Dan Omcirk, PhD

Personal Trainer

Personal Trainer and Sport Scientist specializing in strength and conditioning
Ph.D. in force and velocity assessment in punching movements
Experienced in elite athlete performance evaluation in ice hockey, soccer, and boxing
Combines scientific research with practical coaching to tailor individualized training programs
Active member of Advance Training coaching staff, collaborating to optimize athlete development

Dan Omcirk, PhD is a personal trainer and sport scientist with a passion for athletics dating back to childhood. Initially a soccer player, Dan later transitioned to rowing and amateur boxing, fueling his interest in sport science and physical performance. He pursued physical education and sport at Charles University, focusing on health-promoting activities, and has completed a Ph.D. in sport science.

Dan gained valuable experience during his time with the Biomedical Laboratory at Charles University, where he evaluated physical performance in elite ice hockey and soccer athletes. This research perspective deepened his understanding of human movement and inspired his doctoral dissertation on methods to assess force and velocity in punching movements.

Currently, Dan works as a scientist at the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry in the Laboratory of Training Adaptation, where he studies strength and conditioning, velocity-based training, and sports performance across athlete and general populations. Alongside his academic role, Dan is a dedicated member of the Advance Training coaching staff, where he applies his research knowledge and practical training experience to provide high-level coaching.

Dan’s approach centers on scientifically informed, individualized training plans that optimize performance and adaptation. He continues to contribute to the field through international conferences and collaborative research projects.

TRAIN WITH DAN

Education

Conferences

2021 National Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference (Orlando, Florida, USA) – Contributing article: Increased squat jump height is associated with faster landmine punch throw peak velocity 2021 National Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference (Orlando, Florida, USA) – Contributing article: Internal training responses to different set configurations of loaded jumps 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) – Contributing article: Can commercial punch trackers actually recognize different punch types correctly? 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Conference (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) – Contributing article: Validating force and velocity measures from commercial punch trackers 2019 The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Conference (Leicester, UK) – Contributing article: The effects of lifting straps on the maximal load and mean velocity of deadlift 1RM 2019 The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Conference (Leicester, UK) – Contributing article: Lifting straps do not affect mean velocity during deadlifts performed with submaximal loads 2019 European College of Sport Science Annual Congress (Prague, Czech Republic) – Contributing article: Tensiomyography indicates different levels of post-exercise contractile fatigue between traditional sets and rest redistribution sets at different velocities

Degrees & Certifications

2018-2022 Ph.D., Sport Science at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University. Dissertation topic: Evaluating Methods of Assessing Force and Velocity during Punching Specific Movements 2015–2018 Master’s degree, field Physical Education and Sport with a specialization in Health-Promoting Activities at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University. 2012–2015 Bachelor’s degree, field Physical Education and Sport with a specialization in Health-Promoting Activities at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University. 2018 Certified Strength and Conditioning Fitness Coach (Charles University) 2017 Swimming teacher III. category (Charles University) 2015 Swimming coach III. category (Charles University) 2014 Masseur for sports and reconditioning massages outside the field of healthcare (Charles University) .

Publications

Omcirk D, Vetrovsky T, Padecky J, Malecek, J, Tufano JJ. Some commercially available punch trackers can be used to monitor punch force and velocity, but some cannot. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2022. (under review) Omcirk D, Vetrovsky T, Padecky J, Vanbelle S, Malecek J, Tufano JJ. Punch trackers: correct recognition depends on punch type and training experience. Sensors, 2021. doi: 10.3390/s21092968 Hojka V, Stastny P, Tufano JJ, Omcirk D, Janikov MT, Komarc M, Jebavy R. Does a linear position transducer placed on a stick and belt provide sufficient validity and reliability of countermovement jump performance outcomes? Biology of Sport, 2021. doi: doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.104918 Steffl M, Kinkorova I, Talar K, Jandova T, Moulisova K, Omcirk D, Stastny P, Malecek J, Wilk Michal, Chrudimsky J, Petr M. Alkaline water consumed over three consecutive days on reaction time following anaerobic – a randomized placebo-controlled crossover pilot study. Journal of Human Kinetics, 2021. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0046 Vetrovsky T, Omcirk D, Malecek J, Stastny P, Steffl M, Tufano JJ. Morning fatigue and structured exercise interact to affect non-exercise physical activity of fit and healthy older adults. BMC Geriatrics, 2021. doi: 10.1186/s12877-021-02131-y Jukic I, Garcia-Ramos A, Balas J, Malecek J, Omcirk D, Tufano JJ. Ergogenic effects of lifting straps on movement velocity, grip strength, perceived exertion and grip security during the deadlift exercise. Physiology & Behavior, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113283 Jukic I, Garcia-Ramos A, Malecek J, Omcirk D, Tufano JJ. The use of lifting straps alters the entire load-velocity profile during the deadlift exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003850 Vetrovsky T, Omcirk D, Malecek J, Stastny P, Steffl M, Tufano JJ. Overspeed stimulus provided by assisted jumping encourages rapid increases in strength and power performance of older adults. Clinical Biomechanics, 2020. doi.org/10.1123/japa.2020-0012 Merrigan JJ, Jones MT, Padecky J, Malecek J, Omcirk D, Scott BR, Tufano JJ. Impact of rest-redistribution on fatigue during maximal eccentric knee extensions. Journal of Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism, 2020. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2020-0028 Tufano JJ, Vetrovsky T, Stastny P, Steffl M, Malecek J, Omcirk D. Assisted jumping in older adults: optimizing high-velocity training prescription. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003661 Merrigan JJ, Jones MT, Malecek J, Padecky J, Omcirk D, Xu N, Penailillo L, Tufano JJ. Comparison of traditional and rest-redistribution sets on indirect markers of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003740 Jukic I, Garcia-Ramos A, Malecek J, Omcirk D, Tufano JJ. Magnitude and reliability of velocity and power variables during deadlifts performed with and without lifting straps. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003608 Jukic I, Garcia-Ramos A, Malecek J, Omcirk D, Tufano JJ. Validity of load-velocity relationship to predict 1RM during deadlifts performed with and without lifting straps: the accuracy of six prediction models. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2020. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003596 Tufano JJ, Omcirk D, Malecek J, Pisz A, Halaj M, Scott BR. Traditional sets vs rest-redistribution: a laboratory-controlled study of a specific cluster set configuration at fast and slow velocities. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2019-0584 . .

Ben Collins

I've been doing sessions with Dan at this unique gym over the last two years. I've had gym trainers in London in the past. But Dan and his colleagues are in a completely different category in terms of their knowledge and expertise. They all have PHDs in sports science and an incredible understanding of how to support you - whether you are trying to regain health and mobility or a professional sportsperson trying to improve performance. They are also great fun to spend time with. I wholeheartedly recommend them. They are one of the things I do in Prague that I would struggle to find or afford elsewhere in the world.