The Athletic Edge Podcast

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Summary:
In this conversation, Rhodri and I discuss the importance of strength and conditioning for young athletes, exploring Rhodri's journey in the field, the evolution of pediatric strength training, and the shift towards specialization in coaching. They emphasize the need for well-qualified coaches, the significance of movement quality, and the impact of growth spurts on training. The discussion also covers the YPD model versus the LTAD model, injury prevention strategies, and the necessity of sampling different sports for youth development.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Pediatric Strength and Conditioning 03:30 The Evolution of Youth Strength Training 06:32 Specialization vs. Generalization in Youth Sports 09:16 Qualifications for Youth Strength Coaches 11:59 The LTAD and YPD Models Explained 14:53 The Importance of Sampling in Youth Sports 17:51 Managing Early Specialization and Injury Prevention 20:22 Navigating Growth Spurts in Young Athletes 27:04 Understanding Growth Spurts in Young Athletes 30:50 Psychosocial Factors in Youth Training 34:50 The Importance of Strength in Development 39:14 Movement Quality and Injury Risk 45:27 Assessing Movement and Strength in Youth

Links:
Rhodri Lloyd: https://pure.cardiffmet.ac.uk/en/persons/rhodri-lloyd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhodri-s-lloyd-9861a832/

Connect with me:
IG: Follow @evans.performance for additional insights and content.
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What is The Athletic Edge Podcast?

The Athletic Edge Podcast is a show for strength & conditioning coaches who want to master the craft, build a sustainable career, and stay ahead of where the profession is going. Hosted by Liam Evans, each episode features conversations with coaches, performance specialists, and industry leaders on high-performance training, athletic development, business, and career strategy—delivering practical insights and real-world lessons you can apply throughout your coaching career.