Mechanical needs analysis Flashcards
What is a needs analysis and why is it important?
A needs analysis is a process of evaluating the requirements of a sport and the athlete to design an effective training program. It is important for enhancing performance and protecting against injury
What are the key components of a needs analysis?
- Sport (event) oriented needs analysis
- Athletic profile (athele oriented needs analysis)
- Comparative analysis
What does the sport needs anaylysis encompass?
▪ Sport analysis
▪ Skill analysis
▪ Injuries analysis
▪ Kinematic analysis
▪ Kinetic analysis
▪ Aerobic analysis
▪ Anaerobic analysis
▪ Time-motion analysis
What makes up the athlete profile?
▪ Strengths
▪ Weaknesses
▪ Needs
▪ Goals (be specific)
◦ Comparative analysis: Comparing your athlete to an ideal or elite athlete
What does a sport-oriented needs analysis involve?
It involves analyzing various aspects of the sport, including skills, common injuries, kinematic and kinetic aspects, and energy system requirements (aerobic and anaerobic). Time-motion analysis also provides metabolic insights.
What does an athlete-oriented needs analysis focus on?
It focuses on the athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, specific needs, and goals. It also considers what the athlete is already good at and what they need help with.
What is comparative analysis and how is it used?
Comparative analysis involves comparing an athlete to an ideal or elite athlete to identify areas for improvement and set targets. This helps in setting specific goals.
What are some common issues encountered during a needs analysis?
◦ Potential lack of research on the sport/event
◦ Accessibility to available information
◦ Too much information that complicates research
What does a mechanical needs analysis entail?
Identifying movements:
▪ Body positions and orientation
Muscle requirements:
▪ Which muscles are involved
▪ When are they involved
Neurologic perspective:
▪ Reflexes, CPGs, and voluntary movements
▪ Focus on voluntary movements
▪ Positions in motion
Flexibility:
▪ Multi-joint muscle considerations
▪ Active and passive insufficiencies
◦Injury risk
What does a metabolic needs analysis cover?
It covers the bio-energetic and energy systems required for the sport. This includes aerobic and anaerobic demand
What are the primary objectives of an athletic training program?
Enhance performance and protect against injury. Mitigate risk and manage fatigue
What should training sessions address?
Training sessions should address muscle actions used in performance, including skills and turns, and consider the muscles involved. Address performance, mitigate risk and/or fatigue
What is periodization?
Periodization is a structured planning method to divide the training program into specific time periods/phases
What are the main cycles within periodization?
◦ Macrocycle: The entire training cycle, often a year, or in the case of Olympic athletes, four years.
◦ Mesocycle: Sections within the macrocycle that focus on general preparation or specific preparation.
◦ Microcycle: Smaller cycles within the mesocycle.
What are the typical phases in a traditional periodization model?
◦ General Physical Preparation (GPP)
◦ Specific Physical Preparation (SPP)
◦ Pre-competition/Competition phase
◦ Active Rest
What is the focus of the GPP phase?
Developing general qualities that may indirectly influence performance. It addresses any insufficiencies and builds a foundation for more specific training
What is the focus of the SPP phase?
Developing specific qualities required for performance in the sport. It initiates the transfer of increased fitness into improved performance
What is the focus of the competition phase?
Maximizing performance and ensuring the athlete is ready for competition. Training should closely mimic competition demands.
What is the purpose of active rest?
To allow the athlete to recover physically and mentally while still engaging in some form of training. It can also be a time to focus on psychological, mental, and spiritual aspects
What is transfer of training and when is it initiated?
Transfer of training is turning improved fitness into increased performance. It is initiated in the SPP phase and maximized during the competition phase
How do volume and intensity typically change throughout a periodization cycle?
In a traditional linear model:
◦ GPP: High volume, lower intensity
◦ SPP: Volume decreases, intensity increases
◦ Competition: Volume is low, intensity matches performance
What are the three main types of periodization models?
◦ Classical linear
◦ Reverse linear
◦ Undulating
What is neurologic strength?
Neurologic strength refers to the last 5-10% of a muscle’s strength that is accessed through neurological training by increasing firing frequency.
How should insufficiencies be addressed in training?
Address any exercises that the athlete cannot perform properly, focusing on flexibility and range of motion
How should training stimulus be tracked?
Track training stimulus to manage rest and recovery, and avoid overtraining. This can be done through a team index or other tracking methods
How do you integrate sport/skill priorities with athlete strengths and weaknesses?
If a sport/skill priority aligns with an athlete’s weakness, prioritize training that area. If an athlete is strong in a less critical area, focus on maintenance rather than intensive training
How should a macrocycle be adapted for different athletes and sports?
- The classical linear model may not always be appropriate.
- Consider reverse linear models for athletes needing more muscular endurance or undulating models for multi-sport athletes.
- The macrocycle can be adjusted based on the specific needs of the athlete and the demands of their sport
What is the difference between general and specific qualities in training?
◦ General qualities indirectly influence performance and support the ability to perform training exercises.
◦ Specific qualities are directly related to performance on game day
What types of insufficiencies might be addressed in the GPP?
◦ Flexibility issues that limit proper exercise form
◦ Cardiovascular endurance to improve recovery between sessions
◦ Body composition to support performance goals
What are the key things to consider when designing a training program?
The program should address performance enhancement, risk mitigation, and fatigue management
What should be included in kinematic and kinetic analyses?
Identify positions and motions required in the sport. Mention major muscles involved, and consider high-velocity movements and concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions
How do you maintain an athlete’s existing strengths?
Reduce the training frequency to about one-third of what was previously done.
How should voluntary movements be analyzed?
Categorize and analyze movements based on sport. Consider positions, range of motion, and muscles involved
