This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- The harsh truth of being an S&C coach
- The claims about the Q-collar are exaggerated!
- The future of scouting and player recruitment?
The harsh truth of being an S&C coach
It’s well-known that being a strength and conditioning (S&C) coach often comes with its share of challenges, particularly when it comes to financial rewards and job stability. Many coaches sustain their roles in the industry driven by a deep passion and commitment, but recent findings reveal some concerning realities.
A recent study involving 98 S&C coaches in Australia shed light on the struggles they face. Alarmingly, 72% of these dedicated professionals are juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet, highlighting the financial strain many endure. Furthermore, it’s disheartening to learn that over half of the participants are contemplating a career change, seeking opportunities outside of S&C in hopes of greater financial security.
S&C coaches play a vital role in enhancing athletic and sports performance. It’s crucial that the industry recognises their immense value and takes steps to provide more equitable compensation. Without a fair financial reward, we risk losing so many talented coaches to other fields, which would be a significant loss to the S&C industry.
If you are an aspiring or current S&C coach determined to succeed, our blogs are well worth checking out.
- A Day in the Life of an S&C Coach
- What do strength and conditioning coaches do?
- 6 key attributes that make a great S&C coach
- Two Ways P.A.C.E. Planning is Crucial for S&C Coaches
The claims about the Q-collar are exaggerated!
Two years ago, we highlighted the Q-collar in SFS Weekly, as it gained significant attention during the Women’s Football World Cup. This wearable device, designed to sit around the neck, exerts light pressure that is believed to help protect the brain.
Although the Q-collar has been marketed aggressively as a tool for brain protection, recent scientific research and regulatory assessments have raised considerable doubts about its effectiveness in providing any real protection against concussions or long-term brain health issues. A recent article in the Washington Post pointed out that there is no compelling evidence to substantiate the claim that the Q-collar offers significant protection.
Now, two years later, it seems that the claims regarding its protective benefits have been overstated. Based on the current scientific understanding, Q-collars have not been proven to prevent concussions.
If you are interested in this topic, we have a wealth of resources, such as our course Concussion Rehab and our blogs:
- Concussion recovery in sport: A comprehensive guide
- Concussion recovery: Why it’s important to get active after a head knock (but don’t overdo it)
- Sport concussion assessment tools: How well do they work?
The future of scouting and player recruitment?
Last year, we featured how an artificial intelligence (AI) sports science company, ai.io, is shaking up player recruitment in football (see here). ai.io enables aspiring players to upload videos showcasing their skills, which are then analysed by AI to evaluate a range of performance metrics.
Earlier this month, ai.io took a significant step forward by announcing a major partnership with Loughborough University in the UK. This collaboration between a leading sports science university and a cutting-edge sports tech firm highlights the growing intersection of sports science and AI. It further illustrates how technology and AI are gaining traction not just in professional sports but also in youth sports.
This partnership serves as a reminder for clubs and academies to keep an eye on emerging systems like ai.io, as they may shape the future of scouting and player recruitment. Coaches and scouts will likely need to familiarise themselves with how to interpret AI metrics in future player evaluations. Aspiring players could also benefit from engaging early with platforms like ai.io to enhance their chances of success.
It will be interesting to see how the partnership between Loughborough University and ai.io develops!
From us this week:
>> New course: Velocity Based Training
>> New podcast: Managing Workload and Performance in the NHL
>> New infographic: Fat
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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