Performance Services
Department Overview:
Performance Services provides NGB's support by utilizing experts in nutrition, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, strength & conditioning, and performance technology. Four Sportfolios are used to combine experience from each area with a focus on sports from similar backgrounds. These Sportfolio's are: Acrobat & Combat, Strength & Power, Endurance, and Team & Technical. In addition, Performance Services employs personnel in the Operations department to focus on coaching, recovery, performance technology, performance lab, library services, and medical support.
Components:
Biomechanics: uses state-of-the-art force, time, motion, and muscle activity measurement technologies to analyze athletic performance. We work to identify strengths and weaknesses in key performance factors and use this information to help coaches and athletes understand and overcome performance deficiencies through physical and technique-based training.
Coaching: the core of sustained competitive excellence. The Coaching Department has three main focuses:
- Assisting NGB's in the development of Coaching Education programs and materials
- Provide educational opportunities for elite level coaches with an emphasis on preparation for the Olympic Games
- Recognition of the importance of America's best coaches
Nutrition: the nutrition department provides coaching, education, and testing in terms of diet analysis, physiological characteristics & testing, international travel food guides, and sport competition preparation.
Performance Technology: a critical, yet often underutilized component of an athlete's preparation is the efficient use of technology to facilitate performance measurement, proper feedback, and scouting. Performance Technology delivers sport-specific technology solutions to improve athlete, team, and coaching performance.
Strength & Conditioning: The benefits from properly prescribed strength & conditioning include increased performance and decreased injury potential, increased skill acquisition, balance, coordination, quickness, physical fitness, confidence, self esteem, quicker recovery times, and mental toughness.
Physiology/Performance Lab: Citius - Fortius - Altius. Involves Training Program Design (a resource for coaches), Physiological Analysis (Identifies athlete performance strengths/weakness'), Training and Recovery application (Insures Effective Training), and Performance Analysis.
Psychology: develop, harness and sharpen "offensive & defensive" Olympic skills. Examples of these skills are: Team building, Relaxation, Imagery, Managing energy, Self-talk, Meditation, Goal setting, Slump busting, Communication, Competition routines, Distraction management, Motivation, Burnout, etc.
Medical Services: strives to provide the highest quality comprehensive health care to elite and national team athletes with the goal of achieving sustained competitive excellence.
Library Services: provides cutting-edge periodical, journal, coaching and scientific resources to maximize knowledge within Performance Services and the National Governing Bodies.
Recovery Center: utilizes preventative techniques such as cold/hot plunges, steam room, sauna, massage, and nutrition to maximize recovery and facilitate physical restoration.
