Blog
Fitness training for squash
How do I get fit for squash?
There are many ways, we have been lucky enough to have worked with some outstanding young squash players. Here is what we did with them.
Read MoreHow to manage “Growing pains”
A guide to common growing pains in athletes
Children and adolescents endure many of the same injuries and mechanical dysfunctions as adults. However, in the maturing skeleton there are some specific conditions that are only seen in the young.
Here is an overview of the common conditions, their causes and how to manage them.
Read MoreShould I use a foam roller in my warm up?
Foam rolling is very popular in some parts of training, one of the questions we are asked is “How Can I use a foam roller in my warm up?” Here is an in depth look at that, with references and some exercises shown.
Read MoreMadden on footwork
In “One knee equals two feet”, John Madden talks about footwork for linebackers. Madden was talking to a linebacker and asked him to analyse what he did…
“My feet and shoulders are lined up together, one told me. My first step is short, only 6 inches, then my next step is...”
Read MoreAthlete screening: Reduce injury risk and improve performance
What is athlete screening ?
The screening of an athlete is used to identify the current musculo-skeletal condition of that individual. If carried out initially during the pre-season period, it can provide a set of baseline values for the athlete’s data base or personal physical profile.
Discipline versus liberty: how your actions affect society
“I can eat what I want, when I want”
Those were the famous words issued by a friend of mine through a mouthful of cake, two weeks before he was admitted to hospital with a gall stone attack.
His actions led to other people having to look after him: his wife, nurses and doctors. His children were affected as they were worried and concerned about his health. He had the liberty to do what he wanted, but lacked discipline.
This impacted our society.
Read MoreHepburn’s laws- training manual
“The journey to becoming a champion of super strength begins with obtaining the right kind of knowledge.”
Doug Hepburn’s book on strength training is an excellent text about strongman training from 1980.
In it, he lists a few rules which he found to be essential when learning how to get strong.
You may be thinking “what can I learn about strength training from that old geezer? He doesn’t even have a twitter account!”
Read MoreRoughty Toughty Athletes
Why athletes get niggles
Working with a decathlete last week, I said that I was going to make him into a “roughty toughty track and field athlete“.
He said that “There is no such thing as a roughty toughty track and field athlete.” He has a point. A lot of athletes are continually coming down with injuries or “niggles”.
Read MoreDo Warm Ups Affect Performance?
The goal of the warm up is to prepare the body mentally and physically for exercise or competition.
We would therefore look for the following positive effects:
- Faster muscle contraction and relaxation.
- Improved rate of force development and reaction time.
- Improvements in muscle strength and power.
- Skill preparation and mental focus.
Methods that are used include;
Read MoreGrantham Sabre Camp
Sabreurs’ fitness
Last week I had the pleasure of working at James and Ian Williams’ summer sabre camp in Grantham. There were about 30 fencers there, from aspiring juniors to top ranked seniors. My role was to support the coaches by delivering group and individual fitness sessions.