Show-Me determination

Saturday, February 19, 2011
Show-Me Acceleration fitness center Trainer Emelia Whiteaker directs Nevada High junior Taylor Handly during his Friday workout on the running treadmill. The center's primary goals are to enhance athletes' performance and reduce their in-season injuries.

Nevada, Mo. -- The days are gone when an athlete could "play myself into shape" after the season started.

Modern sports take year-round dedication so coaches can polish technique and be less worried about conditioning.

Enhancing performance and avoiding injury are the watchwords at Nevada Regional Medical Center's Show-me Acceleration fitness center, where trainer Emelia Whiteaker is schooling 12 elementary, middle school and high school students from Liberal, El Dorado Springs, Lamar, Fort Scott and Nevada in the perspiring arts.

Her roster goes to as many as 70 in the summertime off-season.

"Everyone has a weakness, even college and pro athletes," Whiteaker said during a Friday workout with Nevada High junior golfer Taylor Handly.

"We're here to find that weakness and make it better. The only down time they get during a 45- to 60-minute workout is to catch their breath."

Taylor said he has labored since October to afford himself the options of going out for football, basketball and perhaps baseball next year. He easily cranks 300-350 pounds on the leg press machine and can lift over 500 pounds.

Whiteaker said an oft-seen problem even in the college and pro ranks is the "core strength" area of the abdomen and lower back; so you don't stay at Show-Me Acceleration very long without having those muscles rigorously challenged.

At 411 W. Hardin Place under the water tower near Nevada Habilitation Center off Highland Street, the center has an array of workout machines from the Athletic Republic Co., whose principles and sport-specific exercises it employs.

"There is no luck in athletics, just trained and untrained skill," one poster says.

"Our program works because we take athletes beyond what they can naturally do," says another.

For six to eight weeks of three or four one-hour sessions per week, fees are $250 per individual in groups of five to nine and $160 per person in groups of 10 or more. The basic "test-teach-train" program is $325.

Whiteaker may be reached at (417) 448-3990.

"Every year, 3.5 million youth athletes suffer injuries, half of those from overuse," she said. "We help decrease this by training them to run and jump correctly while preparing for competition.

"Our patented treadmill can go up to 26 mph with 40 percent elevation. This allows them to improve their power output, lengthen their stride and increase their stride rate.

"Cord technology puts resistance on the muscles doing the work without affecting mechanics."

Whiteaker said cord technology entails the use of a throwing cord for pitching or throwing and sprint cords on the thighs and calves while a student is on the treadmill.

She is also training Kaycia and Makayla Fry and Jaci and Dillon Coleman of Liberal, Kai Bishop and Kelly Wilkinson of El Dorado Springs, Hannah Moyer of Lamar, Caleb Moore and Peyton Riedel of Fort Scott, and Taylor Remington and Tyler Teems of Nevada.

Whiteaker has worked with softball player Jessica Davis and basketball players Lindsey James and Lynley Ruble of Cottey College, wrestler Jordan Hagerman of Missouri Valley College and volleyball player Jamie Malle of Central Methodist University.