Physical Performance Symposium

The Physical Performance Symposium will focus with all its presenters on exercise for performance across different populations (athletes, recreational exercisers and people with chronic health conditions) covering a wide range of topics with increased research interest and high preference among exercise professionals and clients in the Fitness field.

Its main objective is to raise awareness and update the knowledge and skills of the modern fitness professional who is actively engaged in personalized exercise, and at the same time it wishes to promote the message that safe exercise designed to improve performance and physical fitness requires documented evidence rather than simply empirical knowledge.

Sessions

Old School secrets to increase Athletic Performance - Part I

Giorgos Karanastasis, MSc (GR) & Stavros Karanastasis, BSc (GR)

SATURDAY 11:00-11:50

Eccentric muscular actions are a very powerful tool in improving athletic performance, general health, as well as in injury prevention - rehabilitation. In the first part of the presentation we will analyze the theory behind plyometric exercises, which can offer an optimal resistance curve without friction points.
High Intensity Functional Training: What is the research evidence for CrossFit-type programs?

Yuri Feito, PhD (US)

SATURDAY 12:00-12:50

High Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) programs, such as CrossFit®, consist of a variety of functional movements performed at high intensities. Considering their growing popularity and lack of concrete evidence, it is important to understand the available evidence, and how this might impact development of training programs. This presentation will evaluate the current evidence related to physiological, and psychological variables. In addition, we will discuss the risk of injury and make recommendations for the development of safe and effective training programs using this innovative training modality.
Fascial stretching using resistance training for improving muscle hypertrophy

George Bougiatiotis, BSc (GR)

SATURDAY 13:00-13:50

Fascia is a limiting factor in muscle hypertrophy. This interactive session will present fascial stretching techniques using resistance exercises to improve the rate of muscle growth. Learn how to apply this technique to different muscle groups and develop your clients' training programs.
Pre-exercise health evaluation: A case study according to the new ACSM guidelines

Yuri Feito, PhD (US)

SATURDAY 14:00-14:50

Fitness professionals are often asked to work with individuals with health risk factors and/or chronic health conditions. Such referrals to exercise by health professionals can be a truly complex scenario for designing effective and scientifically documented exercise programs with a focus on safety and personalization. This session will present the internationally established work framework for personal trainers through the presentation of several case-studies. All the "key points" that will promote successful approaches through safe and scientifically sound solutions will be discussed and analyzed, according to the latest guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Athletic Foundation

Panos Pantas, PhD (ES, GR)

SUNDAY 11:00-11:50

It is often difficult for a fitness professional to understand and distinguish the different needs of a normal client and an athlete. Even though the fundamentals of human body are the same for everybody, an athlete has additional needs and different priorities. In this session we will discuss the real needs of an athlete as well the differences from ordinary clients, and how to set correctly the priorities for adequate training programming.
Old School secrets to increase Athletic Performance - Part II

Giorgos Karanastasis, MSc (GR) & Stavros Karanastasis, BSc (GR)

SUNDAY 12:00-12:50

Eccentric muscular actions are a very powerful tool in improving athletic performance, general health, as well as in injury prevention - rehabilitation. In the second part of this presentation, there will be some practical training reducing the gap between the old-school workouts and the more sophisticated tools.
High Intensity Interval Training for clinical populations

Yuri Feito, PhD (US)

SUNDAY 13:00-13:50

High Intensity Interval Training (HIT) is clearly considered one of the top trends in the fitness world for the general population. On the other hand, fitness practitioners are often asked what is safe and effective for individuals with clinical conditions (eg. cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, etc.). This presentation will examine the potential benefits, the risks, and how to best design these programs to meet the needs of the individual. The purpose of this lecture is to provide insight into the potential benefits of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) among clinical populations through supervised and scientifically documented exercise programs.
Blood-Flow Restriction Training

Haris Valsamidis, MD (GR)

SUNDAY 14:00-14:50

Applied clinical research in recent years has shown that Blood-Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) not only increases muscle mass, strength and aerobic capacity in healthy exercisers, but is now one of the most effective therapeutic exercise techniques for athletes (after surgery or injury) and some special population groups for which training choices are limited. A BFRT workout uses a low load (20-30% 1-RM) along with the wrapping of the limbs of the practitioner with a cuff or rubber strap. This session will present the theoretical data that support this method as well as many examples in real-world conditions for different muscle groups through the practicipation of the attendants.