Understanding Sports Conditioning Training

There are several things that athletes must understand about sports conditioning training. Proper conditioning for athletes is one of the debated topics in sports, and for good reason. This is simply because every athletic training professional has their own unique opinion about the most effective ways to proper condition an athlete for their specific sport.

For sports conditioning, you must understand four unique questions.

1. What energy system does your sport require?
2. Does your sport require more linear or non-linear movements?
3. Is your sport explosive or repetitive?
4. What?s your training schedule?

By answering these four questions, athletes can sufficiently develop a sports conditioning training regime.

Energy Systems

Understanding the two energy systems is essential for every athlete. There are two systems utilized during training, practice, and in games. Anaerobic conditioning is any movement or exercise that last for less than two minutes.

These exercises are usually designed to build explosion or speed, increase lean muscle, decrease fat, and increase conditioning levels because most anaerobic routines are high intensity.

Examples: plyometrics, sprinting, weightlifting

Sports Examples: pitching, sprinting, hitting, rebounding, scoring a touchdown

Aerobic conditioning is the exact opposite. It is any exercise lasting more than two minutes, and is typically at one speed or a long period of time. These exercises will reduce fat levels, but can also reduce muscle mass if overused. Aerobic conditioning strengthens the slow twitch fibers.

Examples: long distance running, swimming, cycling

Sports Examples: cross-country, triathlons

Linear v. Non-linear

Understanding whether your sport is linear or non-linear can determine which method of conditioning training would be most appropriate for you. Linear is any movement in a straight line, while non-linear is a movement requiring change of direction.

Most sports are non-linear, and it?s important your conditioning techniques involve high levels of non-linear movements. Linear training such as sprints or hill sprints is essential, but non-linear sports to work on developing better change of direction.

Linear sports like cross-country or sprinting can typically rely more on the linear approach, but non-linear conditioning can be useful for these athletes.

Is your sport explosive?

It?s pretty easy to figure out whether or not your sport is explosive. If at any point, you need to accelerate into motion or change direction, then your sport is explosive. If so, your conditioning training should be designed to increase this explosion and anaerobic ability. Football players shouldn?t be running long distance.

Training Year-Round

To achieve high conditioning levels, athletes must train year-round. In many instances, athletes are maintaining their gains during the season, and increasing their conditioning capacity during the off-season.

Sports conditioning training is complex and is completely dependent on the sport. By understanding the concepts that I listed, you will be able to develop your own routine that is specific to the nature of your sport.

Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/recreation-and-sports/understanding-sports-conditioning-training

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