Why Monitor? Training is a process – Can we better understand this process? – Can we better direct this process? Coaching is a tremendous responsibility

 Ideally, there is very close interplay between the planning process and its subsequent execution 1.  The quantification of training is a necessary step in understanding training outcomes.  This requires detailed planning as well periodic performance testing as well as daily monitoring  A monitoring system provides feedback affording the ability to make proper training adjustments Olbrecht, Medvedyev, 1986

When Should We Measure Performance Related Variables?  Bannister and Wenger (1982) suggest that athlete testing should be implemented “regardless of the immediacy of a real competition.”

Attempting to be Comprehensive  Dictionary definition of comprehensive - covering completely or broadly; inclusive  Is it possible to be comprehensive?

What Should We Monitor? A lot of considerations – Time – Money – Experience / knowledge – Help

The Training Prescription  May be the most important thing you do as a coach  What guides your prescription?  What do you expect to happen?  Randomness is not a good thing

Long-Term Phase Potentiation  Implemented correctly, phases of training facilitate each other resulting in further development of specific neuromuscular characteristics that lead to improved performance  The physiological adaptations developed in one phase of training serve as a basis for further adaptation in subsequent phases of training  Obviates problems with “mixed training”  Allows one to direct adaptations in a purposeful and meaningful manner

THE BASICS – ANTHROPOMETRICS AND TRAINING Anthropometrics, Volume Load, Training Intensity

The Basics Anthropometrics Height Body Mass Body Fat % Lean Body Mass Hydration Status Limb Lengths Training Variables Volume Load/Workloads Training Intensity Weightlifting Totals RM Values

A Monitoring Example *Note: Three of the four subjects were national level *Note: RT Age = resistance training age (years of general weight training). WL Age = weightlifting age (years training / competing specifically as a weightlifter)

Kg-m B2 - Taper Underlying mechanisms WL measures Most Important WL measures WL measures Important WL measures

PERFORMANCE – FORCE AND POWER 1RMs, Iso Mid-Thigh Pull, Static Vertical Jump, Countermovement Jump

Performance Testing Max Strength and Force 1RM Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull – Peak Force – Instantaneous 50 ms, 90 ms, & 250 ms – Rate of Force Development – PF Normalized to BM – PF Allometrically Scaled Power Static and Countermovement Vertical Jump – Height – Peak Velocity – Peak Power – Net Impulse – PP – PP

 While RFD derived from the IMTP may be a useful monitoring metric, not all coaches have access to a force plate  A jump mat which provides rapid feedback for jump height is much cheaper and requires less technical abilities. Based on the loads used for the static jumps it appears that 20kg produces a better picture of the accumulated fatigue compared to 11kg and 0kg Practical Considerations: Monitoring

Self-Report & Questionnaires Common questionnaires include REST-Q 52 & 76, POMS and TQR. Some are quite lengthy. More important to ask questions that are simple, relevant, and can be easily implemented/analyzed