Program offers area athletes a chance for acceleration

Faster is better when it means the difference between winning and losing or breaking a school record.

Area athletes are participating in a program called Acceleration at St. Francis Medical Center that helps build speed and stamina.

The program is open to high school and college students and recreational athletes, and helps turn them into better athletes. An open house is planned Tuesday at the Center for Rehabilitation.

Improving sports performance is part of the emphasis at Acceleration, but there's also a rehab component for athletes who have been injured.

Jack Wedemeier has been in the Acceleration program for about six weeks and can easily tell the difference it's made. "I'm in a lot better shape and that always makes a better athlete," the Notre Dame Regional High School soccer player said.

Most of the athletes are part of a six-week program that builds their neuromuscular system and stamina so they can compete at greater speeds and strengths.

Athletes make their body adapt to what they want to accomplish, said Jason Strickland, program manager.

Several students have joined the Cheetah club, which recognizes their speed. Students who meet the requirements for the club must be able to enter and exit a treadmill moving at rates upward of 9 miles per hour on their own accord.

Males in the club must run at 20 mph and hold that speed for six seconds; females must run at 17 mph.