Developing a Strength and Conditioning Technical Framework: An Example From a Canoe Slalom National Performance Program
Canoe slalom requires technical ability, well developed energetics, a high level of maximum force production, and range of movement to perform a variety of complex paddle stokes, while maneuvering through a challenging whitewater course. The strength and conditioning (S&C) coach should provide strategic direction across a network or department including S&C coaches working toward identified outcomes and measures. S&C coaches should collaborate with a multidisciplinary support team (i.e. sport coaches, physiotherapists, physiologists, etc. to develop a technical framework. The technical framework may allow for development of training strategies that provide a clear breakdown of the outcomes, adaptations, exercises, and testing methods. The current article articulates this process related to a canoe slalom national performance program. INTRODUCTION E ffective leadership of any strength and conditioning (S&C) program requires practitioners to demonstrate how the development of key biomotor qualities may be relevant for the respective sport, by providing an evidence based rationale. Furthermore, the S&C program should have defined objectives that are strategically aligned with the goals of the training program. This may be achieved through the development of a technical framework, whichmay assist in decision making in regard to programming by outlining the physiological demands of the sport and the biomotor qualities contributing toward improving sports performance. In order for a technical framework to be developed, S&C coaches must develop a thorough understanding of the sport. When starting work in a new sport, practitioners often are required to develop a program within a short period and without any previous knowledge of the sport, posing a potential challenge. Therefore, it is important to have a clear process for deconstructing sports performance. The aim of the current article is to elaborate a process that may be used to conduct an in depth needs analysis to establish potential physical determinants of performance and build a technical framework. This process requires S&C coaches to use their understanding of functional anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology, to establish its kinetic and kinematic demands. In addition, it investigates key injuries within a sport and associated risk factors. Because of the complexity of this task and the breadth of expertise required, it is important that practitioners work collaboratively and use the expertise of members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) (i.e. technical coaches, physiotherapists, physiologists, etc) to further their understanding of key areas and enhance the technical framework. Furthermore, collaboration with the MDT may also ensure that S&C program is strategically aligned with the goals of Address correspondence to Ishan RawlleySingh, ishanrawlley@hotmail.com.