FITNESS BEYOND 21

I was in that position for 26 years. In 1997 I retired and moved back to my hometown in Indiana. Since I had over 30 years rowing experience at the time, a sports science background, and experience in a university setting, I was fortunate enough to be able to coach the Purdue women’s varsity rowing team. What a blessing! It was a great experience! However, I missed my kids who still lived in Rochester so after 5 years coaching at Purdue and managing family assets in Indiana, I returned to Rochester. I worked another 10 years in Sports Medicine Rehabilitation at University of Rochester Medical Center. I was director of the Sports Performance Training Program for many of those ten years. After another brief semi-retirement, during which I coached older rowers (Masters Rowing) at a local rowing club, I came back to the university for a third and final time and coached the men’s varsity rowing team.

 

During my career I was required to attend yearly professional conferences to maintain my Athletic Trainer Certification (ATC) with the National Athletic Training Association and my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. These credentials were considered the “must-have credentials” for a professional in my position. Each required extensive study to pass the multi-hour exams and yearly accumulation of continuing education credits to maintain those credentials. Although I have not maintained those certifications since retiring, I still have a Master of Science Degree with special emphasis in exercises physiology and the biomechanics of movement. Oh, and I did pass those exams and have over 35 years’ experience.

 

When I was actively involved professionally, my clinical practice was evidence based - based on the application of published, peer-reviewed, research studies. In other words, if there wasn’t an excellent research study that supported what I was doing clinically, I wouldn’t do it! I wasn’t guessing!

 

Since I’ve been retired for several years, one might also wonder if the knowledge of what constitutes an appropriate exercise program has “passed me by”. Yes, I sometimes wonder myself (I told you I was “that guy”). Are there some “break-through” training nuances for the “elite” athlete that I’m not aware of? Perhaps, but I’m no longer training those elite athletes, nor am I rehabbing post-surgical knees, shoulders, or ankles. What it boils down to is this: basic functional anatomy and physiology have not changed nor have the physical properties of gravity, acceleration, deceleration, and momentum – all integral to the understanding of movement in our environment. Good clinical practice, based upon good research, stands the test of time.

 

Currently, and, God willing, for the near future, I am an older adult. I too, have experienced the physical changes of aging. I have (or had) developed range of motion issues, joint tightness, compromised balance, weakness of some muscles and tightness of others. All this, and I have been physically active my entire life! I have always known “what” to do to supplement my training for rowing, I just haven’t always done it! I could make the case that many of these exercises were truly not needed for rowing, which is true (and an excuse), but they are valuable for good movement. My bad! Recently, however, I have been more diligent about working to regain the movements that I was once capable of doing. Having made great improvements it occurred to me that there may be many other adults who would like to improve their quality of movement. I have the knowledge and experience, perhaps I can help you! You decide!

 

JB