The highlight of working in the
Sports Performance industry is the constant growth in knowledge and development
and constant change in philosophies, practice, and application. During my
growth and experience in this industry I recognize that when it comes to
developing theory and philosophy, there is a line in the sand and you find
yourself on one side or the other; no in-between. Ancient myth suggests that the only way to be
fast was to find two fast people and procreate to breed a genetically superior
athlete. Though genetics help, as science progresses over the years we discover
that there are many contributing factors to the design of our athleticism;
hence, the birth of the Sports Performance Industry.
Now, with
the growth and development of Sports Performance and Theory, there are a
plethora of philosophies, certifications, endorsements, etc. Of this vast array
of certifications, I am only going to discuss the major accreditations. The way
I look at it, if you go to a Dentist or a Doctor, you are drawn to search the
walls to find the license of the expert and learn where he or she obtained that
license. (After all, you are about to get real personal with this person and
trust your health, among other things, in their hands). Therefore, I am only
going to discuss, in my opinion, the two most acceptable and endorsed
certifications in the Sports Performance Industry: The NSCA CSCS and the NASM
PES.
The National Strength and
Conditioning Association (NSCA) certifies that upon successful completion of
their test, it will provide professionals with the knowledge requirements and
application tools necessary to train athletes with the primary goal of
improving athletic performance. The NSCA conducts sport-specific testing
sessions; diagnose areas for improvement, design and implement safe and
effective strength training and conditioning programs with guidance regarding
nutrition and injury prevention. Recognizing that their area of expertise is
separate and distinct, the CSCS consul with and refer athletes to other
professionals when appropriate. Any individual with a bachelor’s degree (BS/BA)
or chiropractic medicine degree (granted by an accredited institution), with a
current CPR certification are eligible to challenge the exam.
The
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) offers a ‘Performance Enhancement
Specialist’ certification. Upon completing their certification test,
individuals can help athletes accomplish their sports performance goals, maximize
their potential, and reduce their risk of injury. These specialists will be
certified to design integrated sports performance programs that include
flexibility training, cardiorespiratory training, core training, balance
training, and sport specific conditioning.
My long
overdue point is this, which at the end of the day there is still a difference
between Strength and Conditioning and Sports Performance. The way I see it, a
Strength and Conditioning Coach has one job, which is to get their athletes
highly conditioned and as big, strong, and powerful as possible. The Sports
Performance Coach has a very different job. Though they do believe in the same
methodology, Sports Performance coaches encompass the qualifications to teach
movement and utilize a variety of different ways to train an athlete.
The philosophy is simple:
1.
Reduce the amount of time needed to apply the
required force into the ground by 0.005 seconds.
2.
Reduce the amount of time needed to recover the
limb through the required range of motion by 0.005 seconds.
Saving 0.005 seconds on the ground and 0.005 in the air
allows an athlete to save 0.01 seconds per stride. At this rate of reduction, a
typical 40-yard dash (approx. 20 strides) is reduced by 0.2 seconds. Likewise,
a typical 100-meter sprint (approx. 50 strides) is reduced by 0.5 seconds.
This site, though welcoming all, is dedicated to all the
Sports Performance Specialists out there who are not only getting their
athletes as strong and explosive as possible, but who are also TEACHING the
skill sets needed to be a more efficient mover, and reach their fullest
potential.
-Adam
