Practices of strength and conditioning coaches across Chinese high-performance sports

Abstract

This study used an online survey to investigate the practices and perspectives of strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs) across different high-performance sports in China. The survey comprised of the following sections: (a) background information, (b) muscular strength and power, (c) speed, (d) endurance, (e) plyometrics, (f) flexibility, (g) physical testing, (h) technology use, and (i) programming. In total, 93 SCCs from 44 high-performance sports across 25 provinces/municipalities participated in this study (age 31.5 ± 6.9 yrs, experience as a SCC 5.5 ± 4.4 yrs). Periodization strategies were used by 97% of SCCs. Clean and derivatives (37%) were deemed the most important exercises for strength and power development. Heart rate (85%) and repetition maximum (72%) were the most used methods for determining set loads in endurance and strength training, respectively. Box drills (91%) were the most prescribed plyometric exercise and dynamic stretching (91%) was the most prescribed flexibility exercise. All SCCs physically tested their athletes and 95% frequently used technology-based equipment. For open-ended questions, 30% of SCCs would change their programs by improving monitoring, testing, equipment, and facilities. Thirty-nine percent of SCCs believed digitization and monitoring will be prominent future trends. The results indicated that most practices of SCCs in Chinese high-performance sports were dissimilar to those of SCCs in other countries. SCCs generally prescribe training according to the needs of sports. However, the interferences of many external factors also affected the scientific nature of training prescription.