Clinical Research Directory

Integrating Sport-Specific Comprehensive Training to Upscale Performance in Women and Girls

Sponsor: Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre

Summary

To date, sport training methodologies have focused primarily on male/men/boy (MMB) athletes, with much less emphasis on female/women/girl (FWG) athletes. Relatively little research has been conducted to identify how to enhance FWG performance in sport and there is a lack of understanding of how training delivery models should be modified to optimize performance for FWG athletes. Typical physical training focuses on strength and fitness to improve power and endurance, depending on the sport. Evidence highlights the importance of combining Mental Performance (MP) competencies with physical training to achieve peak performance. Programs that interweave psychological and rehabilitation principles (including sensorimotor (SM) training) have demonstrated efficacy in individuals with pain and dizziness disorders. In addition, high-performance athletes have self-reported performance improvements and achieved record-breaking outcomes in their sport performance with SM training. Furthermore, these domains are shaped by broader sport and societal structures that are barriers to FWG athletes' equitable participation in sport. An integrated approach across pillars/domains has not yet been applied, nor in FWG sport specifically. Therefore, this new area of inquiry for the newly created SUPERGirl team will challenge current paradigms of sport development and specifically focus on elite FWG athlete training and performance requirements. With the combined transdisciplinary expertise in the SUPERGirl team, an integrated FWG athlete development program that goes beyond historical physical training and addresses FWG-specific needs will be co-created with coaches and sport partners. This innovative transdisciplinary model, integrating physical, SM, MP, and mental health training, could redefine the long-term FWG athlete development pathways and enhance sport experiences and performance for FWG athletes. This study will recruit a total of 250 female, women and girl ice hockey players and skeleton athletes ages 11-26 years old.

Official title: SUPERGIRLS: Integrating Sport-Specific Comprehensive Training to Upscale Performance in Women and Girls

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