Strength and Conditioning By Mike Dowd

Goal: To properly assess athletes before prescribing a training/nutrition program. Especially for athletes who are coming off an injury.

Importance of Proper Assessment Without proper assessment you won’t know how conditioned the athlete is; leading to a program that may not be at the correct intensity for individual Athletes returning from possible injuries, without a proper assessment, could lead to further injury

Biodex Balance System SD Balance and stability are key components to any sport. This system can help assess an athletes overall balance. Especially important for athletes coming off knee or ankle injury. Price: $12,500 (call number on website to order)

Biodex Balance System SD (cont.) Bases assessment scores on age, gender, and possible injury Can also be used as a training machine for strength programs. ▫Has up to 12 levels for of platform control and static force setting for clients to complete

Concussion Management software “Objective balance assessment is recognized as part of 'best practice' for concussion assessment and management.” – Zurich Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sports This software can help monitor the signs and symptoms of a concussion Knowing how far the athlete is in recovery of a concussion determines the intensity you can place that athlete in the strength program

Concussion Management software (cont.) This software can be placed in the Biodex Balance System SD Price: $250 (call number on website to order)

Polar H7 Strap with Polar Beat app. This heart monitor measures heart rate during exercise Helps assess the athletes cardiovascular training level Results go to training app through Bluetooth ▫Compatible with Iphone/Ipad/Ipod Price ▫H7 Strap: On polarusa.com- $79.95  On Amazon- $68.00 ▫App: download for free from any of those devices

Smart Coaching upgrade app Assesses athletes in all areas of fitness: ▫Determines optimal recovery time between sets ▫Shows how athletes progress with fitness throughout strength program ▫Bodyage  Assesses athletes “body age” based on fitness levels ▫Shows calories being burned Price: $3.99 (app store on personal device)

My Coach Center Nutrition for a strength program is just as important as the exercise part is Allows athletes to keep a food log of diet during training Allows athletes to also track exercise sessions Shows athletes the vitamins, nutrients, and target calorie intake for each day

My Coach Center (cont.) Shows food percentages of daily intake in food groups Shows athletes daily food limits ▫Saturated fat limits ▫Oils limits ▫Sodium limits ▫Empty calories limit Price: FREE (go to and create profile)

Conclusion Total cost for all 5 items: $12, Although the balance item was expensive, you only need to buy one and not multiple for all athletes Assessing athletes is greatly important for any strength program Without proper assessment you can’t know if the program is working or if it is safe for that specific person These devices do a perfect job of assessing and monitoring athletes for nutrition/strength program