Dedication and hard work provide the core for creating the ability to succeed, however successful performance is built from many components. In skiing and snowboarding, it is difficult to produce consistent high level results due to the many factors involved. Developing the necessary skills to the highest level is one thing, but coordination and management of the intricate components involved to create and maintain performance at the highest level is the key in elite athletics. USSA believes that, of all the factors contributing to performance in any sport, and particularly in skiing and snowboarding, physical conditioning forms the foundation.
Physical conditioning is at the base of the performance pyramid for a good reason.
An athlete s condition must be adequate to support all the other factors contribute to overall performance in sport. The base of technical skills is built from conditioning to create tactical capabilities. Medical management is integrated at all these levels to provide appropriate enhancement, assessment and adjustment in training to reach the top of the pyramid. A weakness in any of these areas will limit performance. Members of this team work together to identify specific needs in an athlete and consult on how each individual athlete should be managed to overcome them.