Facebook Twitter Instagram
    ELITETRACK
    • Home
    • Articles
      • Endurance
      • Flexibility
      • Hurdles
      • Jumps
        • High Jump
        • Long Jump
        • Pole Vault
        • Triple Jump
      • Multi-Events
      • Periodization
      • Relays
      • Sports Science
        • Biomechanics
        • Coaching Science
        • Exercise Physiology
        • Muscle Dynamics
        • Nutrition
        • Restoration
        • Sport Psychology
      • Sprints
      • Strength Training
      • Throws
        • Discus
        • Hammer
        • Javelin
        • Shot Put
    • Blog
      • Mike Young’s Blog
      • Carl Valle’s Blog
      • John Evan’s Blog
      • Antonio Squillante’s Blog
      • Vern Gambetta’s Blog
      • John Grace’s Blog
      • Ryan Banta’s Blog
      • Guest Blog
    • Forums
    • Store
    • Log in
    ELITETRACK
    You are at:Home»Vern Gambetta's Blog»Half Truths and Lies

    Half Truths and Lies

    0
    By Vern Gambetta on October 29, 2010 Vern Gambetta's Blog

    If you don’t know something or have the facts just make it up, just create your own set of facts to support your argument or point of view. You create a seperate meaning for the whole truth. It seems that this is acceptable in today’s world of hype, instant results and marketing. It is true in politics, government, and business and in athletic development. False or questionable facts unchecked take on a life of their own, just look around in the field of athletic development, you see it everywhere, exorbitant claims made for questionable training methods or equipment.

    I am from a different era and place in time, but I was raised and taught and that if you did not know something you just admitted it, you did not fake it. If you made a mistake you learned from it and moved on, you did not repeat it or try to find a proof that it was right. If you made a claim for something there was substance or proof for that claim. Today, to use a Steven Colbert term, we rely on “Proofiness”, manipulation of questionable statistical methods to prove cause and effect. We also use “scienceness”, the use of shaky scientific studies or scientific studies out of context to explain or refute an idea or a concept. In essence we create alternate realities that have no bearing to what really happens in training or competition. As professionals we should be aware of this alarming trend and when see it call people on it.

    In athletic development we cannot let this continue to grow unchecked, it is stifling the development and confusing to young coaches. Worst of all it is hurting the athletes who are subjected to questionable training methods. In no way am I claiming to have all the answers, I have very few, but I have many questions and so should you. I hope I know enough to ask probing questions that will alow me verify or refute an idea or a method. Ask questions, don’t just drink the Kool-Aid, and above all use common sense. Look at the method or concept with a critical eye, get behind the hype and find out who is selling and what they are selling. Ground yourself in sound principles of training, sport science and make yourself aware of best practice as basis for evaluation. Beware of false prophets bearing gifts, especially gifts you have to buy. If you want to be challenged a bit more on this, read Proofiness- The Dark Arts of Mathematical Deception by Charles Seife, it will get you thinking.

    athletic development
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Focus on the Basics

    On Skill Progressions

    History is Alive

    Like Us On Facebook
    - Facebook Members WordPress Plugin
    Highest Rated Posts
    • A Review of 400m Training Methods 79 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 579 votes, average: 4.92 out of 5 (4.92 out of 5)
    • 2008 Olympics: Usain’s Insane 100m 67 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 567 votes, average: 4.96 out of 5 (4.96 out of 5)
    • Top 10 Myths of Sprinting Mechanics 66 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 566 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5 (4.74 out of 5)
    • 14 reasons why Jamaica is the Sprint Capitol of the World 59 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 559 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5 (4.85 out of 5)
    • 12 Reasons to Squat Year Round 58 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 558 votes, average: 4.86 out of 5 (4.86 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why All Athletes Should Sprint 63 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 563 votes, average: 4.32 out of 5 (4.32 out of 5)
    • 4 Tips for Keeping up with Sport Science Research 65 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 565 votes, average: 4.03 out of 5 (4.03 out of 5)
    • Loren Seagrave’s thoughts on Absolute Strength 54 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 554 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5 (4.80 out of 5)
    • 6 Reasons Why Jamaicans Dominate the Sprints 50 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 550 votes, average: 4.78 out of 5 (4.78 out of 5)
    • Developing Endurance in Speed-Power Athletes 58 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 558 votes, average: 4.09 out of 5 (4.09 out of 5)
    Recent Topics
    • ?Where I can start in multievents trainig?
    • Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • Which fitness equipment do you use to exercise?
    About

    ELITETRACK is one of the longest standing sport training & conditioning sites on the web. We feature over 250 articles and 1000s of blog posts from some of the most knowledgeable and experienced track & field coaches on the web.

    Recent Posts
    • What You Should be Doing on Your Rest Days
    • Enjoying Sports into Retirement
    • Best Time in The Day to Workout
    • Should You Do Strength Training After 50?
    • What Are the Main Causes of Rounded Shoulders?
    Forum Activity
    • rudeboy on ?Where I can start in multievents trainig?
    • Pablo25 on How and when do hamstring injuries occur?
    • Josh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • Josh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    • Josh Hurlebaus on Josh Hurlebaus Masters Training Log
    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2015.
    ELITETRACK by Human Performance Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2021.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.