Creating a Strength & Power Program for Track & Field: Programming, Development & Progressions

with Chad Gunnelson,
Augustana Director of Track & Field and Cross Country;
University of Dubuque Director of Track & Field and Cross Country from 2011 to 2023:
2022 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year;
2022 American Rivers Conference Outdoor Track & Field Coaching Staff of the Year;
2018 USTFCCCA Central Region Men's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year;
2018 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association (IIAC) Coaching Staff of the Year;
2017 USTFCCCA Central Region Men's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year;
2017 IIAC Track & Field Coach of the Year;
2013 IIAC Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year;
Has mentored 4 NCAA Champions, 100+ NCAA qualifiers, 76 All-Americans,160 Conference Champions;
His athletes broke 85 school records;
USTFCCCA Division III Track & Field Executive Committee;
IATC College Coaches' Representative;
USTFCCCA Specialist Certifications in jumps, endurance, and strength & conditioning;
USATF Level 1 certification & Level 2 sprints, hurdles, relays certification;
USA Weightlifting Certified Performance Coach

Chad Gunnelson, Augustana's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country and longtime Dubuque Director (12 years), brings his years of track knowledge and success to the table in this top-tier video that covers strength & power training. Gunnelson explains the how, what, and why of programming and progressions for track & field athletes. He uses his strength and conditioning perspective and applies it to a wide range of track athletes competing in different events.

Coach Gunnelson emphasizes that strength training is much more than simply strength gain. Strength is the quality and power necessary to improve an athlete's expression, so they can run faster. You'll learn the best core moves for athletic performance and, as Gunnelson says, "it's not crunches".

The biggest concepts touched on throughout Gunnelson's presentation include:

• The seven movement foundations that touch on all categories for a well-rounded strength program.
• Building the foundation of the track athlete through all modes of support, ranges of motion, and various velocities throughout the season.
• Whether you should use the "hypertrophy" or "neuromuscular" model when building the strength of an athlete.
• The primary benefits of strength training - increasing the endocrine system, structural development, and postural development.
• Whether you should use Linear or Block programming/periodization.
• How to maximize your efficiency with time in the weight room.

The varied charts and numerous videos along with Coach Gunnelson's detailed descriptions provide great insight into coaching track athletes, whether they are at the high school or college level. Gunnelson gives you the necessary tools to provide the correct programing and progressions throughout an entire year so your athletes will move better and have increased strength and power when it matters most.

88 minutes. 2021.