Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Human performance programs have long been critical foci for elite athletes and military service members. These programs are built on the foundations of strength and conditioning and physical therapy, though the last decade has seen the addition of such additional disciplines as nutrition, data analytics, and sport psychology. Advancements in human performance programs represent a move toward promoting individual or group health and well-being in parallel to improving performance. The purpose of an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach is to provide a more holistic approach to training. While the concept is understood that an individual is constituted by connected systems, the method to train and enhance is still often isolated with respective disciplines. The next evolution to human performance training requires true integration of all disciplines to deliver a single unified lifestyle training plan, compared to multiple, but sometimes conflicting, parallel training plans. The purpose of this paper is to offer a look into how this evolutionary approach to a unified human performance training took shape in a military special operations setting. The presenter will discuss the challenges and successes of the shift to a new model. Attendees will learn how to assess their current programs and adapt as needed.