{"id":109617,"date":"2014-09-10T10:42:32","date_gmt":"2014-09-10T17:42:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=109617"},"modified":"2014-09-10T13:11:11","modified_gmt":"2014-09-10T20:11:11","slug":"usrpt-and-generation-z","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/usrpt-and-generation-z\/","title":{"rendered":"USRPT and Generation Z"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guest workout\u00a0by Ronald Hehn<\/em><\/p>\n

MOORHEAD, Minnesota, September 10. USRPT training is not effective for all athletes. This training method has become popular due to the personality characteristics of Generation Z. Traditional training methods may be more effective for those not part of this generation.<\/p>\n

Generation Z is commonly defined as the generation born following 1995. This generation controls its environment and interactions via technology and social media, respectively. It is also a generation that has developed during times of war and economic collapse, similar to Generation X (i.e. those born between 1960 and 1980). Surrounded by instability, this group requires a controlled environment and immediate feedback in order to ensure confidence in the outcome of their endeavors.<\/p>\n

USRPT training requires auto-regulation; that is, an athlete must monitor their own results during practice. The athlete may feel involved in the training process, and the short repetitions allow for immediate feedback. Such characteristics of this training method are attractive to Generation Z.<\/p>\n

The sport of swimming, as well as other sports, relies on a coach to lead athletes along the path of success. However, Generation Z feels as though there are no experts; information is at their fingertips, literally. This group is in charge of their own destiny, which is to make change in a world filled with uncertainty. Surrounded by various sources of news and information, via both journalism and peers, there seems to be neither experts nor certainty.<\/p>\n

USRPT guarantees results based on practice performance. This is very attractive to Generation Z, which struggles with the uncertainty of taper. USRPT is an objective system that guarantees outcomes based on self-generated results. The athlete has control of the outcome; therefore, it is the preferred training method for Generation Z.<\/p>\n

A coach may utilize this week’s workout to prepare this group for the incidents of chaos, uncertainty, and doubt experienced during competitions and life. Lack of structure and control causes great stress for Generation Z. Regardless of training method, improvement is gained through alternation of stress and rest.<\/p>\n