises using the stretch-shortening cycle of the muscle fiber to enhance physical capacities, such as speed, strength, and power. These physiological measures translate to improved performance in many sports, including court-based sports, field sports, and water sports.
A review of the literature concludes that a strength training program including low-intensity to high-intensity resistance exercises and plyometric exercises performed 2 – 3 times per week for 8 – 12 weeks is an appropriate strategy to improve running economy in highly trained middle- and long-distance runners.
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Women are at greater risk for body dissatisfaction and disordered eating than men with the goal of achieving top sport performance and physical condition. It is important to provide proper referrals for female athletes requiring nutritional guidance to improve their body composition or with a need to lose weight.
This study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research compared the muscle activation level of the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and erector spinae in the hip thrust, barbell deadlift, and hex bar deadlift; each of which are compound resisted hip-extension exercises.
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There is a sound theoretical rationale supporting a potential role for muscle damages in the hypertrophic response, but a cause-effect relationship directly linking these gains to muscle damage is yet to be established. If such a relationship does in fact exist, it is not clear as to what extent of damage is optimal for inducing maximum muscle growth.
Weightlifting movements and their derivatives can be programmed effectively by considering their force–velocity characteristics and physiological underpinnings to meet the specific training goals of resistance training phases in accordance with the typical application of periodized training programs.
The purpose of this article is to strongly suggest and offer a pragmatic and stepwise approach that takes into account the ideas and concepts of shared decision making that allows for the “best practices,” pre-participation screenings, evaluations, and stratification flow charts for safe and effective return to play for athletes.
This article describes the long-term athletic development programming pillars and suggests practical applications for strength and conditioning practitioners.
NSCA Coach 11.3 is an exercise research article providing strength coaches, considerations to design effective sports performance programs for collegiate soccer.
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