Janina Strauts is currently the Lead Physical Preparation Coach for the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA). Based in NSW, she spends most of her time working with the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) at both their Sydney and Jindabyne facilities. In this role she oversees the S&C support for the winter national network spanning across multiple institutes. During her years with OWIA she has worked with various winter sport athletes and coaches, including both ice and snow-based sports. Previously, Janina has worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for both the AIS and NSWIS with several summer sports. Janina comes from a strong sport coaching background, having also coached both gymnastics and athletics for numerous years.

QUOTES

“When athletes are really focused on making the most of the snow-time they have got, … the challenge is how do you ensure you still get the physical qualities you need done during the year without impacting the skill component”

“What we make sure is that we have all our lower body days on the last day of each training block to be really strategic about getting as much recovery as possible before their next skill session”

“I have thought about core more traditionally - a flexion, an extension, a lateral movement, a rotation and an anti-rotation”

“If it is simple, it is consistent and it is easy, it means it will be easy to track and implement”

SHOWNOTES

1) Janina’s journey as a strength and conditioning coach starting at NSWIS

2) Understanding how to have an impact in the yearly plan and what a normal training day looks like in winter sports

3) The importance of posterior chain and landing mechanics for winter sports

4) Conditioning, placement within a microcycle and the impact on technical training

5) Gymnastics variations to develop aerial awareness and integrating sport requirements into core work

6) Assessments that Janina uses for winter sports athletes

7) The power of simplicity and massive IMTP testing results