Strength and Conditioning
Strength is the use of resistance i.e. free weights, own
body weights, etc., to increase one’s ability to exert
or resist force.
Conditioning is a process in which stimuli are created by
an exercise program performed by the athlete to produce a
higher level of function. The goal of conditioning is to optimize
the performance of the athlete and minimize the risk of injury
and illness.
Injury and Illness Prevention
Strength and Conditioning may decrease injury and
illness by influencing sport-specific risk parameters (e.g.,
acclimatization, site-specific flexibility, strength, balance,
force production of muscle).
Components of a sport-specific conditioning
program:
An individualized preconditioning evaluation to determine
a fitness profile for the purpose of entering a conditioning
program. This includes both a general and a sport-specific
athletic fitness evaluation. A periodized protocol for the
individual athlete that addresses the unique demands of that
sport. An evaluation process to determine efficacy of the
strength and conditioning program.
Conditioning Modifications
In certain populations, conditioning programs may
need to be modified to optimize performance and minimize the
risk of injury.
Youth:
Physiological and biomechanical capabilities in young athletes
are different from those of adults. Conditioning injuries
in this population include physeal, apophyseal, joint injury,
overload tendinitis and unique susceptibility to environmental
stressors.
Strength training programs are important for the young athlete.
Strength gains in this population will be due to increases
in recruitment and synchronization of muscle activation patterns.
Strength training modifications for youth focus on proper
supervision, and lower intensity and volume, particularly
during periods of rapid growth. As the athlete matures, gains
in muscle mass will play a more significant role in strength
increases.
Flexibility is traditionally included as a component of conditioning
for youth; however, its benefit is unclear in this population.
Aerobic gains in this population are obtainable but young
athletes do not respond so effectively as adults.
Female Athletes:
There are gender-related differences in muscle performance,
particularly in the upper body. However, female athletes can
obtain strength gains and aerobic gains in the same proportion
as male athletes in a comparable training program. All female
athletes should participate in a total body conditioning program.
The lower extremity and shoulder are frequent areas of injury
in the female athlete. Strength deficits in these areas are
more closely associated with injury in females than in males.
In the female athletes’ total body resistance conditioning
program, the upper body should always be emphasized. In addition,
the female athlete at risk of unique sport-related injuries
(e.g. anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ankle sprains) should
participate in specific resistance conditioning programs.
Proper conditioning programs to decrease ACL injuries particularly
demonstrate these principles.
Multi-sport Athletes:
With overlapping seasons, multi-sport athletes have unique
conditioning challenges. Multi-sport athletes need to maintain
their general athletic fitness base and focus their sport-specific
conditioning toward their current sport. There is a distinct
need for recovery between seasons; therefore, including an
active recovery phase into the athletic participation and
conditioning cycle is of particular importance to multi-sport
athletes. Conditioning injuries may occur when an athlete
tries to prepare simultaneously for two different sports.
Athletes who are Physically Challenged:
Athletes who are physically challenged benefit from a conditioning
program. Their program should be modified depending on the
specific type of impairment and associated disability. Medical
conditions in this population such as temperature regulation,
skin problems, cardiovascular function, and entrapment neuropathies
can affect or be affected by the conditioning process. A conditioning
program for this population must also accommodate such unique
concerns as access and equipment.
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