Physical development and preparation: what exactly is it? (S4.7)

6 hours ago

3 min read

Episode of October 13, 2026

Is doing cheerleading twice a week enough to get stronger? At what age should physical training begin? And should a young athlete quickly specialize in a single position or even a single sport?

In this episode of the Kick's Cheer Podcast, we welcome Araya Therrien to talk about athlete development, biomechanics and physical preparation.

And quickly, we realize that the subject goes far beyond cheerleading.

https://youtu.be/7Ay9jFzkRlY

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

💪 What is the purpose of physical preparation?

Physical preparation allows an athlete's abilities to be developed in a controlled environment: strength, power, stability, mobility, coordination and endurance.

In cheerleading, this can notably help an athlete become stronger in their stunts, more powerful in tumbling, or simply more comfortable with certain movements.

Araya gives an example from his own experience. A former competitive swimmer, he had developed his body to meet the demands of swimming. When he started cheerleading, lifting someone above his head was something completely new.

Physical preparation allowed him to develop this ability before having to use it directly in a stunt.

The goal is therefore not just to "go to the gym". It is to prepare the body for the real demands of sport.

🧠 The brain plays a huge role in performance

Being stronger doesn't simply mean having bigger muscles.

An important part of physical development also involves the nervous system: the brain must learn to recruit muscles, react quickly, and control the body.

This is particularly relevant when discussing injury prevention.

Working on balance, reflexes, or stability can teach the body to react more quickly when a position becomes unstable.

In cheerleading, where athletes must constantly receive, push, catch, turn and adapt, these abilities can make a real difference.

🤸 Develop the athlete before specializing them

Another important message from the episode: among young people, diversity is a strength.

Before seeking to create only a vaulter, a base or a tumbling athlete, the goal should be to develop a young person capable of moving in multiple ways.

Run. Jump. Climb. Swim. Keep your balance. Try different sports.

All these experiences allow the child to better understand their body and develop skills that can then be transferred to cheerleading.

And as a young person's size and body continue to evolve, their position in cheerleading can also change over time.

The more complete his athletic base, the more tools he has to adapt.

📈 Two practices per week: is that enough to make progress?

This is probably one of the most interesting findings of the episode.

Two cheerleading practices per week allow you to work on a lot of things: technique, synchronization, stunts, routine and teamwork.

But according to Araya, if you really want to develop certain physical abilities, frequency becomes important.

This does not necessarily mean adding four more cheerleading practices.

For younger children, participating in other sports and simply being more active can contribute to their overall development. For older athletes, particularly around 14 or 15 years old, physical conditioning can play a more significant role in developing the strength and power necessary for their progress.

🏋️ A physical trainer, not just for elite athletes

Having access to a physical trainer can be an advantage, but their role is not limited to elite athletes.

It can also support coaches, build tailored programs, suggest exercises, create games for younger children, or simply help an organization better integrate physical development into its program.

What if your school or university already provides access to a physical trainer?

Use this resource.

As Araya points out in the episode, these services are sometimes available… but still underutilized by athletes.