Developing a Strength and Conditioning Technical Framework: An Example From a Canoe Slalom National Performance Program

Abstract

Canoe slalom requires technical ability, well-developed energetics, a high level of maximum force production, and range of movement to perform a variety of complex paddle stokes, while maneuvering through a challenging whitewater course. The strength and conditioning (S&C) coach should provide strategic direction across a network or department including S&C coaches working toward identified outcomes and measures. S&C coaches should collaborate with a multidisciplinary support team (i.e., sport coaches, physiotherapists, physiologists, etc.) to develop a technical framework. The technical framework may allow for development of training strategies that provide a clear breakdown of the outcomes, adaptations, exercises, and testing methods. The current article articulates this process related to a canoe slalom national performance program.

Strategic Planning and Program Management of Strength and Conditioning Support Within Elite Sport: A Technical Systems-Driven Perspective

“…A needs analysis involves investigating the kinematic and kinetic demands of primary sporting movements, energy system demands, and understanding risk factors and mechanisms of occurrence for prevalent injuries (42) (Figure 2). Published literature may be an appropriate starting point for undertaking a needs analysis, alongside practitioner's knowledge of underpinning sciences (i.e., physiology, biomechanics, and functional anatomy) (42), which may be used to investigate and unlock insight into a sport. Other multidisciplinary team (MDT) members may also be a good source of knowledge and allow opportunities for integrated practice.…”

“…Other multidisciplinary team (MDT) members may also be a good source of knowledge and allow opportunities for integrated practice. For example, the sports coach will likely provide insight into the technical demands; the physiologist may have an in-depth understanding of the energetic requirements, whereas the physiotherapist may help to develop an understanding of mechanisms underpinning key injuries and provide injury surveillance data for the respective population (42). These avenues may all lead to the formation of the technical framework.…”

“…Whereas the latter refers to objectives that may indirectly impact performance, such as reducing the risk of injury occurrence, which is multifactorial, and development of a biomotor quality may be a solution to 1 of the many modifiable risk factors. The S&C objectives may be broken down into outcomes (i.e., identified biomotor qualities), targeted physiological adaptation, training applications, and testing and monitoring methods (42). By understanding the outcome and physiological adaptations required to achieve the respective outcome, the appropriate load, volume, and exercise selection may be chosen to create an adaptive response.…”

A philosophical approach to aligning strength and conditioning support to a coaches' performance model: A case study from a national rowing performance programme

“…It provides the S&C coach with an initial understanding of the rules and regulations, energy system, kinematic and kinetic demands of the sport and high-risk injury areas, which will be crucial, particularly when working with a new sport. 3 It is important to approach the process of aligning with a coach's performance model with an open mind that may involve drifting away from how optimal physical preparation may be viewed for the respective sport, solely through S&C coaches’ lens and what the literature provides. The multi-disciplinary team (MDT) may also be a good source of knowledge and provide valuable information that may have been obtained from the extensive experience of working within the sport.…”

Comparison of Aerobic and Muscular Power Between Junior/U23 Slalom and Sprint Paddlers: An Analysis of International Medalists and Non-medalists

“…Studies also suggest an inverse association between aerobic metabolism and race time for both (Borges et al, 2015;Ferrari et al, 2017). Thus, strength and conditioning coaches must plan strategies to improve aerobic fitness and muscle strength/power of paddlers (García-Pallarés and Izquierdo, 2011;Rawlley-Singh and King, 2020). Such development, however, should also consider Junior and U23 athletes.…”