Squatting is generally termed the king of exercises. No exercise, in the history of the world is used as a mainstay in so many different sports. Squatting requires mental toughness and physical strength. No amount of leg curls will prepare someone for feeling a bar on their spine; their erectors won’t be ready. Gorsuch, et(…)
We’ve discussed interval training previously (here, here, here and here). So it is established that intervals help one lose weight, increase mitochondrial density, lactic capacity and other factors. As a coach, you need to ask yourself- can my athletes integrate intervals without a) taking away from their skill work and b) burning them out so(…)
Anyone who has exercised for a period of time has experienced a ‘high’ from it. The rush of endorphins that occurs during and shortly after activity is an inherent part of the work done and directly related to the level of intensity one can tolerate. The endocannabinoid system is a group of neuromodulatory ligands and(…)
As we’ve discussed several times, concussion can be a serious injury. Numerous young people are forced to cut their careers short due to the sequale of this injury. A major hypothesis in rehabilitation has been earlier intervention will decrease long-term disability. Matuseviciene, et al 2013 set out to determine if an extra visit with an(…)
This site has reported primarily on training, injuries, rehabilitation and nutrition. Rarely have we ventured into side avenues (with some exceptions). I recently came across an article worth looking at. Katzmarzyk, 2010 throws the entire paradigm of physical activity into question. He points out that while the benefits of 3x30min at a moderate pace are(…)
Running economy, defined by de Oliveira Assumpcao, et al 2013, as the energy demand for a given velocity of submaximal training, will determine how two athletes of equivalent VO2max will race. Now, few people only train running but incorporate sports activity, weight training, plyometrics and other forms of training. This creates muscle damage which can(…)
Sled towing is an accessory exercise used frequently in sprinting, American football, rugby, powerlifting and strongman training. Various attachments can be used for sled dragging. Around the hips, ankles, shoulders, with straps to include arm or shoulder work and some even wrap them around elbows and knees. Lawerence, et al 2012 decided to see what(…)
Creatine has been around for over 20 years. Its uses for enhancing strength, size and endurance and the various regimens to get there have been well documented. At this point, secondary effects are being explored- for example, does creatine alter the oxidative stress profile of an athlete? Pecario et al, 2012 tried to answer this(…)
