While lockdown has created many different issues for our Members, it has also provided a great opportunity to catch up on some quality CPD, and the Society’s first webinar in its 2021 series was no exception.
Just under 1,000 people signed up to listen to ‘The Role of Strength and Conditioning in Rehabilitation/Sports Therapy’ and judging by the feedback they were not disappointed. The programme was put together and superbly hosted by Jen Wilson, Programme Leader and Lecturer on the BSc (Hons) Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation course at the University of Derby, while the hugely knowledgeable panel came from a variety of sporting backgrounds, which provided a great blend of knowledge and practical experience.
Jen explained why the panel was selected and how their strengths complemented each other:
‘Rob Walsh, Physical Performance Lead, Netherlands Snowsport is an experienced practitioner. His work spans both rehabilitation and strength and conditioning, for which he is accredited in both areas. Therefore, his knowledge is invaluable. Further to his applied experience, Rob is a former Senior Lecturer, so he has an appreciation for the research that underpins applied practice.
‘Similar to Rob, Josh Davidson, Lead Physical Performance Coach, Derby County Community Trust
and Luke Jenkinson, Head of Performance, Derby County FC both practise and teach in the field of Strength and Conditioning. Their experiences working with age groups and senior athletes, allow for great insight into working with, and developing athletes across the age ranges.
‘John Kiely, who lectures at the Institute for Coaching and Performance (ICaP) at UCLaN has significant experience across multiple sports as a Strength and Conditioning practitioner and could discuss the strategies he would employ, when working with different individuals, and how practice is really contextual to the individual.
Finally, our fifth panelist was Damien Harper, a lead researcher in deceleration, and the risk it poses to athletes. His understanding of the loads an athlete would experience in sport was really fundamental to the discussion.’
The evening proved a positive learning experience for Members and Student Members alike. Society Chairman Professor Graham N. Smith said:
‘Strength and Conditioning are integral parts to all rehabilitation programmes and having an understanding of this is important. As patients progress through their rehab journey, they are going to need strengthening in its broadest context, along with being conditioned for whatever role they hope to return to. That may even include working with Strength and Conditioning Coaches to prepare them to the levels that they can perform. That is why a webinar such as the one the SST ran this month was so important.
‘I would like to thank all of those concerned for not only planning it but pulling it together so professionally on the night’.
Hayley Clarke, Chair of the Society’s Communications Group who managed the event on the night with great skill and calmness, was delighted with how the evening had gone. She said:
‘The level of support shown by Society Members and Student Members for our first webinar of the 2021 series was incredible. Thank you to everyone who joined us and participated in the Q&A, which made the event such a success. The Communications Group is working hard to plan more webinars throughout 2021, focusing on a variety of different specialist areas to support the professional development of our membership. We would welcome suggestions on topics for future webinars so please get in touch via comms @thesst.org.
We look forward to welcoming you at our next webinar.’
If you missed the webinar you can view it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySWXyddqgo&t=562s
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