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The Food Network is a highly successful cable television channel for a specific reason. Because people that follow recipes can be successful in their creations. The Food Network shows us what the recipes are and how to execute them. The Doctors of Physical Therapy at the Sports Performance Institute (www.ospta.com) in Fredericksburg, VA show athletes the recipe for improved athletic performance. Whether we are making a dessert or trying to be the best player possible, there is a proper path. Remember, if you forget the cherries from the recipe, the cherry pie will not be very tasty.
We know that if you follow the established recipe for athletic success, you will give yourself the best chance to be the best player possible. This will ensure that you don’t “leave anything on the table.” At SPI we always say, you only get one shot. Make sure you do everything in your power to maximize your potential. That means improving in each of the areas or variables that make up the recipe for athletic success.
There are 5 ingredients on our list, each comprising 20%, of the journey toward athletic success. This recipe goes for any sport from golf to baseball and beyond. Each ingredient is of equal importance. You must address each of these equally. The first four, proper equipment, a good mental approach, proper coaching/technique, and a good physical approach are modifiable or changeable. In other words, you can improve these which will help you be a better player. In fact, you must improve all of these to truly find your potential. The fifth ingredient is non-modifiable and that is talent. You cannot change this. This is what you are given. However, if you improve the other variables, then you can let your maximum talent shine. Otherwise, you will never be sure if you got the most out of your given abilities. Don’t be the athlete who wonders what could have been if they would have tried harder.
Sports science has now evolved to allow professionals to help athletes in each of the areas necessary to improve. Usually, one person cannot be an absolute expert in each area. Professional golfers have swing coaches (technique), psychological gurus (mental approach), club manufacturer representatives (equipment), and physical therapists (physical approach) all to allow maximum performance (talent). Find a professional to work on each ingredient and it is guaranteed that you will improve on the field. But if you skip an ingredient, if you don’t follow the path, if you let one slip, you will regret not reaching your athletic potential. Don’t be the cherry pie that skipped the cherries, you will not be happy!
- Equipment: proper fit, highest technology, proper use, activity specific
- Coaching/technique: form, plays, concepts, positions, team incorporation, situations, in-game adjustments, off v. on season advise
- Mental approach: confidence, rest and recovery, momentum, bounce back
- Physical approach: sports specific strength, flexibility, control, endurance, speed, power, balance, etc.
- Talent (non-modifiable): timing, hand-eye coordination, knack, feel
Please call us at 540-374-9399 for more information or for us to help you assemble your team of professionals to address each ingredient in the recipe for athletic success.
Kash J Eagleton, DPT
Director, Sports Performance Institute
www.ospta.com
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