Physical Preparation: Learning How to Train

As you walk through the Centre Multisports, you may have noticed some new equipment—seemingly simple, yet truly unique.

These machines were recently acquired thanks to the generosity of SAPVS (Sport et activité physique Vaudreuil-Soulanges), enabling the Centre to offer professional-grade physical preparation services to local sports clubs, associations, individual athletes, and anyone looking to enhance their athletic performance. As Centre Director Gilles Besner summarizes, “Technical skills are developed on the field, but the foundation of performance is built in the gym.”

A Mission-Aligned Initiative

The construction of the Centre Multisports nearly five years ago responded to a real community need: establishing a regional sports identity and giving young people the opportunity to thrive in sport. The Horizon 2035 project supports this vision by encouraging young athletes to go as far as they want and ultimately fostering a lifelong active lifestyle.

The physical preparation service directly aligns with this mission, providing Vaudreuil-Soulanges with a strong base of sports expertise and high-end equipment. “With our mission to develop sporting excellence in the region and a team of professionals to support it, developing a professional physical preparation service was a natural next step,” explains David Forget, kinesiologist and fitness coordinator at the Centre. “We’re making elite-level physical preparation accessible to the local sports community, which is often reserved for a very exclusive group of athletes.”

Empowering Coaches and Athletes

This cutting-edge equipment evaluates an athlete’s performance and identifies areas for improvement in their sport. Integrated with the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, the service supports coaches by providing valuable insights to better guide and educate their athletes.

For example, through collaboration with the Vaudreuil-Soulanges BMX Club, the Centre’s kinesiologists measured explosiveness, core strength, and power in young riders at Gym Perfo—while the club coach focused on bike technique. “Giving coaches actionable data, supporting and educating them so they can carry on effectively—that’s the added value,” says Forget.

This service could also extend to older adults, offering assessments that help improve coordination, movement, and reaction time. The possibilities are vast. Now it’s up to the athletes, coaches, and associations to take advantage of it.

The LTAD Model

The Centre’s training model follows the national LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development) framework, which promotes better sport, health, and success outcomes. Based on research, it outlines the right actions at the right time to help children stay active and reach their full potential. The seven stages are:

1. Active Start (ages 0–6)

2. FUNdamentals (girls 6–8, boys 6–9)

3. Learn to Train (girls 8–11, boys 9–12)

4. Train to Train (girls 11–15, boys 12–16)

5. Train to Compete (girls 15–21, boys 16–23)

6. Train to Win (girls 18+, boys 19+)

7. Active for Life (any age)

Coach Toro’s Testimonial

Though the program is still in its early stages, it’s already helped athletes from multiple clubs, including FC Trois-Lacs soccer. Head coach of the U13AA team, Orlando Vilo (aka Coach Toro), shares his thoughts:

“Physical preparation must be part of athlete development to prevent injuries. My players not only had fun but gained:

• Better balance and core stability

• Faster and more explosive footwork

• Greater mental toughness

As a coach, I saw:

• Fewer injuries

• Increased overall confidence

• More success in ball duels

• A more competitive team

The 12-week program included one session per week, blending coordination, endurance, power, and cognitive challenges—keeping players engaged. I even integrated some of the exercises into our 2016 season. Team spirit and camaraderie also improved. I’ll definitely recommend it for winter 2016–2017.”

High-Tech Tools: High Trainer, Vertimax, FitLight, Smartspeed

Very few facilities in Quebec—aside from some universities and the Institut National du Sport—offer this level of performance measurement and physical training equipment.

The tools used by the Centre Multisports professionals support a targeted approach, assessing the key determinants of performance in each sport and tracking progress over time.