ABOUT SPORTS PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT

Whether you are a beginner in sports or a seasoned athlete, there are several phases of Sports Performance Enhancement Training that can be integrated and implemented in to a training session.  And no matter the athlete’s skill level, there are variables such as muscle imbalances, muscle compensations, pattern overload and current or past injuries that could greatly hinder their fullest potential.

A systematic approach is taken to progress the athlete in a safe and productive manner to build and improve stabilization, flexibility, balance, strength, speed, agility, quickness and power.

I work with my athletes to teach them how to activate and recruit the proper muscles for the actions needed, for their specific sport.

SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON EACH PHASE OF TRAINING

FLEXIBILITY & BALANCE TRAINING

Many times, athletes can only run, jump or perform pretty much any action in their sports, as fast (or slow) as their flexibility and balance will allow.

Balance Training helps the athlete to develop the ability to recruit the correct muscles, to work at the right time, with the right amount of force for the desired outcome.

The main objective of Balance Training is to continually increase the athlete’s awareness of their balance threshold, or limits of stability, by creating controlled INstability in their sessions.

In addition, we all have muscle imbalances. Some muscles are under-active and weaker (See Strength Training). And some muscles are overactive and tight. These overactive muscles – if not stretched properly and consistently – can lead to movement compensations, which can lead to injury or hindered performance.

STRENGTH TRAINING

Developing strength in the muscles helps the athlete to produce optimal force and speed in their sport. Because muscle operates under the control of the central nervous system, Strength Training needs to be thought of as a result of activating the neuromuscular (brain/body) system . In other words, if a muscle is underactive – it must first be taught to be activated in order to strengthen it.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE – STRENGTH

From the ages of 11-13, strength training is solely based on the athlete’s own body weight. At this age, there are still many changes happening in the body such as continuing development of growth plates. A young athlete – using their own body to build strength – learns to develop the mind/body connection to functional movements.

HIGH SCHOOL AGE – STRENGTH

At this age, it is perfectly acceptable to introduce external resistance and weight to athletes – such as dumbbells, medicine balls, and resistance bands. But there must still be a systematic approach to safely progress the athlete in weight load and intensity.

SPEED / AGILITY & QUICKNESS TRAINING

Speed/Agility and Quickness Training, is the ability to change speed, the direction of movement, and appropriately react to all given stimuli. And can often mean the difference between injury and safety, and success or just missing the mark.

Many sports require multi-directional movement (going forward, backward, sideways, or diagonal). Breaking down sport-specific movements and once again – forming the brain/body connection for the desired outcome, is key. This form of training also builds strength in the muscles that are needed to successfully execute actions in your athlete’s sport.