Does SINI conduct courses in Strength and Conditioning?

SINI does conduct S&C courses. The Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA) Level 1 and 2 courses are delivered here in Northern Ireland.
[Click here S&C courses page] for more information on dates and application process.

A UK Strength and Conditioning Association is in the process of being formed and it is anticipated that in the future this body will deliver S&C courses in the UK.

Could you please write a strength and conditioning programme for me?

SINI Strength and Conditioning Coaches provide service to SINI Scholarship holders only. If you require the services of a qualified S&C coach, SINI may be able to provide you with contacts for S&C coaches in your area who have done one of the courses delivered by SINI.
Our limited staff currently deal with up to a hundred elite athletes and it is impossible for us to do more - it is also a disservice to your budding Olympian! A strength and conditioning program should be specific to an individual's needs, not just a generic hand-me-down. Your best bet is to find a qualified strength and conditioning coach in your local area and use facilities at municipal health/fitness centres.


How young is too young to start resistance training?

This clearly depends on your definition of resistance training. Swinging on monkey-bars and playing hop-scotch could be considered resistance training exercises. There is no hard and fast rule on the 'best age' to begin resistance training, although some general training principles do apply. Progressive overload is the key to any program. Sharp increases in either volume and/or intensity of exercise may contribute to overuse injuries and 'burnout'.
The Sports Medicine Australia has issued guidelines for children in sport. They can be contacted via their web site at http://www.sma.org.au for further information

Can you recommend the health/fitness products that are advertised on television?

Equipment used by the strength and training facility is specific to the athlete and their stage of athletic development. The equipment used is quite different from that which can be commonly found in community health and recreation facilities. When purchasing equipment for your own use, the following points should be considered:
• What is the longevity of the equipment? Will I use it in years to come?
• Does the piece of equipment offer me a variety of exercises?
• Would I be better served to go for a walk or visit the local gym rather than making this purchase?

Can I book a session with Strength and Conditioning for my school group or sports team?

SINI S&C coaches do not conduct sessions with outside groups. However, S&C coaches at the University of Ulster do conduct practical and/or theoretical sessions for school groups and sports teams. We do not accept any requests directly, please book your session through University of Ulster, Sport & Recreation Dept .

Is it only about weight sessions in the gym?

Although alot of people think that Strength & Conditioning is only developed by lifting weights, strength & conditioning encompasses the entire development of the athlete and what is needed to improve physical performance. This includes plyometrics, speed and agility, endurance and core satbility. Strength training is only one part of the full picture.

Is it a principle that can be applied across a number of sports?

There are some basic principles that are generic to all sports, but the real skill is to be able to identify the individual needs of each sport and then to apply specific programmes that are tailored to the individual need of the each athlete.

How does that differ from sports specific coaching?

The difference between the two is that we provide support for the sport specific coaches. A Strength & Conditioning coach will work along side the coach and help by designing a programme that will target the physical needs as identified by the head coach and the S&C coach

How can a Strength & Conditioning programme help a sportsperson's performance?

There are so many ways a well constructed programme can add to the rehabilitation, speed, agility, endurance and strength of an athlete. The aim is to identify that the athlete needs to produce a better performance. The strength and conditioning coach will structure a periodised programme that targets both strengths and weaknesses. This insures that the athlete is working on the right area of training at the right time to produce the best possible performance.