I don't know if the research on lateral forces is going to create the "Adductor Assassin" or if the internet is going to create a side leg elevated lateral sled drag exercise but this is something to think about when dealing with running relays or the curve in the 200 and perhaps 400 events. The reality is Bolt and Blake are not doing special exercises to get their sub 19.5s. In fact, the resultant or pattern may look similar, but with higher rates of sampling we can see the unique fingerprint of sprinters. Horiztonal, vertical, and lateral forces are important, but the key is the speed they are going and why kinematically. Kinetically some things are good to see if visual patterns are too small to see at high speeds, but we must think how people are getting faster via history, not theory or hoping an epub ahead of print will reveal the secrets. The secrets are wide open and obvious. Training design over years is the number one variable, not a special muscle or exercise. Focus on ...Keep Reading

Looks like the war for your sleep data is getting heated. Zeo, Somnus Shirt, and Sleeprate are all starting to get some momentum. Who will win. I noticed that Keith D'Amelio (Nike) was showing some data output of Sleeprate, and Zeo was at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. Somnus is new to the game with a shirt to be released this summer. Who will win. Bet on hardware, not the platform. Remember without getting the data first, nobody can talk about interventions and cool proprietary algorithms. A fourth company in South Africa as well as Sleeprate understand the need for HRV integration, since sleeping 10 hours may get you some nice metrics, but if it's because you have mono or overtraining it's a compass without calibration. Here are my suggestions to those in the sleep business.

Sleep is not the period of time when you are in bed. Sleep is a cultural and lifestyle pattern that must be coached and weeded. Coaching sleep is not tips or suggestions, it's a constant reminder and ...Keep Reading

I get worried when I see too many exclamation points in research reviews on blogs. Thank goodness for the Poliquin Pendulum, as the debate on foam rollers is ironically more centered with his citing of the "Sacred Heart" study. I am a proponent of foam rolling after training because very little research I know shows that dynamic warm-ups decrease power or speed. Some people may stretch, I like to skip. Some like to roll, I like to run. Some like to activate, I prefer to potentiate. Taste or preference? Maybe. Results? Choose wisely. I think a few stretches and light treatment of a muscle may help, but if something is not ready take a day off, go lighter, or adjust the program. Like crunches, people are resistant to change, and the research can be found here.

Before the start of the 2012 track and field season I knew it was not going to be like recent years. Our numbers to start the season were lower then normal and I had an entire new group of captains stepping into a leadership role. The good news was I knew we would be fairly talented. However, the most talented kids where also very squirrely. As predicted this season was one of my most difficult as a coach. Between my car getting hit by a bus while I was on my way to a funeral (no joke), individual suspensions, multiple DQs due to jewelry, or losing my best athlete to a family move a week before the season started it was tough on and off the track. These types of seasons make you really doubt your own abilities as a coach.

Luckily, my assistant coaches are the best they have ever been. My assistants did an awesome job helping deal with a great number of issues facing our program. As the head coach I stayed on the path with our training plan and Periodization schedule. Needless to ...Keep Reading

"Often many coaches reading research papers do not delineate properly between opinion based comment in the “introduction” and “discussion” sections (which could perhaps be more accurately titled “agenda” and “speculation” in many cases) and the meat of the study in the methods/results. It can be difficult to effectively analyse the quality and meaning of the methods/results without adequate background knowledge of general sport sciences and the specific topic (including related papers), and many do not even think to question and simply take the “expert opinion” of the authors in the intro/discussion/conclusion as the objective reality."

-TSCM

What methods produce the results? I find it interesting hearing about cutting edge programs when the only thing cutting edge is the scalpel from various surgeries. Super Steel Spine? Oblique strain. To get to the reality of training, the impact of what we do is very little as coaches. It hurts the ego to realize that ...Keep Reading

The following are common questions and concern regarding Plyometric training.

How often is optimum? Two to three times a seven-day microcycle depending on the phase of the year and the sport is acceptable. Low amplitude remedial in place movements can be done daily as part of warm-up.

How complex should the exercises be? Start with simple movements in place and then add combinations as the athlete achieves mastery. As far as sequence and compatibility with other components, Plyometric training and strength training are very complementary. Plyometric training is also very compatible with speed development. Given this fundamental compatibility with other methods of high neural demand it imperative to take into account the overall stress on the nervous system when combining methods.

Where in the training spectrum does Plyometric training best fit? It must always be there! The number of contacts, the type of exercise and the complexity changes as the season progresses.

Where in ...Keep Reading

"This study revealed no significant difference in the interaction between the treatment and control group’s pre and post-measurements. The results of this study suggest foam rollers are an ineffective technique for increasing hamstring flexibility over an eight week time period. Further research is needed to determine if foam rollers are an effective tool in increasing range of motion in the hamstring muscle group." -Jacklyn K. Miller and Ashley M. Rockey 2006

I was set a link to study showing "overwhelming" conclusions to the foam rolling discussion. It is no mystery that I am in favor of rolling after heavy training and favor warming up and moving before speed or power work. The above study showed that after two months of hamstring foam rolling, length of tissue was not changed. The study doesn't show that foam rolling doesn't work, it just shows that that specific protocol and muscle group didn't see favorable changes. We need to be patient with research as it's not a guide, ...Keep Reading