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Episode 73: Dr. Donald Chu

Chu
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Summary

Dr. Chu discusses quantifying and implementing plyometrics, jump training, Russian training methods, keystone workouts, and more. He gives us a unique insight into his career and the journey he has taken that led to his incredible success in developing jumping abilities in track and field athletes for decades.

Dr. Donald Chu is a performance coach and physical therapist, as well as a legendary track and field coach at UC Hayward in the 1980s. He is currently Clinic Director of Athercare Fitness & Rehabilitation. Dr. Chu is one of the pioneers of research-supported plyometric training, and he has developed an extensive reputation in the field of sports rehabilitation and the areas of fitness and conditioning. He has been credited with bringing “plyometric training” to the attention of the athletic world through his application of theoretical knowledge into practical demonstrations.

Dr. Chu received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1974. He also holds a degree in physical therapy from Stanford and a master’s in kinesiology and physical education from CSU-Hayward. Dr. Chu has also served as the Director of Athletic Training & Rehabilitation at Stanford University. He holds certifications as an Athletic Trainer (ATC) from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). He has served on the Board of Directors for both organizations and is a past President of the NSCA. Currently, Dr. Chu is the President of the California State Board of Physical Therapy and serves as a public member on the Board of Interior Design for the State of California.

In this episode, Dr. Chu discusses quantifying and implementing plyometrics, jump training, Russian training methods, keystone workouts, and more. He gives us a unique insight into his career and the journey he has taken that led to his incredible success in developing jumping abilities in track and field athletes for decades.

In this podcast, Dr. Donald Chu and Joel discuss:

  • His introduction to plyometrics as a young coach.
  • His methods of utilizing the weight room with his jumpers.
  • Periodization of plyometrics in his program.
  • Benchmarks he uses to assess progress with his athletes.
  • What he learned from the Russian training model.
  • Single and double leg jumping.

Podcast total run time is 1:01:36.

Dr. Chu can be found at his website.

Keywords: track and field, jumping, plyometrics, power development

Author

  • Mark Hoover

    Mark Hoover works for SimpliFaster in a coaching and technical consulting capacity and is the Director of Athletic Performance at Metrolina Christian Academy in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Coach Hoover started his career coaching football at both the high school and NCAA levels. After spending nearly 20 years in the dual role of sport coach/strength coach (including 11 years as a head football coach), he made the transition to full-time strength and conditioning in 2015.

    Coach Hoover holds bachelor’s degrees in communications and physical education and is fully certified in K–12 social studies and physical education. He is currently pursuing an MS in Exercise Science. He is a USAW Level 1 and 2 Certified Advanced Sports Performance Coach, as well as an NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist.

    View all posts

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Chu
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Episode 73: Dr. Donald Chu

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Dr. Donald Chu is a performance coach and physical therapist, as well as a legendary track and field coach at UC Hayward in the 1980s. He is currently Clinic Director of Athercare Fitness & Rehabilitation. Dr. Chu is one of the pioneers of research-supported plyometric training, and he has developed an extensive reputation in the field of sports rehabilitation and the areas of fitness and conditioning. He has been credited with bringing “plyometric training” to the attention of the athletic world through his application of theoretical knowledge into practical demonstrations.

Dr. Chu received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1974. He also holds a degree in physical therapy from Stanford and a master’s in kinesiology and physical education from CSU-Hayward. Dr. Chu has also served as the Director of Athletic Training & Rehabilitation at Stanford University. He holds certifications as an Athletic Trainer (ATC) from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA). He has served on the Board of Directors for both organizations and is a past President of the NSCA. Currently, Dr. Chu is the President of the California State Board of Physical Therapy and serves as a public member on the Board of Interior Design for the State of California.

In this episode, Dr. Chu discusses quantifying and implementing plyometrics, jump training, Russian training methods, keystone workouts, and more. He gives us a unique insight into his career and the journey he has taken that led to his incredible success in developing jumping abilities in track and field athletes for decades.

In this podcast, Dr. Donald Chu and Joel discuss:

  • His introduction to plyometrics as a young coach.
  • His methods of utilizing the weight room with his jumpers.
  • Periodization of plyometrics in his program.
  • Benchmarks he uses to assess progress with his athletes.
  • What he learned from the Russian training model.
  • Single and double leg jumping.

Podcast total run time is 1:01:36.

Dr. Chu can be found at his website.

Keywords: track and field, jumping, plyometrics, power development

Author

  • Mark Hoover

    Mark Hoover works for SimpliFaster in a coaching and technical consulting capacity and is the Director of Athletic Performance at Metrolina Christian Academy in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Coach Hoover started his career coaching football at both the high school and NCAA levels. After spending nearly 20 years in the dual role of sport coach/strength coach (including 11 years as a head football coach), he made the transition to full-time strength and conditioning in 2015.

    Coach Hoover holds bachelor’s degrees in communications and physical education and is fully certified in K–12 social studies and physical education. He is currently pursuing an MS in Exercise Science. He is a USAW Level 1 and 2 Certified Advanced Sports Performance Coach, as well as an NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist.

    View all posts

Leave the first comment

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