Conditioning Coaches Research Articles

Pregnancy Incidence And Perception Of Athletic Care In Female College Athletes

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence of pregnancy amongst female student-athletes during their tenure on a collegiate athletic team. To determine if those same athletes feel that the athletic and healthcare professionals (ie. strength & conditioning coaches (SCC), athletic trainers (AT), sport coaches (SC)) in their continuum of care are competent and compassionate in their role. To assess the athlete’s awareness of their rights under Title IX with regards to pregnancy. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed via mass email to sport coaches, across all collegiate athletic levels, with a request to forward to their female athletes. Inclusion criteria: ≥ 18 yrs old, be female sex at birth, a member of collegiate athletic team currently or within the past 2 yrs. A total of 1,868 participants were eligible and completed the survey. Questions assessed 4 major areas: inclusion/exclusion, seeking healthcare from athletic continuum of care, perceptions of healthcare from athletic continuum of care, rights of the pregnant athlete and Title IX. RESULTS: 1.76% (n = 33) reported incidence of pregnancy during their tenure as a collegiate athlete. Sought care/guidance from: 18.2% (n = 6) SCC, 21.2% (n = 7) AT, 30.3% (n = 10) SC. Perception of knowledge for pregnancy/post-partum care: 22.5% (n = 420) positive for their SCC, 42.5% (n = 793) positive for their AT, 39.6% (n = 739) positive for their SC. 14.1% (n = 263) of all athletes surveyed were aware of their rights granted to pregnant athletes under Title IX. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that with a 1.76% rate of pregnancy within our sample (n = 1868), with a reported 216,378 female college athlete population it is estimated that thousands of female athletes become pregnant over the course of their collegiate career. With the potential for so many female athletes to experience a pregnancy during their collegiate career, it is important to understand who they are seeking prenatal/postpartum care and advice within athletics. The results suggest a reluctance to approach SCCs and SCs over ATs, and yet none were highly rated as all were < 50%. Given the reported awareness around their rights and Title IX, and collectively, the results of the study suggest a need for change in the athletic continuum of care, or at least the perspective of the female college athlete towards her athletic continuum of care.

Attitudes And Practices Of Elite Strength Coaches Towards Sex-specific Needs In International Women's Rugby Union

Attitudes And Practices Of Elite Strength Coaches Towards Sex-specific Needs In International Women's Rugby Union

학사경고자 대학생을 위한 온라인 학습지원 집단상담 프로그램 개발

Objectives The purpose of this study was to develop an online learning support group counseling program for academic probation college students, focusing on strength coaching and mental coaching techniques, and to explore their satisfaction on the program and the effects of the program on improving their academic achievement. Methods To achieve the goals of this study, first of all the program was developed based on the group counseling program development model suggested by Chang-Dai Kim(2011) and video counseling operation manual suggested by Soo-Youn Soh(2020), which is composed of 5 sessions, and each session took 50 minutes. Next, a questionnaire was administered to 86 academic probation college students who participated in the program to measure their program satisfaction. And their grade point averages were analyzed with two dependent-sample t-tests to see if they improved with 60 students enrolled in classes of the semester right after participating in the program. Results The results of this study are as follows. First, academic probation college students showed high satisfaction(4.2) with the program. Second, it was showed that they received help in 5 main areas of college life adjustment(self management, interpersonal relationship, career, academic, understanding of major and academic information). Third, 80% of the students enrolled in classes of the semester right after participating in the program improved in grade point average of the semester and did not receive academic probation. Conclusions It was found that the program developed in this study could contribute to college life adjustment and academic achievement of academic probation college students. Also, the discussion and implications based on the main results of this study were provided for the operation of online learning support group counseling programs using strength coaching and mental coaching techniques.

Return to Sport Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Women’s Indoor Volleyball

Women’s volleyball participation has increased over the past four decades resulting in a rise of sports-related injuries during practice and competition. Although volleyball is considered a non-contact sport, the sport requires jumping, landing, pivoting, directional changes, and digging which can lead to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction. There are limited studies on guidelines for safe return to volleyball competition after an ACL injury. A volleyball-specific functional rehabilitation program is critical for optimal return to sport following ACL reconstruction. A volleyball athlete must be trained and proficient in jumping and landing to serve, hit, and block as well as pivot, cut, and change direction on the court to retrieve balls or prepare a set. Proper landing mechanics from a jump become a crucial part of post-operative ACL rehabilitation to avoid re-injury and ensure safe return to competitive sport. A critical part of ACL rehabilitation is following a criteria-based approach exhibiting progressions in range of motion, mobility, strength, neuromuscular control, agility, and cardiovascular training. Incorporating volleyball-specific skills early in the athlete’s rehabilitation program allows re-training of important skills during a time when then athlete is removed from play. Volleyball-specific tasks can be integrated early in proprioceptive and neuromuscular training drills and eventually progressed towards more challenging court-based tasks as the athlete advances through the phases of their rehabilitation program. Collaboration and communication of a multidisciplinary team made up of physicians, physical therapist, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning specialists, coaches, and parents must work together to determine an athlete’s readiness for return to sport (RTS). It is important to take into consideration the athlete’s sport, risk of re-injury, demands of the sport, and their psychological readiness when facilitating RTS decisions.

The Association of Range of Motion, Dryland Strength-Power, Anthropometry, and Velocity in Elite Breaststroke Swimmers.

The ability of elite breaststroke swimmers to maximize average velocity maintained throughout a race is reportedly mediated by a number of range-of-motion, dryland strength-power, and anthropometric characteristics. The present study aimed to develop a physical profile and evaluate the relationship between dryland strength-power and stroke kinematic variables in elite breaststroke swimmers. A series of range-of-motion, dryland strength-power, and anthropometric measures were assessed in 11 elite-level breaststroke specialists and used to establish group-based averages and expected variance within an elite breaststroke population. Analysis of the relationships between dryland strength-power parameters and breaststroke kinematics revealed strong associations (r > .7, minimum 95% confidence range of g > 0.80 or < -0.80) most frequently at 100-m and maximal paces. From further analysis of these associations, a series of second-order models of best fit were calculated to describe the relationship between dryland strength-power parameters and propulsive velocity. Five models strongly described the relationship between countermovement jump height, mean pull-up velocity, and average propulsive velocity. These models can be used to assess propulsion effectiveness and act as a catalyst for technique evaluation. It is also recommended that strength and conditioning coaches consider the inclusion of explosive movements, such as countermovement jumps and maximal velocity pull-ups, in dryland training programs designed for sprint breaststroke swimmers.

Training and testing practices of strength and conditioning coaches in Argentinian Rugby Union

The Argentine Rugby Union is a top-tier rugby nation (ranked 8th according to World Rugby), with the Buenos Aires Rugby Union being the largest competitive league. To date, the training practices of Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches have not yet been documented and analyzed. We used an online survey to characterize the training and testing strategies commonly implemented by Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches, which could serve as a guideline for coaching education programs. Thirty-five rugby strength and conditioning coaches (age: 42.0 ± 8.9 years; professional experience: 16.8 ± 8.3 years) working across 35 clubs (from a total of 40 clubs) participated in the study. The survey consisted of eight sections: 1) background information; 2) strength-power development; 3) speed training; 4) plyometrics; 5) flexibility training; 6) physical testing; 7) technology use; and 8) programming. Overall, Argentinian strength and conditioning coaches did not frequently use periodization strategies to structure programs, reported a progressive reduction in training loads across the season, and prescribed primarily Olympic weightlifting and squat as resistance exercises during different training periods. The analyses of speed training revealed high utilization of form-running, plyometrics, and sport-specific movements. Our results also indicated that physical testing and technology may be affected by the economic difficulties of Argentinian clubs. This study presents new information regarding the training methods adopted by Argentinian rugby strength and conditioning coaches, while providing them with new insights to improve their professional practices. Practitioners from different countries working in competitive rugby leagues can use the information provided here to examine their own practices and implement evidence-based programs for elite rugby players.

Gender- and Sport-specific Normative Anthropometric and Physical Values in Talent-Identified High School Athletes.

Larkin, P, Sortino, B, Carlon, T, Saunders, T, and Pane, C. Gender- and sport-specific normative anthropometric and physical values in talent-identified high school athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(3): 606-615, 2023-Youth sport is associated with the identification and promotion of athletes within talent development pathways, with anthropometric and physical performance measures being key assessment and monitoring tools. To adequately evaluate performance within a population, normative reference data are needed; however, currently, there is limited normative values of talent-identified youth athletes. The aim of the current study is to present normative values of talent-identified youth sport academy athletes in relation to gender, age, and sport. Over a 5-year period, a total of 794 talent-identified youth athletes who attended a specialized school sports academy were assessed using anthropometric (i.e., heigh,; body mass) and physical performance (i.e., vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test 1) measures. In total, 451 male and 343 female athletes (grade 7: 12-13 years; grade 8: 13-14 years; grade 9: 14-15 years; grade 10: 15-16 years) were tested annually. The result demonstrates that for each gender, as age increases, there is a general increase in anthropometric measures (i.e., height and body mass). Furthermore, with increasing age, athletes generally have a higher vertical jump, faster sprint performance, and improved physical endurance. The results highlight sport-specific differences for each measure. Overall, the results of the study provides age-, gender-, and sport-specific normative data of talent-identified youth athletes. These findings provide representative performance profiles of talent-identified high school athletes, with the values potentially being used by coaching staff (i.e., head coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, rehabilitation staff) for comparison purposes.

Improving Tennis Serve Velocity: Review of Training Methods and Recommendations

ABSTRACT One of the essential components to success in tennis is serve velocity (SV). Coaches and practitioners aim to maximize performance and results by increasing this determinant aspect. Concentrically or eccentrically predominant conventional resistance training programs have been used to raise SV, obtaining moderate increases in experienced populations. Nevertheless, indirect improvements in other components, such as asymmetry reductions and increased neural adaptations following these designs, could interest the young competitor. Other methodologies such as medicine ball throws and explosive or power-based programs that mimic the serve kinetic chain seem to obtain greater gains in young players, because the implication and body structures involved seem more specific to the action. More recent methodologies such as flywheel-based training or weighted implements or limbs also could be of interest, although further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these programs and specific load prescriptions. However, data suggest that heavier or lighter load exercises seem valid options to improve SV if the athlete performs maximal intended execution velocity. Added to the currently available literature on training methods to increase SV, exercise prescription examples are provided to help the strength and conditioning coach improve this key variable.

Reliability of a Medicine Ball Explosive Power Test in Young Volleyball Players

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the medicine ball explosive power test to assess explosive power in young volleyball players. Materials and methods. Data were collected using twelve volleyball players (age = 16.5 ± 0.52 years; body mass = 72.05 ± 7.9 kg; height = 182 ± 0.06 cm and body mass index = 21.63 ± 1.85) volunteered for this study. They completed a test and retest of the medicine ball explosive power test on two separate days. The medicine ball explosive power test was conducted using a 3 kg medicine ball. Testing was carried out in two separated testing session preceded by a standardized warming up protocol. The paired-sample t-test was conducted to determine the differences signification observed between the test and the retest of the medicine-ball explosive power test. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC1,1) aims to assess relative reliability of the test. The coefficient of variation between test and retest performance was used to check the absolute reproducibility. The Bland and Altman method was used to evaluate the relative and absolute reproducibility of the medicine ball explosive power test. Results and discussion. Explosive power is often considered as one of the main determinants of a successful high-level performance in many team sports including volleyball. It is frequently measured in different occasion during competitive season using field‐based tests. Thus, it is mandatory that strength and conditioning coaches have to use valid and reliable tests to evaluate the power for their athletes. However, contestation regarding test selection still exists grounded upon the particularity of the explosive power evaluation tests in volleyball. There was no significant difference between medicine ball explosive power test (11.08 ± 0.72 meter) and retest (11.27 ± 0.93 meter) performance. The T-paired Sample test did not show any statistically significant difference (t= 1.035; p =0.393), while the intraclass correlation coefficient aimed to assess relative reliability of the test was of 0.83. The coefficient of variation between test and retest performance was of 5.7% which is near to the 5% confidence interval level. The intraclass correlation coefficient was situated between 0.9 and 0.8 (ICC1,1 = 0.83) Thus this study suggests that the medicine ball explosive power test has moderate relative reliability level. Conclusion. The medicine ball explosive power test is reliable regardless to the age. The Bland and Altman method confirmed our finding suggesting the medicine ball explosive power test is a reliable test

Identifying the Current State and Improvement Opportunities in the Information Flows Necessary to Manage Professional Athletes: A Case Study in Rugby Union.

In sporting environments, the knowledge necessary to manage athletes is built on information flows associated with player management processes. In current literature, there are limited case studies available to illustrate how such information flows are optimized. Hence, as the first step of an optimization project, this study aimed to evaluate the current state and the improvement opportunities in the player management information flow executed within the High-Performance Unit (HPU) at a professional rugby union club in England. Guided by a Business Process Management framework, elicitation of the current process architecture illustrated the existence of 18 process units and two core process value chains relating to player management. From the identified processes, the HPU management team prioritized 7 processes for optimization. In-depth details on the current state (As-Is) of the selected processes were extracted from semi-structured, interview-based process discovery and were modeled using Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Decision Model and Notation (DMN) standards. Results were presented for current issues in the information flow of the daily training load management process, identified through a thematic analysis conducted on the data obtained mainly from focus group discussions with the main stakeholders (physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, and HPU management team) of the process. Specifically, the current state player management information flow in the HPU had issues relating to knowledge creation and process flexibility. Therefore, the results illustrate that requirements for information flow optimization within the considered environment exist in the transition from data to knowledge during the execution of player management decision-making processes.

Profiling the absolute and relative strength of a special operations police unit

BackgroundSpecialist police perform high-risk tasks and are required to have, and maintain, a high level of fitness. The aims of this study were to profile the strength of a specialist police unit and to investigate whether this profile remained constant over an 18-month period.MethodsRetrospective data for 47 special operations police officers (mean initial weight = 88.84 ± 8.25 kg) were provided. Officers were tested five times over 18 months for 1 repetition maximum: bench press, squat, deadlift, and pull-up. All officers continued to participate in their typical physical conditioning programs. Repeated-measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni post-hoc adjustments or Friedman tests with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare strength values across all five time points (TPs). Alpha levels were set at 0.05.ResultsAll strength values increased significantly over the 18-month period. Over the five TPs, absolute squat increased the most (+ 9%: initial mean = 125.79 ± 24.53 kg), followed by absolute bench press (+ 8%: initial mean = 109.67 ± 19.80 kg), absolute deadlift (+ 7%: initial mean = 151.64 ± 26.31 kg) and absolute pull-up (+ 4%: initial mean = 121.43 ± 14.91 kg). Relatively, the highest increase was found with the squat (+ 8%: initial mean = 1.42 ± 0.25%), followed by the bench press (+ 7%: initial mean = 1.24 ± 0.20%), deadlift (+ 6%: initial mean = 1.71 ± 0.25%) then pull-up (+ 4%: initial mean = 1.37 ± 0.15%). The period between TP3 and TP4 yielded the fewest significant increases compared with other TP differences with only absolute bench press (+ 1.7%), absolute squat (+ 1.1%) and relative bench press (+ 1.6%) changing significantly (p < 0.05).ConclusionsSpecialist police can maintain, even increase strength, while serving in specialist units if provided with a Strength and Conditioning coach and time to train. Given changes over time, constant monitoring is required and a single timepoint may not be optimal to establish normative data.

Developing strength and conditioning coaches: a case for cognitive apprenticeship

ABSTRACT Traditionally Strength and Conditioning Coaches have been prepared for their roles through the development of a strong theoretical knowledge base and demonstrating proficiency across a range of technical frameworks. Importantly, however, recent research within Strength and Conditioning (S & C) has argued for a focus on cognitive skills and processes to support the comprehensive and established bio-physical educational materials available to learners. Accordingly, an area of growing interest within S & C is how to most appropriately prepare coaches for the authentic demands of the workplace. In other professional domains, Cognitive Apprenticeship (CA) methods have been researched and adopted to enhance the effectiveness of workers. This article provides an overview of the characteristics of CA and how these pedagogical tools could be applied across different S & C learning environments. The approaches discussed, and conceptually modelled, offer a practical and feasible solution for future coach preparation methods. Such an approach would focus on developing more contextually aware and impactful coaches and improve the services provided to an organisation.

The Application of Recovery Strategies in Basketball: A Worldwide Survey.

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived usefulness, actual use and barriers to the implementation of recovery strategies among basketball practitioners. 107 participants (strength and conditioning coaches, sport scientists, performance specialists) from different countries and competitive levels completed an online survey. Most participants rated recovery strategies as either extremely (46%) or very important (49%). Active recovery, massage, foam rolling, and stretching were perceived as most useful (80, 73, 72 and 59% of participants, respectively) and were most frequently adopted (68, 61, 72 and 67%, respectively). Participants mentioned lack of devices and facilities (51%), excessive cost (51%), lack of time (27%), players’ negative perception (25%) and lack of sufficient evidence (16%) as barriers to the implementation of recovery strategies. The present findings reveal that some dissociation between scientific evidence and perceived effectiveness was present among the study participants. A possible solution would be to ensure that scientific evidence-based guidelines are followed when considering the application of recovery strategies. Regarding actual use, participants favored easily implementable strategies (e.g. active recovery, stretching), rather than evidence-supported, but expensive and/or impractical strategies (e.g. whole-body cryotherapy). Possible solutions may include the use of practical tools that don’t need specific facilities, the development and validation of new low-cost recovery devices, the promotion of players education regarding recovery strategies, and conducting further research to increase the scientific knowledge in the area.

"Knowing the Noise That Surrounds the Athlete": A Qualitative Study Exploring the Health-Seeking Behaviors of Athletes With Limb Deficiency Drawing on the Experiences and Perceptions of the Medical Staff and Athletes.

The aim of the study is to explore the health-seeking behaviors of athletes with limb deficiency, drawing on the experiences and perception of the sports medicine team and athletes. The study used an interpretive hermeneutic phenomenological methodology with a subtle realist paradigmatic view to investigate commonality in unique experiences within reality. Data collection was completed with two focus groups in December 2019 and March 2020. Thirteen participants took part including athletes and sports medicine team members (physiotherapists, doctors, and strength and conditioning coaches) working in parasports. Focus group manuscripts were transcribed verbatim from audio recordings. An inductive, iterative process was used to identify themes and subthemes, with processes in place to establish rigor. Two themes and five subthemes emerged in relation to the "internalization and adjustment to social identity" and "the importance and impact of factors, which impact the athlete social identity." Health-seeking behaviors of athletes with limb deficiency were influenced by a unique blend of personal and environmental factors that contribute toward social identity. The sports medicine team require specific awareness of factors that may diminish health-seeking behaviors to deliver a personalized approach and negate consequences.

The role of athlete support personnel in preventing doping: a qualitative study of a rugby union academy

ABSTRACT Global anti-doping policy indicates that athlete support personnel (ASP, e.g. doctors, nutritionists) can play an important role in fostering supportive environments that protect against intentional and inadvertent doping. Yet, research into ASP anti-doping roles is limited and no study has examined how (if at all) different members of ASP work together. Therefore, this study investigated anti-doping roles of ASP in a single sports club environment via semi-structured interviews. Through inductive reflexive thematic analysis, three overarching themes were constructed: 1) Everyone has responsibility for anti-doping, but most of the work rests unevenly on a few shoulders, 2) Education is fundamental to doping prevention, and 3) (Preventing doping) It’s all about the way we work with players and each other. As the first study of its kind, the findings indicated that actions taken to prevent doping varied across ASP working together in the same environment. The nutritionist and medical staff were most active in anti-doping efforts and least active were strength and conditioning coaches. Factors underpinning anti-doping roles were individuals’ relevant expertise/training and overall job responsibilities (e.g. supplements, medications) related to risk of doping. Staff also connected their doping prevention efforts to the club’s person-centred philosophy, which prioritised ‘individualisation’ and supportive relationships. While the data indicates potential for anti-doping responsibilities to be shared amongst ASP who work well together and trust one another, it revealed that reliance on one or two ASP in any environment might allow other ASP to neglect their opportunity to have a positive influence on players’ doping-related decisions.

Mental Toughness Development via Military-Style Training in the NCAA: A Three-Phase, Mixed-Method Study of the Perspectives of Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

Sport cultures transmit values for anticipated conduct. Recent events have resulted in injuries/deaths of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes, usually during off-season football training. Through media reports, strength and conditioning coaches (SCC) have been allegedly involved by incorporating military-style training (MST). Mental toughness (MT) has been associated with hypermasculine subcultures in sports. For the first time, perceptions of collegiate SCCs were chosen to contribute to the development of cultural best practices in sports, via a multiphase mixed-method design (Phase 1, n = 465; Phase 2, n = 72; Phase 3, n = 99). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected aiming to confirm and explore the use of MST in the NCAA, its connection to SCCs, its association with MT development, and the role of the media. MST is uncommon in the NCAA. MST takes place mostly during the off-season in the form of physical, in-scope protocols while football is the most common sport. MST promotes MT. The recent media backlash is considered unfounded. Cultures promoted by SCCs do not indicate conformity of student-athletes to unethical/unhealthy expectations. Future sport psychology research and practice should continue to prioritize culture, cultural identities, and physical and mental well-being.

Players’, parents’ and staffs’ perceptions of injury prevention exercise programmes in youth rugby union

Background and aimDespite evidence of their efficacy, there is no widespread adoption of injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs) among young players and coaches in community rugby union. The purpose of...

Real world complexities of periodization in a youth soccer academy: An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to (1) assess the training load experienced during pre-season and in-season meso-cycles within youth academy soccer players and (2) investigate the extent to which the intended periodized approach was implemented, considering those factors that affected its realization. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design comprising two phases was adopted. Phase 1 encompassed the quantitative analysis of training load data, using 10 Hz GPS, and consisted of 17 youth academy soccer players (age 17 ± 1 yrs; stature 179 ± 9 cm; body mass 72 ± 9 kg), from a professional English soccer academy. Phase 2 involved the collection of qualitative data in relation to the data collected in phase 1 of the study. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with the lead strength and conditioning coach at the same academy, to gain his reflections on the data, its alignments with desired outcomes, and factors that impacted on the enactment of the periodized training programme. The results provide original information on the training load experienced within a youth soccer academy and novel insights into the complex realities of enacting periodized training programmes in practice.

Sociological Tools for Improving Women's Representation and Experiences in Strength and Conditioning Coaching

ABSTRACT Women are underrepresented in strength and conditioning (S&amp;C) coaching, arguably more so than women in sport coaching. They account for approximately 6–16% of strength and conditioning coaches at all levels, thus negatively affecting the gendered experiences of women working in S&amp;C. Based on evidence from coaching research, this is likely because of longstanding patterns of structural bias and discrimination, which is inherent in sport, but it is important for future strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs), both men and women, that more equitable practices and opportunities are implemented. In this article, we present 3 sociological perspectives as tools for those working in S&amp;C, including individual coaches, educators, governing bodies, and organizations, to critically examine their gendered practices and environments. We hope that by doing sociology within their day-to-day practice, those working in S&amp;C can develop a better awareness of structural bias and forms of discrimination that affect women SCCs' experiences and then, where possible, make positive changes for women working in the field.

"I Want to Create So Much Stimulus That Adaptation Goes Through the Roof": High-Performance Strength Coaches' Perceptions of Planned Overreaching.

Functional overreaching (FOR) occurs when athletes experience improved athletic capabilities in the days and weeks following short-term periods of increased training demand. However, prolonged high training demand with insufficient recovery may also lead to non-functional overreaching (NFOR) or the overtraining syndrome (OTS). The aim of this research was to explore strength coaches' perceptions and experiences of planned overreaching (POR); short-term periods of increased training demand designed to improve athletic performance. Fourteen high-performance strength coaches (weightlifting; n = 5, powerlifting; n = 4, sprinting; n = 2, throws; n = 2, jumps; n = 1) participated in semistructured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 3 themes: creating enough challenge, training prescription, and questioning the risk to reward. POR was implemented for a 7 to 14 day training cycle and facilitated through increased daily/weekly training volume and/or training intensity. Participants implemented POR in the weeks (~5–8 weeks) preceding competition to allow sufficient time for performance restoration and improvement to occur. Short-term decreased performance capacity, both during and in the days to weeks following training, was an anticipated by-product of POR, and at times used as a benchmark to confirm that training demand was sufficiently challenging. Some participants chose not to implement POR due to a lack of knowledge, confidence, and/or perceived increased risk of athlete training maladaptation. Additionally, this research highlights the potential dichotomy between POR protocols used by strength coaches to enhance athletic performance and those used for the purpose of inducing training maladaptation for diagnostic identification.