The Risks Of Coaches Neglecting Scientific Research In Their Training

This just might be one of the most important posts to be found here on my CoachChic.com website — I truly mean that. The reason? I’d say it’s because a head coach’s unwillingness to seek out and then adhere to the latest in scientific principles is quite likely to harm his or her players — in numerous ways, and over both the short term and the very long term.

Sport coaches have an exceptional responsibility to use scientifically-proven methods to train their athletes. However, many coaches still fail to acknowledge the importance of scientific research in their training techniques. This ignorance can cause significant damage to both athletes and coaches in their sport endeavors.

One common reason why coaches neglect scientific research in their training techniques is a lack of knowledge. Many coaches, and particularly those who are self-taught or have no formal education in this area, lack advanced scientific knowledge, as well as a real understanding of how important it can be to the players in their charge.

A great many coaches also believe an extensive playing background has prepared them well for being a great teacher or a knowledgeable coach.  That might be true when it comes to tactics or strategies.  On the other hand, it’s doubtful that a coach’s prior mentors were able to share an abundance of scientific knowledge or principles (if those mentors were even trained in those areas).

Then, yet another area that tends to hurt well meaning young head coaches is their opting for lots of high level studies, but none of these being in the areas of physiology, anatomy, mental training, etc.  Oh, a degree in business or marketing or in the arts might help a coach promote his or her hockey business, but none of these will help one iota when it comes to conditioning players, analyzing their movements, or building their strength or speed or endurance.

Consequently, they tend to use old-fashioned coaching methods that, although comfortable to them, have proven to be scientifically incorrect and even injurious to their athletes.

Again, one major adverse impact of coaches skipping scientific research can result in serious injuries to their athletes.  Quite obviously, the lack of scientific training can also lead to poor performances by their players, and it can also stunt their players’ growth and development.

Of course, the world of sports is constantly evolving, with new scientific research leading to better and better training methods.  And for sure, coaches who keep up with that new knowledge and adopt the new techniques will generate far more effective results than those who rely on outdated methods.

Coaches who implement scientific research can provide their athletes with customized training programs that are tailored to their individual needs, allowing them to build strength and endurance, recover quickly from injuries, and improve their performance.

Now, this old coach feels he was fortunate to take the right college courses.  However, I never stopped learning — or keeping up with the sciences.  No, I took advantage of numerous scientific resources available on the internet, I attended conferences and workshops around the world, and I managed to learn from a number of sport scientists, nutritionists and others. Moreover, I’ve utilized technology and gadgets to monitor and track my athletes’ progress and I fine-tuned their training accordingly.

In conclusion, sport coaches who neglect scientific research in their training techniques risk harming their players’ growth and development. If there’s one major shame to all this, I’ll suggest that a lot of the damage done to players through a non-scientific approach to training isn’t discovered until a long time in the future, or probably after either a player or the coach leaves the game.