Monaghan GAA’s Strength & Conditioning Coach, Martin Corey, has been putting in place a programme for enhancing athletic movement in boys aged between 11-12 years of age. The last 8 weeks saw Martin conduct an 8-week athletic movement programme in Urbleshanny National School Scotstown. Martin’s work here involved working with 6^th Class to examine the general fitness levels, movement patterns and running mechanics with 6^th Class students.

The purpose of the programme was:

• Expose young players for fitness testing and equipment
• Encourage students to lead a more active lifestyle
• To help improve a student’s athletic movement at a younger age
• Teach the students various exercises to help improve or enhance athletic movement
• Educate students on the importance of posture, mobility exercises, flexibility, jumping and landing, strength and aerobic fitness.

The programme in its current format consists of a fitness assessment, an introduction to mobility and flexibility exercises, an introduction to activation and strength exercises, jumping and landing mechanics, speed and aerobic development.

We would like to thank the teachers and the students at Urbleshanny NS for their participation in the programme.

For more information on this programme, please contact Martin Corey, Monaghan GAA Strength & Conditioning Coach, by email on developmentofficer4.monaghan@gaa.ie