The Brian Cain Mental Performance Mastery Podcast Awareness, The Foundation of Athletic Development with Donovan Santas
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Oct 1, 2024 Donovan Santas, a veteran in professional baseball with extensive experience as a strength and conditioning coach, dives deep into the evolution of athletic training. He discusses how baseball-specific conditioning has transformed, emphasizing the growing focus on mental performance. Topics explored include cognitive assessments, fatigue management, and the significance of breath control in performance. Donovan also shares insights on the impact of sleep and shares personal anecdotes, including a shift toward healthier lifestyles to optimize athletic recovery.
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Expanding Role of Strength and Conditioning
- Donovan Santas's role expanded significantly during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- The strength and conditioning department grew from two to 15 staff members, reflecting the increased value placed on physical development.
Outdated Training Practices
- Twenty years ago, baseball training often involved long-distance running, even for power-focused roles like pitching.
- This contradicted the principle of training fast-twitch muscle fibers for explosive sports.
The Next Wave of Training
- Strength and conditioning advancements are largely responsible for increased pitching velocity and power in baseball.
- Mental and cognitive training may be the next frontier for gaining a competitive edge, similar to strength and conditioning 20 years ago.