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Abstract
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The public’s obsession with college football in America today is as strong as ever. Despite the concerns over head trauma and its long-term consequences (eg, chronic traumatic encephalopathy), ticket prices are skyrocketing, TV contracts are mind-boggling, and huge revenues continue to flow to colleges and universities while head and even assistant coaches continue to become new millionaires. All these escalating trends are dependent on the fine young high school athletes who are recruited, entertaining hopes and dreams of hitting pay dirt at the professional level.
As the college football game has matured over the past hundred years, competition within the sport and its preparation to play have evolved. Especially at the Division I level, and at many Division II schools, preparation for the game has become a year-round, full-time job. A couple of vacation weeks per year may be allowed, but not more than that for time off from training and conditioning schedules. Besides the time commitment for physical preparation, there is an ever-increasing emphasis on improving strength, power, speed, and size. Accordingly, the 8 months between the NCAA National Football Championship in January and the start of fall practice in August are designed to maximize the physical attributes the athletes will bring to the field of competition in the fall. The coaches in charge of this physical improvement process are usually from the strength and conditioning discipline. Their job is to develop the athletes to their maximum potential. These coaches determine who is the best, both mentally and physically, at enduring rigorous workouts. From January through August, except for spring practice, the strength and conditioning coaches are often in charge of the team while the other coaches recruit and strategize for upcoming opponents.
Before the process of physical improvement begins as incoming freshmen, athletes undergo the preparticipation physical examination (PPE). These examinations are designed to evaluate previous injuries and to detect risk factors for injuries and medical conditions. Knowing the degree to which ...
Keywords: American football
Language: en |