Shocks & Springs- A New Thought Process Around Plyos with Ken Vick

In Episode 418 of the Strength Coach Podcast, we explore Ken Vick’s concept of “Shocks & Springs” as well as the art of mastering recovery by tackling stress.

Brought to you by Perform Better, your go-to source for functional training and rehabilitation, this episode is packed with actionable insights for trainers, therapists, and athletes alike.

Highlights of the Episode

- Ken Vick breaks down the concept of shocks and springs within the stretch shortening cycle and their impact on athletic performance.

- We spoke about the importance of balancing eccentric forces, elasticity, and tissue resilience for recovery and injury prevention.

- Ken shares his unique recovery framework, including the four pillars of stress: structural, energy system, nervous system, and mindset.

- Discover how to tune recovery modalities to match specific stressors, from ice baths to NormaTec boots, and why perception matters.

- Practical coaching tips on using language and cues to better communicate with athletes and clients.

- Applications for both elite athletes and general populations, including tips for pickleball players and older adults.

Ken Vick brings over 30 years of experience working with Olympic committees, professional franchises, and sports organizations worldwide. Known for translating science into real-world systems, Ken’s approach to performance and recovery is groundbreaking.

We also feature Naamly's "Maximizing the Member Experience" segment with Sumit Seth, who shares the Debate-Decide-Do framework for making decisions.

Check out Naamly.com to see how they can help your business

Brought to You By Perform Better:

From speaker schools to movement workshops, Perform Better continues to lead the way in education for fitness professionals. Check out their latest offerings and sales at Performbetter.com.

Thanks for listening! Tune in to this insightful episode and take your recovery game to the next level. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

REMINDER

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

03:44 - NAAMLY: Maximizing Member Experience

10:38 - Ken Vick Interview

11:38 - Introduction to Shocks and Springs

17:42 - Understanding Shocks and Springs

23:14 - Programming for SSCs

26:30 - Plyometrics vs. Absorbing Force

30:25 - Training Athletes at Different Speeds

33:24 - Programming for Shocks and Springs

39:10 - Adult Population Programming

42:40 - Preparing for Physical Stresses

46:08 - Effective Coaching Cues

48:01 - Global vs. Specific Stress

54:19 - Importance of Perception

57:09 - System-Specific Recovery

59:42 - Overdoing Recovery Without Stimulus

01:01:00 - Meeting Athlete Needs