Customer Reviews

Athletic Development: The Art & Science of Functional Sports Conditioning

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The thing that makes this book so very exceptional is its seamless combination of the author's significant personal coaching experience and the state of the art in exercise and sports science. There is just enough theory and background to understand where the ideas come from, helping to put them into better context.

Although there is no formula that works for creating a training program for every athlete, this book probably comes as close as you can get to that goal. It provides you with the basic principles you need for assessing what each athlete needs in order to achieve their potential and training them to attain it. The components of performance are clearly laid out, along with the methods for developing them and also the places where qualities depend critically on other qualities.

The author addresses all of the usual questions along the way with unique and practical answers that can be applied to any sport once you understand the needs of that sport. Get realistic, effective answers to your questions about sets, reps, periodizing, plyometrics, machines, bands, weights, strength vs. power, functional strength vs. absolute strength, flexibility vs. mobility and stability; all of the important questions that arise in the mind of any athlete or coach who takes the training process seriously.

No fads here, just good solid principles proven by experience and explained in terms of current theory. No matter how much you already know, you can't help learn something about training for human athletic performance if you read this book. If you are a trainer, this book may well become one of your most treasured resources, a place to go to help cut through the fluff and fashions of the industry when you have a real question.

This book is a must read for coaches or anyone seeking to develop the total athlete. Gambetta offers great insight into the science of functional training and lays it all out so clearly that even those who are just having their first taste of the physiology of exercise can understand. This book focuses mainly on the science of functional training methods but also details some great thoughts on coaching in general. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Gambetta is a pioneer in the Athletic Development and in this book he showed us his creativity and the practical approach in coaching by assimilating the sciences into actual application. Many a time, coaches believe in the plain old-school methods while the sports scientists will tell them it's not scientific but here Gambetta will show how these two can "work together". Coaching is the art of applying the sciences into training and in this book you will find out how it is done. It is an interesting read and I have benefited a lot from it.

This book has great insight in the formation and development of training regimens mostly for elite athletes. However it does glance by initial training steps for the novice. Not written for those without basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology. It should be an adjunct to other strength and conditioning books.

Anyone into the strength and conditioning of athletes will find this book very beneficial. The book contains various components of a program such as a balance progression, power endurance mini-programs, etc. I have gotten lots of use out of this book already due to all of the ideas in it. Great reference book for the CSCS's out there!

Vern's book is abosutely amazing. It provides a really conclusive overview of athletic development principles. The best part of the book is his perspective on the art and science of coaching.

This book is full of information, but I found it somewhat difficult to get through because it is very technical in nature.

Athletes, trainers, and anyone studying sports medicine should check out this guide to sports conditioning. It's a great help to prepare for the CSCS exam.

Vern has been around the block and he knows his stuff. Read every word of his book and let it sink in.

this is one of the best books i have ever read.. it totally blew my mind