Movement development options for a physiological adaptation

Gym based training is a fundamental part of any athlete's physiological and professional development in terms of their sport. With the demands of sport and winning increasing, the importance of winning is vital. A crucial area in movement is tendon stiffness. Stiffness describes a mechanical property of the tendon, stiffness is the force required to stretch a tendon. As a strength and conditioning coach, why would we look at the physiological adaption of tendon stiffness? The ability to generate maximum force can be very advantageous when looking to meet the demands of a sport.

As a strength and conditioning coach, we are given the task to ensure athletes are at their physical best and are being pushed to enhance their capabilities. How an athlete moves is vital to how they perform in a competition, so looking at ways to develop this is key. With regard to previous research, a stiffer tendon can transfer force faster to the skeleton and suggests that the changes in tendon stiffness might also be associated with certain aspects of movement performance. Specific training that elicits an increase in the rate of muscle activation might readily increase force development.

Resistance training with such exercises, leg press, gastrocnemius raise, knee extension, back squat, lunge, and hurdle step can be implemented into a training programme to help attain these physiological adaptions in tendon development. Adding to this, injury prevention is another key area that should be considered to ensure athletes can consistently perform throughout their competitive season, also performing to the required standard.