What is a speed based approach to rehab? The speed based approach to rehabilitation is centered around prioritizing speed at the top of the decision making pyramid during the rehab process. This concept is more complex than it might initially appear, especially in a team sport setting. Speed, in this context, encompasses high intensity actions…
What is the reasoning across our industry that machine based training is inferior to that of free weight based training? The influence of bodybuilding could bias practitioners towards the higher effectiveness of free weights when it comes to strength and hypertrophy adaptations. Traditional bodybuilders trained using mostly free weights, which may have led coaches and…
Using countermovement jump height to assess neuromuscular fatigue seems to have taken a hit over recent years in favour of “sexier” metrics. Does CMJ height alone still offer value for understanding athlete readiness? Our review found that jump height is still one of the most commonly used variables from countermovement jumps (CMJ), to assess not…
What is Power BI and how does it differ to other tools commonly used such as Excel? Power BI is a data visualisation and “business intelligence” tool that is primarily used for data analysis and visualisation. Sports organisations and football clubs use it due to the ease of connecting various data sources; transforming and cleaning…
What is the relationship between isometric testing and dynamic tasks? Is there still a place for isometric testing? Historically, there has been limited relationship between dynamic actions and maximal force produced during isometric assessments. However, in the early 90s, upright, multi-joint tests such as the isometric squat and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) appeared in the…
What is the role of tendons? What are their functions, and how do they adapt? Let’s delve into the functions and adaptations of tendons and ligaments, which are often grouped together due to their structural similarities. They both consist of at least 70% Type I collagen, which aligns along the line of force. The distinctions…
What is the current issue with return to sport testing post ACL? Different multidimensional aspects are involved with return to sport (RTS): psychological readiness, strength level, change of direction ability, plyometric capacity, pressure from the coach / club, etc. Currently, there is no consensus on when an athlete is ready to RTS, nor on the…
Why should practitioners use qualitative methods to understand cutting movement quality? Many team sports are characterized by a high frequency of high intensity actions such as sprinting, jumping, tackling, dribbling, kicking or turning. These occur during key moments of the game: goal scoring, assists, defensive interceptions, blocks. Among these high intensity actions, change of direction…
Why do athletes get hip and groin pain? I suppose it’s a beautiful storm of I wouldn’t even say excessive load, but load recovery and biomechanics or movement. And so you, generally speaking, athletic hip and groin pain is gradual onset, and you do get acute and chronic episodes. But generally speaking, it’s a gradual…
What are the physical qualities that underpin better deceleration performances amongst your athletes? In the context of our approach, the foundation lies in various capacities. I’m essentially drawing upon insights from experts and aiming to integrate their knowledge into our program cohesively. The core focus revolves around eccentric peak force, a pivotal factor. It’s comparable…
Why does tendon structure polarise opinion and what is your view? One prevailing notion is that tendon structure is unimportant and should not guide interventions or clinical decisions. This perspective suggest that structural changes in tendons do not correspond to clinical outcomes or benefits for individuals dealing with tendon issues. However, another perspective highlights the…
What is the history behind massage guns? The technology behind massage guns is talked about as “percussive therapy.” It was actually developed in the 1950s by Robert Fulford through the introduction of the percussion vibrator, which was applied to local areas of the body for deep tissue osteopathic treatment for musculoskeletal pain. The first percussive…
“Micro-dosing” has become a very popular programming method used during heavy fixture congestion. But is what we think of as micro-dosing – where total weekly volume is divided into shorter, more frequent sessions – really micro-dosing, or is it just using a fancy word for distributed practice? An opinion piece recently described this, suggesting micro-dosing…