Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: A systematic review
Article
Weldon, A., Duncan, M., Turner, A., Lockie, R. and Loturco, I. 2022. Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: A systematic review. Biology of Sport. 39 (3), pp. 715-726. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.107480
Type | Article |
---|---|
Title | Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in professional sports: A systematic review |
Authors | Weldon, A., Duncan, M., Turner, A., Lockie, R. and Loturco, I. |
Abstract | 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. |
Keywords | Team Sports; Individual Sports; Strength Training; Physical Training; Performance Training; Coaching |
Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
Publisher | Termedia Publishing |
Journal | Biology of Sport |
ISSN | 0860-021X |
Electronic | 2083-1862 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 30 Aug 2021 |
Mar 2022 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 27 Sep 2023 |
Output status | Published |
Publisher's version | License |
Copyright Statement | Copyright: Institute of Sport. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license. |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.107480 |
Web of Science identifier | WOS:000840533500022 |
Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/q7675
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