the s cientiFic AppR oAch to youth Ath Lete sAFety

Playing sports often exposes athletes to the unfortunate circumstance of performance injuries. Athletic Republic helps youth athletes to better prepare themselves and often prevent these injuries by providing them the tools to get stronger and train smarter. The brand’s “secret sauce” is its state-of-theart sports-training facilities backed by evidence-based protocols and perfected with specialized equipment, that unlocks the potential of any athlete, helping them perform at their best.

Dale Huff, an NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist turned Athletic Republic franchisee, shares his thoughts on the ever-relevant topic of youth athlete safety and how Athletic Republic has designed its programs around these concerns for the betterment of its athletes.

Before becoming an Athletic Republic franchisee, Huff completed his undergraduate training at Missouri State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics & Exercise Science. During that time, Huff interned at Hammonds’ Heart Institute where he worked with a traveling wellness team and gained knowledge of exercise testing. He earned the title of Registered Dietitian by completing a comprehensive internship at St. Louis University and passing the registration exam in October 1994. While working at St. Louis University Health Sciences Center as a Registered Dietitian, he learned further refinement of nutritional counseling skills and dietetics.

Huff opened his Athletic Republic of St. Louis location in 2005 and has loved every minute since. “Being able to work with all athletes to help perfect their craft while encouraging their desire for success is what brings me joy in life,” said Huff. Unfortunately, with success comes setbacks, and he has seen firsthand the importance of athlete safety in youth sports and is outspoken that it’s an issue that deserves more attention than it currently receives.

The reality is that youth sports are becoming more and more competitive, and athletes are specializing younger and younger, and with that comes an increased risk of injury. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 30 million children and adolescents participate in organized sports in the United States, and about 3.5 million injuries occur each year. It is a staggering number, and it is one that needs to be addressed.

One of the biggest challenges in youth sports is that many young athletes are not properly prepared for the physical demands of their sport. They may have the desire and drive to succeed, but they lack the proper training and conditioning to do so safely. This is where Dale Huff and Athletic Republic come in. The franchise’s training programs are specifically designed to improve the physical preparedness of youth athletes, teaching the correct form, reducing the risk of injury, and helping them to recover more quickly if an injury does occur.

Athletic Republic’s training focuses on five key areas: speed, power, agility, strength, and stability. By improving these areas, the brand can help young athletes become more explosive, more agile, and more resilient. This not only helps them perform better on the field but also makes them less susceptible to injury.

One of the key components of Athletic Republic’s training is its use of sportspecific exercises and drills. The brand understands that different sports place unique demands on the body, and its training reflects that. For example, a baseball player needs to be able to generate power from their lower body to hit a home run, while a soccer player needs to be able to change direction quickly to avoid defenders. By focusing on the specific movements and skills required for each sport, Athletic Republic is able to provide athletes with a more tailored and effective training experience and return them to their coaches as better well-rounded athletes. Another important aspect is Athletic Republic’s use of technology. The franchise uses a variety of tools and devices, such as high-speed running treadmill cameras (ARVision) and force plates (3PQ), to help them better understand exactly how an athlete’s body is moving and how much force they are generating. This allows them to identify any areas of weakness or imbalances that may be contributing to an increased risk of injury. Once they have identified these areas, they can formulate an individualized training protocol-plan, and can work with the athlete to correct them and improve their overall performance.

In addition to its training programs, Athletic Republic offers injury prevention and recovery services. These services include things like injury assessments, rehabilitation exercises, and massages. By providing these services, they are able to help athletes recover quicker from injuries and get back to their sport as soon as possible.

The future of athlete safety in youth sports is one that Huff and Athletic Republic are optimistic about. As more and more people become aware of the importance of proper training and conditioning, the brand believes they will see a reduction in the number of injuries that occur. Athletic Republic is dedicated to providing ALL athletes with the training and support they need to perform at their best and stay safe on the field of play. Huff is proud to be a part of this organization, and he looks forward to continuing to serve the youth sports community in St. Louis and beyond.