Courtesy: Sports InformationA certified exercise physiologist and kinesiologist, Walls (CEP, CSCS, CISSN) joins Ryerson after previously teaching exercise prescription at Humber College and serving as one of the professional educators at the Toronto Athletic Club, where he designed and held accredited courses for athletes and coaches in sports nutrition.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sam to the Ryerson Rams family," said Manager of Athlete Services Dr. Beth McCharles. "His strong knowledge of training and nutritional principles is complimented by an excellent application of those concepts to the weight room and training grounds. His expertise will add to the integrated sports model that we are implementing to assist our varsity athletes in reaching their maximum potential in competition."
"I am very excited to be a part of the Ram's family and I am looking forward to working with the great athletic community here at Ryerson," said Walls.
Walls has developed and implemented conditioning programs in a variety of sports including varsity athletics, Alpine Ontario, grappling sports and strongman training. His main goal is to develop high levels of athleticism in Ryerson's athletes, which will allow the coaches to transfer that capacity into sport-specific skills.
"A successful training program should transfer into the development of athletic performance while reducing the risk of injuries," explained Walls. "The training protocols and the selection of exercises used to develop our current and future stars should be based on the athlete's current fitness state and the demands of the sport. What works for one athlete may not work for another, identifying athletic needs such as movement efficiency and performance capacity is where we need to begin."
A former athlete and coach in weightlifting, Walls met qualifying standards for the Ontario Senior Weightlifting Championships in 2012. This experience gives him the ability to assess and implement individualized protocols to enhance functional strength and sport-specific power. His collaborative efforts alongside athletic therapists and chiropractors have also taught Walls the importance of screening movement dysfunctions while incorporating technical strategies to enhance athletic performance.
"I can't wait to work with the coaches, support staff and the athletic therapist at Ryerson," exclaimed Walls. "I have received such a warm welcome, and I am excited to work with the tremendous talent (here) and helping the Rams reach their peak potential."
