Mind, Body and Spirit: Holistic Development Supports Student-Athletes In Accessing Peak Performance
Watson, Rachel Boggs, Christine
Watson, Rachel
Boggs, Christine
Abstract
The International Nordic Ski Training and Coaching Program is a holistic scholar athlete development program at the University of Wyoming and in collaboration with the Shanghai University of Sport. The philosophy of the program centers on the belief that peak performance is reached only when student athletes integrate knowledge in physiology, technical and tactical approaches, general wellness, and psychological and philosophical pillars. Additionally, we contend that reaching peak performance requires that athletes are fully supported by coaches, support staff and governing bodies, all integrated into Nordic culture, and that scholar athletes are able to access healthy outdoor environments in which to train. This holistic curriculum is knit across the program, embedded in both classroom and experiential, place-based education. Three cohorts of scholar athletes have completed this program (N=29) and performance data show an average improvement of 35% over the course of only 8-months immersion. This performance trajectory would be equivalent to a 3000m running time dropping from 15 minutes to less than 10 minutes, or for a 20-year-old runner - a novice time to that of an elite 3000m runner.
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Date
2024-09-20
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University of Wyoming Libraries
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Keywords
holistic development,student athletes,performance