Cognition Meets Speed and Agility

Dr. Brett Scott talks with strength coach Jason Feairheller about what truly makes athletes fast—blending cognitive reaction with physical capacity—covering multidirectional power, change-of-direction mechanics, smart drill progressions, strength pairing, rehab considerations, and practical programming.

Takeaways:

• Speed involves both cognitive ability and physical capacity.

• Genetics can influence top-end speed but not overall performance.

• Cognitive training can improve an athlete's reaction time.

• Injury prevention strategies are essential in speed training.

• Mobility and coordination are critical for effective speed training.

• Reactive drills should be a significant part of training.

• Strength training should complement speed work for optimal performance.

• Understanding movement mechanics is vital for injury prevention.

• Athletes should be assessed through every drill they perform.

• A structured training program is necessary for improving speed and agility.

Chapters

00:00- Introduction to Speed and Agility Training

01:18- Understanding Speed: Cognitive and Physical Components

06:40- The Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance

11:20- Training Speed: Cognitive vs. Physical Strength

16:30- Injury Prevention and Speed Training

19:25- Categorizing Speed and Agility Drills

27:00- Coordination, Mobility, and Performance

30:39- Understanding Movement Mechanics

32:46- Mental Readiness in Athletic Performance

36:53- Reactive Training for Speed and Agility

40:46- Structuring Speed and Strength Training

46:31- Integrating Olympic Lifting for Multi-Directional Athletes

52:42- Injury Prevention through Movement Mechanics