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In this second part of our sports conditioning series, we?re going to take a closer look at the differences between sports conditioning and personal training. The first distinction starts with the qualification. There are a number of ways of becoming qualified to be a gym instructor or personal trainer. However, in addition to holding these qualifications, a sports conditioning coach would also hold a relevant governing body accreditation for strength and conditioning ? for example, through organisations such as the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) or the National Strength Conditioning Association (NSCA) in the USA.

You can also go to university and gain a degree in a number of areas to enhance your knowledge and skills such as sports science, performance analysis, human movement/biomechanics and strength and conditioning.

In addition to qualifications, the focus of a sports conditioning coach is different to personal training. Whereas a PT may predominantly deal with those looking to improve fitness for general health and recreation, the sports conditioning coach will work with fit healthy athletes whose goal is to improve sports performance. The attainment of these objectives will invariably involve a deeper understanding of not only the sport itself, but the various demands that the sport places on the athlete.

The aims of the sports conditioning coach are to:

• develop correct exercise skill or technique
• improve the strength base of all athletes
• individualise programs to address specific strengths and weaknesses
• improve athletes' sports specific movements and techniques?
• improve athletes' physical conditioning

All this would be done in liaison with the athlete?s technical/skills coach, physio/medical team, and psychologist ? with the common objective of working together within a set timeframe.

Join me next week, where we will be discussing the pathway to becoming a sports conditioning coach. And don?t forget to post your comments below!

Garrath Pledger?
Course Lead for Sports Conditioning Instructor

Source: http://blog.premierglobal.co.uk/2012/11/expert-corner-part-2-how-is-sports.html

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