This week we discuss reverse engineering strength and conditioning programming. Reverse engineering is a decision-making process which starts with the end goal in mind and works backwards to determine when different athletic qualities should be emphasized in a training program. While people can have a wide range of goals, different activities rely on the development of certain physical characteristics, so it is important to know the demands of the end task. Throughout the bulk of the article, the authors discuss agility development as an example of the application of reverse engineering. Agility requires decision making and change of direction speed. An athlete must be able to quickly decide how and where to produce a large amount of force in a short period of time to achieve an appropriate degree of change of direction during in-game situations. Some component pieces of agility include: maximal strength, stretch-shortening cycle mechanics, accelerative and decelerative ability, and decision making. The authors also discuss how and why coaches should screen for movement imbalances and mobility deficits throughout training. Clinicians should examine and assess qualities which are related to a patient/client’s current injury status, but also understand which qualities are important for the patient/client to achieve their long-term goals. This can be done by screening the final movement we want to see, in this case a 180 change of direction. Analysis of the end task reveals where the patient/client is currently lacking.

The abstract can be found here: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/fulltext/2022/08000/reverse_engineering_in_strength_and_conditioning_.8.aspx

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