Physical Preparation for Elite-Level Squash Players: Monitoring, Assessment, and Training Practices for the Strength and Conditioning Coach

Abstract

ABSTRACT SQUASH IS AN INTERMITTENT, HIGH-INTENSITY RACQUET SPORT THAT IS PLAYED GLOBALLY; HOWEVER, LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF MATCH PLAY AND TRAINING FOLLOWING RECENT RULE CHANGES. IN THIS ARTICLE, WE REVIEW THE CURRENT LITERATURE REGARDING THE DEMANDS OF COMPETITION, HOW TRAINING LOAD IS MONITORED, AND ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS USED TO QUANTIFY PHYSICAL CAPACITY IN ELITE-LEVEL PLAYERS. USING DATA FROM THIS POPULATION, WE IDENTIFY APPROACHES TO THE MONITORING OF TRAINING LOAD AND PHYSICAL CAPACITY ALONG WITH IDENTIFYING ON-COURT PHYSICAL PREPARATION TRAINING OF USE TO THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH.