Disabled alpiners wrap skiing, conditioning camp

By Published On: June 3rd, 2008Comments Off on Disabled alpiners wrap skiing, conditioning camp

The U.S. disabled alpine team wrapped up the first training camp of the season with a testing camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
THE U.S. DISABLED alpine team wrapped up the first training camp of the season with a testing camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
    After skiing for six days at Arapahoe Basin, the athletes spent four days at the OTC undergoing a battery of tests and training sessions, that included strength, power and agility tests, body composition testing and Wingate testing for anaerobic power.
    "The testing camp provided useful information about our athletes' fitness levels and allowed us to identify areas where the athletes are excelling and areas where they can improve," said coach Jessica Tidswell.
    The athletes were introduced to the new strength and conditioning plan and went through various workouts including a strength training session, a pool interval workout and cardio and core strength workout as well as a team activity at the Garden of the Gods, a national park near the training center.
    "Strength and conditioning are very important leading into the 2009 World Championships and 2010 Paralympic Games," head coach Ray Watkins said.
    Lectures were given on training, nutrition and anti-doping policies and procedures. Then the athletes also had the opportunity to go over their testing data with sport nutritionist Susie Parker-Simmons and exercise physiologist Dr. Krista Austin. Both provided valuable information and suggestions for improvement.
    "The staff at the OTC is excellent and helped our team staff develop plans for the athletes to improve upon their weaknesses," Tidswell said. "The athletes continued to work hard during the testing camp and had fun working out together. We are all looking forward to the coming season."
    The team will reunite in the Pacific Northwest for a speed camp at Mt. Hood the beginning of June.

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