Sports Performance
Elevate your passion for sports and unleash your full athletic potential with the Sports Performance program. This tailored experience provides a dynamic, hands-on opportunity for individuals aspiring to enhance their athletic performance or explore a career in sports performance.
Program Highlights Include:
- Cutting-Edge Training Methods: Explore the latest advancements in sports performance training, focusing on strength development, agility, speed, and power. Participate in hands-on sessions led by experienced coaches, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
- Data Analytics for Performance Optimization: Delve into the world of sports data analytics and learn to leverage data to maximize athletic performance. Gain insights into performance metrics, injury prevention strategies, and personalized training regimens based on individual data analysis.
- Comprehensive Evaluation Techniques: Understand the importance of athlete assessment through comprehensive evaluation methods. Learn to conduct fitness assessments, biomechanical analyses, and performance evaluations to tailor training programs to individual needs.
- Practical Application through Team Projects: Apply newfound knowledge through hands-on team projects simulating real-world scenarios in sports performance. Collaborate with fellow participants to develop and implement training programs, analyze data, and present findings.
- Sports Nutrition: Delve into the science of fueling optimal athletic performance, exploring the role of nutrition in maximizing energy levels, enhancing endurance, and supporting recovery. Learn about personalized dietary plans, nutrient timing, and hydration strategies.
- Sports Psychology: Unlock the mental aspects of athletic success by understanding the power of mindset, focus, and mental resilience. Delve into topics such as goal setting, visualization techniques, stress management, and building confidence.
- Recovery: Recognizing the crucial role of recovery in athletic achievement, with a special focus on the often-underestimated importance of sleep. Explore the science behind recovery techniques, including stretching, foam rolling, and active recovery sessions. Understand the impact of quality sleep on physical and mental well-being, and learn practical tips to optimize sleep hygiene.
This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
The Sports Performance program offers a dynamic and engaging format that combines various learning modalities to cater to diverse styles. Over the two weeks, participants will engage in:
- round table discussions
- interactive lectures
- coaching sessions
- practical exercises
The program maximizes the use of athletic and academic facilities, incorporating insightful discussions on theoretical aspects and utilizing on-campus training facilities for practical sessions. This dynamic approach ensures an immersive learning experience, seamlessly integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing you for success in the exciting field of sports performance.
Pre-Requisites
Participants should have a basic understanding of sports and fitness principles, but no prior experience is required. Movement and physical activity are integral to the program, and participants will be required to complete a medical health history form and sign an informed consent form. Safety is our priority, and all activities will be modified to accommodate a wide range of abilities under the supervision of qualified individuals.
Materials
- Athletic attire – Be ready to move! We’ll be engaging in low- to moderate-intensity physical activities. Think: shorts, athletic pants, leggings, and sneakers.
- Water bottle – Stay hydrated!
- Laptop or tablet – If you have one, great! If not, no worries—we’ll have access to library loaners or go analog when needed.
- A positive attitude – This is your most important gear!
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Learning Objective 1: Integrate Training Science & Practical Application
- Students will be able to apply foundational principles of strength, speed, agility, power, and recovery through hands-on sessions and the development of evidence-based training strategies.
- Learning Objective 2: Use Data to Evaluate and Improve Athletic Performance
- Students will be able to interpret key performance metrics and conduct performance and biomechanical assessments to create individualized, data-driven training recommendations.
- Learning Objective 3: Demonstrate an Understanding of Athlete Development
- Students will be able to explain and integrate concepts from sports nutrition, sports psychology, and recovery science to support comprehensive athlete well-being and performance.
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00–9:15 AM |
Morning Kickoff & Warm-Up |
| 9:15–10:30 AM |
Learning Session 1: Sport Performance |
|
10:30 AM–12:00 PM |
Hands-On Learning 2: Applied Performance Lab |
| 12:00–1:00 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
1:00–1:15 PM |
Afternoon Check-In & Movement Reset |
|
1:15–2:30 PM |
Learning Session 2: The Science Behind the Athlete |
|
2:30–4:00 PM |
Hands-On Application 2: Team Performance Challenge |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Thomas St. Laurent, Senior Lecturer II, Department of Kinesiology
Undergraduate Program Director
Thomas St. Laurent, MS, CSCS, is a Senior Lecturer II in Kinesiology at UMass Amherst and a nationally certified strength and conditioning specialist with more than 20 years of coaching and teaching experience. He brings a dynamic blend of scientific expertise and hands-on training knowledge to the Sports Performance Program. With professional experience in athlete development, track and field coaching, and private sports performance training, Thomas creates an engaging, high-energy learning environment where students explore cutting-edge training methods, data analytics, and performance science. His passion for helping young athletes grow makes this program both inspiring and transformative.
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