The Role of a Strength and Conditioning Coach

Sousa, Telmo

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-10433-7_10

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Professional sports continue to evolve, and with an exponential increase in available funds, sports organizations are more commonly employing comprehensive multidisciplinary athlete support teams [ 1 ]. The responsibilities of these staff span across technical, medical, sport science, and physical training sectors [ 2 ]. One role that has become increasingly important, is the strength and conditioning (S&C) coach [ 3 – 4 ], who is interconnected with numerous aspects of athlete preparation [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: a systematic review

Weldon¹,

Duncan²,

Turner³

et al. 2022

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The practices of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches have been reported in various professional sports. This study aims to comprehensively assess this available evidence to help establish whether theoretical, practical, and evidence-based guidelines align with the practices employed by these experienced S&C coaches. Three databases were searched (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane) until November 2020. Studies surveying the practices of S&C coaches in professional sports using a survey design with common questions, written in English, and published in peer-reviewed journals were reviewed. Eight studies ( n = 318 S&C coaches) were finally included. All studies adapted a similar survey, providing a strong basis for comparison between sports. Periodization strategies were widely used (89%), with training volume consistently reduced during the in-season period. Olympic weightlifting was commonly used across sports, except in baseball (29%). Plyometric exercises were predominantly prescribed for speed development (74%) and lower body power (68%), which were mostly programed as complex training (45%) and conducted all year round (52%). Flexibility exercises were mostly performed before practice (83%) for 6–10 min (40%). Physical tests were mainly conducted during the preseason period (66%), with body composition (86%) being the most used test. S&C coaches generally adhered to current guidelines and research in S&C concerning training prescription and physical testing. Whereas, intersport differences were also noted and further discussed. Results of this study can be used by S&C coaches to plan, implement, and review their professional practices. Furthermore, may inform the development of general and sport-specific guidelines, and future research in S&C.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: a systematic review

Weldon¹,

Duncan²,

Turner³

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Strength and conditioning (S&C) is a key part of athletes' physiological preparation to improve physical ability and help prevent injuries. It is now expected that athletes ranging from college and university to the elite level receive S&C coaching (Sousa, 2019). The growing recognition of S&C's role in athletic development has increased the number of people seeking employment in the field (Bishop et al, 2019).…”

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confidence: 99%

“It’s Not Particularly P.C., You Know . . .”: Women Coaches’ Performing Gender in Strength and Conditioning

Thomas

Guinan

Molnár

2021

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal

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Strength and conditioning (S&C) has become a chief part of athletes’ physiological preparation. Despite S&C’s growing presence across sports, women coaches have been generally marginalized and underrepresented. This study explores female S&C coaches’ experiences and coping mechanisms in a male-dominated industry. Semi-structured interviews with 15 female S&C coaches were conducted. The main themes identified from interview data are organizational politics, impression management, and humor. The findings suggest that women S&C coaches are often in subservient positions and have to adopt some traditional, male-generated subcultural practices to fit in. They carefully manage their coaching front stage to generate an impression that is expected and accepted in the given milieu. In their efforts to fit in, women often find themselves in a multiplicity of power matrices that involve a continuous negotiation of gender identity, internal politics, and sexist banter.

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“…The role of a S&C coach in a team sport environment is multifaceted. The S&C coach expected to be capable of physically preparing athletes for the rigors of their sport, but they are also expected to have completed multiple years of formal education, held recognized certifications, and demonstrated a working knowledge of sport science technology (32). For S&C coaches working in ice hockey, this may include creating and implementing on-ice and off-ice testing protocols, increasing strength and power through resistance training methods, developing aerobic and anaerobic qualities, effectively managing acute and chronic stress, and assisting in the rehabilitation process for injured athletes (24,26).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contemporary Practices of Strength and Conditioning Coaches in High-Level Male Ice Hockey: A Survey-Based Investigation

Galati,

Turner,

Bishop

et al. 2023

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Galati, D, Turner, AN, Bishop, C, and Maloney, SJ. Contemporary practices of strength and conditioning coaches in high-level male ice hockey: a survey-based investigation. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2241–2250, 2023—The aim of this study was to provide an updated view of the common practices, ideologies, education level, and professional environment of strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches in elite male ice hockey. Nineteen S&C coaches from professional, semiprofessional, and top-tier collegiate hockey teams in North America completed an anonymous online survey. This was composed of 10 sections: (a) background information; (b) technology use, (c) testing and periodization, (d) strength and power, (e) flexibility/mobility, (f) speed, (g) plyometrics, (h) aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, (i) rehabilitation, and (j) challenges and areas of improvement. Fixed-response questions were analyzed through frequency analyses. Thematic analyses were used to identify common themes from open-response questions. Strength and conditioning coaches had an average of 8 (±6.5) years of experience when they accepted their current role. The majority held a master's degree and S&C certification. Muscular power, linear speed, and body composition were the most frequently tested qualities. Neuromuscular fatigue was the most important consideration during the season and least important consideration during the off-season. Training frequencies for all physical capacities were lower during the season compared with the off-season. All S&Cs had access to technology, with wearables, with force plates identified as the most used devices. This information may be used by S&C coaches to compare working practices with those used by their peers and inform them of the likely requirements and skill sets needed for job applications. Educational institutions may use this information to align teaching to current practice and to inform future research.

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The Role of a Strength and Conditioning Coach

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: a systematic review

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: a systematic review

“It’s Not Particularly P.C., You Know . . .”: Women Coaches’ Performing Gender in Strength and Conditioning

Contemporary Practices of Strength and Conditioning Coaches in High-Level Male Ice Hockey: A Survey-Based Investigation

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