The CSCA was proud to have Frank McKinnon from VALD Canada as a speaker at our most recent conference in Novia Scotia on April 6 2024. Frank is the commercial director for VALD Canada bringing extensive experience in health and sports technology to his role. Frank has over 25 years’ experience developing and implementing systems and processes leveraging innovative technology to enhance performance and outcomes.

Frank presented on the topic of ‘Best Practice for Athlete Testing Events – A PM Perspective’. In his presentation he spoke on the trend of democratizing athlete testing combines signifies a transition from
exclusivity to accessibility, extending such evaluations beyond solely professional and elite athletes. This evolution has positioned athlete testing combines as indispensable tools for sports organizations and performance gyms, appealing to a broader spectrum of athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Why conduct them? There are numerous reasons, including objective evaluation, talent identification, benchmarking, and team building.

At the conclusion of the event, Frank was asked to provide his responses to the following questions:

CSCA – What motivated you to get involved with the CSCA?

FM – The CSCA is an important organization in the Canadian landscape for strength and conditioning practitioners and we want to see it continue to grow and be a vehicle for continued education. We want to see the CSCP accreditation become further recognized and we appreciate recent developments such as the partnership with CSEP.

CSCA – What do you think will be the trends to consider in our industry for the next 5 years?

FM – This evolution is especially noticeable now as technology accelerates changes. We see a continued integration of biomechanics and musculoskeletal objective measurement, gaining traction beyond pro/elite sports and becoming more accessible to everyone. This integration will usher in more personalized programs. The health benefits of exercise and strength are continuously better understood, and hopefully, exercise and strength programs will be available for all, from kids in school to seniors. We should all have a program we are working on, and the importance of strength and conditioning to the healthcare system should continue to grow.

The CSCA thanks Frank for his generous support in presenting at the conference and working to advance the profession forward!