Ian King

Celebrating the life and contribution of Istvan Balyi

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This article is about Istvan Balyi, who positioned himself as one of world’s leading experts on periodization and integration of training in sport. It is intended to celebrate his life and contribution, including from my personal and professional, first hand and over quarter of a century of association perspective.

I’ve been to memorials where individuals speak about the dearly departed yet manage to talk more about themselves. I’m conscious to avoid this yet acknowledge that I choose only to speak about Istvan through my personal observations and interactions with him.

Istvan’s journey to Canada from Hungary

Istvan was born in Hungary on 23 July 1942 in Debrecen, Hungary. He attended the Hungarian University of Sports Science and completed his undergraduate degree there. In 1974 he was in Montreal Canada with the Hungarian Olympic team’s advanced mission when he chose to walk out of the hotel and seek asylum. [1]

His Canadian work life started out working  teaching physical education at the University of Montreal, then onto the University of Ottawa and later the National Coaching Institute at the University of Victoria. [2]

My introduction to Istvan

I was introduced to Istvan by Charles Poliquin in about 1989 when I stayed with the Canadian Alpine Ski team for a summer camp. Poliquin had been one of his students at Ottawa. For the next ten years I worked closely with Istvan in his role as Sport Science Director for the Canadian Alpine Ski team.

The Sports Science Director for the Canadian Alpine Ski team in the early 1990s was Istvan Balyi.  Istvan is the most effective sports scientist I have ever worked with.  He represented his native country of Hungary in the 1964 Olympics (swimming) and therefore had a feel for the athlete and the training process.  He completed his undergraduate degree in sports science in Hungary, where he rubbed shoulders with a number of internationally recognized Hungarian sports training experts.  He completed his PhD in Canada, a country proud of its sporting achievements.  He provides a unique service, having a feel for both science and practice. [3]

He also arranged visits and guest lectures for me at various locations throughout Canada through the Canadian Association of Coaching and the National Coaching Institute at the University of Victoria.  Through Istvan I met and spent time with many leading proponents of athlete preparation in Canada. You will note in the 1997 quote below that the first four names are Canadian – such was the influence on me during my time in Canadian sport.

I had so many incredible learning opportunities to meet and question others during my travels.  My trips to North America over the years have resulted in meeting, dining with, and talking shop with so many people that I have lost track.  Istvan Balyi, Tudor Bompa, David Docherty, Boyd Epley, Steve Fleck, Vern Gambetta, Ken Kontor, Bill Kraemer, Dietmar Schmidbleicher, Mike Stone, Al Vermeil, Harvey Wenger, to name a few.   There are many more – I share a few to get the message across.  No better way to learn! [4]

In return, I introduced Istvan to the Australian Coaching Association, which had heavily modelled what the Canadian Association of Coaching had done, and to the NSCA of Australia (now the Australian Strength Coaching Association). I invited Istvan to speak at some of the national conferences I organized for the NSCA of Australia in the early 1990s.

I still have on my wall today a plaque that Istvan had made for me and presented to me during a seminar he gave in Australia, for my contribution to the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. A true gentleman.

Istvans’ transition from committed to recognized

One of the things that stood out to me about Istvan was his focus on training literature and specifically periodization.  There would not be a day that goes by in camps in Canada where he would not knock on my door in our accommodation and say, ‘Ian, have you read this article?’ And give me a copy.

There would not be a week or month that goes by in Australia that I would not get a fax from Istvan. In addition to administrative emails about our shared responsibility with the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, there would be more ‘Have you seen this article?’ and a copy attached.

New South Wales (an Australian province) rugby trots out the line each year (at the start of the season!) about how fit they are!   History shows no results for their 11-odd year involvement in the Super 6, 10 and 12 competitions!  In fact, they usually fade halfway through the competitive season – badly.  Which is no surprise, for even the research collated by my colleague Istvan Balyi shows that elite athletes exposed to more than eight to ten weeks of high intensity energy system training will ‘fry’! [5]

He was my gold standard in being hungry for and appreciative of anyone who left bread crumbs in writing about athlete preparation.

In addition, our training discussion in person during my multiple visits per year over a decade was something a sports coach nerd can only dream of. Istvan was very appreciative and respectful of my own interest in his favourite subject, periodization and integration of training. He included one of my long-term athlete development tables in his Kinetics books (to his credit one of the only times a publisher has reached out to me in writing to seek approval to use my works). I would expect nothing less from a person with integrity, as was the case with Istvan.

When I met Istvan I was not aware of him outside of the ski team, and then over the next few years, his reputation in Canada grew. He worked very hard to connect with and contribute to as many sports as he could, in what was in that era arguably the finest sports coach education system in the western world.

By the late 1990s, his reputation had grown internationally. He was getting hired by nations inlead up to home Olympics e.g. Australia 2000, UK 2012, and shared his message with more sports in more countries.

“By the end of his life, he had consulted with more than 50 sports organizations in more than 20 countries. He authored papers, wrote textbooks and was recognized with an honorary doctorate from his alma mater in Budapest in 2022.” [6] [7]

Despite his newfound fame, he didn’t change – he remained humble, hard-working and put the athlete first.

One of my endearing messages of his impact was when I was working with coaches and athletes in the a US state Olympic organizational group around 2010, when they told me all about this expert called Istvan Balyi and their newfound discovery of long-term athlete development. I bit my tongue, as that has been accessible for over 20 years. It did get even more interesting, however, when they told me they had brought in another expert to teach them all about this new thing called bodyweight exercises…The Canadian Alpine Ski Team could have shared that with them from experiencing my program design 20 years earlier….I know, I expect too much…

Working with Istvan

It was a dream to work with him. No ego, no sensitivities, no politics, no BS, total commitment, life focused and athletes first.  Now I have worked with a lot of PhD holders, and there are a few I could say that about. Now I know many of those others have said less than polite things about me, so it goes both ways, I guess. Istvan and the professors I met through Istvan restored my faith in sports scientists with the letter Dr in front of their names, after my experiences with the same at my alma mater in the late 1980s and early 2000s in Australia.  The Canadians were respectful, collaborative and committed to service through adequate humility to know we don’t have all the answers.

There appears competition in Australia as to who should control the training process, the sport scientist or the strength and conditioning coach. The strength and conditioning coach can benefit from sport science input, but I believe the laboratory bound sport scientist is too far removed from the training process to effectively control the training.

One sport scientist who appeared to have come to this conclusion was David Docherty PhD, head of the sport science department at the University of Victoria, British Columbia.  David had a strong interest in all theoretical and practical aspects of strength and conditioning and had been responsible for this aspect of the Canadian National Rugby Team training for many years.  During one of our chats in his office in the early 1990’s he said to me words to the effect “You know Ian sport is after people like yourself, not like me.”  I believe that David had realized that there was a new wave of physical preparation experts coming in, which would make it difficult if not impossible for him to be both an academic in sport science and the strength and conditioning coach.

This is not to suggest that sport scientists have nothing to offer in the practical environment.   I recall doing an Olympic lifting training session with American bio mechanist John Garhammer, during which he gave me some valuable tips on my lifting technique.  John is well known for his biomechanical analysis of the power clean, amongst other things.  Other sport scientists have proved their abilities in practical application in athletic preparation – take Istvan Balyi (PhD) of Canada for example – one of the best working colleagues I have had to pleasure to be involved with.[8]

Once I had earned my respect, Istvan gave me full rein in taking over areas of training that traditionally he had controlled.

My role was greater than the services they had been previously provided  – I programmed and taught speed, strength, endurance, flexibility, lifestyle, recovery, and some nutritional issues.  It was the first time in about a decade that the then Sport Science director, Istvan Balyi, had relinquished the periodization and integration roles.  He provided a broad skeleton of dates, and I filled in the specifics.  This was a big step for Istvan, and he was not to be disappointed.  With his blessing I applied my methods of reverse periodization of the energy systems.  [9]

I believe this was because he had previously hired individuals with an exclusive focus on strength training.

Despite being an internationally recognized expert in periodization, Istvan slowly relinquished the role of periodization of the skier’s programs to me.  He had previously utilized the traditional approach to periodization, applying the aerobic base theory.  Somehow, I had obtained his trust, and he watched as I implemented radical new ways of training in the general preparation phase.  He didn’t necessarily agree but was open-minded.  This despite it being in contrast to his long-serving methods.  He was keen to watch the impact on the aerobic measures and skiing performance. 

In the year leading up to the 1994 Winter Olympics, I implemented an alternative method with all the male skiers.  The result.  No negative alteration of aerobic fitness, and the best skiing results in a decade.  Istvan was impressed.  I was relieved and very happy, not that I doubted the methods – just that, like any sport, so many variables exist. [10]

I learnt a lot from Istvan, not the least his Eastern European approach to training. I speak about this a lot in my writings.[11]  This influence on my coaching cannot be understated.

Istvan was, as I have made clear, my kind of colleague and teammate. He was totally focused on the athletes. There was limited idle chit chat; it was always focused. He was collaborative and respectful, and received that in return. It was not about him, his ego, his future employment, how much fame and fortune he could scrape out of sport. The opposite of Istvan sums up most coaches and support staff I have worked with over the last 45 years – and there have been many. So, I was blessed with this quarter-century association.

I noted with comments about Istvan the person, such as below:

“In addition to sport, they shared a common love of books and music. They eventually married and had a son, Nick. Despite being emotionally remote, Istvan worked hard to provide for Ann and Nick.” [12]

No such complaint from me. However, I have learnt that some seek more from others than coaching guidance.  A committed, highly focused, serving others kind of sports consultant may have some limitations outside of sport. And I speak for all of us who fit this description. They have been my most valued colleagues. I apologize to Anne and Nick for taking up their time.

Conclusion

Istvan passed away on 3 December 2024 in Sooke, B.C., of liver failure; aged 82.

I have seen many tributes to his life published, which is appropriate. Having spent collaborative time with Istvan during the period he shaped his long-term athlete development model, and knowing that our discussions contributed to that, I believe I speak with his approval when I clarify one point.

Some tributes, in my opinion, mistakenly attribute Istvan with creating long-term athlete development, being the ‘architect’. That may be true from their perspective. However, in respect of all those who published on the subject before Istvan, and who Istvan drew inspiration, I believe some clarification is needed. I believe Istvan would have said the same thing.

. I was with him, watched him, read his references enough to know that he respectfully collated the work of those who came before him, and distilled that into a working model to suit the culture and systems of modern Western world training. He championed the concept.

What Istvan unequivocally did was bring to the Western world’s attention what the ‘others’ (Eastern bloc) countries have known and been doing for a long time. He had the drive, the persona, the commitment to sport to make it his life’s mission.

For that, he deserves to be acknowledged. That was his life message. I can only hope that ‘LTAD’ is more than a passing trend, that more coaches take the time to study, internalize and implement it. It’s more than a catch phrase, more than a theory. It was designed to make life better for all future athletes.

I conclude with statements I made in 1997, 28 years ago:

… Istvan is the most effective sports scientist I have ever worked with. …take Istvan Balyi (PhD) of Canada, for example – one of the best working colleagues I have had to pleasure to be involved with.[13]

 

References

[1] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-sport-scientist-istvan-balyi-changed-canadian-coaching-and-ate-hot/

[2] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing

[1] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-sport-scientist-istvan-balyi-changed-canadian-coaching-and-ate-hot/

[2] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-sport-scientist-istvan-balyi-changed-canadian-coaching-and-ate-hot/

[3] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing, Ch 7 – Training Theories

[4] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing, Ch 19 – Professional development

[5] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing, Ch 27 – The high volume road show rumbles along

[6] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-sport-scientist-istvan-balyi-changed-canadian-coaching-and-ate-hot/

[7] It was great to see his alma mater acknowledge him. That’s not something we can all expect. Shows great values on their part.

[8] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing, Ch 18 – Other support staff

[9] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing, Ch 23 – Watching Rome crumble

[10] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing, Ch 7 – Training Theories

[11] It’s tragic to see those who copy my work using the same words as if they too were there– I spent time and collaboration with Eastern Europeans – it was time and labor intense, took up a large part of my life, but so worthwhile. It’s heartbreaking to see this trivialized by the strokes of a keyboard.

[12] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-sport-scientist-istvan-balyi-changed-canadian-coaching-and-ate-hot/

[13] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing

 

© 2025 Ian King & King Sports International. All rights reserved.

Ian King

An athlete called to say thanks

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Reflections on gratitude.

A few days ago, an athlete called me to say thank you. Unsolicited.  Not for the winning, which we did. But for the lessons shared.  You might ask ‘So what. There’s nothing special about a thank you.’ So, I will share this – the period of time the athlete was referring to occurred 30 years ago.

It is no coincidence that just a few weeks prior in a webinar with a global audience, I spoke about this:

And that’s just a little example of gratitude that it’s a lifelong gratitude from an athlete when you help them create a legacy and fulfil their potential.[1]

I say no coincidence because this expression of gratitude over this time frame is not an uncommon experience for me.

Those who spend a few days with me know it’s unlikely much time passes when a real athlete who I really helped win expresses their unsolicited gratitude. [2]

However, it still stands out.  For me, it speaks to the character of the athlete. I take as much pride in the person I have helped them become as in the sporting legacy.

I have encouraged this trait in writing:

Show gratitude. The human emotion of gratitude is one I value and teach in all aspects of living; however, in the context of the student, I strongly encourage you to use it. Whether the teaching is short or long, what you wanted to hear or not, express your gratitude. This rewards the teacher and encourages them to continue teaching – be it to you or subsequent students.[3]

The premium I place on culture is reflected by its presence in KSI’s 19 points of culture:

Gratitude … I am a truly grateful person. I say thank-you and show appreciation often and in many ways, so that all around me know how much I appreciate everything and everyone I have in my life. I celebrate my wins and the wins of my team and clients. I consistently catch myself and other people doing things right … [4]

Personal character traits, including gratitude, figure high in our athlete development message:

I don’t have an expectation for them, it’s their path in sport, but as far as behaviour and attitude, that’s not really negotiable. To do their best and be positive, show gratitude and be courteous, respectful. [5]

And it’s not just the athletes. As coach education is the almost-as-long-serving concurrent aspect or our combined service, we also receive similar in this genre – unsolicited, multi-decade later gratitude.

Ian,  your teaching has been something I have been using since we met over 20 years ago. One of the best decisions I made in my life.  It has helped me tremendously professionally  & personally. Just wanted to say thanks.—Miguel [6]

You might see others reach similar conclusions:

I think the same thing happens with relationships. Business, personal, family relationships, etc. They start off young and that’s when you can build almost a “relationship myelin” around them. You do that by being honest with people, by showing gratitude, by not overusing the connection, by treating it just right so it develops into something that can last a lifetime. If someone does something for you, show you are grateful.[7]

People often ask, ‘Who was your favorite athlete?’ To which I respectfully decline to answer, deflecting by saying something along the lines of ‘A parent should not have a favorite child’. Then I go on to say I can, however, tell you about those who make their mark by their character trait of consistent and long-term gratitude.

Such as the athlete whom I helped to a Silver Medal in the 1992 Auckland Commonwealth Games, who would send me an annual thank you card for years following…

Or the contact sport athlete who became the most capped in the world in his sport and reached out to me by phone annually for the year following…

Or the athlete who, 30 years later, gave me reason to share this.

 

References

[1] King, I., 2025, Optimal athletic performance, Kent, UK, Sat 11 Oct 2025 (Seminar/Video)

[2] King, I., 2019, How did you develop your approach to flexibility, Off the Record #50, 31 July 2019

[3] King, I., 2005, The way of the physical preparation coach, Ch 21 – Become a student

[4] King, I., 2009, KSI 18 Points of Culture

[5] King, I., 2014, Coaching Mastery, Cape Cod, 13-14 April 2014, USA (Seminar)

[6] King, I., 2025, Personal communication, Email received 25 March 2025

[7] Altucher, J., 2014, 10 Things I learnt when interviewing Tony Robbins about money, The Stanberry Digest,18 Nov 2014

Ian King

What else don’t we know?

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This article is not about sets and reps. However, I suggest it relates to our physical training. This story appears to be geographically specific. However, I suggest that if you dig deeper into the history of your own region, you may see relevance.  The message is we might believe we have a full grasp of the information, only to learn we don’t. And how that information could serve us to achieve our best and highest good.  The focus on conspiracies in our society appears to be rising. This is not a conspiracy story, but in less clear-cut circumstances, it may be relevant to other conspiracy theories.

Sqn Ldr John Francis Jackson                                                         

The main airport in Port Moresby is named Port Moresby International Airport (sometimes in full Port Moresby Jackson International Airport) and is the largest airport in the country.

As a commercial airport, it was built on the airport created by the Allied Forces in the New Guinea war campaign against the Japanese Imperial Army. It was named after  Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Squadron Leader John Francis Jackson, who was killed in action in 1942 while defending the city from Japanese forces.

John Jackson’s story is worth reading. The sacrifice, the risks, the determination, the willingness to defend his country. His two kids never got to know their father, as he went off to war shortly after they were born.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

John Jackson’s courage, leadership, and ultimate sacrifice became a symbol of Australia’s and Papua New Guinea’s shared wartime struggle. [7]

Following Jackson’s death in combat on April 28 1942, the airport was named after him in various forms, including Jackson’s Drome, Jackson Field.  By the time I first flew into it in the early 1960s, it was known as Jackson’s Airport.

It was not until April 24 2017, that John’s story was formally recognized and his daughter Patricia Jackson and son Arthur Jackson were present to receive the acknowledgement, with the unveiling of a commemorative display. [8] That was 75 years later, almost to the day.

Bomana War Cemetery

John was buried at Bomana War Cemetery, [9] [10] [11]. The Bomana War Cemetery was officially opened on August 5 1944. I have strong memories of visiting this cemetery many times as a young boy. You can imagine the impact on a young person of seeing so many headstones. On the upside, the cemetery was always immaculately presented.

Kokoda 

One of the popular recreational activities for families living in the Port Moresby area was a day trip to Owen’s Corner in the Owen Stanley ranges, about a 40km drive out of Port Moresby, to walk and explore the trail that runs through the village of Kokoda. This trail was used by the Allies to provide a final defence against the Japanese Imperial Army, who were traversing the main island of PNG from the north, from their base in the town of Rabaul on the Island of New Britain.[12] [13]

The Kokoda Trail was a path that linked Ower’s Corner, approximately 40 km north-east of Port Moresby, and the small village of Wairopi, on the northern side of the Owen Stanley mountain range. From Wairopi, a crossing point on the Kumusi River, the Trail was connected to the settlements of Buna, Gona and Sanananda on the north coast. Its name was derived from the village of Kokoda that stood on the northern side of the main range and was the site of the only airfield between Port Moresby and the north coast. [14]

I recall it being called the ‘Trail’ – when I was walking it as a child, but I have since been corrected by many (who have never been there!) that it is ‘Track’!

“Kokoda Trail” and “Kokoda Track” have been used interchangeably since the Second World War and the former was adopted by the Battles Nomenclature Committee as the official British Commonwealth battle honour in October 1957. [15]

It was impactful to be in the foxholes and walk the same track as the Allied Forces did, albeit in a more playful mood. Or as playful as you can get, walking up and down the single steep path. The creeks in between the ridges provided relief.

Rabaul

The Japanese Imperial Army captured the township of Rabaul on the Island of New Britain on 23 January 1942. From there, they commenced an overland trek from the north of the main island of PNG to capture Port Moresby, which would have exposed Australia to greater attack. Australia was exposed, as it would have been difficult for Australia to defend its sparsely populated north. The Japanese surrounded Rabaul back to the Allied Forces on September 6 1945.

I was born in that town a decade and a half later.

War relics 

Whilst families enjoyed sites as the Kokoda Trail, kids in PNG enjoyed collecting war relics. The American Forces have been very ‘generous’ in what they had left behind. Our collection as kids was diverse and large.  You didn’t have to walk far from your home in towns such as Port Moresby to find war relics. It was something you could do on the spur of the moment on any afternoon after school.

Relatives who served in PNG

Many Australians have relatives or know someone who has served in the World Wars, and the Pacific campaign was no exception. I had an uncle who served in PNG. [16]

I thought I knew a lot about WWII in PNG

As you can see from the above, where I have sought to provide a snapshot of my belated exposure to the events of WW II in PNG, I had reason to believe I was all over it.

I had walked the paths, been in the foxholes, touched the relics, visited the war cemetery – and not just once. All the above was a regular occurrence.

And then in 2023, I learnt about an event on the 7th September 1943 at what I knew as Jackson’s Airport. It had been kept a secret for 80 years.

How secret?

General Douglas MacArthur ordered a shroud of secrecy around the crash and threatened to court-martial anyone who spoke of it. Relatives of the dead were kept in the dark.[17]

The day in PNG during WWII when a US plane killed 63 Australian soldiers

On September 7th 1943, at Jackson’s Field (Drome) a US Liberator bomber laden with fuel clipped a tree on take-off and crashed into a convoy of trucks carrying soldiers of the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion. The result:

  • 60 Australian Army members from the 2/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion were killed
  • 2 Australian truck drivers killed
  • 11 US air service members killed
  • 90 other Australians were injured

I know the authorities had their reasons for the ‘secret’

I know the authorities of the Allied Forces had their reasons.

“For morale reasons, General Douglas MacArthur ordered a shroud of secrecy around the crash…”[18]

However, this decision was not without ramifications. I am not suggesting MacArthur didn’t consider them.

The connection for me continues

I learnt 80 years later that the Liberator involved, the “Pride of the Cornhuskers” was named in honor of Nebraska, home US state of the 21-year-old flight officer Howard J. Wood.   I took multiple trips to Nebraska in the late 1980s and early 1990s, spending time at the then headquarters of the NSCA in Lincol,n Nebraska.  I also have positive memories of my time spent with one of the original coaches of the NSCA, Boyd Epley,[19] and his crew, at the University of Nebraska[20].

To be clear:

“An Australian Army Court of Inquiry handed down its findings into the disaster in December 1943. It attached no blame to the pilot or crew of the Liberator, but ordered a review of airfield marshalling procedures to avoid putting future troop carrying trucks in danger at the end of runways.” [21]

The US military review was perhaps less forgiving:

A US Air Force Inquiry placed 90 per cent of the blame on pilot error during an instrument take-off and 10 per cent on the dark, foggy weather conditions.” [22]

The enormity of the secret

This was the largest aviation disaster loss of lives – in peace or war – for Australia:

Former Sun-Herald editor Peter Allen, writing in the Order of Service for the ceremony, says: “Because Papua New Guinea was then under Australian administration, the crash still ranks as the biggest in Australian aviation history, in peace or war. Although being Australia’s worst aviation disaster, it remains one of the least known major accidents of World War II.”[23]

And yet no one knew about it…

Bigger than Black Hawk Down

Australia had its own version of the US Mogadishu Black Hawk down incident. [24] An aviation crash in 1996 involving two Black Hawk helicopters during a training exercise outside of Townsville by the Australian army, including the Special Air Services Regiment, resulted in the loss of 18 lives. [25]

This was a tragic incident. We were told at the time that this was Australia’s worst peacetime military aviation disaster.[26] I appreciate that’s technically correct, but in 1996, no one (other than the survivors in threat of court-martial) had any idea about the loss of lives in 1943.

What does this all mean 

Firstly, from a personal perspective.

I flew in and out of Jackson’s Airport more times than I can remember during a four-decade period spanning the 1960s to 2000. At no stage was I given the opportunity to pause and reflect on those who lost their lives on the 7th September 1943.  In my visits to the Bomana War Cemetery, I was not given a chance to visit their final resting place.

You could say that’s a ‘me’ problem, a ‘first-world problem’, and I would agree. It doesn’t change the fact that I feel denied a part of history for so long.

Now, from the perspective of the family and friends of the deceased. Many would have passed away by now and never known the truth.  And I can only imagine how those who received the belated information felt. Now that’s not a first-world problem. They deserved better.

Now, from your perspective. My goal in sharing this somewhat personal story – how I felt finding out so many years later about information intentionally withheld – was to bring to light the question for all of us –

‘What else don’t we know?’

And that question relates both to life as well as to physical training information.

The only solace I can provide around this is that I am committed to sharing with you what I discover in relation to answers to the question I have asked since I set out on this journey – ‘What is the best way to train?”

And the final thought goes to those who gave their lives on the 7th of September 1943 at Jackson Fields, Port Moresby. I am sorry we could not recognize your sacrifice for those 80 years. When I fly into Jackson’s Field next, I will be thinking of you. When I’m back at Bomana next, I will visit with you.

 

References

[1] https://www.thenational.com.pg/jackson-airport-got-name/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Jackson

[3] https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jackson-john-francis-10600

[4] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2123818

[5] https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/633642

[6] https://www.facebook.com/groups/139215886513324/posts/2337901856644705/

[7] https://www.facebook.com/groups/139215886513324/posts/2337901856644705/

[8] https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-40/A29-8/2019/jackson-termianl-memorial.html

[9] https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/2014300/port-moresby-bomana-war-cemetery/

[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Moresby_(Bomana)_War_Cemetery

[11] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C65569

[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokoda_Track_campaign

[13] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84663

[14] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84663

[15] https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E84663

[16] KING, Charles Elvery : Service Number – N441284 : Date of birth – 20 Aug 1923 : Place of birth – ALSTONVILLE NSW : Place of enlistment – CASINO NSW : Next of Kin – KING B 

[17] https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-men-dying-still-haunt-me-the-day-a-us-army-crash-killed-62-australians-20230829-p5e0dw.html

[18] https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-men-dying-still-haunt-me-the-day-a-us-army-crash-killed-62-australians-20230829-p5e0dw.html

[19] https://huskers.com/staff/boyd-epley

[20] https://www.unl.edu/

[21] https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-men-dying-still-haunt-me-the-day-a-us-army-crash-killed-62-australians-20230829-p5e0dw.html

[22] https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-men-dying-still-haunt-me-the-day-a-us-army-crash-killed-62-australians-20230829-p5e0dw.html

[23] https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-men-dying-still-haunt-me-the-day-a-us-army-crash-killed-62-australians-20230829-p5e0dw.html

[24] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mogadishu_(1993)

[25] https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2021-06-12/25th-anniversary-black-hawk-accident

[26] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-11/survivor-remembers-1996-black-hawk-tragedy/7497914

Ian King

Care and what’s missing

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When a human is moving in a certain direction in life, it takes a specific amount of momentum to change direction. That may sound deep and cryptic, so let’s simplify it – until something significant (read catastrophic) happens, humans would prefer to conclude they are heading in the right direction.

Now, to relate that to sports and physical training, and competition.

How does an athlete know if their training is on track to achieve their goals? The scoreboard.

How does an individual training in what we call the general population space know if their training is on track? If it’s achieving their goals.

Before you conclude that the questions are asked and answered, allow me to dig deeper on this discussion.

In relation to the athlete, if you assume the primary driver is the scoreboard, then the feedback about the direction may be enough to redirect the training effort. However, that is a flawed assumption, for reasons I share below.

And when it comes to the general population, assumptions about their goals can also be misleading.

Case studies

Over the last five decades, I have been involved in numerous case studies of individuals, athletes, teams, sports coaches, and physical coaches. Here are a few of them.

The athlete said to me, “I have been on the World Cup circuit for 7 years now and never stood on the podium. If I don’t do that this year, I am going to quit racing.”

Hearing that clarity in metrics was music to my ears. We were on the podium in the first World Cup race of that next season.

Easy.

The athlete came to me as the two-time reigning gold medalist in their event. They knew their current trajectory was going to result in missing out on being selected for the next Olympics. They were taking action. We went to the next Olympics and got on the podium again.

That’s a relief because the stakes were so high.

The athlete came to me after making their decision to go to their third Olympics. They were so far off the pace that they would not even qualify. They had improved their Olympic result from Games one to Games two and wanted more. We went to the third Games and achieved the best results in not only their history, but their country’s history.

Tick.

The leadership group came to me and said, “We failed to make the playoffs last year and do not want to go there again. Can you help us?”

They were in the Grand finale the next year, and were back-to-back Champions two years later

Done.

The athlete came to me because an athlete I worked with suggested it. They were the reigning Gold Medalists and the first person from their country to hold that title in a country rich in that sport. They were struggling and even though the next Games were some years away, they may have been sensing the training direction was off track. I shared my thoughts, and they didn’t take them up.

The athlete never returned to the Olympics.

The athlete came to me because an athlete I had worked with suggested it. They had been selected to represent their country in their first Olympics the year before, but had been seriously injured in the lead up to the Games and were not able to go. I shared my thoughts, and they didn’t take them up.

A similar injury that prevented them from attending the prior Olympics has since occurred and we will have to wait and see what the future holds at the Olympic level.

The athlete came to me to qualify for their third Olympic Games after a long life happens layoff. Due to age and life odds were against them, and they recognized it. Not only did we qualify for the next Olympics, but the athlete set national records in the lead-up up to the Games, and the Games result was very encouraging.

After that Games, the athlete changed direction, failed to qualify for the next Games, and never returned to the Olympics.

The young would-be physical preparation coach asked me the question: “What’s missing? I can’t seem to attract athlete clients or teams?” I shared two key points – you have to pay your dues first, and in the meantime, gave them a strategy to put food on the table through general population clients.

They took action on the second part and rejected the first part, saying, “You think I’m being impatient. I believe I’m just driven.”

History shows they have general population clients; however, they have never achieved their once-written goal of working with elite athletes and teams. Or many athletes at all.

It was not the only time that I have seen instant gratification over-ride decision making in young want-to-be-significant-yesterday physical coaches, despite the obvious gap between their experience, competencies, and value in the marketplace, and who they believe they ‘deserve’ to be working with.

The two key variables – Care and what’s missing

I have come to conclude that there are two key variables in the path to sporting success. Caring enough to change direction and knowing what direction to pivot to.

Care is not as simple as it sounds. I could say an athlete who fails to successfully pivot and achieve at the level or fails to redirect to return to the highest level, doesn’t care. But that is potentially inaccurate. It’s more than ‘do they care’ – it’s what do they care about?

The initial assumption is often that they all care about the scoreboard and being the best that they can be at all stages of their career. I have learnt this is not so.

In the 1980s, I felt many of Australia’s Olympic athletes were just over the moon to get to the Olympics. Medaling was not high on their priority list, based on my observations. Alternatively, there was no individual or collective expectation that could or would occur.

And that observation is not restricted to the 1980s. I have and still this this in some athletes today.

Other factors that may be the self-selected dominant key performance indicators for elite athletes over and above the scoreboard may include:
• Pleasing their coach
• Gaining approval from stakeholders
• Getting noticed and getting attention’
• Looking good (e.g. what I call the ‘closet bodybuilder’)[1]

In my observations of the general population, factors that may be the self-selected dominant key performance indicators for the general population over and above their expressed goals may include:
• Just having the motivation to be consistent in training
• Feeling good about their training
• Feeling good about the short-term visual impact of their training

In summary, when I say whether an athlete cares, what I mean is whether the scoreboard is their dominant KPI. I am not judging them when it is not, however, I am going to call it ‘they don’t care’ (NB. About the scoreboard being the #1 KPI!)

Now let’s talk about what’s missing.

I don’t expect an athlete to know the answer to the question of what’s missing. Or more accurately, I appreciate their need for third-party guidance in seeking the answer to the question. I just hope the guidance they are given is optimal.

If I were to create general categories of athletes about the variables of care and what’s missing, this is what I would say:

Category

 Care What’s missing?

1

Don’t care

Don’t know

2

Care

Don’t know

3

Care

Know
4 Don’t care

Know

Let’s dive deeper into my experiences with each category.

Category 1 – Don’t care, don’t know

These athletes don’t care about their performance limitations or declines at the highest level because, in my opinion, that is not their KPI. As they don’t see a problem, they do not buy into the thought that something is missing.

There is no shortage of individuals who will put their hand up to train these athletes, as they have more than enough credibility to post on their social media accounts.[2]

They don’t need my help to underperform. They do just fine all by themselves.

Category 2 – Care, don’t know

These athletes care about their performance limitations or declines at the highest level because the scoreboard is their KPI. They care less about what they look like; in fact, ideally, they don’t care at all, provided what they look like is shaped by the optimal nature of their training.

They may have some idea or no idea what is missing – that is far less important than their willingness to seek answers.

There is nothing more impressive than the nation or world’s best athlete having the humility and the courage to acknowledge training is off track and seek guidance. I just hope the guidance they get more than rewards them for their willingness to seek guidance.

These are my kind of athletes.

Category 3 – Care, know

These athletes care about their performance limitations or declines at the highest level because the scoreboard is their KPI. However, they have the answers to what’s missing, or believe they do. Are they on track?

If the proposed answer is:
• From the same pool of thinking that created the performance decrement[3], or
• From a third party with a poor track record; [4] or
• From a third party with limited to no track record, let alone a track record of success.[5]

Then I have less optimism for a successful outcome.

Category 4 – Don’t care, know

These athletes don’t care about their performance limitations or declines at the highest level because, in my opinion, that is not their KPI. They know there is a problem, and any idea of what’s missing, they have had the potential to reverse the rot. But they don’t care as their KPI is to be able to remain a professional athlete for as long as possible, to keep getting the rewards of such – media, social recognition, and income.

Most coaches and trainers would give a body part to be seen as associated. I prefer to be the pig (committed to winning), not the chicken (associated with someone who was once a winner).[6]

Window of opportunity

I am going to contrast the window of opportunity to pivot and change direction in training between the athlete and general population.[7]

I sense that the general population may be happier to pivot or change later or slower. They have a lot of time on their hands, considering the rough life span estimate of 80 years.

Athletes, on the other hand, at the elite end, do not have that luxury. If an athlete makes a decade at the top level, they have done well, and two decades is excellent. I see more and more athletes blowing their chance because they failed to pivot or failed to do it in a timely manner. But then again, I am using the word ‘fail’ relative to the KPI of the scoreboard. If we recognise other more dominant goals, they didn’t fail at all.

Yes, as rewards grow in sports, athletes are hanging in there longer. However, the window issue still remains.

Conclusion

As an athlete or end user in the general population, I trust you have found value in the simple message, based on five decades of experience and built on the simplicity of two key variables – do you care, and do you know the answer to what’s missing?

Yes, care needs to be matched to true drivers and not judged as a failure or a success.

Other synonym includes information and action. There was a time pre-internet when an individual may have been willing to take action but could not find the information. Such as how could anyone around the world back in the 1960s and 1970s get their hands on the magazine articles written by the great former Mr Universe bodybuilder and actor Reg Park or how could one get their hands on West German training literature before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989? Or their hands on training literature from the former Soviet Union before the same year?

However, the question is now less about whether you can get the information.

The challenge is now, which information? You have so much offered up, especially on the internet, by so many, that the risk is who or what you choose to guide you, not the absence of information. It’s great to have freedom of expression and vehicles for such expression; however, if the criteria for expert status are a keyboard, an internet connection and the desire to be significant even in the absence of competence, it creates a challenge for the consumer.

I commend you if you care that something may be missing in your training. I am even more hopeful for you if you are seeking answers and solutions because you realise you may not have all the answers to what may be missing or off-track in your training.

I just hope the guidance you are given is optimal.

 

Footnotes

[1] This is a term I coined some decades ago to describe any athlete who is more concerned with how they look than how they perform in their sport. These athletes never fulfil their potential.

[2] Case in point–an athlete failed to make a certain Games due to injury and yet post the Games was marketed by a coach on the basis of their qualification, without any reference to the failure to fulfil their potential due to injury. The athlete did not return to their chosen sport, pivoting sports instead, and was ruled out of that second-choice sport with more injuries just a year or so later.

[3] Case in point–I helped an athlete prepare for their first Games, and despite the success of those Games(the color of the medal was favorable) I expressed my concerns for the future. The athlete was successful in returning many times to the Games and podiumed more than once subsequently. However, in my opinion, they underperformed on what was possible. The answer to what was missing was, history shows, off-track. Was it because the solution had been potentially sourced from within the same thought pool that created the problem in the first place? Or was it that the solutions obtained from outside of the stakeholders were off track?

[4] Case in point–a professional team were the reigning champions when they sought to do one better and set records as well as win the championship. They hired a coach who, in my opinion, had a track record of helping top-of-the-table teams decline down the ladder. The team didn’t have my intimacy with performance tracking on that individual and moved forward. I called a collapse before the end of the season, and that came within the last few games. The coach was cut after one season, but the damage was done.

[5] Case in point–A multiple-time Olympian and reigning national record holder moved to a coach with no prior experience in that sport at that level. They got what you would expect–no further involvement at the Olympic level.

[6] Case in point–A service provider promotes a meetup with a once high-profile ‘client’ athlete who, unbeknownst to the uniformed, had over the years slid to a ranking worse than 1,000. And a few weeks later, the athlete entered a top-level competition only to withdraw early due to injury. The athlete was squeezing the last out of a successful and profitable career, and at least they have earned that…

[7] My experience with the latter is limited, so anyone who wants to throw a rock at that, I will have to accept that. However, when it comes to my personal conclusions and observations about elite athletes, it is not so easy to dismiss.

 

© Ian King 2025. All rights reserved.

Ian King

What’s in a name? Pt 2 – Considering the bigger picture of physical preparation

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As I share earlier during the 1980 I faced the challenge of adopting a job title, in a role that did not exist in Australia. Australia at that time had begun to model the national coaching system of Canada, which in that decade was one of the most highly funded coaching programs in the Western world due to the government funding leading up to their two decades of Olympic Games – the Montreal Summer Olympics in 1976 and the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988.

However, neither the Coaching Association of Canada or the Australian Coaching Council provided any clarity, recognition or specific education for the role of physical training of athletes.  The Canadians provided excellent education, including by their imported experts such as Hungarian Tudor Bompa, however to my knowledge there was no-one professionally physically training athletes in Canada or Australia in in 1980, so it was understandable that this gap in education and recognition existed.

I looked to dominant influences overseas and narrowed it down to two – the United States National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and an Eastern European perspective on athlete training by Tudor Bompa as outlined in his1983 book ‘The Theory and Methodology of Training’.

Ultimately, I chose the Eastern European approach as it resonated more with me than the American approach. However, it was not a simple add the word coach to the term ‘physical preparation’. I studied and reflected for years to develop my own approach to physical preparation.

I have consistently referenced the influence of Tudor Bompa.  This professional and ethical referencing appears to have lost favour in the post 2000 internet and social media world, where at best you can hope for is a single ‘credit’ given, and then it is open season on ones’ original publishing’s.

…raised by Tudor Bompa in his classic book Theory and Methodology of Training: The Key to Athletic Success  (first published 1983).  This is an excellent text and I believe it should be in every coach’s library.…[1] 

I have been influenced in how I define the physical qualities by the land-mark work of Tudor Bompa. His 1983 text Theory and Methodology of Training is a must-have in the professional library of every physical preparation coach. [2] [3]

My greatest influence in the area of structuring the physical qualities has been Tudor Bompa, and I encourage you all to purchase and study at least his 1983 (more recent editions) book, Theory and Methodology of Training.  You will note that unlike certain US ‘authors’ of the post 2000 period, I consistently and respectively (not to mention ethically) reference and credit my sources of influence.….Ki

Not only was Tudor’s book one of the most influential books I have read, but I have also met Tudor on several occasions and shared the speaking platform with him. My goal is to be professional, ethical, and respectful of those who came before. I also aim to be gain a mutual respect manifested in a warm greeting when we next meet in person, in this life or the next. [4]

The aim of this article is to share the influences and the rationale that lead to my conclusions about physical preparation in context – considering the bigger picture of athlete preparation.

The bigger picture of athlete preparation

Before drilling deeper into the term physical preparation, I took a step back and sought to understand the bigger picture or content and structure of physical preparation with athlete preparation. Keeping in mind that my career has been exclusively about training the athlete, and typically elite athletes.

There are a number of significant differences between what Tudor promoted in his book and what I have settled upon.

My greatest influence in the area of structuring the physical qualities has been Tudor Bompa…  However I didn’t leave my research at this. I have gone on and developed additional concepts, original definitions and new sub-qualities….Ki

Firstly, I noted that Tudor used the term ‘training factors’ to describe the components of ‘athletic performance’.  It is a minor point, however I have instead used the term ‘components’.

Secondly, I noted that Tudor preferred ‘athletic performance’, including in the sub-title of his 1983 book. I elected ‘athletic preparation’.  I have more focus on the process of preparation and belief performance is the product.

I believe the term ‘physical preparation’ is a better term.  Athletic preparation another.  [5]

These are arguable minor and subtle differences; however I believe it’s important to acknowledge the differences.

The third point of difference between what I have refined over the forty years since first being exposed to Tudor’s book is more significant – it is the ‘factors’ (Bompa’s word) or the ‘components’ (my preferred word) that contribute to athletic ‘performance’ (Bompa) or ‘preparation’ (King).

Here is the comparative list as published by Bompa and myself.

Table of respective ‘factors’ or ‘components’ used by Bompa and King

Bompa

King
Physical preparation Physical preparation
Technical preparation Technical preparation
Tactical preparation Tactical preparation
Theoretical preparation Psychological preparation

You will note that I used only three of Bompa’s four ‘factors’ and substituted ‘Theoretical’ for ‘Psychological’ in my four ‘components’.  I also note that Bompa dedicated much less text (approximately 25%) to his ‘Theoretical preparation’ compared to the text dedicated to each of his other three ‘factors’. Literally interpreted one could conclude that he placed lesser importance on this factor. This is not how I approach ‘Psychoological preparation’ in that I do not treat it as a lessor factor.

Which leads to the fourth point of difference, and I suggest this points of difference have progressed upwards in significance as we work through them, meaning this point is of great significance.

I now direct attention to relative importance. Now I acknowledge that this is in part inferences, rather than stated.  I say in part because Bompa did express his values in text:

“Physical preparation has to be considered as one of the most and in some cases the most important ingredient in training required to achieve high performance.” [6]

I take a literal interpretation that Bompa presented his four ‘factors’ in order of relative importance.  Bompa’s list or sequence is not alphabetical.

Generally speaking, I believe that one should either present content alphabetically, to remove inference of relative value, or in a sequence that represents one’s values.

In the original 1999 version of our online course titled ‘Foundations of Physical Preparation’ [7] and in the original edition of the 2000 book of the same name [8] I presented the components alphabetically.

2.4    Athletic Preparation

Physical Preparation

Psychological Preparation

Tactical Preparation

Technical Preparation[9]

 

However, when I present components of athletic preparation reflecting a value set, I present a sequence that is different to Bompa’s and reflect the values around these ‘factors’ or ‘components that I have developed during the last five decades.  We go into more depth about this in our the KSI Coach education program.[10]

There is one more sequence of the components of athletic preparation that I believe needs to be referenced here, and that is the individualized sequence of importance for any given athlete. The following is from my 2005 book ‘The Way of the Physical Preparation Coach’:

Following a review of all components that contribute to or influence success in athletic preparation, generally speaking we prioritize the training process to address the weakness ahead of the strength.

Once we know the needs of the sport, we review the abilities of the athlete/client in each of these athletic components (psychological, technical, tactical, and physical). Our physical preparation training program design will reflect the strengths and weakness we discover, by placing priority in training in the short term on the weakest component, provided we conclude that this is optimal in the long term planning of the athlete/client.[11]

Conclusion

In closing on this subject, I believe its warranted to add some additional caveats to this discussion.

The first caveat or footnote relates to the dangers of assuming or treating the athlete/client from a compartmentalized perspective. For example, a physical preparation coach seeking to optimize the performance outcomes through a narrow or predominant focus on physical preparation:

In general application, physical preparation is just one of many interconnected components of a human, and therefore all components should be recognized and addressed.

At the highest and most simplistic level, these include but are not limited to the mind, body and the spirit.  Training a person from this holistic approach is more optimal and effective then training the body in isolation. [12]

The second footnote rises from this reality, that there is a physical overlap or residual implications affecting recovery in athletes who train technically and tactically for their sport:

Athletic preparation has been described as including a number of factors, one of which is physical preparation.  Whilst training the physical qualities, it is important to remember that it is virtually impossible to separate the physical training from the other training qualities. Therefore the integration of the effect of the total training should always be considered when planning, conducting and evaluating the physical training. [13] [14]

The third footnote is that no-matter how much lip service[15] a physical coach may give to their ability to integrate all training, mastery of four components of athletic preparation is not achieved in a short period of time. It will take a lifelong approach to being a student combined with high volume of practical application with a large sample size of athletes in a multi-year approach to achieve mastery.

The physical preparation coach’s ability to effectively and optimally address physical preparation within the context of the total components of athletic preparation will be influenced by the coach’s mastery of each of these components. 

Greater results will be achieved in physical training if the physical preparation coach has a mastery of aspects as they relate to the mind, body and spirit of the athlete. [16]

The aim of this article was to provide historical and contextual background to my conclusion I reached about physical preparation within the context of the bigger picture of athlete preparation.   I acknowledge that for those working with general population, or those whose services are narrowed to less than the full components of athlete preparation, this information may have less meaning.

However, for those who seek to be the best they can be in service of the athlete, you may find more relevance in this discussion. What I cannot give you is the delayed gratification and the desire to remain a student (as opposed to seeking to be the teacher).

 

References

[1] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (Book)

[2] King, I., 2011, Legacy – Ian King’s Training Innovations (Course)

[3] King, I., 2013, Legacy – Ian King’s Training Innovations (Book)

Ki King, I., KSI Coaching Course, L1 Legacy (Course)

[4] I am not sure if the new age ‘author’ hiding behind the keyboard feels empowered to breach intellectual property because they don’t anticipate meeting the original author in person. Or is it a simple manner of a degradation of ethics and morality in this stage of history? Or perhaps it is the entitlement attitude of the younger generation – they believe they simply deserve to have the right to copy. And perhaps the desire to be perceived as signification, though more followers on social media is a factor Or perhaps it is a mix of all of the above.

Ki King, I., KSI Coaching Course, L1 Legacy (Course)

[5] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[6] Bompa, T., 1983, Theory and Methodology of Training (Book)

[7] King, I., 1999, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Course)

[8] King, I., 2000, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Book)

[9] King, I., 1999, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Course) – Lesson 2: Training Theory

[10] KSI Coach Education circa 1999 https://kingsports.net/courses/

[11] King, I., 2005, The Way of the Physical Preparation Coach, p. 29

[12] King, I., 2005, The Way of the Physical Preparation Coach, p. 29

[13] King, I., 1999, Foundations of physical preparation (Course)

[14] King, I., 2000, Foundations of physical preparation (book), p. 25

[15] Or social media posts

[16] King, I., 2005, The Way of the Physical Preparation Coach, p. 30-31

Ian King

What’s in a name? Pt 1 – The origin and intent of the term physical preparation coach

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In the 1980s, I  forged a career in Australia that did not exist. The role did not exist, and there was no job title. What would I call myself?  I looked around the world for guidance and found two dominant influences – the United States National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and an Eastern European perspective on athlete training by Tudor Bompa, whose 1983 book ‘The Theory and Methodology of Training’ was one of the most influential books I was exposed to in that decade.

The answers and conclusions I reached from my search for a professional job title continue to shape the world in various ways.   With a growing number using the term ‘physical preparation coach’, it’s timely to share the origin and intent of this term. In this article, I achieve this through consideration of cultural influences, sports history, and my personal experiences.

Australia

I entered the profession in 1980 in Australia through an exercise physiology degree and that was the only possible specific outcome expected for graduates. And that was only available in corporate fitness. I knew only a few graduates that got that work. The rest added a second degree (e.g., teaching, physiotherapy etc.) or got work in totally unrelated fields.

There were no jobs in sport outside sports administration for graduates. At best you could hope to get a volunteer role as a fitness coach or sprint coach. For that you might receive a season pass. However, to get those roles you needed no qualification other than a proven personal history in the activity.

Therefore, a very fit person who loved to run a lot could be considered as a candidate for a role as a fitness coach, as all fitness training for sport in the early 1980s in Australia was distance running with a sprinkling of interval training

And a former sprinter could be considered as a candidate for the role of sprints coach. All sprint training for sport conducted in Australia in the first half of the 1980s was interval training, as the bias in speed was towards endurance.  And keep in mind that many sports, including what was then the Victorian Football League (VFL – now the Australian Football League or AFL) didn’t endorse any short sprinting as it was considered too risky for their players to engage in due to the risk of soft tissue injuries.

You might be wondering what was going on with strength training in sport in that era. The very few sports that engaged in strength training limited their work to bodyweight exercises, and for this training was supervised by the sport coach e.g. some swim coaches such as the late John Carew (this story shared with me in person) would have basic equipment on the side of the pool such as a chin up bar. However, this was rare. Strength training was taboo in Australian sports, as it apparently caused athlete to be ‘muscle bound’ and or injured.

In fact the status of the sporting training industry in the early eighties was one where strength training was rarely conducted.  The ‘it will slow me down’, and ‘it will make me inflexible’ attitudes dominated.  Training in general was at that time a neglected area.  The Australian Rules Football players (then playing in the VFL) were participating in various types of formal training, but the strength training was circuit training with light weights and the conditioning consisted of carrying bricks in the hands for many kilometers.  At least they were doing something.  Rugby league players in the New South Wales Rugby League were starting to do things, but they were even more archaic than the Australian Rules footballers.  Rugby union players were warming up by stubbing out their cigarettes and then commencing a short game of touch football.  Swimmers would fade like superman faced by kryptonite at the mere mention of the word weight training. [1]

And in all fairness, the way strength training was being conducted, the concerns were reasonable. I specifically refer to the influence of bodybuilding training, the methods, of which I have spoken about in length in prior publications.

A lack of awareness of the ‘need for speed’ (attempted acceleration) in the concentric phase in the power athlete may result in an adaptation to a non-specific rate of force development.  This is the same non-effective and perhaps detrimental training effect that occurred when athletes first started using strength training and used the bodybuilding methods. [2]

As the only one in my entire university department with a serious interest in strength training.

My main focus in study at that time was on strength.  I appeared to be the only one in my course with this interest at that point in time.  Aerobic training was the main focus of research in the seventies and early eighties.  The main vocational specialty areas being pushed onto students at that time (outside of physical education teaching) was laboratory testing.  A number of graduates went out and established commercial laboratory fitness testing facilities and services – with limited success.  Corporate fitness was also being promoted as a future growth area. [3]

I was confident that there was a better way for athletes to strength train than the dominant paradigms and was committed to helping athletes achieve that.

However, who was getting to train athletes in the early 1980s? It wasn’t happening. At best you could get a job in the fitness industry as a ‘gym instructor’, and if athletes just happened to be gym members, you may get contact with them.

I was in a unique situation at my university during the early 1980s for a number of reasons. Firstly, the weightlifting club I was involved in attracted athletes who embraced strength training in that era, including track and field athletes, martial artists, and contact sport athletes. Secondly as the only university in our state at that time, we had an incredible number of Olympians as students, and I became the first strength consultant employed at the university gym. Essentially, I spent more time in the gym that I did in the lecture rooms and that didn’t go unnoticed by the athletes. That became my classroom.  Additionally I was working part-time and one off gigs as an exercise physiologist and gym instructor at various gymnasiums.

In summary Australia did not have a term to describe a profession of training athletes because the role did not exist.  The Australian Sports Medicine Foundation (ASMF) was founded in 1963 and they provided education in the area of in the moment treatment of injuries as their only specific to sport educational offering. Individuals who filled these roles were referred to as ‘trainers’, typically of lower qualifications than a physiotherapist, whose role was to provide massages, run water, and provide immediate assistance to athletes at the moment of injury.

And that was the landscape of Australian sport when I was creating a role that didn’t exist – providing professional commercial physical training services to athletes. When asked what I did in the early 1980’s I would say ‘I train athletes’. To which the response was invariably ‘What sport?’ People assumed I was a sports coach because there was no other role in sport at that time.  I was doing something that had no name in Australia.

United States of America

There had been a different role and position description in the US.  This was referred to as a ‘strength coach’.  The use of this term and role professionally can be traced back to the 1950s in the United States.

Gym owner and former team manager of the 1952 US Olympic Weightlifting Team, Alvin Roy, is proposed to have been the first strength training consultant engaged in US high school, notably in the sport of American football. [4]  Roy went on to also become possibly the first strength training consultant engaged in American college sport when he worked with the Louisiana State University Football team in 1958.  [5]

Alvin Roy is also considered to be the strength consultant in professional sport in the US when in 1963 he was hired to work with the 1963 San Diego. And Kim Wood is considered the first full time NFL strength coach when he was hired to work for Cincinnati Bengals. [6]

Boyd Epley is considered the first strength coach hired full-time in US college sport  when he was hired in 1969 by the Athletic Director of the University of American to work with the American football team.[7]

The National Strength Coaches Association (NSCA) was formed in the US in 1978, specifically to unite and support strength coaches at the college level in American football. In 1981, they changed the name to the National Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association, broadening the title to include ‘conditioning’, without having to change the acronym of NSCA.

Europe

There was less clarity from Europe as to a term or job description. The UK was relatively underdeveloped in the area of sports training. One of the key influences in the UK was Frank Dick, who published a book titled ‘Training Theory’ in 1974.  There was no reference to a term for the coach responsible for physical training, likely because this was most likely the responsibility of the head coach in the UK during that era.  Most found the information from the Soviet Union during the 1980s to be unreliable, in part due to the Cold War between the US and the USSR (1947-1991).[8]  The ‘Berlin Wall’ didn’t fall until 1989, therefore, literature coming out of the well-organized state known as East Germany was limited.

This didn’t mean literature was devoid in Europe. It just wasn’t readily available to the rest of the world.  This changed when Canada became one of the most highly funded nations in sport preparation in the lead up to their two decades of Olympic Games – the Montreal Summer Olympics in 1976 and the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988.

One such immigrant to Canada was Hungarian Tudor Bompa, who released the first edition of this book, ‘Theory and Methodology of Training’, in 1983.

In this book, he shared a very different approach to sports training compared to the only other organized theory, that of the US – and their ‘strength and conditioning’ –  identifying what he referred to as four ‘Training Factors’ – physical, technical, tactical and theoretical.

Choosing a path

As a student of the profession seeking direction in a career path that did not exist in Australia (at least not in a commercial, get paid for your services, sense), I was left to make a decision – which path to follow? What name do I use to describe my services? Do I follow the path that made the most sense – the Eastern European influence shared in the book by Bompa? Or do I follow the US path, one that was showing greater growth in public awareness, and backed by the might of the US culture, population, popularity and money?

I share this dilemma in my 1997 book ‘Winning and Losing’:

The concept of strength and conditioning as a role has a strong American influence.  Not so the concept of someone responsible for physical preparation. [9]

I did not rush to this decision. The pattern I have established is test and refine a training concept or innovation for about a decade before sharing it as a recommended way.

In 1988, the NSCA arrived in Australia. I took on the state director role in that first year, and then the National Executive Director role (an unpaid role) for nearly a decade.

During that time, a few key events occurred. I share two of them with you.

A conversation that shaped the acceptance of the term ‘Strength & Conditioning’ in Australia

After the arrival of the NSCA in Australia, and in my role as the leader, I had a meeting with the key figure in the Australian Sports Commission/Coaching Council. The NSCA of Australia (as it was known at that time) was seeking recognition from this body to be treated in the same way as all other sports registered with and recognized by the government regulatory body.

He expressed serious reservations about this, specifically that he felt that the NSCA was too unbalanced, more about strength training than other forms of physical training. I assured him that was not the case. I believe that this conversation was pivotal in achieving the goal of the NSCA of Australia. I also believe my answer was naïve.

I have reflected on that conversation a lot since and realize in retrospect how my advocacy shaped the history of this movement in Australia.

By the early 1990s, as I developed a more thorough insight into the NSCA in the US,  I had moved away from my support for the term ‘strength & conditioning’.

Inspired by Bompa’s writing, I formed the belief that adding the word ‘coach’ after the training factor ‘physical preparation’ would be a far better alternative.

I shared the reasons for this conclusion in my 1997 book ‘Winning and Losing’:

I am not supportive of  the  term strength and conditioning for two reasons.  …  Firstly, I am not supportive of this term because of the implications of its literal interpretation.  It separates strength from all the other elements of conditioning.  I believe this is inappropriate and misleading.  It then, by virtue of word sequence, places strength as a more important component than conditioning.  Again I suggest that this is inappropriate and misleading.  The message being given by the mere use of this term is counterproductive – unless you agree with strength being separate and more important.

The second reason I am not supportive of the term strength and conditioning is based on a historical understanding of it’s origin.  In 1978 the National Strength Coaches Association (NSCA) was created in mid-west America.  In 1982, for whatever reason, the word ‘Coaches’ was replaced with the word ‘Conditioning’.  (it fitted in with the initials NSCA!)  This association has gone on to shape and influence the role of ‘strength and conditioning coaches’ throughout the western world.

…. I believe the term ‘physical preparation’ is a better term.  Athletic preparation another.  [10]

A second conversation that shaped the future of the term ‘strength & conditioning’ in Australia.

Following on from my formative late 1980s conversation with a key government figure and the resultant regret, I did not want to be in that position again. I had decided that the term ‘physical preparation coach’ would be my path.

In the early 1990s, an opportunity arose to change the NSCA of Australia to an independent organization. This was not a breakaway in any sense. The population of the target audience in Australia was so small the organization struggled to stay afloat, and the US NSCA was clear in their lack of interest at that time in establishing themselves outside of the US.

A meeting of the then Board of Directors was called to discuss and decide on the future of our organization.  I saw this as an opportunity to move the organization to a term more aligned with my values. At the same time, I recognized that the organization was not mine per se, and that the Board would ultimately make that decision.

I shared this story and the outcome in my 1997 book ‘Winning and Losing’:

  In 1993, I proposed to the then Executive Committee that the NSCA (Australia) be replaced by a Australian organization, with no royalties being paid to America, providing publishing opportunities to Australians, and providing information relevant to Australian sport, employment and culture.  This recommendation was accepted.  However my views that the term strength and conditioning be deleted was not supported.  The end result – The Australian Strength and Conditioning Association.  This decision may have had a big impact on the acceptability of this term in Australia today. [11]

I accepted the decision of the board and continued to serve the organization for the rest of the decade, despite holding different values about the title I preferred to describe my services.  Up until 1996, I was one of the only individual gaining full-time income in Australia training athletes, and the broader sporting bodies had not been exposed to the term ‘strength & conditioning’, so what I referred to myself as was not an issue.

Post 1996, certain changes occurred in the Australian sporting landscape, and the awareness of this term ‘strength & conditioning’ grew at a faster rate. This and other factors led me to decide in 1999 to commence my own coach education program.

Adoption of the term ‘physical preparation coach’

Up until I published my 1997 book ‘Winning and Losing’, only a few Australians in the physical training niche had heard of my term, and some later adopted it.  After the release of my 1997 book and subsequent books, along with the commencement of the KSI Coach education program in 1999, others around the world who were exposed first-hand to this term began to adopt it.

It’s now been 40 years since I was first faced with the dilemma of what path to choose in the title of my services and its associated training values.  I see the term now being used in a ‘second generation’ sense, that is by individuals who did not learn it firsthand from me.

For anyone who values origins and intents, this journey back in time may serve to educate.

Conclusion

In this article, I have sought to share with you the origin and intent of the term ‘physical preparation coach’. I have consistently referred to and recommended the book by Tudor Bompa, as this book shaped my thinking.

…by Tudor Bompa in his classic book Theory and Methodology of Training: The Key to Athletic Success  (first published 1983).  This is an excellent text and I believe it should be in every coach’s library.  Not an easy book to read first up, but one which you will find yourself returning to as a reference guide.  An excellent starting point to give you structure in theory and methodology. [12]

I have no ‘skin in the game’ as to what term you use to describe yourself. At the end of the day, it is a semantic. I am less interested in a persons name or title, and more interested in how they conduct themselves and serve the athlete/client.

I have seen the term ‘physical preparation coach’ abused by individuals who I suggest apply to term to themselves to provide the perception they offer more than they do.  As the person who coined the term, it was intended to be used as a reflection of a more balanced and holistic approach than what the term ‘strength & conditioning’ implies. Most personal trainers, from my perspective, typically work with only two physical qualities, e.g., strength and endurance. Unless your services offer a full suite of physical preparation training, then the use of physical preparation is not relevant.

Finally, both the term ‘strength & conditioning coach’ and ‘physical preparation coach’ have one word in common – coach. For me, coaching involves regular collaboration over the training process. Most physical coaches operate from a prescriptive approach, and as such, the term ‘coach’ is not relevant on this basis.

 

References

[1] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[2] King, I., 1998, How to Write Strength Training Programs (book)

[3] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[4] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[5]  https://titansupport.com/category/ken-leistner/

[6]  https://titansupport.com/category/ken-leistner/

[7] Shurley, JP, and Todd, JS. “The Strength of Nebraska”: Boyd Epley, Husker Power, and the Formation of the Strength Coaching Profession. J Strength Cond Res 26(12): 3177–3188, 2012

[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War

[9] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[10] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[11] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

[12] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing (book)

Ian King

Coach, Trainer or Ambulance Chaser?

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In 1997 I published a book titled ‘Winning and Losing’, aiming to share the lessons of my prior two decades of professional experiences. One of those was that I felt physical preparation coaches should be more focused on injury prevention and rehabilitation, not just performance enhancement.  Additionally, the 1990s strength coaching focus was on how much you could lift in compound lifts such as the power and Olympic lifts, which was in itself leading to more injuries as not everyone was ready to go heavy in compound strength exercises, as was the dominant paradigm of that decade.[1]

There is no reason why a strength and conditioning coach should not be contributing to injury prevention/rehabilitation.[2]

Nearly 30 years later I back what I said. What I didn’t anticipate was the direction that would be taken, and I don’t support aspects of this approach. A statement in my 1999 book ‘Understanding Plyometrics’ sums it up.

The standard reaction to a new idea is over-reaction in the short-term and an under‐reaction in the long term. [3]

Tracking the changes in industry response to injury prevention and rehabilitation

Having been involved in the era of no interest/focus on injury prevention/rehabilitations through to now, I have had the opportunity to track the changes.

Firstly, from a broader professional ‘strength and conditioning’ role perspective, one of the major shifts has seen sporting team employ individuals whose work sits between the physical therapist and the physical preparation coach. In speaking with a sport coach in South Africa recently, I was given an insight into how South Africa potentially leads the way in this area. Irrespective of the value of this role, at least one can see the intention to transition between various professional services.

Secondly from the second-tier ‘personal trainer’ market, one that since its inception around 1990 has been fixated on trend following, there has been a post 2010 demand for them to be able to ‘fix imbalances’ and injuries.  This is replacing the dominant focus of the first decade this century where everyone was a ‘fat loss expert’. Now they are clamouring to be an injury rehab specialist.

It has been, hands down the most dominant question I have been asked by personal trainers during the last five years.

Here’s a major challenge for me. Who contributed to the injury epidemic? Those who physically train others. Who is going to, apparently, solve this with their ‘rehab knowledge and skills’? The same group.  So we are going to solve this societys injury problems withj the same ‘professionals, with the same thinking, and in the same environment in and by which the injuries occurred in the first place?

I suggest not.

My hope is that some will see the light in this oxymoron, and choose to master injury prevention before they pick the low hanging fruit of the situation they contributed to.

Of course, that is a tough ask, and I am under no illusion that my sentiments will put the brakes on the trend to be the injury rehab hero.  A client base conditioned by marketing -combined with the average person’s desire for instant gratification – is going to have its wants (note, not needs) met by a profession that essentially trend chasers.

Secondly, on a more micro-level, I have been able to observe the response to a specific artifact I published in 2000, before the shift in focus to include injury prevention and rehabilitation.  It was a video series titled Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation.

Ambulance chasing

The almost immediate effect I witnessed on those who ordered this educational video was a significant shift to what it referred to as an ‘ambulance chasing’ in many industries. They have a powerful new toy that would give them more clients and they became consumed with this.  To the point where these individuals would market:

‘Hey, do you have an injury? Contact me and I will fix it’.

You have probably seen similar billboards on the side of a highway or similar, where a pro bono motor vehicle or workplace accident attorney is inviting ‘victims’ to contact them.

My concerns

What don’t I like about this?

  1. Injury prevention/rehabilitation should be a holistic part of what you do as a physical preparation coach, not the leading focus of your service (unless you are a physical therapist)

My interpretation of a physical preparation coach’s role is to physically prepare individuals, not to offer or lead with injury prevention, offering ‘treatment’, or claiming they can ‘fix’ injuries in individuals they have not met yet. If an injury issue arises in the broader services, approach pathways should be considered – and these pathways should include a multi-disciplinary approach.

  1. How can the injury problem be solved by the same professionals that created them?

As I stated above, in my opinion, the exponential increase in injury rates and severity is in large part caused by the physical preparation training provided.  I understand that this is just my opinion. However, if there is validity in this perspective, under what circumstance can the conditions that caused the injury be resolved by the same person, in the same environment and or the same conditions? To think that this is a viable option is one of the great mysteries to me.  I do not support an injury rehabilitation skill claim by a physical preparation coach until they have demonstrated their competence in injury prevention.

  1. If you want to focus on injury rehabilitation, become a physical therapist.

Now if a physical preparation coach is so attracted to injury rehabilitation, I suggest they complete appropriate professional development courses (e.g. a degree in physical therapy) and become a physical therapist. At least then you may have some appropriate professional indemnity insurance.   I know many individuals who have graduated with sports science degrees and then also completed physical therapy degrees when they realized they were more attracted to rehabilitation. To their credit, they have sought the approach of professional development for their chosen path.

At least then you will be working ‘in your lane’, have an industry body to support you, be able to get professional insurance covering your services, and are more likely to survive being judged in the light of a court-house should that occur.

  1. Who is being served by a physical prep coach chasing injured clients? The needs of the physical prep coach to gain clients and significance, or the clients?

I understand that there is a massive demand for injury rehabilitation. I also know there are some relatively powerful yet simple methods to address basic injuries, some of which I outlined in my 2000 video series.  However, I question the motivation of a physical coach when it is apparent that they are short of clients and seeking significance.  Absolutely in today’s market, it is low-hanging fruit, and you can pay your car lease payments and gym rent by this path.

However, if you were good at what you are doing – training individuals using long-term planning and results – you would not have the time to do what essentially is a separate higher education degree – and be the ‘physical therapist’.

I suggest the needs of the client should come first, not the needs of the service provider.

  1. The human body and injuries are very complex – are you really the person to ‘treat’ them? Instead of a professionally trained physical therapist?

A lesson I am continuously reminded of as the decades pass is how complex the human body is. I continue to get lessons and learn about the body and injury.  I appreciate the support and guidance I receive from professionals I collaborate with to seek solutions and answers to injuries including but not limited to doctors, surgeons, radiologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and orthotists.   I don’t know too many physical preparation coaches who have this level of knowledge of the human body. One was our late KSI graduate coach Mike Pimentel. Note Mike was a university-qualified Athletic Trainer with years of clinical experience before training and converting to become a full-time physical preparation coach. ,

Other than Mike Pimentel I have not met – in my 45-year professional journey to date – anyone else who is a competent, successful and in-demand physical preparation coach – who leads with or dominates in their service focus on attracting and ‘healing’ injured clients. They may be out there, but we have not crossed paths.

If you want to be a physical therapist, do the right thing by clients and get appropriate higher-level education and training..

My response to these ambulance chasers

Within a few years of releasing the video series Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation I made it very clear to the coaches in the KSI Coaching Program who had been side-tracked by the shiny new object of being a healer that they were not using the information I provided in the manner intended, and encouraged them to become a physical therapist if that was their primary interest. This seemed to work at the time.

When I realized this message was not getting through to those who were not in the KSI Coaching Program, I made the video series available exclusively to KSI Coaches.

When I realized this was not working, and that there were still individuals mistreating the information, I restricted its sale to those at a minimum of L2 in the KSI Coaching Program.  Unfortunately, that still failed to solve what I saw to be a mistreatment of the intent of the information, and have since raised the pre-qualification to L4 and now L6 respectively.

What I was looking for is at what level of learning is it apparent that individuals will respect the intent. A major conclusion I have reached is that until a physical preparation coach can demonstrate that they can provide services that prevent injuries, they have no place in claiming or offering services that ‘rehabilitate’ injuries.

I understand that with the exponential growth in injuries, the new ‘black’ (the new go-to) in physical preparation is the desire to be able to ‘fix injuries’. It’s replaced the hottest trend in the physical preparation world between 2000 and 2010 to be a ‘fat-loss expert’.

But who is this desire to be in the pathway of profit from injuries serving?

I suggest the service provider more than the client, which will mean another failure to solve the rapidly growing injury trend.

And I do not support that.

Solutions

Addressing significant and or chronic injuries is most likely going to need a multi-disciplinary approach. If you are seeking these services, I encourage you to consider some of the issues raised in this article when selecting your service provider.

Even our high-level coaches – Level 8 and above – recognise when they are out of their depth.  In fact, in our most recent high-level camp, we held a meeting with a 40-year physiotherapist to allow our coaches to discuss best practices when working with aligned professionals.

Let me be very clear – due to the level of competence I believe needed before seeking to develop competence in injury rehabilitation (as opposed to prevention) we do not teach rehabilitation until L8 of 10 levels in the KSI Coaching Program.  Now I understand that this statement alone will preclude many from starting the KSI Coaching Program – when Joe Bloggs down the road claims he can teach PTs how to be physical therapists in a short course.

But that’s the way we roll.  The most important aspect of our service is what’s best for the client. Or as our slogan says ‘Where the athlete comes first’

If, as an end user, you do have injury concerns and want a physical preparation coach who is highly trained in the KSI, whose values align with those in this article, and who embraces the client’s needs first, I encourage you to seek out current L8 and above KSI coaches.

I appreciate there are relatively few current high-level KSI coaches, however, if you do have the opportunity to work with one, you will experience that current high-level KSI Coaches are trained in the KSI approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation. You will not see them soliciting injured people to contact them, nor will you see them offering to ‘fix’ injuries out of context.

Conclusion

During the last five decades, I have created a holistic approach to helping people with needs in physical preparation. This work has been at the forefront. For the last three decades, I have been sharing with physical preparation coaches what I have learnt through the KSI Coaching Program.

The ongoing challenge I have faced is encouraging these ‘students’ to hold the interests of the client first, rather than their own needs for significance and clients.

So what’s it going to be? Coach, trainer or ambulance chaser?

—-

PS. As a matter of reflection, there was another sentence or two in the same paragraph that appeared in my 1997 book that appears to have been selectively ignored by ambulance chasers:

As with all aspects of training, I never make a big deal about what I can do. I try to take a low profile. This is very important when you are taking a big step outside your boundaries, into another’s field of expertise, such as injury prevention and rehabilitation.

References

[1] At least until I began publishing my ‘different’ approach e.g. The Limping Programs published on T-mag (as it was known then) from 1999 were disruptive to these values.  You can find these programs and the rationale behind them in the Get Buffed!™ educational range.

[2] King, I., 1997, Winning and Losing

[3] King, I., 1999, Understanding Plyometrics – A Guide for Athletes and Coaches

Ian King

Rhabdo – The New Black

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Mike would not be happy

In the late 1990’s a member of the Tufts University in Boston Massachusetts reached out to me. As a result of that initial email exchange, he first attended a live seminar with me in his home city in 2000,  and from there attended every professional development opportunity held in the US and some additional ones abroad. He was committed to this role, serving the athlete.

His name was Mike Pimentel.  Mike’s initial qualification was as an Athletic Trainer and he worked in the Tufts Athletic Training Department for about a decade, from memory. In the 1990s he was then approached to start up and run a new department at Tufts, their ‘strength & conditioning department’.

Faced with serving the entire athletic preparation at the university of over 700, Mike was no stranger to going the extra mile for his clients. Sleeping under the desk in his office due to working late and the long drive home and back for an early start, was just one example.

Being at the coal face, Mike felt pieces were missing and was looking for the answers, looking for a better way to prevent injuries and enhance performance.  That’s where I came in.

From about 2002 to 2018 I visited the university annually, providing guidance and learning more about the challenges faced.

One of the many innovations Mike put into place was a course that resulted in students with the qualifications to provide training supervision to their cohort.  Mike was a pioneer in solving the challenges faced by NCAA colleges, where the demand for athlete preparation services typically exceeded the budget.

I know I speak for all the students and alumni during Mike’s 30-year contribution at Tufts that all were blessed by his presence. It may have only been a Div. 3 college, but they received first-class service.

Just six years after Mike’s passing, his beloved Tutfs was home to the latest new-age equivalent of vomiting to prove how tough the training session was – heat induced near fatal rhabdomyolysis.

So what is rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is a big word for saying that training was so intense, and the body temperature was so elevated, the muscles started breaking down, releasing their content into the bloodstream, and endangering organ status in doing so.

Rhabdo is the abbreviation.

What are some other variations?

Rhadbo symptoms can appear similar to heat-related illnesses and dehydration. It’s likely that athletes training in hotter environments show extreme symptoms of heat stroke first. The only way to determine if you have rhabdo is through testing.

How dangerous is it?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is “a serious medical condition that can lead to permanent disability or death.”

How common is it?

Rhabdo is fast becoming the gold standard of ‘conditioning training intensity’. Here are some other examples (this list is not exhaustive):

Year Institute Sport # affected Timing
2024 Tufts Univ. Boston[1] Men’s Lacrosse 12 out of 50

(25%) confirmed [2]

 Sep 16 2024
2023 Mid America Nazarene University in Kansas, American Football Pre-season football late July
2023 US Miltiary[3] Military training 52 – 40.5 cases per 100,000 person-years, the highest rate observed during this study’s 2019–2023 surveillance period.
2018-2022 Between 2018 and 2022, at least 11 football players in the US—at the student and professional level—have died of heat stroke. And the number of young athletes diagnosed with exertional heat illness has been increasing over the past decade or so…[4] [5] [6] [7]
2020 Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club, Sydney[8] Rugby League 1 death 23 Nov 2020; First training back in the off-season
2019 Manly-Warringah Rugby League Club, Sydney [9] Rugby League 1 near-death offseason conditioning
2012 Ohio State University[10] Women’s Lacrosse 6 athletes admitted to hospital March[11]
2011 University of Iowa [12] American Football 13 athletes admitted to hospital offseason conditioning, return from school break
2010 Oregon high school American Football Among 43 players, 22 (51%) experienced rhabdomyolysis; 22 patients had upper arm myalgia; 12 were hospitalized; 3 experienced triceps compartment syndrome. an upper arm exercise held in a non-air-conditioned wrestling room.

Conclusion

There was a time when getting an athlete to vomit during ‘conditioning’ training was a sign of how ‘tough’ the session was, perhaps a badge of honour for the trainer. Not that I agree with this approach but it cannot be denied as a phenomenon.  Now it appears the stakes have been raised. Vomiting is not good enough. Near-death or death appears to be the new gold standard in ‘that was a tough workout.

That’s not encouraging. It’s insane, but is it going to turn around? Based on the lack of accountability I see in the official who ran the programs highlighted above, I suspect the answer is no.  It is going to get worse.

What you and I can do, if you share my thoughts on this, is to ensure that no such situation or outcome occurs on our watch.

We are here for the athlete, and I cannot see now near-death or actual death experiences from off-season conditioning training is serving the athletes.

On its surface, a statement such as this should be redundant. But it isn’t, considering the trend.

I believe Mike would not be happy about the event that occurred at his beloved alma mater in 2024. And no one who puts the athlete first should be happy with this new ‘training trend’.

 

References

[1] https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/09/23/tufts-university-lacrosse-players-rhabdo-training/75347715007/

[2] https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/tufts-mens-lacrosse-players-hospitalized-following-workout-led-by-graduate-of-navy-seal-training-program/3494987/

[3]  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11107841/ The 529 reported incident cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis among active component U.S. service members in 2023 represent an unadjusted annual incidence rate of 40.5 cases per 100,000 person-years, the highest rate observed during this study’s 2019–2023 surveillance period. This increase in crude incidence rates was most noticeable in the Marine Corps,

[4] https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2023/09/football-players-deaths-excessive-heat-coaching/

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/24/football-player-heat-deaths-athlete

[6] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/09/21/heat-kills-student-athletes-how-schools-can-help/74843984007/

[7] https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/23/high-school-football-deaths-heat-stroke

[8] https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/03/nrl-player-keith-titmuss-died-after-inappropriate-training-session-coroner-finds

[9] https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-former-prop-lloyd-perrett-launching-legal-action-against-sea-eagles-heat-stroke-keith-titmuss-news-videos-highlights/news-story/f444cc32ea5ef9d968a7d5b899af09c8

[10] https://www.dispatch.com/story/lifestyle/health-fitness/2013/03/09/rhabdomyolysis-laid-low-6-athletes/23706206007/

[11] “In the Ohio State case, Kelly Becker told university officials that on March 6, 2012, the women lacrosse players performed a series of grueling upper-body workouts unlike anything they had done to that point in the season. The workout included pull-ups (she did 56), chin-ups and triceps-crunching dips without rest during a 20-minute workout. Two days later, they pushed football blocking sleds. The six players went to the hospital the next day.”

[12] https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=6061650

 

Ian King

Principles – The North Star of Physical Preparation

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The enduring power and importance of training principles

Before maps and compasses, humans would look for guidance when travelling, typically seeking them from stars that were consistent in their visibility.   Even in the more modern times, these same stars provide an enduring back-up system to travellers.

One can liken training to travelling. The purpose of training is to take our athletic and or physical qualities from Point A- where we are today – to Point B – where we want to be in the future.

In this physical training journey, decisions are made moment by moment. This is the reality of what earlier European literature referred to as the ‘training process’.  Ideally you begin with a plan, but the realities of the body combined with the environment require constant adaptation.

In making these constant and in the moment decisions we again ideally have something to guide us, in the same way stars were used for navigation before the advent of compasses and maps.

From my earliest professional development, I was influenced to believe that training principles would be used to serve this purpose.

What are training principles?

I describe training principles as:

Principles of training are general rules or guidelines that can apply to all aspects of training.  It is important for a student of physical preparation know these principles, to understand them, and most importantly, to consistently apply them in the training of the athlete.[1] [2]

For me ‘principles of training’ fall within ‘the theory of training’, and I appreciate not everyone wants to embrace theory. However, I strongly suggest that for the safety of the athlete/client, and for the optimization of retaining, that all physical preparation coaches embrace and internalize the principles of training. For this reason principles of training feature prominently in our coach education since it’s commencement in 1999.

What are examples of principles of training?

The following lists describes dominant principles of training as they were presented from 1999 in our coach education courses and books.  They are listed alphabetically, not in any order of importance: [3] [4]

  1. Active and conscientious participation.
  2. Contrarian principle.
  3. General to specific.
  4. Individualization.
  5. Opposite and equal effect.
  6. Progressive Overload.
  7. Recovery.
  8. Reversibility.
  9. Specificity.
  10. Transfer.
  11. Variety.

Do principles change over time?

The upside of learning and internalizing the principles of training is that, unlike trends in training, they do not change.

In fact, it is a tenant of what I seek to learn, master, and teach – the concept of generalized principles. Concepts that remain unwavering over time, despite many other things changing around it.  I credit the US thinker and inventor Buckminster-Fuller for the term ‘generalized principles’ – things that never change – and mastering and teaching these are far more important than ‘science’ or ‘trends’.

I am proud to have contributed to the area of principles of training, an area I have so much respect for, with a number of original principles.  I look forward to them standing the test of time…[5]

The world, society and the training environment is subject to continual change. There is the risk that some may assume that newer ways of doing things, such as the arrival of new trends of training, may over-ride or negate the role and importance of training principles.  I suggest this is not the case.

It would appear I am not alone in stressing that changing times do not mean principles wane or change. In his augural address, the 54th President of the United States said:

“As my high school teacher, Miss Julia Coleman, used to say: “We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” [6]

What happens when we ignore these principles of training?

 When we ignore the principles of training there are levels of risk that may result.  I list them below:

  1. Overtraining
  2. Imbalanced adaptations leading to acute or chronic injury
  3. The shortening of the career, the quality of life, or of life itself.

1. Overtraining

Overtraining can occur very easily and subtlety, with the chances are the moment that it occurred and the decisions make that caused it going unnoticed and unrecognized.  It takes a commitment to objective review and high standards of excellence in outcomes to provide a measure of analysis and comparison.  In other words, most of these moments in training are missed and lessons are not learnt.   This is particularly applicable when the implications of that overtraining are not immediately and blatantly apparent.

Overtraining can lead to sub-optimal training and competition results, onset of injury, reduction of career span and quality of lifelong term.

2. Imbalanced adaptations leading in the acute and/or chronic injury

As with overtraining, any inherent imbalance in training stimulus – in all macro and micro variables – can be subtle, delayed in their appearance, yet significant on the downside.  And again, due to the subtle nature of these negative adaptation, and the lack of clarity around what is an optimal adaptation, the moments that these occur are typically missed, and the lessons fall to be received.

Case Study #1 – Acute or/or chronic Injuries

The following refers to an Australian NRL teams first season under a new coach:

The Titans came into their 2024 campaign with high expectation — and at one stage they were even exceeding it — but the season ended with a whimper after injuries decimated Des Hasler’s squad.

 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was the first to go down with an ACL rupture ending his season in Round 3, while Jayden Campbell had a delayed start due to a knee injury before copping two more setbacks in another knee concern and a hand injury.

AJ Brimson battled with a niggling groin injury which eventually caused his season’s end prematurely, while Beau Fermor, Phillip Sami and David Fifita also had stints on the sideline.[7]

3.  The shortening of the career, the quality of life, or of life itself.

These subtle failings in training that it appears everyone is not held accountable for, can and most likely will result in significant life-changing implications. These range from shorter careers, through to shortened quality of life post-career, through to premature (or in some instances immediate) death.

Case study #2 – Career ending injury.

Here is a case study that highlights this risk.

“We went on a run, weren’t allowed any water and told ‘if you don’t like it, you can take your car keys to the field and go home’.

“Coaches and trainers do this regularly – try to see how tough you are.

“We had a run, then a short break, then got sent on another run… again without water, then a third run. 

“I guess my mind was stronger than my body. I don’t remember what happened – I collapsed and woke up in hospital with around seven doctors and nurses around me… I thought I was going to die.

“I couldn’t move my arms or legs … I’ve never been more scared.

“I was literally on my death bed … and it was 100 per cent avoidable.

“A nurse later told me that 60 per cent of people who get heat stroke die … I was one of the lucky ones.”

Perrett was just 23 at the time but his career was over. “I stayed at Manly but was never the same,” he said.[8]

Perret is now taking legal action against the club.[9]

Case study #3 – Life ending injury.

In November 2020, during the first training session back in the general preparatory phase at the NFL franchise Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, a 20 year old rugby league player passed away as a result of the training session.

Keith Titmuss lost consciousness immediately after a 139-minute training session at the team’s headquarters on Sydney’s northern beaches on November 23, 2020.

A coronial inquest into his sudden death heard several experts concluded the forward was suffering from exertional heat stroke when he had a seizure at an indoor facility. [10]

On the face of it one might consider the athlete may have had a pre-existing condition that led to his passing. However, evidence presented at the subsequent coronial inquiry may provide a different perspective. On 4 November 2019 the club doctor Luke Inman sent an email to the then head of sports science at the club warning about heat and the need for head monitoring at training:

“You are leaving yourself open to litigation from a player if they suffer heat stress or at worst, dies,” the email warned.[11]

This email was followed up the 7th April 2019 with the same warning, this time to more stakeholders within the club:

On 7 April 2019, Dr Inman forwarded a copy of his 4 November 2018 email to Mr Booth, copying in Mr Bonasera, Mr Hasler and Mr Singe, and relevantly wrote: Hi Mark, I am well aware of the NRL policy and guidelines. Furthermore, John Bonasera forwarded you my email in Nov 2018 regarding heat measurement at training and the clubs stand on the “recommendation” is that it is performed at every training session during the hotter months in preseason (see below). You were made aware of the clubs medical policy for heat measurement at training by John Bonasera and have not complied. You are leaving yourself and the club open to litigation from a player if they happen to suffer from heat stress or worse, die. We have already had one extreme example of this. I would strongly advise that this measurement is continued at training please. It does not take long to set up.

The counsel assisting the coroner Adam Casselden SC said the evidence before the coroner showed the training session had been “objectively tough”:

“It was unnecessarily and inappropriately tough, given it was the first extended training session of the new season,” he told the NSW State Coroners Court.

“With the benefit of hindsight, (it was) an inappropriately high level of intensity and not of a safe level or environment.” [12]

The coroner concluded:

“… the training session was “more likely than not inappropriate”, given a range of factors including the hot and humid conditions during the indoor part of the session.[13]

You can read the transcript from the coroners inquest here. [14]

Conclusion

 The coronial magistrate inquiry into the tragic passing of Keith Titmuss provided a number of recommendations including:

* Mandating a 14-day period of controlled training load acclimatisation following an off-season or extended break for players.

* It should also consider screening and classifying players for EHS risks, the mandatory reporting of every EHS incident and identifying what cooling strategies should be implemented for outdoor and indoor training sessions, he said.

* Magistrate Lee also recommended Manly make improvements to its record-keeping policies.[15]

It’s unfortunate to see the profession of physical preparation acting in a way that requires the oversight of the judicial system.  Does our profession really need a Magistrate to remind them of the fundamentals of the theory of training, including the principles of training? Simple concepts such as progressive overload and individualization?

From my perspective the risks involved when one ignores the principles of training can be serious. The case studies shared, and those that were not, are all for the most part avoidable. They do not need to happen.

It is important for a student of physical preparation know these principles, to understand them, and most importantly, to consistently apply them in the training of the athlete.[16] [17]

Our thoughts are with these athletes and their families.

 

References

[1] King, I., 1999, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Course)

[2] King, I., 2000, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Book), p. 26

[3] King, I., 1999, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Course)

[4] King, I., 2000, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Book), p. 26

[5] King, I., 2011, Legacy (Course), Unit 5 – Principles of Training, p. 2

[6] Inaugural Address of Jimmy Carter, Thursday 20 Jan 1977, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/carter.asp

[7] https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-gold-coast-titans-season-review-ins-and-outs-transfer-targets-des-hasler-challenge/news-story/e1b658203153a70f60ef2deb13675fd0

[8] https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-lloyd-perrett-legal-action-manly-sea-eagles-keith-titmuss-20240501-p5jb0s.html

[9] https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-lloyd-perrett-legal-action-manly-sea-eagles-keith-titmuss-20240501-p5jb0s.html

[10] https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sea-eagles/inappropriately-tough-session-before-rising-manly-stars-death/news-story/6f20fa3b30ed01621a271fa4a49086db

[11] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-09/nsw-ex-manly-coach-des-hasler-evidence-keith-titmuss-inquest/103448148

[12] https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sea-eagles/inappropriately-tough-session-before-rising-manly-stars-death/news-story/6f20fa3b30ed01621a271fa4a49086db

[13] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-03/keith-titmuss-inquest-findings-inappropriate-training-session/103800424

[14] https://coroners.nsw.gov.au/documents/findings/2024/Inquest_into_the_death_of_Keith_Titmuss.pdf

[15] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-03/keith-titmuss-inquest-findings-inappropriate-training-session/103800424

[16] King, I., 1999, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Course)

[17] King, I., 2000, Foundations of Physical Preparation (Book), p. 26

 

 

Ian King

Does exercise accuracy matter?

/by

Introduction

When speaking to physical trainers, therapists and other aligned professionals as I travel on the quest to answer the question ‘What is the best way to train?’, I appreciate learning from them. What they think, what they say, and what they do with athletes and clients.

This journey has involved the privilege of travelling the world for many decades seeing these training trends firsthand.  When asked what the most common exercise I see being done from my innovation, it is, without question, the single-leg stiff-legged deadlift.  The only problem is that I almost never see it being done in the way I intended. It would be difficult to walk into any gym in the world now and not see someone performing an imitation of a small oil rig.

Over time I also hear the words used to describe the exercise and the interpretation of when and how to use it varies more and more.

For example, I was recently in a seminar when one of the participants  – a highly qualified and experienced practitioner, albeit a post-2000 entrant to their profession – repetitively referred to my exercise innovation of some forty years ago as a ‘single leg RDL’. And spoke about their application of it to rehab a client’s chronic hamstring injury. With limited success.

It may have been that little bit of German heritage in myself, but my excellence-at-risk meter tends to rise towards the red line when I see and hear these things that for me are the opposite of exercise accuracy. But perhaps that is my problem. Perhaps exercise accuracy doesn’t matter?

When I speak about exercise accuracy, I refer to the origin, name, execution, the application.  I will continue on with the theme of the exercise I called the single leg stiff leg deadlift.

The origin

In this section, I share my observations of the evolution of the stiff-legged deadlift.

The stiff-legged deadlift

First, there was the stiff-legged deadlift.  It was an exercise done for the most part by competitive lifter – Olympic and power – as a supplementary exercise to pulls and deadlifts.

I described this exercise many years ago in the following way:

MG Stiff Legged Deadlift:  Take a medium grip (about shoulder width) and commence in a standing position.  Lower the bar down by bending at the hips, not at the knees.  In the start, the knees should be slightly bent and remain exactly at joint angle during the lift. [1]

It was a two-legged (bi-lateral) loaded exercise using the barbell.

You will find this exercise championed in books that shaped training through the lat half a century including but not limited to:

The single-leg stiff-leg deadlift

During the early 1980s, I concluded that the dominant approach to strength training was creating muscle imbalances because of the bias in programs towards exercises such as the bench press and the squat.  I didn’t want that collateral damage for the athletes I trained, and I set about developing a categorization of exercises to avoid such imbalance in program design. This led to the concept of ‘Lines of Movement’, where I introduced terms and definitions to place every strength exercise into an exercise category.

 The following shows a breakdown of the body into major muscle groups/lines of movement, and then into examples of exercises. It is what I call ‘the family trees of exercise’. Use this to assess balance in your exercise selection.  

To help you understand how to divide and balance out your training, Ian came up with a list of major muscle groups that reflects their function:[3]

Horizontal pulling (row)
Horizontal pushing (bench press)
Vertical pulling (chin-up)
Vertical pushing (shoulder press)
Hip dominant (deadlifts)
Quad dominant (squats)

So, when I was writing a program, I increased the balance of the program by ensuring balance in the Lines of Movement.

When developing the term ‘hip dominance’ and defining what constitutes a hip dominant exercise, I realized that there were too few exercises in this category and that I needed to match the number, joint involvement and loading potential of exercises in the ‘Quad Dominant’ category.

I leaned on the traditional double leg barbell stiff-legged deadlift to create a single-leg, nil, or low-loaded variation option.

During the 1980s I refined the movement however, as with all my innovations, I trialled and tested it for a decade before extensively publishing it commencing from the late 1990s.

You can see the original exercise in the image below, taken from the How to Teach Strength Training Exercies Video Series (2000).

The ‘Romanian Deadlift’ (RDL)

The “Romanian Deadlift’ appeared in the US in the early 1990s. Initially, this exercise had no known name, or at least not one that the person I learnt it from gave it.  Dragomir Cioroslan, (a former Romanian national weightlifting coach who went on to work with the US Weightlifting team) and his protegee’s were doing a series of demonstrations and seminars during the early 1990s when many, including myself, were intrigued by a unique exercise that they were using as a supplementary exercise – somewhat of a cross between a deadlift and a stiff-legged deadlift.

I had been analyzing the physiques of Dragomir’s athletes for a few days before I got to see them train, and I was puzzled by their hamstring development. There were other shape differences between the and other weightlifters of that era, but that was the one that I linked to this exercise. So, before I got to see them lift, they had my attention.

I began integrating the ‘Romanian Deadlift’ into my training programs and in the absence of a name I called it the Romanian Deadlift, in respect of the origin. I have since noted others came to this same name conclusion. In all publications since that time, I have continued to use that name for this exercise.

The name

By the time I learnt of the loaded bilateral single-joint exercise we called the Romanian Deadlift, I was already well advanced in using the exercise variation I had developed and named the single-leg stiff-legged deadlift.

I began integrating the ‘Romanian Deadlift’ into my training straight away, however, it was not as a substitute or synonym for what I had developed but rather as an additional tool in the toolbox. In my mind they were two different exercises.

Not only was one unilateral and the other bilateral, but also because they were conducted with strikingly different techniques and loading potential.

When I see or hear the term ‘RDL’ to refer to the single-legged deadlift as I had innovated, I question their understanding of that person as to the execution and intent of each exercise.

For me, the only thing they have in common is that they are both relatively isolated posterior chain exercises i.e., they only involve the hip, rather than the knee and the hip.

The execution

To commence the discussion of the difference in execution between the single leg stiff legged deadlift and the Romanian Deadlift, I share the descriptions of each I provided in the late 1990s.

Romanian Deadlift

In plainer terms this is a flat back version of the stiff-legged deadlift.  With the bar on your back, take a shoulder-width stance and slightly bend the knees.  The knee angle is now not to change during the lift.  Flex or lower forward from the waist, keeping your chest up and hip/spine flat i.e. aligned.  Only flex forward as far as you can PRIOR to any rounding of the spine or posterior rotation of the hip.  For most, this will not be very far!

You can also accentuate the hamstring involvement by pushing the bum back and allowing your weight to drift to your heels during the lowering.     During the lift, squeeze the gluts.  This increases the hamstring involvement, which is the aim.[4]

Single Leg standing Stiff Legged Deadlift

Let the fun begin!  Stand on one leg – have the other foot off the ground, but kept roughly parallel with the leg doing the supporting.  Bend the knee slightly, but that knee angle should not change during the exercise (get a partner to watch for this, as it will be tempting to do so!).  Now bend at the waist, allowing the back to round and reach slowly towards the floor.  If your range allows, touch the floor with the fingertips and return to the starting position.  Use a speed of 3 seconds down, 1 sec pause at the ends, and 3 seconds up.

You may struggle with balance, but persist – you will be developing the muscles in the sole of the foot!  The first time you do this you may find you are touching down with the non-supporting foot regularly to avoid falling over.  This is ok, but in later workouts, try to minimize this.  When you have mastered this exercise, and touching of the ground by the non-supporting leg means terminate the set – this is your challenge.

Don’t be surprised if you can only do 5 reps on day 1!  Look to increase the reps from workout to workout.  Hold light DB’s in your hand ONLY when you get to 10 reps at the speed indicated.  No warmup set necessary.   Remember the weak side rule. [5]

Unfortunately for the world’s interpretation of how to execute the single leg stiff legged deadlift, only a few years after I began more openly sharing the exercise in publications, it appeared unreferenced in a prominent magazine, performed in a way that reflected the ‘author’s’ lack of understanding (and perhaps also the male models lack of flexibility, balance and single leg strength – to be able to do the exercise!). Learn more about that here.

To be clear, consider the following comparison:

Variables SL Stiff Legged DL Romanian Deadlift Similar Different
Hip dominant exercise

*
Isolated hamstring Less so More so (1)

*
Number of limbs One (unilateral) Two (bilateral)

*
Loading on feet Central Rear

*
Spine shape Rounded Flat

*
Chest shape Collapsed Up

*
Loading potential Lower Higher

*
  • When done correctly as per the manner originally intended.

Between the descriptions provided and the table above, it may be clearer why I do not see the words ‘RDL’ relevant to the single-leg stiff-legged deadlift. There are far more differences than similarities.

The application

The original rounded-back stiff-legged barbell deadlift is an excellent exercise for strengthening spinal segment strength in addition to hamstrings. However, the political correctness trend in exercise has veered away from exercises and variations that include a rounded spine. That’s unfortunate for athletes who experience loading and/or impact in a less-than-neutral spine shape.

The application of the exercise I innovated, the single-leg stiff-legged deadlift, is not as clear-cut as many assume. In theory, being a unilateral, single-joint exercise, it would have a broad application earlier in the training career, year and return from injury/surgery.

However due to the range involved, the increased loading on the hamstring due to the more bloated nature of the exercise, the increased demand on balance, and the fixed load of the body, this exercise needs to be reviewed and reflected on prior to being included in a training program.

Additional points to consider include:

  • When conducted in an optimal manner (as per it was developed) – with the non-working leg remaining still and parallel to the working leg – the range may be limited by the hamstring flexibility (this was not a problem for me during the developmental decade, because of the premium I placed on flexibility training).
  • If the athlete/client lacks the balance and or range to execute the movement tin the intended manner, you can choose between developing these qualities or default to the influence of allowing the back leg to raise.
  • If you go with the softer option, you are reducing the work (including balance) in general due to counterbalancing of the back leg, and reducing the workload and isolation on the hamstring by allowing the pelvis hemispheres to diverge.
  • Therefore, a decision needs to be made regarding progression – to work on improving range, repetitions, and or load. Generally speaking, I recommend working from the former to the latter.

The Romanian Deadlift (RDL) provides greater loading potential than the single leg stiff legged deadlift version, however, the following are important points:

  • The RDL should not be considered as an equal and opposite of a squat, as the relative loading potential of this exercise compared to the squat is less.
  • The RDL as a rounded back exercise should not negate the inclusion of a rounded back variation in athletes who may be exposed to loads in their sport where the spine is less than in neutral (rounded).
  • If the pivot at the hip joint is not maintained as the exclusive pivot point, the relative load/work/isolation on the hamstrings is reduced.
  • Therefore, considering the progressively reducing nature of athlete flexibility, you may not be working through the range you initially expected or anticipated.

Now to touch briefly on a key point in the application. There has been a long-retained belief, at first in the physical therapy disciplines and now also in the physical training disciplines, that isolated hamstring strength training is the key to rehabilitating or preventing hamstring strains.

Many decades ago, I reached an alternative conclusion. It’s not the aim of this article to go deep on this subject, however, I feel it may be remiss of me to not touch upon it.

Keep in mind my suggestion that if you fail to identify the cause of the injury (and I suggest weak hamstrings are not the cause in the overwhelming majority of cases), then your ‘solution’ may contribute to the problem.

Learning that the single leg stiff legged deadlift – an exercise near and dear to my heart because it is essentially one of my ‘babies’ –  is being used in a ‘hamstring strengthening program’ to rehabilitate athletes with hamstring strains, or prevent hamstring strains, is difficult to hear.  I do not believe the goal will be achieved, and the athlete does not deserve to be a guinea pig for this misguided paradigm.

Conclusion

For almost twenty years now I’ve watched the single-leg stiff-legged deadlift gain global acceptance – in and out of the gym. The only problem was that it was not being done in the intended manner.  More recently I have seen this popularity expand into rehabilitation, and this becomes even more concerning.  And to hear the confusion around the name, such as the use of the term ‘RDL’ in the same exercise name, is a reflection of a lack of understanding o the nuance of the RDL to achieve the hamstring isolation.

Maybe that’s just me being too German-like, seeking precision and excellence in the process.

Maybe exercise accuracy doesn’t matter?

 

References

[1] King, I., 1999, Get Buffed! 1 (book), p. 244

[2] King, I., 1998, How to Write Strength Training Programs, P. 32

[3] Shugart, Chris, 2001, The Ian King Cheat Sheets, Part 1 – A quick and dirty look at all the cool stuff Ian King has taught us so far, Fri, Aug 24, 2001, T-mag.com

[4] King, I., 1999, Get Buffed! I, p. 230-231.

[5] King, I., 1999, Get Buffed! I, p. 210-211.