Posts by Team
Is Popeye eating the wrong vegetable?
There is a current debate going on amongst academics (with apparently too much time on their hands!) about a misplaced decimal point in the original research that cited spinach as a great source of iron.
Read MoreBooks read in 2016 so far
A list of books I have read so far in 2016 (Updated April, includes some excellent coaching and leadership books). Hellicona Spring: Brian Aldiss. Classic British SF novel. Leading: Alex Ferguson with Michael Moritz. Patchy book from the Manchester United Manager. Some great insights, but poorly written. Epilogue is excellent. The Dispossessed: Ursula Le Guin.…
Read MoreExcelsior ADC Update for Summer Term
Club Update Here is a summary of Club activity and important information for all Club members. You can skip to your relevant heading for details of upcoming training, but you might also like to see how other members are progressing. Thanks very much to everyone who has been helping out with ideas, suggestions and ferrying…
Read MoreStrongman Training
Strongman training can be seen as a specific sporting event or as a sexy functional exercise that shows innovation and is used as a gimmic.
Core stability training
I don’t like the phrase core stability, instead just using the term core strength. A recent study looked at trunk muscle activation during 3 stability ball exercises and compared that to 50-100% of maximum deadlifts and squats.
Read MoreGood enough is big enough
Two of the athletes I train have recently had selection issues because of their height with new coaches discriminating against them, in 2 different sports. Both athletes are strong, but need to develop more power and quickness. That isn’t the reason they are having difficulty. Both are very bright, with good game sense and are tough. Those things are difficult to coach. They are also qualities that are difficult to gauge on first meeting.
Read MoreSprint Training Mechanics: Frans Bosch
“Humans aren’t descended from apes, but are a bad crossbreed of kangaroos and horses”
Frans Bosch delivered 4 great presentations at GAIN V this year each one packed full of information and ideas.
This included two practical sessions. One was gym based and one was running based. That helped immensely with my understanding and application.
Read MoreCricket Fitness
Cricketers need to be fit to play.
On initial appearance cricket may not appear to be the most physical of sports. Brief periods of activity are followed by longer periods of rest. Apart from fast bowlers who can perform long series of overs, the rest of the team do not look to be that active.
However, this is a mistaken concept as it is precisely this intermittent high intensity activity that requires the Cricketer to be very fit. The movements are fast and dynamic and have to be sustained throughout a morning or afternoon in the field.
Read MoreHow to reduce the risk of ACL injury for females.
“Female athletes have a 4-6 times higher incidence of ACL injury than do male athletes participating in the same landing and pivoting sports” (1)
Why are Females at Higher Risk of ACL Injury?
Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can have a direct effect on neuro-muscular performance.
Read MoreHow much sleep is enough after training?
Sleep deprivation has shown to
increase cortisol levels,
decrease activity of human growth hormone,
and reduce the efficiency for glucose metabolism.