How Quickly Will I See Results?

In an athlete performance based business, one of the most frequently asked questions received by the sport performance coach is, “How quickly will I see results?”. Rightfully so, this is your expectation when you exchange money for a service. As a coach, I am asked this question by almost every parent or athlete within the first 2-3 meetings. This can be a difficult question to have a concrete answer to. There are a number of factors involved, beginning with, “What are the goals attempting to be achieved?”. If the major goal is to adjust body weight, then we are almost guaranteed that there will not be a noticeable difference in the first 1-2 weeks. However, if the goal if for your 10 year old athlete to learn how to properly run, then we will have a greater impact within the first few sessions.

Since most of athlete we see are trying to increase their speed, strength, and performance we tend to have a pretty good idea for the average improvement over the first month or two. However, each individual will have their own considerations.

So, how do we answer a question like this?

Improved Movement Efficiency

When dealing with a performance based goal, much of the initial adjustment will be mechanical. As coaches, we are working to adjust the position of the athlete as they perform movements. These adjustments are an attempt to place the athlete in a mechanically advantageous position to use the strength and power that they currently possess. As we identify movement and positions flaws and inefficiencies we work to create drills to teach the athlete these new skills. This process of “Observe, Assess, Design, Adjust” tends to create the first noticeable results.  

Coach Sam working to improve the cutting technique of a young athlete.

By simply placing the athlete in the proper positions they are able to better accelerate, decelerate, and control their body as they accomplish movements.

Improved Strength

The next major opportunity for noticeable results tends to occur around the 6-8 week mark.  At this point the coach and athlete have been working to improve posture, position and movement quality. Athletes should be noticing the difference in their ability to move, express strength/power, and control their movement.

All the while, the athlete has also been participating in strength training. The strength training exercises are designed to support the movement patterns used in the movement sessions. The strength training, initially, established proper positioning while using resistance, then began to focus on force output. As athletes continue to use the strength training in tandem with the movement skill development they will begin to see additional improvement in their speed and agility.

Strength training tends to take longer to make a noticeable improvement. This is why I typically say it will take 6-8 weeks to begin to notice this improvement. Once the athlete has a consistent month or two of proper strength training they will notice their ability to apply more force during movement and ultimately be faster, stronger, and more agile when training and competing.

As mentioned above, this change from one athlete to the next. There are many factors involved with this process. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at Brattain Sports Performance.