Fitness Technology and Training Q&A with Team USA Strength and Conditioning Coach Rob Schwartz
I recently had the opportunity to interview Rob Schwartz, Team USA Strength & Conditioning Coach for Acrobat & Combat Sports. Rob currently works with Olympic athletes who compete in gymnastics, boxing, tae kwon do, judo, fencing, wrestling, synchronized swimming, and diving. I wanted to pick your brain and get an insight into how sports fitness technologies (heart rate, calorie intake, calories burned, sleep monitoring, distance and time tracking, VO2 tracking, total vertical gain, etc.) used in the training of Olympic athletes. and how Mr. Schwartz envisions the adoption of similar technologies by consumers in the future.
Q. Living in Denver and having previously visited the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, I am reminded of the number of gadgets and devices that monitor and track the progression of athletes in training. Could you explain the type of fitness technologies your athletes are currently using and the role they play in their daily preparation for training?
A. For daily training activities, we primarily use video feedback, both in the weight room and in the practice environment. In Strength and Conditioning, we’re always trying to gauge the readiness of our athletes, so we measure power outputs using Tendo units and force plates; this gives us feedback on how intensely we can train each athlete on any given day. At predetermined times of the year, the sports dietitian tests athletes’ blood lactate levels during “live” practices to assess the physiological demands they face in competition. We’ve even had some fighters take blood lactate tests immediately after actual matches. We are currently developing an application for athletes’ phones to monitor nutritional, psychological, training and recovery status. This is a short list; we have many other modes of technology that we use as well.
Q. It seems that Olympic athletes have been using technology in their training programs long before the recent consumer fad, would you say that many of today’s fitness devices are the result of what has been tried and tested? and tested in the Olympic arena?
A. Not that I know of, when we train world-class athletes for Olympic competition, we just don’t have time to test technologies that haven’t been proven in the field. We’ll get some emerging technologies from companies like Nike and Samsung, but we’re confident that by the time they hit our desks, they’ve proven their worth.
Q. Do you think emerging health and fitness apps and devices will improve our nation’s health outcomes and help citizens become more informed and active participants in their personal health?
A. I hope so; It mainly depends on the person and their goals. If the consumer really wants to get in shape, I suggest you do your research and make sure you buy equipment from reputable companies that have proven themselves in the market.
Q. One last question, any basic advice for those looking to start personal strength and conditioning training?
A. I would start by joining your local 24 hour gym and getting some personal training sessions. There is nothing better than an experienced coach to provide feedback and steps for improvement. Surfing the internet for advice or training tips is not suggested as there is no professional commentary and the information you are receiving may not be credible or suitable for your personal goals.
I’m also a big believer in video feedback for athletes, as with a reigning world champion boxer training when the fight is over, the first thing we do on our flight home is review the video on our smartphone and begin preparation. for the next fight.
To learn more about the United States Olympic Training Center or to plan a tour, visit them at TeamUSA.org and possibly rub shoulders with America’s top Olympic athletes and coaches.