Emerging Concepts in Human Performance Optimization

The optimization of performance is a defining goal with regard to the long-term development of any athlete. The process of performance optimization in football players is constantly evolving as our knowledge and understanding of the factors which act to influence player performance increase. Consistent with this evolution in our understanding and continual drive toward ever-increasing player performance is the development and emergence of new concepts, ideas, and technologies to help toward this goal. This chapter presents some of these emerging concepts and issues related to the optimization player performance. An overview of new approaches to the processes involved strength and conditioning training, strategies for enhancing nutritional intake and timing to maximize recovery, and an introduction to new and developing technologies which can be utilized to inform training practices, monitor player training intensity, and optimize sleep-wake schedules to promote increased levels of recovery. In addition, the complexities of integrating and managing all the information associated with the adoption of emerging strategies and technologies are discussed in an effort to further optimize player performance.