Practical methods to accurately test large groups of athletes
Canadian strength coach and Posturologist Paul Gagné is shown performing a march in place test, which assesses balance and coordination.
Practical methods to accurately test large groups of athletes BY DR. PETER G. GORMAN, PRESIDENT, MICROGATE USA Ready, set, play! Now, as the season begins, we must ensure that effective training never sacrifices have been made, and it’s time for athletes to excel in their given sport. As their coaches and trainers, we all hope that as the season progresses we will be able to help them increase their performance ability so they can lead their respective teams to a championship season. To stay able and agile in all directions is a must.
Whether it’s on the gridiron, soccer field, or any SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 sport for that matter, optimal performance requires excellent balance and coordination. Unfortunately, there are many factors that can undermine these qualities, and we must be aware of them.
The Hidden Opponent Sometimes injuries occur that are quite obvious. A sprained ankle or hurt knee can leave a player limping, causing an obvious loss in balance and coordination. However, many injuries are subtle and develop slowly over time. These injuries become hidden opponents that challenge all players and teams at some point. During this time there is a slow and steady loss of performance that the player tries to compensate for. If the signs are not noticed and corrected, the condition can worsen and have detrimental effects on the player and the team as a whole. Did you ever notice that everyone pulls a hamstring or groin muscle when they are in the best shape of their lives?
As the intensity of the season continues, the imbalance slowly worsens and the muscle gives out. To effectively contend with these hidden injuries and imbalances, BFS has created BFS Protocol I. By performing a simple march in place test in an OptoJump system, we can obtain precise, objective data for the purpose of protecting and enhancing balance and coordination as our athletes head toward optimal performance. To perform the test, an athlete will assume a good start position by employing the BFS 6 Absolutes – stand tall, eyes on target, spread the chest, etc. The athlete is then instructed to march in place at moderate intensity for 20 seconds.
The OptoJump system precisely measures the time each foot is on the ground and the time each foot moves through the air. The closer the timing of each side, the better the balance and coordination of the player. The system is accurate to a thousandth of a second. Any injury that is affecting balance and coordination can Dr. Peter G. Gorman, president of Microgate USA, has lectured all around the world about the importance of symmetrical development for athletic performance and improved quality of life. be objectively detected by the system long before it can be seen by the naked eye. To make the results very easy to understand, BFS scores the results at the bottom of the chart.
Typical scores for contact and flight asymmetry usually lie in the 0-5 percent zone. An increase in any score over an athlete’s baseline results will prompt coaches and trainers to ask questions and find the cause. Sometimes very simple interventions taken early, such The simple walk in place test can provide detailed, immediate information about an indivdiual’s balance and coordination, as shown in this report. as a little extra rest or reducing trigger points, can prevent a worse injury later. For 37 years we at BFS have successfully helped thousands of athletes reach optimal performance. By employing our BFS Protocol I, thousands more will effectively and efficiently reach their goals.
Dr. Gorman and BFS CEO Bob Rowbotham recently visited West Jordan High School in West Jordan, Utah, for a hands-on demonstration of the practical applications of the OptoJump. s 39--%429&/5.$!4)/. s /04)-!, 0%2&/2-!.#% s !"),I4934!"),)49 s ).*529 02%6%.4)/.
/04/*5-0 02/6)$%3 4(E -OST !DVANCED ATHLETIC ASSESSMENT TOOL 3O 9/U KNOW YOUR PROGRAM IS WORKING BFS TEAMS WITH TECHNOLOGY LEADER OPTOJUMP An innovative system of analysis and measurement that brings assessment and optimization of performance to athletic development based on precise, objective data. By acquiring fundamental parameters of the level of an individual’s performance and condition, Optojump allows coaches and teachers to easily monitor their athletes. This makes it possible to ascertain the EFMPMXMIWSVTL]WMGEP½XRIWWSJEREXLPIXI in a simple and immediate way Over time, OptoJump creates a database OPTOJUMP 1 meter system:
Assess performance and physical condition Rapidly identify imbalances (IZIPSTTVSKVEQWTIGM½GXVEMRMRKFEWIHSRXLI test results Periodically check the results and the effectiveness of treatment Create a database of athletes Motivate subject by providing tangible evidence of progress BFS Science Lab BFS is committed to advancing every coaches and teacher’s ability to track the improvement of their students and athletes. On November 1, 2011, BFS opened that makes it possible to compare values the “BFS Science Lab” with Dr. Peter Gorman, President of MicroGait USA, at his facility in New York. for that athlete or different athletes. “This will be a great addition to the BFS organization,”
says BFS President Bob Call 800-628-9737 for information. Rowbotham. Look for more details about this exciting facility in future issues of Using top quality BFS equipment and the OptoJump system the BFS Science Lab is developing systems and protocols to continue the advancement of youth training and performance!
DEDICATED TO HELPING ATHLETES SUCCEED SINCE 1976 ONLINE AT WWWBIGGERFASTERSTRONGERCOM s EMAIL US AT INFO BFSMAILCOM 7EST 3OUTH 3ALT ,AKE #ITY 54 s &AX
From BFS Magazine — September/October 2013. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
