Case Study Guide | Strength & Conditioning Education, Schemes and Mind Maps of Mechanics

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WELCOME TO THE CASE STUDY GUIDE

Welcome to the Strength and Conditoning Education Case Study guide. The purpose of this guide is to assist in the completion of the L4 S&C excel case study. It includes a breakdown of what is expected to be completed, with examples given for each task. The case study to be completed is seperated into the following three components:

• The needs analysis
• Performance programming and planning
• Performance program review Each component is further divided into individual tasks that are to be completed throughout the 12 - week learning journey, prior to attending the practical assessment. These tasks are to be completed following the case study task order as instructed throughout this learner guide, with each task corresponding directly to the excel case study template. Once handed in, the entire case study will be marked with feedback provided between weeks 10 and 12 of the learner process, prior to the final practical assessment.

THE NEEDS ANALYSIS – TASK 1 A – THE ATHLETE PROFILE

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 1A’ within the case study. The athlete profile task requires vital information to be gathered that will contribute towards the final evaluation and ultimately, the final performance programs. The sections to be completed include:

• Athletes profile
• Athlete preferences questionnaire
• Health questionnaire Remember, even at this initial stage, the more detail that can be gathered within the athlete profile, the more effective the programs will be (avoiding the risk of not providing enough training stimulus). Put simply - THE MORE INFORMATION GATHERED, THE BETTER!

THE NEEDS ANALYSIS – TASK 1 B – THE SPORT ANALYSIS

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 1 B’ within the case study. You will see two separate components that are to be completed within this section. These are:

• Biomechanics analysis
• Energy system analysis Biomechanics analysis: This section requires a biomechanical analysis to be completed for an athlete’s chosen sport. This allows the strength and conditioning coach to replicate the forces (kinetics) and movements (kinematics) within a sport within performance programs, allowing for optimal transfer of training effects.
• This requires a biomechanical analysis of the movements that occur in an athlete’s chosen sport. Movements such acceleration, deceleration, change of direction and maximal mechanics. However, certain sports may include specific mechanics beyond the movements detailed above (e.g. lunge mechanics involved within racquet sports, punch mechanics within martial arts, etc.)

THE NEEDS ANALYSIS – TASK 1 C – THE ATHLETE ASSESSMENT

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 1C’ within the case study. You will see a movement assessment table, and a performance benchmarks table. Movement assessment table:

• To complete this section, you will be required to carry out a movement assessment as described within the Strength and Conditioning Education L4 S&C practical workshop with a chosen athlete. Once this has been completed, record all scores within the movement assessment table.

THE NEEDS ANALYSIS – TASK 1 C – THE ATHLETE ASSESSMENT

Performance benchmarks table:

• To complete this section, you will be required to firstly select three performance assessments specific to an athlete’s chosen sport. It is advised that the performance benchmarks selected are based on previous recognised performance assessments for that sport.
• Remember that the sports specific performance assessments chosen must assess the required sports specific qualities previously highlighted within the sports analysis section (strength, power, 10m acceleration, etc.)
• The ability to be able to research, collect and apply normative data within modern strength and conditioning is a vital skill. Normative data, is simply data that has been previously collected (such a performance assessment scores) across a large population, and then categorised (good, average, poor, etc.). Furthermore, such data is normally further divided into athlete competitive levels (recreational, semi pro, pro, etc.). To complete the normative data performance measures section for a chosen sport, simply search for ‘normative performance data for …….’ Obviously with the desired sport inputted.
• Gather and input the required information within the task section of the case study. Please note it may be the case that a sports specific performance assessment needs to be created specifically for the athlete in question (e.g. Thai boxer – power endurance assessment - number of bag kicks per minute)
• As always throughout the pack, a rationale must be given for all the above sections (where instructed within the case study).

THE NEEDS ANALYSIS – TASK 1 D – THE GAP ANALYSIS

Movement assessment evaluation - the first section of the GAP analysis task to be completed requires an evaluation of the movement assessments performed with the athlete previously. Within this section, detail any movement dysfunction that where present.

THE NEEDS ANALYSIS – TASK 1 D – THE GAP ANALYSIS

Performance benchmarks evaluation - the second section of the GAP analysis task to be completed requires an evaluation of the performance benchmark assessments performed with the athlete previously. Within this section, a detailed comparison against the normative data previously gathered is expected, allowing for the athlete’s performance benchmark strengths and areas for improvement to be highlighted.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING – TASK 2 A

THE ANNUAL PLAN

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 2A’ within the case study. The information needed to be detailed within this section is as follows:

• A breakdown of the annual macrocycle plan in relation to the sports specifics (e.g. preparation phase, competition phase, etc.). A breakdown of the mesocycles within the annual macro-cycle periodisation plan phases. A breakdown of when any performance assessments will occur, and lastly, a graphical representation of the planned volume/intensity loading throughout the annual macro-cycle plan.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMING AND PROGRAMMING – TASK 2 B –

MICROCYCLES 1- 4

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 2 B’ within the case study. Once the macrocycle/mesocycle annual plan has been completed, please select 4 weeks from within the plan to be planned in greater detail. The micro-cycle should detail the following information:

• An overall breakdown of the planned individual sessions within the microcycle
• The training focus of the session in regards to training qualities (e.g. strength, speed strength, movement training, etc.)
• And the additional technical/tactical training also being completed within the microcycle

PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING – TASK 2 D – THE MIDWAY

REVIEW

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 2D’ within the case study. As previously within task 1 C, you will see a movement assessment table, and a performance benchmarks table To complete this task, repeat the same movement assessment and performance benchmarks with the athlete, recording all new data. Once this has been done, a comparison can be made against the original movement assessment and performance benchmarks previously gathered. Please note that this task is to be completed at week 4 of the full 8 week training plan.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING –

TASK 2 E – MICROCYCLE 5 - 8

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 2E’ within the case study. Please select the next 4 weeks (microcycles 5-8) from annual plan to be planned in greater detail. The micro-cycle should detail the following information:

• An overall breakdown of the planned individual sessions within the micro-cycle
• The training focus of the session in regards to training qualities (e.g. strength, speed strength, movement training, etc.)
• And the additional technical/tactical training also being completed within the micro- cycle

PERFORMANCE PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING – TASK 2 G – THE FINAL

REVIEW

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 2G’ within the case study. As previously within task 1C and 2D, you will see a movement assessment table, and a performance benchmarks table To complete this task, repeat the same movement assessment and performance benchmarks with the athlete, recording all new data. Once this has been done, a comparison can be made against the original and midway review movement assessment and performance benchmarks previously gathered. Please note that this task is to be completed at week 8 within the training plan.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM REVIEW – TASK 3 A – CASE STUDY CONCLUSIONS

To complete the task, firstly open ‘task 3A’ within the case study. The aim of the following task is to draw on conclusions based on the comparisons between the pre/post-performance assessment data previously gathered. The following sections need to be completed within this section:

• Briefly recap the originally set goal, before discussing the comparison between the pre/post performance data, and the short term SMART goals
• Strengths / areas for development – which areas of the programs/athlete performance were strengths, and which could be considered areas for improvement. Also, discuss what brings you to these conclusions
• Future changes – which areas of the program would you change if you were to continue to train the athlete? What could you have done differently?
• Then discuss the findings – did the athlete improve in performance overall? Did the athlete reach the short term SMART goals originally set?