Blog

Welcome to the Excelsior blog. It is a mix of current research and thoughts on Athlete and Coach Development, Strength and Conditioning and personal reflections.

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Thanks for taking the time to read it.

James Marshall

1. Why you should eat local produce that is in season

   1st March 2010 9:38 am

   Boost your immune system with fresh local produce

   There is a desire for a better way of eating healthily and safely, eating plenty

   of fresh vegetables is an important dietary requirement to improve and maintain our health.

   Carol Farley, a local producer has given some tips here on what to look for.

   Aim for at least 5 different portions of fruit or vegetables a day. 

   1 Comment | Read More | goal setting

2. Training for young athletes: Andy Larmour

   26th February 2010 2:14 pm

   

   Working with young athletes can be some of the most rewarding work possible.

   It is impossible not to feed off the energy and enthusiasm of a genuinely talented individual irrespective of their chosen sport.
   

   2 Comments | Read More | education

3. Student Athlete Support: Nick Beasant.

   24th February 2010 3:39 pm

   

   Over the past decade, performance sport within the higher education sector has grown and developed at an ever increasing rate.  New government initiatives, National Governing Body partnerships, a focused strategic steer from BUCS and an institution’s own desire to develop both their sporting status and their own athletes have all moved the sector into a competitive and attractive marketplace for applicants.

    

   2 Comments | Read More | fitness, olympic lifting, speed training

4. 10 Commandments of Great Coaching: Wayne Goldsmith

   22nd February 2010 9:01 am

   The 10 Commandments of Great Coaching

   Wayne Goldsmith is a Coach Educator based in Australia known as the Sports Coaching Brain. Here are some key points on how to be a great coach.

   4 Comments | Read More | Coaching, reflective practice, Transformational Coaching

5. Redundant core work

   18th February 2010 11:35 am

   I am hearing a lot from athletes that they do “core” sessions 3 times a week. They then are unable to stand on one leg, or do a press up properly.  This is an example of redundant work- if it has no impact on how you stand, balance or move- then it is just for show.

   Ask the question- how is this actually helping me?

   0 Comments | Read More | musculo skeletal screening

6. Equestrian Fitness

   8th February 2010 9:55 am

   I am wrong. Not often I say those words, but I am happy to admit it on this occasion. I have previously had a very negative experience working with an equestrian rider, and it tarnished my view of the whole bunch (and their domineering mothers).
   

   0 Comments | Read More | javorek

7. Rafael Nadal Tennis Injury

   29th January 2010 9:24 am

   So Rafael Nadal has withdrawn injured from a Grand Slam tournament – again. Andy Murray marches on to the final, relatively injury free.
   This isn’t the first time that the trainers and physios have had an impact on the outcome of an important match, this report from last year’s U.S. Open:

   0 Comments | Read More | tennis, Tennis injuries

8. The 4 pillars of athletic wisdom

   27th January 2010 6:58 am

   Working with Andy Larmour from Ocean physio last week screening some athletes, he uses a phrase describing the 4 pillars that are necessary for athletes to succeed physically:

   Posture
   Strength
   Flexibility
   Control

   Andy reckons that if the athletes have these 4 pillars well formed, then their foundation is solid and we can build on that for performance.

   0 Comments | Read More |

9. Healthy Diet – advice

   25th January 2010 1:05 pm

   This advice from the 2nd World War is pretty good.
   

   0 Comments | Read More |

10. How to make an athlete efficient

    20th January 2010 6:51 am

    ef·fi·cien·cy