Introduction: The performance of disabled athletes depends on the theoretical knowledge and practical abilities of the professionals working with them. The training planner schedules training times and methods enabling the athlete to achieve the best performance only after consulting the professionals below and customises athlete’s programme in line with their periodic assessments. Sport doctor checks that athlete’s physical condition enables him/her to perform the chosen activity. Physical therapist and orthopaedist evaluate any morphological and structural changes which might require biomechanical modifications to prostheses or ergonomic modifications to vehicles or training equipment. Personal trainer organises the exercises needed to improve general muscle and joint strength and recover the function of individual body regions. The trainer encourages and reinforces techniques and tactics aimed to the specific sport. The nutritionist manages nutrient intake in line with training and competition energy requirements. The psychologist manages the cognitive part, keeping high athlete’s motivation. Methodology: A sports season planning method is proposed, based on the development of a grid for the scheduling of training methods, which can be adapted in line with athlete’s functional response to tests evaluating the development of his/her fitness (strength, resistance, speed), coordination and mental and physical health. Fixed on the grid are the training periods: basic, specific, competitive and transition: the weeks of each month (microcycles), grouped into larger units (mesocycles); the tests, training and selection trials; the trend of the quantity and intensity of the annual workload; and weeks of active recovery from training sessions. Conclusions: Training without short, mid and long term assessments is risky and counterproductive. Training programmes for disabled athletes cannot neglect the organisation and management of the annual training schedule, which, if properly designed, focussed and subjected to regular assessments will help athletes to achieve their best sporting performance while respecting their physical, muscular and psychological wellbeing.
Planning of sports training for athletes with disabilities
GOLLIN, MASSIMILIANO
2008-01-01
Abstract
Introduction: The performance of disabled athletes depends on the theoretical knowledge and practical abilities of the professionals working with them. The training planner schedules training times and methods enabling the athlete to achieve the best performance only after consulting the professionals below and customises athlete’s programme in line with their periodic assessments. Sport doctor checks that athlete’s physical condition enables him/her to perform the chosen activity. Physical therapist and orthopaedist evaluate any morphological and structural changes which might require biomechanical modifications to prostheses or ergonomic modifications to vehicles or training equipment. Personal trainer organises the exercises needed to improve general muscle and joint strength and recover the function of individual body regions. The trainer encourages and reinforces techniques and tactics aimed to the specific sport. The nutritionist manages nutrient intake in line with training and competition energy requirements. The psychologist manages the cognitive part, keeping high athlete’s motivation. Methodology: A sports season planning method is proposed, based on the development of a grid for the scheduling of training methods, which can be adapted in line with athlete’s functional response to tests evaluating the development of his/her fitness (strength, resistance, speed), coordination and mental and physical health. Fixed on the grid are the training periods: basic, specific, competitive and transition: the weeks of each month (microcycles), grouped into larger units (mesocycles); the tests, training and selection trials; the trend of the quantity and intensity of the annual workload; and weeks of active recovery from training sessions. Conclusions: Training without short, mid and long term assessments is risky and counterproductive. Training programmes for disabled athletes cannot neglect the organisation and management of the annual training schedule, which, if properly designed, focussed and subjected to regular assessments will help athletes to achieve their best sporting performance while respecting their physical, muscular and psychological wellbeing.
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