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The Effects of a Training Program on Athletes

Mariah Polk

The injury a football player may endure is likely to be related to the training system each

player experiences. The type of training an athlete does plays a very important role in their
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overall strength. A training program should increase an athlete's strength and condition them

well so they can compete safely. A proper training program should increase an athlete’s mass,

durability, explosiveness, and should prevent injuries.

In the research study, Effects of Strength Training Program and Infrared Thermography in

Soccer Athletes Injuries, researchers discover, “Athletes with higher strengths have been shown

to perform better during numerous physical performance abilities and injury incidence.” Some of

the most commonly injured areas in football may include head, ankles, knees, shoulders, and

wrists. While injuries to these areas are very common, the athletes strength and conditioning

program should help to strengthen those areas and prevent injury. Another research study shows,

“Research findings indicate a relatively low risk of injury in children and adolescents who follow

age-appropriate resistance training guidelines, which include qualified supervision and

instruction” (Faigenbaum, A. D 2010). Injuries may begin to occur when an athlete takes on too

much before their bodies may be ready. It can cause many overuse injuries or lead to greater

injuries due to weaken other areas. If done the proper way, strength training can be one of the

most vital parts of an athlete's success.

“Another proposed benefit of general strength training is a reduction in the risk of sports

injuries such as damage to soft tissues” (Young 2006). There are exercises recommended for

each body part to prevent and provide rehabilitation to a specific body part. For instance, if you

strengthen the hamstring you can reduce the possibilities of a strain to many ligaments around it.

Also the strengthening of a hamstring can also improve the speed and power of an athlete during

competition. Each training program should have a significant amount of injury prevention

exercises. This will decrease the risk of injury in the weight room and out in competition.
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Along with the main exercises in a training program, the importance of rest and recovery also

play an important role in a training program. “It allows the body to recover physically and

psychologically” (Swartzendruber 2018) . If a body is constantly being worked with no rest

overtime the body is going to shut down due to exhaustion. It is important that athletes have a

break between competition and practices. For instance, a football team should have a set number

of practice days, some with contact some without contact. Also, after a game they should be

given a few days to recover before beginning practice and weight training again. “If the rate of

recovery is appropriate, higher training volumes and intensities are possible without the

detrimental effects of overtraining” (Dalleck). If an athlete is given the proper time to rest and

recover, they will have an overall better performance.

The overall build of a training program should be designed to prevent and protect athletes

from injuries. A training program should be the foundation of the workouts. Everything an

athlete endures will effect them in a competition or in a practice. It is important that a training

program an athlete goes through is appropriate for them so they do not face overuse injuries. The

proper program can lead to great results in performance and in an athlete's health.
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References

Dalleck, L. C. (n.d.). The Science of Post-Exercise Recovery. Retrieved September 29, 2019,
from https://acewebcontent.azureedge.net/SAP-Reports/Post-
Exercise_Recovery_SAP_Reports.pdf.

Faigenbaum, A. D., & Myer, G. D. (2010, January). Resistance training among young athletes:
safety, efficacy and injury prevention effects. Retrieved September 29, 2019, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3483033/.

Menezes, P., Rhea, M. R., Herdy, C., & Simao, R. (2018, November 19). Effects of Strength
Training Program and Infrared Thermography In Soccer Athletes. Retrieved September 29,
2019, from file:///C:/Users/1236387/Downloads/sports-06-00148.pdf.

Swartzendruber, K. (2018, October 2). The importance of rest and recovery for athletes.
Retrieved September 29, 2019, from
https://www.canr.nsu.edu/newa/the_importance_of_rest_and_recovery_for_athletes.

Young, W. B. (2006). Transfer of Strength and Power Training to Sports Performance. Retrieved
September 29, 2019