Presentation description
Les Spellman’s presentation explores the relationship between strength development and sprint performance, challenging traditional beliefs that maximal concentric strength is the primary driver of speed. Drawing from contemporary research and practical experience with elite NFL Combine athletes, the presentation examines how force production, force transmission, tendon stiffness, eccentric loading, and reactive strength contribute to sprinting performance. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how physical capacities influence speed and how strength and conditioning programs can be redesigned to enhance sprint performance through targeted force-expression strategies rather than simply increasing maximal strength.
Learning objectives
- Understand the biomechanical and physiological factors that underpin elite sprint performance, including force production, tendon stiffness, and rate of force development.
- Evaluate how different strength-training methods influence sprint-specific force expression and identify their practical applications.
- Develop evidence-informed training strategies that enhance force generation, force transmission, and sprint performance in high-performance athletes.
About the presenter
Les Spellman is one of the world’s leading speed coaches, recognized for his ability to translate complex sports science into practical systems that transform athletes at every level. As the founder of Spellman Performance and the Universal Speed Rating (USR), Les has built a global ecosystem of more than 225 Speed Labs, delivering over 500,000 athlete tests and influencing training methodologies across the NFL, NCAA, Premier League, MLS, NWSL, Olympic programs, and youth development systems. With a track record that includes preparing over 100 NFL athletes (15 first-round draft picks since 2019) and supporting athletes in five Olympic Games, Les has become a trusted advisor to professional teams, federations, and performance organizations worldwide. His frameworks — including the Dynamic Quadrant Model, DRIP system, and Universal Speed Rating — are reshaping how coaches measure, profile, and develop speed. Beyond the field, Les is a sought-after speaker and educator. His Spellman System Course and international workshops equip coaches with tools to bridge sports science and applied coaching. His work has been featured in outlets ranging from Sportsmith to corporations, and his mission extends beyond performance: to raise the standard of truth in coaching, build connected communities, and unlock human potential through speed.
Cancellation policy
CEU information
Physical Therapy CEUs
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Massachusetts: Our organization is an approved provider of continuing education for APTA Massachusetts.
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Courses approved by other APTA chapters in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation:
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Athletic Training CEUs
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Contact hours
- Reading time = 10 minutes
- Video length = 48 minutes
- Quiz = 10 minutes
- Total contact hours (rounded down to nearest 0.25 hr) = 1.00
Competency assessment
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Course evaluation
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