2023 Live Q&A 5: Sport-Specific Strength Training - is it necessary to improve reaction time & performance?

2023 Live Q&A 5: Sport-Specific Strength Training - is it necessary to improve reaction time & performance?

Author: Dr. Rori Alter, PT, SSC, PRSCC May 3, 2023 Duration: 13:20

Do you need to do sport specific strength exercises to improve your reaction time and sports performance? There is a common misconception that strength training needs to be extremely sport-specific to the athlete's sport. However, this cannot be farther from the truth!

 

PRS Podcast Listener Question:

"Fitness is a concept that can mean different things depending on the sport and/or goals.  It is often used as a synonym for endurance in soccer, for example. But more broadly it can encompass strength, quickness, speed, and explosiveness as well. 

 

My question is regarding how to train effectively to increase or maintain  quickness. I think Barbell training addresses strength most directly.  But as I get older and slower, how can I address quickness (or speed)  as effectively as I do the strength aspect?"

 

In this episode we discuss the two elements that make up sports performance - strength and practice. We discuss why and how barbell strength training has direct transfer to increasing performance and quickness not just in sports but in everyday activities and the concept of "use it or lose it."

 

To answer this question most directly without giving away the details of the episode you can:

  1. Incorporate the olympic lifts in the younger sport highschool and collegiate athlete strength & conditioning program

  2. Increase the power generation behind your sport execution by increasing the strength of your body producing the sport movements

  3. Improve your reaction time by continuing to practice the sport in full and breaking it down into sport drills

 

Listen to the episode for a deeper understanding of these concepts!

 

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Get in touch with the show!

Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com

Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com

Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs

Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs


Hosted by Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson, Progressive Rehab & Strength is a conversation for those who take lifting seriously, whether for sport or for life. Both hosts are practicing physical therapists and certified strength coaches with deep roots in powerlifting, giving them a unique, dual-perspective on the body under load. This podcast digs into the nuanced intersection of rehabilitation and performance, moving beyond generic advice. You’ll hear practical discussions on programming for longevity, managing training around injuries, and navigating the technical demands of the barbell lifts. The aim is to strip away confusion and provide actionable insights that help athletes and coaches build resilient, sustainable careers-both in the gym and in their professional practices. It’s a resource for critical thinkers who want their approach to strength to be informed by both clinical expertise and hard-earned experience on the platform. Tune in for a blend of science, real-world application, and straight talk from two professionals who live in this space every day.
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