The benefits of strength and conditioning training

from Workout April 2023

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INCORPORATING strength and conditioning into a comprehensive training plan is an opportunity to lay a solid athletic foundation which can raise athletic potential, as well as improve quality and range of movements in young athletes.

Rob Nitman and Matt Dickens, programming and coaching directors at Ascend Performance, recently sat down with Alistair Rosier, head of sales and marketing for Absolute Performance, to discuss the importance and benefits of strength and conditioning training in schools and other youth sports organisations.

Developing core motor patterns

When schools introduce strength and conditioning into their training programme using qualified coaches, it teaches young athletes how to move well and train properly, helping to build good training habits and improve young athletes’ coordination.

It can also help develop motor patterns when they train and participate in sports in the future, and reduce the risk of injury.

Rob said: “A professional programme will provide a structured and progressive method for making physical improvements that translate into improved performance in sports.”

Matt added: “[coaches] consider growth patterns in young athletes, because their coordination, stability and tolerance to training will change as they grow, so paying close attention to this will ensure the correct adjustment to their training load.”

Boosting motivation and resilience

It’s been proven that the benefits to young athletes adding strength and

Contractor appointed to finish work at Berwick Leisure Centre

A NEW contractor has been appointed to complete the external works to Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre after the existing contractor Tolent Construction went into administration in February.

Northumberland based contractor Premier Plant and Civil Engineering Limited have been appointed as principal contractor to complete the project and recently started on site. They will complete the remaining work which includes the construction of a new car park, a playpark and landscaping.

The new leisure centre building was already complete and had been operational for a year. The demolition of the old Swan Centre was also complete. Northumberland county councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for healthy lives, said: “Advance Northumberland have been managing the build on behalf of the council and have been working with the administrators, the current subcontractors and professional advisors to appoint a new contractor as quickly as possible.

Gym Equipment

“It is great that the project is being re-started so quickly and that customers can soon enjoy the additional car parking.“ conditioning into their training will improve their motivation and boost athletic resilience, making children more likely to perform well when it counts.

Works are expected to be fully complete by August,with the first additional car parking spaces available for use by early July.

When completed the car park will provide 171 spaces and 14 electric vehicle charging points.

Sports such as rugby, football and netball seem to be the most likely to incorporate strength and conditioning, but all sports and athletes could benefit from this type of training.

Rob added: “Improvements will be seen in movement quality and physical capabilities.”

Recommendations from Ascend Performance

To get started with adding strength and conditioning exercises, Rob and Matt, both of whom are UKSCA accredited, recommend equipment including dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, resistance bands, sleds, barbells, and plates.

As they explain: “This equipment is highly versatile, so they’re ideal to begin with as they will teach simple movements, control, and body mechanics that they will use for the rest of their lives.”

Using the right professional strength and conditioning equipment means that young athletes will be able to train in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Through this, they will learn above all, how important technique is, and when to add weight to avoid injury.

Absolute Performance are leaders in the design, installation and equipping of high-performance strength and conditioning facilities.

Alistair added: “We have years of experience in creating strength and conditioning spaces for the education sector, we see it as a core component of a young athlete’s development.”

To find out more visit aperformance.co.uk

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