Training information is easy to find, go anywhere on the internet and you will all kinds of information, some valuable, some trivial and some downright useless and misleading. How can you separate the wheat from the chaff? Maybe it just reflects my age, education and the era when I grew up. A good sound base of knowledge is so much more important than information. I think to be able to sort throug [...]

Gymnastics, swimming, and track and field are the poster sports for the Olympics. They toil for 3.9 years in almost total anonymity to the general (American) public and then BAM...they are passionately followed by everyone. As a track nut, this is one of the many reasons why I feel I can relate to and more thoroughly enjoy watching swimming and gymnastics. The human highlight of the swimming progr [...]

I read an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times today about how scientists have found a drug that produces similar physiological affects to exercise. Mind you, this isn't necessarily equivalent to steroids or other PEDs which really take exercise to bring out their full benefit....this pill IS exercise (at least as far as the physiological response). Kinda freaky. In a related article, Ron [...]

Joe is one my mentors and acontinual inspiration to me. Tuesday evening I got a call from Joe. Itis always great to hear from him. He is a precious resource, a greatcoach, scientist and person. I wanted to ask me some questions about training, specifically the origins of the SAID Principle. I was takenaback, because here is the guy I learn from asking me my opinion. Thebottom line is here is PhD c [...]

No hype, no guruism here, just great information presented in a useful manner. Jack Blatherwick Ph.D has an outstanding web site that is full of great resources Jack is the physiologist for the Washington Capitols in the NHL. He has served in the same capacity for numerous NHL and American Olympic teams in hockey. I have been following Jack’s work since 1986. He certainly has challenged co [...]

Dan is a professor of Exercise Science at San Diego State University. I first got to know Dan about 16 years ago when he was working for Gray as a Physical Therapist. He taught for many years at University of Toledo Physical Therapy School. He was a real pioneer in Functional Therapy. Dan is a great practioner who is now really into research to find the find the why and how.What is “function [...]

Frans is an artist (to my left) who has had many professional exhibitions, his are is biomechanics and Ronald (second from right) is an exercise physiologist. They both teach at a Sport School that is roughly equivalent to our teacher colleges. Also joining us for dinner was Dick Lam,(right) he is a coach of youth and masters runners and works for A Film the distributors of the running DVD. (Go to [...]

I am in coaching heaven right now. Totally immersed in coaching, interacting with a group of coaches who are interested in getting better and innovating. This has been very motivating for me. This morning I spent two hours talking with Luc van Agt who is an exercise physiologist, former track & field coach and the conditioning for PSV Eindhoven soccer team. He is also the conditioning coach for th [...]

Are there optimal firing patterns for various muscle groups? According to many gurus there are. They can put someone on a plinth and do some manual muscle testing and tell if the hamstring I firing before the glute or vice versa. Personally I feel that the body is much smarter and more adaptable than this. The body is a genius at solving whatever movement problems that are presented to it. Being a [...]

I received the following via email this morning. Olympic Medalist Reveals Her Secret “Cheat” for Winning the Marathon Advanced (but perfectly legal) “hydration therapy” helps athletes increase stamina and endurance up to 28.7% Now you can drink the same refreshing, energy-boosting sports drinks they do when you work out or compete for the next 60 days -- FREE! This is the [...]