Training to the test

Be careful what you fitness test

I bumped into a squash coach yesterday, with whom I had previously worked over a period of 5 years. He was telling me about his new coaching course that involved “S&C”.

That involved getting his players VO2 max tested on a graded exercise running treadmill test. He then designed different levels of running including “E1, E2 and aerobic sessions” to get them fitter.

This is coupled with resistance training sessions where the players are focussing on lifting more on the back squat.

Unfortunately this is pseudo science at its worst.

Climbing up the wrong ladder

Whilst having a big work capacity is essential in squash fitness, as is having leg strength, the type of fitness test is now skewing their training.

Squash is a multi directional sport that puts huge mechanical load on the players’ legs in big ranges of movement.

It is the ability, to accelerate, lunge, brake,jump, change direction and execute skilful shots repeatedly that distinguishes the good from great.

The training needs to reflect this.

The test then needs to measure the efficacy of training, rather than training be changed to improve the test score.

The players are working hard, the coach is designing programmes, unfortunately the transfer benefits to the game may be less than ideal.