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SUMMARY
RAPID EXPANSION OF THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FIELD, THE NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS, AND SOURCES OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION HAVE RESULTED IN A "CHAOS" SITUATION. THE ROLES OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE ASSESSED TO MAINTAIN OR ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND STANDARD OF PRACTICE. THE ACTIONS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE FIELD CONTRIBUTE, EITHER POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY, TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING AS A PROFESSION.
KEY WORDS:
professional development; coaching, evidence based; education
INTRODUCTION
In 1963, Forscher (15) wrote a seminal letter describing the de-evolution of the scientific process associated with the rapid growth of science in academe. Entitled "Chaos in the Brickyard," this letter has been widely reviewed in specific disciplines, for examples, see references (5,25), within and outside science, describing a phenomenon where professional approaches have shifted from a philosophical base to randomness and from long-term vision to immediate profit and gain. The lack of philosophy can also be observed in strength and conditioning and has become apparent in this Internet age with many practitioners using novel training fads and gimmicks as opposed to developing a methodical approach based on science and evidence. In many cases, research has demonstrated the inefficacy of these fads (1,6).
Recent trends in Western society have resulted in a large focus on physical activity, health and wellness, and life quality. These foci have been beneficial for strength and conditioning as a field, increasing the visibility of professional practitioners, funding for researchers, available jobs, and salaries for these jobs. However, this rapid expansion has also created "chaos" in terms of the quality and standard of practice (6,9), which may ultimately be deleterious to the development of strength and conditioning as a professional discipline.
THE BRICKYARD
Forscher (15) described the role of early scientists metaphorically, involving builders who constructed edifices i.e., knowledge) out of bricks (i.e., scientific research). Because of the scarcity of bricks available, the builders were also the brick makers. The making of bricks was labor intensive, with bricks made on an on order basis, meaning the making of bricks was for the sole purpose of constructing a certain edifice. To ease the task of making bricks, junior brick makers were employed and over time, some junior brick makers progressed to the status of builder....