Horizontal force production: This topic focusses on horizontal force production and kinetics and kinematics of the pelvis during sprinting. These performance elements separate average from good athletes and determine their movement efficiency and proneness to hamstring and adductor-related groin injuries. Horizontal force production and the explosive posterior pelvic tilt have been extensively studied during the last five years, clarifying their important role in performance and injury prevention. Horizontal force production is a key feature of acceleration performance and plays an important role in the prediction and prevention of hamstring injuries. The pelvis is an essential segment in the proximal-to-distal sequencing of high-speed movements, such as sprinting and soccer kicks. An explosive posterior tilt enables large joint forces at the hip and facilitates an efficient transfer of power and reduces the susceptibility to injury for the hamstrings and hip adductors, which are the most prevalent injuries in sports. This topic also contains an overview of the research on both performance components, the relevance in a sporting context and an overview of the most effective exercises from a biomechanical point of view. Both components also play an important role in the altered kinetics and kinematics following hip adductor and hamstring injuries. This explains to a great extent the recurrence rates of up to forty percent for both injuries. This topic focusses in line with this also on the prevention and effective rehab of hamstring injuries.
Periodization and program design: Failing to plan is planning to fail. This topic covers periodization and program design. The goal of this topic is to show the physical therapist and coach to plan in variation to maximally boost improvement and manage fatigue. Training efficiency is impossible to achieve without a good organization. All the different training parameters – choice of exercise, exercise order, number of sets, amount of reps per set, rest interval – can be modified to provide training variation. Periodization is the methodical planning and structuring of variation in training content, volume and intensity to optimize performance at predetermined time points. The critical aims of periodization in sports are fatigue management and to consistently maintain a high level of performance throughout the entire competitive season. This chapter encompasses different periodization models and their practical application during different phases of the sports season or phases of rehab. This topic also addresses the different variables involved in the design of a performance session. The effectiveness to achieve specific physiological adaptations to a strength training program depends on five training variables: intensity, number of sets, exercise choice, exercise order and rest interval. The manipulation of these variables reflects the goal of the strength training session and determines the neural, hypertrophic and hormonal response to the workout. This topic will provide a good understanding of these training variables is therefore essential to provide optimal training stimuli and control the training load.
Sport- and rehab-specific brain training: The higher the level of competition, the quicker the game and the more time pressure there is on the player to make an adequate action. The best players make quicker and better tactical decisions, remain technically sound under pressure and are more agile and move better. Just like with sports skills, fluid and explosive movement is also a matter of coordination. An athlete has to be powerful in a variety of motor patterns. Principles of motor learning need therefore also to be considered in performance training. Besides principles of motor learning this topic also broadens the scope to focus on an integrated training approach of motor, perceptual and cognitive skills. We address the interplay between body and mind to improve sport-specific brain function and maximize the transfer to sports. This topic also covers exercises to give you a better understanding on how to integrate sport-specific brain training into rehab and performance training.
Biomechanics from a muscle perspective: The main purpose of this topic is to explore the anatomy and function of some muscle groups, including the gluteal muscles, hamstrings, calf muscles and vastus medialis obliquus. These muscles play a crucial role in providing neuromuscular control of the lower extremity and altered activation patterns of these muscles are a contributing factor for various lower extremity injuries. Muscle strains are the most prevalent type of injury in sports, with the majority affecting the hamstring and calf muscles. There is also a high incidence of recurring strains, which are more serious than the original injury and require a longer absence from training and competition. In spite of the belief in sports medicine that especially muscle injuries are preventable, muscle strain injury and re-injury rates have not improved over the last 30 years. This topic focusses on the training interventions to address the risk factors and exercises that may help to restore proper activation patterns and intermuscular coordination to prevent injuries and enhance performance. This topic also emphasizes deceleration mechanics and it’s importance for the prevention of knee injuries. This topic will add some new insights and extend the scope on movement mechanics and efficiency.
Plyometrics, ballistics and sport-specific exercises: Plyometrics, also named stretch-shortening cycle training, enable the muscles to reach maximum force in the shortest possible time and are therefore widely used by athletes in various sports to improve power performance. All movements in sports involve repeated bouts of stretch-shortening cycles and require a high rate of force development. Plyometrics will therefore besides improve a wide range of overall athletic abilities such as sprinting and jumping also enhance sports-related activities such as endurance performance, kicking velocity and distance. Plyometrics also play an important role in increased joint stability and injury prevention through an improved preparatory and reactive neuromuscular control. This topic gives an overview of the mechanisms behind the performance improvement and discusses different plyometric and ballistic exercises.
2-Day Course | 14 Hours of In-Depth Training Experience a perfect blend of theory and practical application designed to elevate your expertise.
- Certificate of Completion
- Course Materials: Detailed syllabus and clipboard for easy note-taking.
- Refreshments: Coffee, water, and one sandwich per participant per day to keep you fueled.
