Strength and Conditioning: Putting the Athlete first.

3 weeks ago I went to Houston for GAINV, a conference for Athletic Development Coaches, Strength and Conditioning coaches, Physical Education Teachers, Athletic Trainers, Physiotherapists, Track and Field Coaches and various other professions.

Run by Vern Gambetta, it was an intensive 5 days of learning in the classroom, on the track and in the gym. The theme was “Coaching” and it was a masterclass in how to organise an event and share information and ideas.

I shall be reflecting in more detail over the next few weeks, but some highlights included:

• Ed Thomas, PE historian, letting us all know how it had been done better 10 years ago.
• Bill Knowles: Rehabilitation of the knee, a systematic and dynamic approach.
• Frans Bosch: skill acquisition and co contraction exercises.
• Jim Radcliffe: Agility done well and with purpose.
• Dave Ellis: Nutrition that involves food, not equations or supplements.
• Dean Benton: Fitness testing, training management, recovery for Rugby Union

I can’t express enough the usefulness of mingling with such a variety of people who attended the conference. All were willing to share and exchange ideas.

There was so much information, that I have to really reflect hard and thoroughly.

It has taken me a year to implement what I learnt on GAIN 2011