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Human Performance Center Training Big Leaguers and Testing Police Officers

St. Alexius Medical Center’s Human Performance Center has the same basic equipment that most exercise facilities have. However, one noticeable difference at HPC is its focus on intense training and performance testing with the Frappier Acceleration Sports Training Program, a highly revered program for all athletes.

“The Frappier Acceleration sports training protocols can be tailored in intensity according to the athlete’s abilities,” Cheryl Stetz, a certified Frappier Acceleration sports training administrator said. Stetz added that the program brings in numerous athletic teams from junior high to college and amateur levels.

“A lot of athletes join an Acceleration Program to prove to themselves that they can handle the difficult training required,” Stetz said. “Sometimes it’s an individual goal and sometimes it’s a team goal that coaches want their players to attain together.”

Travis Hafner, a professional baseball player, began the Acceleration Program six years ago with Stetz because he had heard the training would prepare him to play baseball on a collegiate level. Hafner, originally from Sykeston, ND, played college baseball for Kowley County Community College in Kansas. From there, he was drafted to play for the Texas Rangers and was recently traded to the Cleveland Indians where he will pursue this year’s season.

Hafner said he continued to return during the summers after college and during his off-seasons from the Major Leagues because of the intensity and quality of the training he received at HPC.

“I’d be a hurting unit on the first day of practice if I didn’t continue some sort of endurance, agility and speed training,” Hafner said. “This way, my conditioning will already be up to par and I can focus on playing ball and working on field techniques.”

HPC also offers a Fitness & Wellness Testing program that challenges endurance, speed, muscle power and aerobic technique. HPC staff monitor heart rate and blood pressure of each participant as they go through the testing. In the past few months, all Bismarck city firefighters and police officers have been required to undergo this testing. Once the testing is done, the HPC staff crunches the recorded data and devises a personal training program for each participant. Although the city is not requiring that all firefighters and police officers pursue training, the option is available. Most importantly, the city knows that their public service professionals meet physical fitness standards.

If you are interested in learning more about fitness and training programs or Acceleration Programs at HPC, please contact the front desk at 530-8100.

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