MET-Rx - Winter 2012

MET-Rx® SPORT SPECIFIC TRAINING
Frank Sepe: Who has been the strongest athlete or player you worked with? What are his stats?
Sean Donellan: In hockey – no question -- it’s Zdeno Chara. He was an Islander from 1996- 2000 and I watched him bench 350 for 3 when he was 20 years old at 6’ 9”. That’s no easy task. In football, the strongest would be former Giants’ Defensive Tackle Jay Alford (4th Quarter Sack on Tom Brady in Superbowl XLII). He could bench 450 and squat over 550. Honorable mention goes to Green Bay Packers RB Ryan Grant who squats in the mid 400’s, but runs 4. 4 at 225 pounds. It’s the speed and agility more than the strength that blows your mind when you train the NFL guys. Brandon Jacobs and Justin Tuck move impossibly well for men their size.
Frank Sepe: How have you seen strength and conditioning routines evolve over the years?
Sean Donellan: I have been around long enough to have seen a few evolutions now -- from ma- chine revolution to functional training craze. Now, you’re seeing more movement based training.
Frank Sepe: What is your idea of the perfect ath- lete? What kind of stats would he have to have?
Sean Donellan: It totally depends on the sport and the position within that sport, but I think the focus should be on improving how athletes move versus how strong they are.
Frank Sepe: What sets you aside from other strength and conditioning coaches?
Sean Donellan: Having a dual background as an athletic trainer certainly helps. Combine that with having been in the field since I was 16 (and working as a personal trainer) at 40, it gives me a lot of time in the trenches.
Frank Sepe: What is the best thing about work- ing with the New York Islanders?
Sean Donellan: You don’t get too many sec- ond chances in life. Thanks to Garth Snow (who was a player on the team when I was here the first time), I was able to come back after having gained invaluable experience away from hockey.