Training vs. Competing: The Performance Trade-Off Explained

Why do some D1 athletes come back slower and weaker after a season? In this episode, Dr. Tony Mikla and Russ Dunning break down the critical trade-offs between human performance metrics (like strength, speed, and power) and sport-specific performance (like IQ, conditioning, and durability).

They discuss:

• The “performance seesaw” between raw athleticism and game readiness

• How youth sports development often sacrifices long-term gains for short-term wins

• The importance of multi-sport participation vs. early specialization

• Why strength declines in-season—and what to do about it

• KIME’s philosophy on balancing protocols with principle-based coaching

Whether you’re a coach, clinician, parent, or athlete, this episode challenges how we define success in training and competition.

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