What is Strength and Conditioning (S&C)?
The importance
Strength and Conditioning (S&C) is a field of exercise science which helps us understand and apply the principles to train the physiological and physical needs of an individual.
Principles of conditioning gives us a broader understanding of how the body works in a cohesive way and provides insights about the cardiovascular system and physiological functioning of the body, collectively aiding physical and physiological performance of the human body.
Although S&C has been closely associated with sports for a long time, it is still considered a niche. Often, S&C is read synonymously with general fitness because of the lack of understanding about the fundamental principles of S&C and how to incorporate it with sports coaching. Hence, we have failed to prepare our athletes the right way to sustain demands of the sport from an S&C standpoint.
We need to focus on movement quality and then develop those movement qualities in respect to the sport components (power, agility, speed & other fitness and performance components) and then maintain them(condition).
And a fact to keep in mind is that S&C is not only limited to athletes, the general population also could have a great benefit from S&C training programs.
"Earlier S&C used to be a niche field and believed only to be applied for athletes. Over time, we have come to understand the many benefits of movement-based fitness and that adapting S&C programs is necessary in terms of general fitness. As individuals we often neglect S&C which focuses on functional movement quality, building strength and generally being able to move. We often look at weight loss and aesthetics rather than improving everyday movement functionality. Due to this reason, individuals need to adapt to S&C programs rather than starting off with generalized fitness training programs without understanding and evaluating their needs first. Therefore, doing a need analysis for oneself is essential before following any fitness routine. It is recommended to have a periodized plan instead of following a one size fits all program.
To move more consistently and stay fit, one needs to build movement and then strengthen those movements and then condition such movements to be consistent. This is what a holistic S&C coach and program will provide.
We focus on mitigating injury in the sport by developing better movement patterns that help mitigate injury in athletes, prevent burnout, longer recovery from injuries and dropout from the sport. In a general population scenario, S&C can be applied on people working on proprioception (sense of self-movement, force, and body position) & balance to help them fall less frequently(mainly for geriatric population) or preventing occupational ergonomic related disorders, post operative rehab and return to normal functioning or to be functional fit.
S&C was believed that it was only for athletes, but as we people come to understand the many benefits of movement-based fitness, adapting to S&C programs is necessary for all wanting a functional lifestyle.
Importance of S&C
- Improves functional movement and strength.
- Well conditioned cardiorespiratory system and enhanced physiological functioning.
- Injury prevention and return to sport becomes easier.
- Prevents ergonomic musculoskeletal disorders.
- Improvement of functional fitness and physical performance.
- Strong foundation to long term sport participation.
In conclusion, first understand your needs. Are you a recreational athlete? Competing athlete? Post operative rehab, pre-operative prehab individual? Second, do you want to improve functional fitness or prevent ergonomic disorders from workplace? Or a youth athlete aspiring for long term sport performance?
Subsequently, choose a S&C coach, like us to help you do your need analysis, establish baseline fitness level, conduct a risk stratification and then get started to work, monitor work load and periodize your training program to help build an active lifestyle.
Train Right. Train Better
