If you’ve read through some of the blog posts here, you’re probably aware that I believe the impact of fatigue to be a large component of sports-related injuries.
Fatigue has been shown to alter proprioception, muscle activation patterns, stability, etc. This only reinforces the importance of effective training programs for athletes based on their specific needs.
I came across this article at mmajunkie.com today that discusses the same subject and thought you’d like to take a peek at it.
Rant warning…
Back in the days before big screen TV’s and internet when I played football in high school, we were allowed to have supervised summer conditioning programs but no organized practice until two weeks before the season started.
Now the programs have absorbed the entire summer of our fall sport athletes by having organized practices and conditioning sessions. Sure, the programs may be offered as voluntary, but you and I both know that “voluntary” means “manditory if you want to play this year.” Now you have to make the 7-on-7 team just to get noticed by the coach.
Two things are really bugging me…
One, from this day forward football players, your summers will never be as fun and relaxing as they should be. Now don’t get me wrong. I loved playing football. I love preparing to play football. But I also loved having down time from school and formal schedules. (note to parents who think your kids need to be in school year round…you’re all idiots. It won’t make your kid any more intelligent. The guys that sent other guys to the Moon and back got their summers off when they were in high school.)
Two, having seen some of the conditioning programs from the local high schools, it’s clear that most sports team coaches know very little about preparing their athletes to perform when they need to perform. Nothing like getting beaten up and exhausted before the season even starts.
I predict a record injury rate this season.
I hope I’m wrong.
Bill