Mechanical needs analysis

Question 1

What is a needs analysis and why is it important?

Answer 1

A needs analysis is a process of evaluating the requirements of a sport and the athlete to design an effective training program. It is important for enhancing performance and protecting against injury

Question 2

What are the key components of a needs analysis?

Answer 2

• Sport (event) oriented needs analysis
• Athletic profile (athele oriented needs analysis)
• Comparative analysis

Question 3

What does the sport needs anaylysis encompass?

Answer 3

▪ Sport analysis
▪ Skill analysis
▪ Injuries analysis
▪ Kinematic analysis
▪ Kinetic analysis
▪ Aerobic analysis
▪ Anaerobic analysis
▪ Time-motion analysis

Question 4

What makes up the athlete profile?

Answer 4

▪ Strengths
▪ Weaknesses
▪ Needs
▪ Goals (be specific)
◦ Comparative analysis: Comparing your athlete to an ideal or elite athlete

Question 5

What does a sport-oriented needs analysis involve?

Answer 5

It involves analyzing various aspects of the sport, including skills, common injuries, kinematic and kinetic aspects, and energy system requirements (aerobic and anaerobic). Time-motion analysis also provides metabolic insights.

Question 6

What does an athlete-oriented needs analysis focus on?

Answer 6

It focuses on the athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, specific needs, and goals. It also considers what the athlete is already good at and what they need help with.

Question 7

What is comparative analysis and how is it used?

Answer 7

Comparative analysis involves comparing an athlete to an ideal or elite athlete to identify areas for improvement and set targets. This helps in setting specific goals.

Question 8

What are some common issues encountered during a needs analysis?

Answer 8

◦ Potential lack of research on the sport/event
◦ Accessibility to available information
◦ Too much information that complicates research

Question 9

What does a mechanical needs analysis entail?

Answer 9

Identifying movements:
▪ Body positions and orientation

Muscle requirements:
▪ Which muscles are involved
▪ When are they involved

Neurologic perspective:
▪ Reflexes, CPGs, and voluntary movements
▪ Focus on voluntary movements
▪ Positions in motion

Flexibility:
▪ Multi-joint muscle considerations
▪ Active and passive insufficiencies

◦Injury risk

Question 10

What does a metabolic needs analysis cover?

Answer 10

It covers the bio-energetic and energy systems required for the sport. This includes aerobic and anaerobic demand

Question 11

What are the primary objectives of an athletic training program?

Answer 11

Enhance performance and protect against injury. Mitigate risk and manage fatigue

Question 12

What should training sessions address?

Answer 12

Training sessions should address muscle actions used in performance, including skills and turns, and consider the muscles involved. Address performance, mitigate risk and/or fatigue

Question 13

What is periodization?

Answer 13

Periodization is a structured planning method to divide the training program into specific time periods/phases

Question 14

What are the main cycles within periodization?

Answer 14

◦ Macrocycle: The entire training cycle, often a year, or in the case of Olympic athletes, four years.
◦ Mesocycle: Sections within the macrocycle that focus on general preparation or specific preparation.
◦ Microcycle: Smaller cycles within the mesocycle.

Question 15

What are the typical phases in a traditional periodization model?

Answer 15

◦ General Physical Preparation (GPP)
◦ Specific Physical Preparation (SPP)
◦ Pre-competition/Competition phase
◦ Active Rest

Question 16

What is the focus of the GPP phase?

Answer 16

Developing general qualities that may indirectly influence performance. It addresses any insufficiencies and builds a foundation for more specific training

Question 17

What is the focus of the SPP phase?

Answer 17

Developing specific qualities required for performance in the sport. It initiates the transfer of increased fitness into improved performance

Question 18

What is the focus of the competition phase?

Answer 18

Maximizing performance and ensuring the athlete is ready for competition. Training should closely mimic competition demands.

Question 19

What is the purpose of active rest?

Answer 19

To allow the athlete to recover physically and mentally while still engaging in some form of training. It can also be a time to focus on psychological, mental, and spiritual aspects

Question 20

What is transfer of training and when is it initiated?

Answer 20

Transfer of training is turning improved fitness into increased performance. It is initiated in the SPP phase and maximized during the competition phase

Question 21

How do volume and intensity typically change throughout a periodization cycle?

Answer 21

In a traditional linear model:
◦ GPP: High volume, lower intensity
◦ SPP: Volume decreases, intensity increases
◦ Competition: Volume is low, intensity matches performance

Question 22

What are the three main types of periodization models?

Answer 22

◦ Classical linear
◦ Reverse linear
◦ Undulating

Question 23

What is neurologic strength?

Answer 23

Neurologic strength refers to the last 5-10% of a muscle’s strength that is accessed through neurological training by increasing firing frequency.

Question 24

How should insufficiencies be addressed in training?

Answer 24

Address any exercises that the athlete cannot perform properly, focusing on flexibility and range of motion

Question 25

How should training stimulus be tracked?

Answer 25

Track training stimulus to manage rest and recovery, and avoid overtraining. This can be done through a team index or other tracking methods

Question 26

How do you integrate sport/skill priorities with athlete strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 26

If a sport/skill priority aligns with an athlete's weakness, prioritize training that area. If an athlete is strong in a less critical area, focus on maintenance rather than intensive training

Question 27

How should a macrocycle be adapted for different athletes and sports?

Answer 27

* The classical linear model may not always be appropriate. * Consider reverse linear models for athletes needing more muscular endurance or undulating models for multi-sport athletes. * The macrocycle can be adjusted based on the specific needs of the athlete and the demands of their sport

Question 28

What is the difference between general and specific qualities in training?

Answer 28

◦ General qualities indirectly influence performance and support the ability to perform training exercises. ◦ Specific qualities are directly related to performance on game day

Question 29

What types of insufficiencies might be addressed in the GPP?

Answer 29

◦ Flexibility issues that limit proper exercise form ◦ Cardiovascular endurance to improve recovery between sessions ◦ Body composition to support performance goals

Question 30

What are the key things to consider when designing a training program?

Answer 30

The program should address performance enhancement, risk mitigation, and fatigue management

Question 31

What should be included in kinematic and kinetic analyses?

Answer 31

Identify positions and motions required in the sport. Mention major muscles involved, and consider high-velocity movements and concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions

Question 32

How do you maintain an athlete's existing strengths?

Answer 32

Reduce the training frequency to about one-third of what was previously done.

Question 33

How should voluntary movements be analyzed?

Answer 33

Categorize and analyze movements based on sport. Consider positions, range of motion, and muscles involved