Young Barbadian developing new approach to athlete assessment

A 19-year-old Barbadian is spearheading an initiative aimed at transforming how athletes are assessed for personalised training programmes and managed in the aftermath of injuries.

Michael J.D. Hall, a former swimmer and karate athlete, has conceptualised the Barbados High Performance Athlete Assessment Initiative, which will bring a new focus to athlete evaluation and performance development.

The initiative will be launched on Saturday, September 12, at the Hilton Barbados Resort and is being offered free of charge to the public, with athletes under 20 among the primary targets.

Hall said his own experiences in sport helped drive his determination to create an initiative that could make a meaningful difference to young athletes and the wider sporting community.

The initiative forms part of Hall’s effort to give back to Barbados.

Having completed his bachelor’s degree in Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition at University College Birmingham, Hall is preparing to return to the institution to continue his postgraduate development.

“Basically because I was an athlete myself, I know the missing links that the youth of today do not have.

“I have tested different athletes already and basically if they get injured some have no rehab programme, which was surprising to me. I’m pretty sure Barbadians saw some of our athletes get injured earlier this year at CARIFTA and a few of them haven’t quite bounced fully back yet.

“This can help to target those weaknesses and strengthen athletes when they have competitions,” he explained.

Hall shed some more light on his budding initiative. He revealed that he had already tested over 30 athletes, using the VALD System, which utilises sports science technology to show imbalances that athletes may have.

“So for football for example, we all know everyone has a stronger hand and a stronger leg as compared to the other. If that imbalance is more than 10 per cent, you have a higher chance of being injured, and you should not be allowed to play until you lower the difference. What we’re doing is targeting those differences.

“It’s not only football we’ve done. I have completed testing in four different sports — football, swimming, road tennis, and track and field,” he revealed.

According to Hall, the participants were tested and then given their programmes, with suggestions for recovery and improvement. He said the free consultation was well received, especially since some of the athletes were not aware of their weak points.

“So the athletes are really thankful and the coaches they loved it.They think it’s really helpful (because) it’s less work on them and they can focus on technique and what’s not, and I can help them with gym work or rehab programmes if their athletes get injured,” Hall stated.

He continued, “During the conference this weekend, a representative from VALD will be on hand and we will also have guest speakers. We’ll have an open mic session where people can ask questions.”

Following the conference, Hall will eventually return to England to complete his masters either in strength and conditioning or sports analytics.

“I always knew I wanted to do something sports related, so I guess that’s what I knew from a young age that I wanted to, even if it was not being an athlete myself.

“I still wanted to be outside because I know I can’t sit behind a desk all day.

I need to be active.”

(KH)