The Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham has emerged in recent decades as a world leader in fitness, recreation, research and health promotion for people with disabilities, including veterans and seniors. A nonprofit founded in 1984, Lakeshore Foundation serves about 4,000 people each year and is a leader in paralympic sports training and advocacy.
Last year, the foundation reached an even higher level in serving athletes of all types when it opened its new, cutting-edge Lakeshore Sports Science and Performance Center (SSPC).
The Lakeshore SSPC provides athletes with an unrivaled training experience, combining data-driven sports performance services with great facilities, expert knowledge and extensive online resources.
Not only that, but the facility serves all athletes, including those in adaptive or paralympic sports.
“We have the skills to tailor our services to each athlete with or without a disability, which makes SSPC a perfect option for anyone who is serious about wanting to reach the next level in their training,” said Amy Rauworth, Chief Research and Innovation Officer at the Lakeshore Foundation
The SSPC offers data-driven training that is tailored to the goals of each individual athlete, including strength and conditioning, mental wellness and nutrition.
“You can choose to train in many places around Birmingham, but training with the only Olympic and Paralympic training site in the area gives you an edge, helps you unlock your athletic potential and train like a champion where champions train,” Rauworth said Amy Rauworth, Chief Research and Innovation Officer at Lakeshore Foundation.
When an athlete chooses Lakeshore SSPC for their training, they also help contribute to a greater goal.
“You also get the satisfaction of knowing that when you pay for our services every dollar goes back into supporting our programs and athletes,” Rauworth said. “You can give back and support others while improving your own abilities.”
To maximize their potential, athletes must know where to start, so Lakeshore SSPC uses performance testing and data analysis to provide a clear picture of a competitor’s current fitness. Using such data, the experts at Lakeshore SSPC create personalized training programs for athletes.
Food is the fuel that drives performance, and the nutritionists at Lakeshore SSPC teach athletes how to improve their daily eating habits. They also create personalized meal plans for athletes that are tailored to their individual needs and help boost their strength, speed, skills and mental health.
In the facility’s strength and conditioning program, athletes work one-on-one with certified specialists to achieve their potential.
In order to compete at peak performance, athletes need to be fit mentally as well as physically, so the mental performance experts at Lakeshore SSPC help athletes develop customized training plans that enhance their focus, confidence, resilience and stress management.
Lakeshore SSPC welcomes partnerships with companies in the technology space seeking to widen their audience and support all athletes with the best possible neurocognitive health solutions, enhancing their performance and safety.
The Lakeshore SSPC Learning Lab is an online library of resources designed for coaches, sports professionals and athletes, with a self-guided curriculum that addresses key performance areas.
It’s important to put athletes in adapted sports in the front end of technology, and that is what makes Lakeshore Foundation so special. The nonprofit serves a lot of communities and audiences, but it shines brighter than anyone in America when it comes to adapted sports and training.
In 2023, the facility served hundreds of athletes in adapted sports including teams and Paralympians.
The foundation is a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site and serves as the National Governing Body for USA Wheelchair Rugby and Boccia United States.
For more information about the Lakeshore Foundation and Lakeshore SSPC, call 205-313-7400 or go to lakeshore.org.
