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Building Better Athletes

Blog

2018 In Review

12/29/2018

0 Comments

 
I keep an open work document where I jot down quotes, articles, research, podcasts, and any other notes that I keep during the year. The following is this years collection of the above. 
You can find last years review - HERE

Enjoy!
0 Comments

August In Review

8/31/2018

0 Comments

 
Quotes/Thoughts
  • Appreciate the influence our surroundings have on us
  • People are inspired by their environments
  • Where there is a negative, there is a positive
  • Explore the edges of a “technique”
  • The opportunity of a lifetime is being who you are
  • Technique is linked to the information source
  • As the awareness & use of constraints become more popular in training & practice, it’s important to remember - constraints exclude movements/options, they should not necessarily prescribe a specific movement. The athlete still gets to choose their own movement/solve the problem.
 
Articles

  • The Cost of Fake Toughness and Macho Masculinity – Brad Stulberg
  • Improving Acceleration Performance in Football (soccer) Players – JB Morin
  • Turning the Weight Room Warrior Into a Perceptual Monster: The Missing Link in Physical Preparation
  • Teacher Influenced Constraints vs Skill/Action Scenario Constraints in PE (Constraints To Learning and Constraints Of Learning)- Balbinder Singh
  • Improve creativity by applying the principles of differential learning – Tim Buszard
  • It’s Time We Realize Football Is A Little Less Important
  • An Objective Biomechanics Model for Better Program Design – Pat Davidson
  • Respecting the Movement Problem – Shawn Myszka
  • Modifications In My NFL Movement Skill Refinement Process – Shawn Myszka
  • Reorganizing the Athlete’s Brain – Adding Noise as a Function of Neuroplasticity
 
Podcasts
  • Carving Nature at Her Joints – Talent Equation w/ Andrew Wilson
  • Perception Action Podcast – Jeff Fairbrother
  • Perception Action Podcast – Shared Mental Models vs Shared Affordances in Team Coordination
  • Joe Rogan Experience – Neil Degrasse Tyson
  • Just Fly Podcast – Dr. John Wagle
  • Physiology Secrets – 7% Improvement in Power in Just 4-Days?
  • Pacey Performance Podcast – Martin Buchheit
 
Research
 
Harper DJ, Kiely J. Damaging nature of decelerations: Do we adequately prepare players? BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2018; 4 :e000379. Doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000379 :    
 
  • Training-specific research, and training practice in general, has historically focused primarily on enhancing acceleration and high-velocity running capacities. While such efforts are undoubtedly important, the future evolution of match play preparation philosophy also requires that we develop training techniques focused on enhancing deceleration-handling capacities, in tandem with aligned monitoring strategies enabling us to better discern and quantify the specific mechanical stressors driving deceleration-imposed deficits. Finally, these insights may hold special relevance for those tasked with the management, delivery and monitoring of training interventions designed to enhance injury resilience and reduce injury risk.
 
Wild, J. J., Bezodis, I. N., North, J. S., & Bezodis, N. E. (2018). Differences in step characteristics and linear kinematics between rugby players and sprinters during initial sprint acceleration. European journal of sport science, 1-11.
 
  • The initial steps of a sprint are important in team sports, such as rugby, where there is an inherent requirement to maximally accelerate over short distances. Current understanding of sprint acceleration technique is primarily based on data from track and field sprinters, although whether this information is transferable to athletes such as rugby players is unclear, due to differing ecological constraints. Sagittal plane video data were collected (240 Hz) and manually digitised to calculate the kinematics of professional rugby forwards (n = 15) and backs (n = 15), and sprinters (n = 18; 100 m personal best range = 9.96–11.33 s) during the first three steps of three maximal sprint accelerations. Using a between-group research design, differences between groups were determined using magnitude-based inferences, and within-group relationships between technique variables and initial sprint acceleration performance were established using correlation. Substantial between-group differences were observed in multiple variables. Only one variable, toe-off distance, differed between groups (d = −0.42 to −2.62) and also demonstrated meaningful relationships with sprint performance within all three groups (r = −0.44 to −0.58), whereby a stance foot position more posterior relative to the centre of mass at toe-off was associated with better sprint performance. While toe-off distance appears to be an important technical feature for sprint acceleration performance in both sprinters and rugby players, caution should be applied to the direct transfer of other kinematic information from sprinters to inform the technical development of acceleration in team sports athletes.
 
Simperingham, K. D., Cronin, J. B., & Ross, A. (2016). Advances in sprint acceleration profiling for field-based team-sport athletes: Utility, reliability, validity and limitations. Sports Medicine, 46(11), 1619-1645.
 
  • Radar, laser, NMT and TT technologies can be used to reliably measure sprint acceleration performance and to provide insight into the determinants of sprinting speed. However, further research is required to establish the validity of the kinetic measurements made with NMT and TT. Radar and laser technology may not be suitable for measuring the first few steps of a sprint acceleration.
 
Cross, M. R., Lahti, J., Brown, S. R., Chedati, M., Jimenez-Reyes, P., Samozino, P., & Morin, J. B. (2018). Training at maximal power in resisted sprinting: Optimal load determination methodology and pilot results in team sport athletes. PloS one, 13(4), e0195477.
 
  • In the current study we investigated the effects of resisted sprint training on sprinting performance and underlying mechanical parameters (force-velocity-power profile) based on two different training protocols: (i) loads that represented maximum power output (Lopt) and a 50% decrease in maximum unresisted sprinting velocity and (ii) lighter loads that represented a 10% decrease in maximum unresisted sprinting velocity, as drawn from previous research (L10). Both resisted-sprint training protocols were likely to improve performance after a short training intervention in already sprint trained athletes. However, widely varied individualised results indicated that adaptations may be dependent on pre-training force-velocity characteristics.
 
Silva, P., Garganta, J., Araújo, D., Davids, K., & Aguiar, P. (2013). Shared knowledge or shared affordances? Insights from an ecological dynamics approach to team coordination in sports. Sports Medicine, 43(9), 765-772.
 
  • Previous research has proposed that team coordination is based on shared knowledge of the performance context, responsible for linking teammates’ mental representations for collective, internalized action solutions. However, this representational approach raises many questions including: how do individual schemata of team members become reformulated together? How much time does it take for this collective cognitive process to occur? How do different cues perceived by different individuals sustain a general shared mental representation? This representational approach is challenged by an ecological dynamics perspective of shared knowledge in team coordination. We argue that the traditional shared knowledge assumption is predicated on ‘knowledge about’ the environment, which can be used to share knowledge and influence intentions of others prior to competition. Rather, during competitive performance, the control of action by perceiving surrounding informational constraints is expressed in ‘knowledge of’ the environment. This crucial distinction emphasizes perception of shared affordances (for others and of others) as the main communication channel between team members during team coordination tasks. From this perspective, the emergence of coordinated behaviours in sports teams is based on the formation of interpersonal synergies between players resulting from collective actions predicated on shared affordances.
 
Matute, H., Cubillas, C. P., & Garaizar, P. (2017). Learning to infer the time of our actions and decisions from their consequences. Consciousness and cognition, 56, 37-49.
 
  • Research shows that people infer the time of their actions and decisions from their consequences. We asked how people know how much time to subtract from consequences in order to infer their actions and decisions. They could either subtract a fixed, default, time from consequences, or learn from experience how much time to subtract in each situation. In two experiments, participants’ actions were followed by a tone, which was presented either immediately or after a delay. In Experiment 1, participants estimated the time of their actions; in Experiment 2, the time of their decisions to act. Both actions and decisions were judged to occur sooner or later as a function of whether consequences were immediate or delayed. Estimations tended to be shifted toward their consequences, but in some cases they were shifted away from them. Most importantly, in all cases participants learned progressively to adjust their estimations with experience.
 
Broatch, J. R., Petersen, A., & Bishop, D. J. (2018). The Influence of Post-Exercise Cold-Water Immersion on Adaptive Responses to Exercise: A Review of the Literature. Sports Medicine, 1-19.
 
  • Post-exercise cold-water immersion (CWI) is used extensively in exercise training as a means to minimise fatigue and expedite recovery between sessions. However, debate exists around its merit in long-term training regimens. While an improvement in recovery following a single session of exercise may improve subsequent training quality and stimulus, reports have emerged suggesting CWI may attenuate long-term adaptations to exercise training. Recent developments in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the adaptive response to exercise in human skeletal muscle have provided potential mechanistic insight into the effects of CWI on training adaptations. Preliminary evidence suggests that CWI may blunt resistance signalling pathways following a single exercise session, as well as attenuate key long-term resistance training adaptations such as strength and muscle mass. Conversely, CWI may augment endurance signalling pathways and the expression of genes key to mitochondrial biogenesis following a single endurance exercise session, but have little to no effect on the content of proteins key to mitochondrial biogenesis following long-term endurance training. This review explores current evidence regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms by which CWI may alter cellular signalling and the long-term adaptive response to exercise in human skeletal muscle.
 
 
Random
 
  • This is a great thread about some of the biggest myths that prevail in movement and coaching - https://twitter.com/ollylogo/status/1034814564825747457​
Picture
Books
  • The Performance Cortex – Zach Schonbrun
  • The Playmaker’s Advantage – Leonard Zaichkowski &Daniel Peterson
​

Check out Previous Month's
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
0 Comments

July In Review

8/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Quotes/Thoughts
  • Expert movement doesn’t involve a complete lack of awareness
  • Motor learning is a problem solving process
  • If practice is always successful, it’s probably not helpful
  • The shorter you sleep, the short you live – Matthew Walker
  • Sleep is the most powerful memory aid – Matthew Walker
  • Coaches don’t disagree with strength training, rather disagree with the perceived simplistic causal effects of strength training on performance
  • As coaches we are great at making our players stronger and more fit, but not very good at teaching and inducing learning – Mladen Jovanovic
  • We are told every error in sport is due to a physical limitation – too weak, too slow, too small – rather in most cases, mistakes are due to tactical, technical, perceptual, and/or psychological limitations
  • Time is the ultimate constraint. We are most creative when we are under time constraints
  • Skill acquisition/adaptability should be seen as the primary goal of coaching NOT just a component of coaching
  • What does - we play at game speed – mean? The speed of the movement isn’t what dictates practicing at game speed – it’s actually attacking the speed of decision-making, the pressure of taking perceptual information and using it as fast as possible NOT just the magnitude of speed or the intensity of a drill – Rich Bartel
  • It’s not the strongest nor the most intelligent of species that survives, rather the most adaptable – Charles Darwin
  • Technique isn’t absolute
  • Big forces in a squat rack don’t equal big forces on the track
  • How can we make the basics matter if we cannot agree on a common definition of what the basics are actually are?
  • Force production is so specific to a skill that it’s hard to generalize one being weak – Anthony Blazevich
  • We are now testing 300 athletes with performance tests and isolated strength and ROM tests. So far, all I can say is the associations between performance and isolated strength is weak. As is asymmetries in performance tests and asymmetries in isolated function. – Goran Markovic
  • The body works differently at slow speeds than high sppeds – Kenan Todd
  • 20-Years ago, it seemed like every issue was blamed on a “weak TA”; more recently, it is “weak glutes aka your ___ aren’t firing”. This is misguided thinking at best, and dangerous, industry-undermining thinking at worst. – Stu McMillan
 
Podcasts
  • Just Fly Performance – Jake Schuster
  • 1% Better Podcast Episode #43
  • Joe Rogan Podcast – Michael Pollan
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Shawn Myszka
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Dr. Fergus Connolly
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Ross Cooper
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Scott Salwasser
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Rich Bartel
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Andy Ryland
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Rob Gray
  • Saturday2Sunday Podcast – Daniel Peterson and Dr. Leonard Zaichkowsky

 
Articles
  • Modification within my NFL movement skill refinement process – 2018: Shawn Myszka
  • 8 Ways to Sleep Like A Pro – Ryan Skidmore
  • Rethinking Speed Exposure for American Football Players – Cam Josse
  • Divergent Thinking: Inside John O’Malley
  • IAAF Documents
  • The story behind Jermaine Gresham’s Random Acts of Kindness
  • How relevant is sports science research for elite athletes? - Craig Pickering
  • Improve Creativity by Applying The Principles of Differential Learning – Tim Buszard
  • Teacher Influenced Constraints vs Skill/Action Scenario Constraints in PE (Constraints To Learning and Constraints Of Learning)
 

Research
 
  • Coh, M., Vodicar, J., Žvan, M., Šimenko, J., Stodolka, J., Rauter, S., & Mackala, K. (2018). Are Change-of-Direction Speed and Reactive Agility Independent Skills Even When Using the Same Movement Pattern?. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(7), 1929-1936.
 
The present findings suggest that CODS and RA are 2 different and independent skill domains that define agility. These qualities should be diagnosed by discrete assessments and enhanced by different training methodologies.
 
  • Cross, M. R., Lahti, J., Brown, S. R., Chedati, M., Jimenez-Reyes, P., Samozino, P., ... & Morin, J. B. (2018). Training at maximal power in resisted sprinting: Optimal load determination methodology and pilot results in team sport athletes. PloS one, 13(4), e0195477.
 
Soccer [n = 15 male] and rugby [n = 21; 9 male and 12 female] club-level athletes were individually assessed for horizontal force-velocity and load-velocity profiles using a battery of resisted sprints, sled or robotic resistance respectively. Athletes then performed a 12-session resisted sprint (10x20m) intervention with either a) load that represented maximum power output or b) load that represented a 10% decrease in maximal unresisted sprinting velocity. Both protocols had minor effects on sprinting performance (average of -1.4 to -2.3% split-times respectively), and provided trivial, small and unclear changes in mechanical sprinting parameters.
Both resisted-sprint training protocols were likely to improve performance after a short training intervention in already sprint trained athletes. However, widely varied individualised results indicated that adaptations may be dependent on pre-training force-velocity characteristics
 
  • Wild, J. J., Bezodis, I. N., North, J. S., & Bezodis, N. E. (2018). Differences in step characteristics and linear kinematics between rugby players and sprinters during initial sprint acceleration. European journal of sport science, 1-11.
 
The initial steps of a sprint are important in team sports, such as rugby, where there is an inherent requirement to maximally accelerate over short distances. Current understanding of sprint acceleration technique is primarily based on data from track and field sprinters, although whether this information is transferable to athletes such as rugby players is unclear, due to differing ecological constraints. Sagittal plane video data were collected (240 Hz) and manually digitised to calculate the kinematics of professional rugby forwards (n = 15) and backs (n = 15), and sprinters (n = 18; 100 m personal best range = 9.96-11.33 s) during the first three steps of three maximal sprint accelerations. Using a between-group research design, differences between groups were determined using magnitude-based inferences, and within-group relationships between technique variables and initial sprint acceleration performance were established using correlation. Substantial between-group differences were observed in multiple variables. Only one variable, toe-off distance, differed between groups (d = -0.42 to -2.62) and also demonstrated meaningful relationships with sprint performance within all three groups (r = -0.44 to -0.58), whereby a stance foot position more posterior relative to the centre of mass at toe-off was associated with better sprint performance. While toe-off distance appears to be an important technical feature for sprint acceleration performance in both sprinters and rugby players, caution should be applied to the direct transfer of other kinematic information from sprinters to inform the technical development of acceleration in team sports athletes.
 
  • Young, W. B., Duthie, G. M., James, L. P., Talpey, S. W., Benton, D. T., & Kilfoyle, A. (2018). Gradual vs. Maximal Acceleration: Their Influence on the Prescription of Maximal Speed Sprinting in Team Sport Athletes. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 6(3).
 
The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a difference existed between peak speed attained when performing a sprint with maximal acceleration versus from a gradual build-up. Additionally, this investigation sought to compare the actual peak speed achieved when instructed to reach 75% and 90% of maximum speed. Field sport athletes (n = 21) performed sprints over 60 m under the experimental conditions, and the peak speed was assessed with a radar gun. The gradual build-up to maximum speed (8.30 ± 0.40 m·s −1 ) produced the greater peak speed (effect size = 0.3, small) than the maximum acceleration run (8.18 ± 0.40 m·s −1 ), and the majority of participants (62%) followed this pattern. For the sub-maximum runs, the actual mean percentage of maximum speed reached was 78 ± 6% for the 75% prescribed run and 89 ± 5% for the 90% prescription. The errors in attaining the prescribed peak speeds were large (~15%) for certain individuals, especially for the 75% trial. Sprint training for maximum speed should be performed with a gradual build-up of speed rather than a maximum acceleration. For sub-maximum interval training, the ability to attain the prescribed target peak speed can be challenging for field sport athletes, and therefore where possible, feedback on peak speeds reached should be provided after each repetition.
 
  • Beebe, et al. Short Sleep and Adolescents’ Performance on a Concussion Assessment Battery: An Experimental Sleep Manipulation Study. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. July 2018 – Volume 28 – Issue 4
 
Sleep deprivation of 5-days (6.5hrs) vs healthy sleep opportunity
(9.5hrs) in 14-18 y.o’s showed significantly worse symptoms of Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing. Verbal memory also decreased. Concluding that sleep deprivation of just 5-days increases concussion like symptoms and that sleep deprivation has adverse effects on emotional and behavioral functioning in teens.
 
  • Matute, H., Cubillas, C. P., & Garaizar, P. (2017). Learning to infer the time of our actions and decisions from their consequences. Consciousness and cognition, 56, 37-49.
 
Research shows that people infer the time of their actions and decisions from their consequences. We asked how people know how much time to subtract from consequences in order to infer their actions and decisions. They could either subtract a fixed, default, time from consequences, or learn from experience how much time to subtract in each situation. In two experiments, participants’ actions were followed by a tone, which was presented either immediately or after a delay. In Experiment 1, participants estimated the time of their actions; in Experiment 2, the time of their decisions to act. Both actions and decisions were judged to occur sooner or later as a function of whether consequences were immediate or delayed. Estimations tended to be shifted toward their consequences, but in some cases they were shifted away from them. Most importantly, in all cases participants learned progressively to adjust their estimations with experience.
 
  • Broatch, J. R., Petersen, A., & Bishop, D. J. (2018). The Influence of Post-Exercise Cold-Water Immersion on Adaptive Responses to Exercise: A Review of the Literature. Sports Medicine, 1-19.
 
Post-exercise cold-water immersion (CWI) is used extensively in exercise training as a means to minimise fatigue and expedite recovery between sessions. However, debate exists around its merit in long-term training regimens. While an improvement in recovery following a single session of exercise may improve subsequent training quality and stimulus, reports have emerged suggesting CWI may attenuate long-term adaptations to exercise training. Recent developments in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the adaptive response to exercise in human skeletal muscle have provided potential mechanistic insight into the effects of CWI on training adaptations. Preliminary evidence suggests that CWI may blunt resistance signalling pathways following a single exercise session, as well as attenuate key long-term resistance training adaptations such as strength and muscle mass. Conversely, CWI may augment endurance signaling pathways and the expression of genes key to mitochondrial biogenesis following a single endurance exercise session, but have little to no effect on the content of proteins key to mitochondrial biogenesis following long-term endurance training. This review explores current evidence regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms by which CWI may alter cellular signaling and the long-term adaptive response to exercise in human skeletal muscle.
 
  • von Lieres und Wilkau, H. C., Irwin, G., Bezodis, N. E., Simpson, S., & Bezodis, I. N. (2018). Phase analysis in maximal sprinting: an investigation of step-to-step technical changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximal velocity phases. Sports biomechanics, 1-16.
 
The aim of this study was to investigate spatiotemporal and kinematic changes between the initial acceleration, transition and maximum velocity phases of a sprint. Sagittal plane kinematics from five experienced sprinters performing 50-m maximal sprints were collected using six HD-video cameras. Following manual digitising, spatiotemporal and kinematic variables at touchdown and toe-off were calculated. The start and end of the transition phase were identified using the step-to-step changes in centre of mass height and segment angles. Mean step-to-step changes of spatiotemporal and kinematic variables during each phase were calculated. Firstly, the study showed that if sufficient trials are available, step-to-step changes in shank and trunk angles might provide an appropriate measure to detect sprint phases in applied settings. However, given that changes in centre of mass height represent a more holistic measure, this was used to sub-divide the sprints into separate phases. Secondly, during the initial acceleration phase large step-to-step changes in touchdown kinematics were observed compared to the transition phase. At toe-off, step-to-step kinematic changes were consistent across the initial acceleration and transition phases before plateauing during the maximal velocity phase. These results provide coaches and practitioners with valuable insights into key differences between phases in maximal sprinting.
 
  • Jackson, R. C., Warren, S., & Abernethy, B. (2006). Anticipation skill and susceptibility to deceptive movement.Acta psychologica, 123(3), 355-371.
 
The ability to detect deceptive movement was examined in skilled and novice rugby players. Participants (14 per group) attempted to predict direction change from video of expert and recreational rugby players changing direction with and without deceptive movement. ConWdence associated with judgments was recorded on each trial to seek evidence regarding use of inferential (heuristic-based) and direct-perceptual (invariant-based) judgments. Novices were found to be susceptible to deceptive movement whereas skilled participants were not; however, both skilled and novice participants were more conWdent on trials containing deceptive movement. The data suggest that the skill-level diVerence in sensitivity to advance visual information extends to deceptive information. The implications of this Wnding, and the importance of considering the underlying process of anticipation skill, are discussed.
 
 
Random
 
  • Ken Clark’s Rebuttal to Dr. Michael Yessi’s article on horizontal vs vertical forces during sprinting - https://twitter.com/KenClarkSpeed/status/1023297199151693830​
Picture
  • MMA Dummy Prank – A representation of what happens when COD meets on-field agility​

Grappling dummy prank □□ #Grappling #Wrestling #MMAUK #Prank pic.twitter.com/NXrJIyHYqd

— MMA UK □□ (@WeAreMMAUK) November 20, 2017
Books
 
  • The Playmaker’s Advantage – Daniel Peterson & Dr. Leonard Zaichowsky
  • Strength is Specific – Chris Beardsley
 
 
0 Comments

June in Review

6/22/2018

0 Comments

 
Thoughts/Quotes
 
  • If you want to get good at skill A, you need to practice skill A and variations of Skill A – not practicing skill Z in hopes it will transfer
 
  • Learning is messy, it requires errors
​
  • Motor learning is a problem solving process
​
  • We often practice for practice instead of practicing for performance
​
  • We often get caught up in evaluating the athlete (testing) and not the actual player (skill)
​
  • The idea that strength is this get out of jail free card has permeated sports performance, but strength is not a panacea – Dan Pfaff
​
  • Strength rises all ships – this is a common tort to the above quote by coach Pfaff. Unfortunately, when the pursuit of strength takes away (time, stress, fatigue) from specific endeavors, it does not raise all ships.
​​
  • Habits that have a high rate of return in life via James Clear
    • Sleep 8+ hours each day
    • Lift weights 3xweek
    • Go for a walk each day
    • Save at least 10 percent of your income
    • Read everyday
    • Drink more water and less of everything else
    • Leave your phone in another room while you work
​
  • What is game speed? Game speed in meaningless when making a preplanned move. It’s nothing more than speed of movement – BUT the for more difficult aspect is speed of thought. Making a decision as to when to make a move & which move to make. That is skill – Rich Bartel
 
Articles


  • Sprint Kinetics, Kinematics, and Training Application with Ken Clark
  • Trust Me On The Sunscreen – Steve Fudge
  • 7 Principles of Non-Linear Pedagogy – Mark Upton
  • Let the children play – Norway’s golden approach reminds us of what matters in sport
  • England Rugby and the Art of Coaching
  • The Plight of the Elite, Fast-Twitch Athlete
 
 
 
Podcasts
 
  • Habit vs Skill. Which should we attempt to develop in performers?
  • Donor Sports and the Value of Non Specific Sports Practice
  • When Should a Coach Abandon a Practice Activity and Try Something Else?
  • Just Fly Performance Podcast #104 w/ Angus Ross


 
Research
 
Amiri, M., Ghiasvand, R., Kaviani, M., Forbes, S. C., & Salehi-Abargouei, A. (2018). Chocolate milk for recovery from exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1.
 
  • Chocolate milk provides either similar or superior results when compared to placebo or other recovery drinks. Overall, the evidence is limited and high-quality clinical trials with more well-controlled methodology and larger sample sizes are warranted.
 
Moras, G., Fernández-Valdés, B., Vázquez-Guerrero, J., Tous-Fajardo, J., Exel, J., & Sampaio, J. (2018). Entropy measures detect increased movement variability in resistance training when elite rugby players use the ball. Journal of science and medicine in sport.
 
  • The application of match specific constraints in resistance training for rugby players elicit different amount of variability of body acceleration across multiple physiological time scales. Understanding the non-linear process inherent to the manipulation of resistance training variables with constraints and its motor adaptations may help coaches and trainers to enhance the effectiveness of physical training and, ultimately, better understand and maximize sports performance.
 
Almonroeder, T. G., Tighe, S. M., Miller, T. M., & Lanning, C. R. (2018). The influence of fatigue on decision-making in athletes: a systematic review. Sports biomechanics, 1-14.
 
  • The findings appear to indicate that fatigue may only affect the cognitive processing associated with decision-making when athletes approach a state of exhaustion.
 
 
Strafford, B. W., Van Der Steen, P., Davids, K., & Stone, J. A. (2018). Parkour as a donor sport for athletic development in youth team sports: insights through an ecological dynamics lens. Sports medicine-open, 4(1), 21.
 
  • Analyses of talent development in sport have identified that skill can be enhanced through early and continued involvement in donor sports which share affordances (opportunities for action) with a performer’s main target sport. Aligning key ideas of the Athletic Skills Model and ecological dynamics theory, we propose how the sport of parkour could provide a representative and adaptive platform for developing athletic skill (e.g. coordination, timing, balance, agility, spatial awareness and muscular strength). We discuss how youth sport development programmes could be (re) designed to include parkour-style activities, in order to develop general athletic skills in affordance-rich environments. It is proposed that team sports development programmes could particularly benefit from parkour-style training since it is exploratory and adaptive nature shapes utilisation of affordances for innovative and autonomous performance by athletes. Early introduction to varied, relevant activities for development of athleticism and skill, in a diversified training programme, would provide impetus for a fundamental shift away from the early specialisation approach favoured by traditional theories of skill acquisition and expertise in sport.
 
 
Folland, J. P., Allen, S. J., Black, M. I., Handsaker, J. C., & Forrester, S. E. (2017). Running technique is an important component of running economy and performance. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 49(7), 1412.
 
  • Despite an intuitive relationship between technique and both running economy (RE) and performance, and the diverse techniques used by runners to achieve forward locomotion, the objective importance of overall technique and the key components therein remain to be elucidated. This study provides novel and robust evidence that technique explains a substantial proportion of the variance in RE and performance. We recommend that runners and coaches are attentive to specific aspects of stride parameters and lower limb angles in part to optimize pelvis movement, and ultimately enhance performance.
 
 Almonroeder, T. G., Tighe, S. M., Miller, T. M., & Lanning, C. R. (2018). The influence of fatigue on decision-making in athletes: a systematic review. Sports biomechanics, 1-14.


  •  The nature of the results appears to indicate that fatigue may compromise an athlete’s cognitive processing in a manner that diminishes their ability to control movement when rapid decision-making is required. However, three subsequent studies utilised fatigue protocols designed to mimic sports participation and found that fatigue did not influence the effects of decision-making on mechanics. In general, these findings appear to indicate that fatigue may only affect the cognitive processing associated with decision-making when athletes approach a state of exhaustion
 
 Jackson, R. C., Warren, S., & Abernethy, B. (2006). Anticipation skill and susceptibility to deceptive movement. Acta psychologica, 123(3), 355-371.
​
  • The ability to detect deceptive movement was examined in skilled and novice rugby players. Participants (14 per group) attempted to predict direction change from video of expert and recreational rugby players changing direction with and without deceptive movement. ConWdence associated with judgments was recorded on each trial to seek evidence regarding use of inferential (heuristic-based) and direct-perceptual (invariant-based) judgments. Novices were found to be susceptible to deceptive movement whereas skilled participants were not; however, both skilled and novice participants were more conWdent on trials containing deceptive movement. The data suggest that the skill-level diVerence in sensitivity to advance visual information extends to deceptive information. The implications of this Wnding, and the importance of considering the underlying process of anticipation skill, are discussed.
 

Books
  • Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker
    • We live in a society where lack of sleep is championed - we reward and think more highly of those that forgo sleep for extra work, more hours and detract from sleep, rest, vacation
    • 1-Hour of cell phone, tv, computer use can decrease melatonin for the next 3-hours. This can also decrease the amount of peak melatonin production leading to les REM sleep
    • The most important aspect of increasing the quality of sleep = consistent bed and wake times
    • You need to keep your room cool do this via - less cloths, fan, thinner blankets, keeping certain body parts uncovered. 
    • Your brain needs to drop 2-3 degrees in order to fall asleep
    • The shorter you sleep - the shorter your lifespan
    • The US runs the worlds biggest sleep experiment 2-times a year = day light savings
    • In the fall, where we gain an extra hour of sleep, heart attacks decrease by 21%!
    • In the spring, where we lose an hour of sleep, heart attacks increase by 24%!
    • If you're going in for sugery, ask how much sleep your surgeon has gotten in the past 24-hours. If less than 6-hours, you're at a 170% increased risk of a surgical error.
    • 1 in 5 medical errors is a result of lack of sleep 
    • Driving without sleep for 16-20hours is equivalent to driving drunk

0 Comments

May in Review

6/1/2018

0 Comments

 
Thoughts/Quotes
 
  • Let kids define their own athletic experience - Rob Assise
  • We’ve been very good at building physical monsters, but I want perceptual monsters - Shawn Myszka
  • Poor perception leads to poor mechanics/technique
  • No evidence that static stretching or flexibility reduce or are related to injury - Quinn Henock
  • Athletes need to practice pre-competition nutrition. Practice this nutrition before practices/training - Brian St. Pierre
  • The best vegetables are the ones your athletes will actually eat - Brian St. Pierre
  • Is the goal motor learning or motor performance?
  • I love seeing athletes when they are fatigued - they can't hide compensations when fatigued and I can see what they'll revert to when fatigued - Tommy Flanagan
  • Sleep has an image problem, we stigmatize sleep and think its lazy and slothful - people wear lack of sleep as a badge of honor to be celebrated - Matthew Walker
  • Chronic exhaustion cost most first world nation 2% of the GDP - 411 billion dollars lost each year to a lack of sleep - Matthew Walker
  • Speed of movement is easy compared to speed of thought - Rich Bartel
  • Can’t lead if you don’t read
  • Increasing variability within practice enhances learning
  • The stability of a skill is solely dependent upon psychology - Stu McMillan
  • If you surround yourself with the wrong people, you’re going to do wrong things. If you surround yourself with elite people, you’ll probably do elite things
 
Articles
 
  • Sprint acceleration mechanical profiling for the NFL draft
  • One of the hallmarks of a truly great boss has nothing to do with vision or work ethic
  • Working backwards from the game
  • What is skill acquisition?
  • Digging into elite sprint kinetics and training with JB Morin
  • The ALTIS kinogram method
  • Is sleep the most underrate hack for performance enhancement
  • The intersection of life success and physical training
  • Resisted sprint training – ATLIS & 1080 Sprint – Part II
  • Very stable idiot: Week 20
  • Very stable idiot: Week 19​
 
Podcasts
 
  • All things movement, motor learning, skill acquisition with Shawn Myszka & Korey Van Wyk
  • I want great problem solvers w/ Tommy Flanagan & Jamie Smith
  • June ACP Podcast w/ Dr. Fergus Connolly
  • Does brain stimulation enhance acquisition, performance, and retention of sport skills?
  • How difficult should practice be? The challenge point hypothesis
  • Practicing with intent: The role of intention in action
  • Joe Rogan Experience w/ Matthew Walker – All things sleep
  • Everything you know about sleep is wrong​
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Research
 
  • Vigne, G., Dellal, A., Gaudino, C., Chamari, K., Rogowski, I., Alloatti, G., ... & Hautier, C. (2013). Physical outcome in a successful Italian Serie A soccer team over three consecutive seasons. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research,27(5), 1400-1406.
 
The aim of this study was to examine the physical performance of a success-Serie A team of more than three consecutive seasons. 25 players participated in the study and were classified into three playing positions: defenders (n=9), midfielders (n=11) and forward (n=5). Activities match were studied by an analysis of multiple match-camera SICS ® (Bassano del Grappa, Italy) throughout the competition Italian Serie A matches played at home (n=90) for 3 consecutive seasons (first: 2004/2005, second: 2005/2006, and third: 2006/2007). Total team ball possession and time-motion characteristics were examined. Results showed that total ball possession (52.1% to 54.9%) and the number of points accumulated at home (40/48) improved in the past three seasons while that the final ranking at home were stable. The total distances covered by minutes of play were significantly different between the three seasons (118.32±6.69m.min to 111.96±8.05m.min). Distance running and high intensity activities were similar in the three seasons, while the distance covered in moderate intensity running decreased in the third (P<0.05). Variations between playing positions were found during the three-consecutive seasons, with midfielders covering greater distances than defenders (P<0.05) and forward (P<0.01). This study showed how for three consecutive seasons of successful players Serie-A team reduced their distances performed at submaximal speeds, and increased ball possession, while maintaining the high-intensity activities and the number of points at home. It is suggested that this is due to a better understanding of roles and tactics team organization, and to act collectively and individually on these parameters to reduce energy expenditure during the game to maintain a high level performance throughout the season.
 
  • Dos’Santos, T., Thomas, C., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. (2018). The Role of the Penultimate Foot Contact During Change of Direction: Implications on Performance and Risk of Injury.Strength & Conditioning Journal.
 
Most change of direction biomechanical investigations and current technique guidelines focus on the role of the final foot contact (plant foot contact). However, it is evident that the braking characteristics during the penultimate foot contact play an integral role in deceleration prior to directional changes ≥ 60˚; and can therefore, be described as a “preparatory step”. In this review, we examine the role of the penultimate foot contact on change of direction performance and associated biomechanical injury risk factors, and provide technical guidelines for coaching the “preparatory step” during change of direction, to enhance performance and reduce risk of injury.
 
  • Sanchez, F. J. N., & de Villarreal, E. S. (2017). Does Flywheel Paradigm Training Improve Muscle Volume and Force? A Meta-analysis. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 31(11), 3177-3186.
 
A meta-analysis of 13 studies with a total of 18 effect sizes was performed to analyse the role of various factors on the effectiveness of flywheel paradigm training. The following inclusion criteria were employed for the analysis: (a) randomized studies; (b) high validity and reliability instruments; (c) published in a high quality peer-reviewed journal; (d) healthy participants; (e) studies where the eccentric programme were described; and (f) studies where increases in muscle volume and force were measured before and after training. Increases in muscle volume and force were noted through the use of flywheel systems during short periods of training. The increase in muscle mass appears was not influenced by the existence of eccentric overload during the exercise. The increase in force was significantly higher with the existence of eccentric overload during the exercise. The responses identified in this analysis are essential and should be considered by strength and conditioning professionals regarding the most appropriate dose response trends for flywheel paradigm systems to optimize the increase in muscle volume and force
 
 
  • Hodges, N. J., & Franks, I. M. (2002). Modelling coaching practice: the role of instruction and demonstration. Journal of sports sciences, 20(10), 793-811.
 
examine existing theories and approaches that try to explain the process of skill acquisition so as to determine implications of these theories for instructional provision. This is followed by an evaluation of studies in the motor learning literature in which pre-practice information has been manipulated. Explicit learning strategies are contrasted to implicit and discovery learning methods, and current explanations for instructional eþects are discussed in terms of such mechanisms as eþects-related attentional focus and movement variability. In the ®nal sections, we review data from our own laboratory where pre-practice information has been manipulated during the learning of a novel bimanual coordination task. From these studies, proposals are made to try and explain how pre-practice information works to eþect the process of skill acquisition, including the selection and execution of a response and the processing of associated feedback. An important role is given to the existing skills of the learner in understanding the instructions and performing the desired movement. Finally, we suggest some practical implications of this empirical evidence for the teaching of motor skills.
 
 
  • Moras, G., Fernández-Valdés, B., Vázquez-Guerrero, J., Tous, J., Exel, J., & Sampaio, J. (2018). Entropy measures detect increased movement variability in resistance training when elite rugby players use the ball. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
 

The application of match specific constraints in resistance training for rugby players elicit different amount of variability of body acceleration across multiple physiological time scales. Understanding the non-linear process inherent to the manipulation of resistance training variables with constraints and its motor adaptations may help coaches and trainers to enhance the effectiveness of physical training and, ultimately, better understand and maximize sports performance.
 
 
  • Spearritt, D. (2013). The impact of field vision on performance within an English Premier league academy soccer team: A case study.
 
The purpose of the current study was to develop an understanding of visual search behaviour in relation to performance outcome amongst elite level youth soccer players, within competitive match performance. Thirteen matches from an English Premier League academy soccer team (under 15 age group) were analysed using a specifically designed notational analysis system created in Microsoft Excel. Visual explorations conducted by individual players were collated, followed by their subsequent action when in possession of the ball. The results show significant visual exploration differences between higher and lower ability elite level youth players (p=0.000). The results of a series of categorical logistic regression analyses also show a clear positive relationship exists between visual exploratory behaviours that are initiated prior to a player receiving the ball and performance with the ball. This relationship remains when assessed amongst several match conditions including overall pass completion, attacking third pass completion and forward pass completion.
 
 
  • Nyland, N. (2010). Visual perception in soccer: a study of elite and sub-elite defenders (Master's thesis).
 
The general purpose of this study was to examine how soccer defenders explore the environment for and use the information to deny opponents goals from crosses into the penalty area. A specific aim was to determine which variables differentiated between elite and sub-elite players. An ecological approach was used as conceptual framework. Participants were at the Premier League level - classified as elite (n = 13, m = 28.15 yrs, SD = 3.82) and at the Reserve League and Academy League level - classified as sub-elite (n = 11, m = 18.3 yrs, SD = 1.40). All participants were filmed in at least one game (six were filmed in two game). A high zoom camera recorded and focused solely upon a single player and general game events were obtained from professional camera recordings (obtained from the clubs) using regular zoom. These two videos were edited and synchronized into a split-screen video.
Results indicate that players in the elite group are more perceptually and functionally active than players in the sub-elite group prior to a cross, by exploring more frequently and positioning themselves more with a back-towards-goal posture allowing them to visually perceive more of the actions of the surrounding forwards. However, it was not demonstrated any functional relationship between exportation and performance related to this defensive situation. Further, constraints such as the player’s posture, type of defense, distance be-tween the crosser and defender, and involvement showed some differences between the levels and may affect exploration.
 
 
  • Araújo, D., & Davids, K. (2011). What exactly is acquired during skill acquisition?. Journal of Consciousness Studies,18(3-4), 7-23.
 
In this paper we propose that the term skill acquisition, as commonly used in traditional psychology, and the philosophy, education, movement science and performance development literatures, has been biased by an organismic asymmetry. In cognitive and experimental psychology, for example, it refers to the establishment of an internal state or representation of an act which is believed to be acquired as a result of learning and task experience. Here we elucidate an ecological perspective which suggests that the term skill acquisition may not refer to an entity but rather to the emergence of an adaptive, functional relationship between an organism and its environment, thus avoiding an inherent organismic asymmetry in theorizing. In this respect, the terms 'skill adaptation' or 'skill attunement' might be more suitable to describe this process.
 
 
  • Teques, P., Araújo, D., Seifert, L., del Campo, V. L., & Davids, K. (2017). The resonant system: Linking brain–body–environment in sport performance☆. In Progress in brain research (Vol. 234, pp. 33-52). Elsevier.
 
The ecological dynamics approach offers new insights to understand how athlete nervous systems are embedded within the body–environment system in sport. Cognitive neuroscience focuses on the neural bases of athlete behaviors in terms of perceptual, cognitive, and motor functions defined within specific brain structures. Here, we discuss some limitations of this traditional perspective, addressing how athletes functionally adapt perception and action to the dynamics of complex performance environments by continuously perceiving information to regulate goal-directed actions. We examine how recent neurophysiological evidence of functioning in diverse cortical and subcortical regions appears more compatible with an ecological dynamics perspective, than traditional views in cognitive neuroscience. We propose how athlete behaviors in sports may be related to the tuning of resonant mechanisms indicating that perception is a dynamic process involving the whole body of the athlete. We emphasize the important role of metastable dynamics in the brain–body–environment system facilitating continuous interactions with a landscape of affordances (opportunities for action) in a performance environment. We discuss implications of these ideas for performance preparation and practice design in sport.
 
  • Djaoui, L., Chamari, K., Owen, A. L., & Dellal, A. (2017). Maximal sprinting speed of elite soccer players during training and matches. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 31(6), 1509-1517.
 
The aim of the present study was to compare (a) the maximal sprinting speed (MSS) attained by soccer players during matches (MSSmatch) according to their level of play (professional first French division vs. elite amateur fourth French division) and the playing positions and (b) the MSS attained by professional soccer players during 14 different types of small-sided games (SSG, MSSSSG) and match-play. All players monitored through the study performed a 40-m sprint test to assess individual MSS (MSStest) and compare it to the training and match activity, with the calculation of the percentage of MSStest (%MSStest) reached. No differences were found according to the level of play; however, positional wide players achieved a higher MSSmatch, %MSStest, and MSSSSG than central players (both defenders and midfielders) during matches and SSG. MSSmatch were higher than all MSSSSG, and MSSSSG were positively correlated with the area of the pitch (0.45, p < 0.001), its length (0.53,p < 0.001), and the number of players involved (0.38, p < 0.001). The closer SSG was to match situation in terms of rules, the higher the MSSSSG. Wide players reached higher MSS in match and SSG than central players, confirming the relevance of using SSG close to match situation to specifically prepare elite players to the maximal running speed demand of the match.
 
  • Wylie, S. A., Bashore, T. R., Van Wouwe, N. C., Mason, E. J., John, K. D., Neimat, J. S., & Ally, B. A. (2018). Exposing an" Intangible" Cognitive Skill Among Collegiate Football Players: Enhanced Interference Control. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 49.
 
American football is played in a chaotic visual environment filled with relevant and distracting information. We investigated the hypothesis that collegiate football players show exceptional skill at shielding their response execution from the interfering effects of distraction (interference control). The performances of 280 football players from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football programs were compared to age-matched controls in a variant of the Eriksen flanker task (Eriksen and Eriksen, 1974). This task quantifies the magnitude of interference produced by visual distraction on split-second response execution. Overall, football athletes and age controls showed similar mean reaction times (RTs) and accuracy rates. However, football athletes were more proficient at shielding their response execution speed from the interfering effects of distraction (i.e., smaller flanker effect costs on RT). Offensive and defensive players showed smaller interference costs compared to controls, but defensive players showed the smallest costs. All defensive positions and one offensive position showed statistically smaller interference effects when compared directly to age controls. These data reveal a clear cognitive advantage among football athletes at executing motor responses in the face of distraction, the existence and magnitude of which vary by position. Individual differences in cognitive control may have important implications for both player selection and development to improve interference control capabilities during play.
  • Anson, G., Elliott, D., & Davids, K. (2005). Information processing and constraints-based views of skill acquisition: divergent or complementary?. Motor control, 9(3), 217-241.
 
Since the middle of the nineteenth century, movement scientists have been challenged to explain processes underlying the control, coordination, and acquisition of skill. Information processing and constraints-based approaches represent two distinct, often perceived as opposing, views of skill acquisition. The purpose of this article is to compare information processing and constraints-based approaches through the lens of Fitts’ three-stage model and Newell’s constraints-based model, respectively. In essence, both models can be identified, at least in spirit, with ideas about skill described by Bernstein (1967, 1996). Given that the product of “skill acquisition” is the same, although the explanation of the processes might differ, it is perhaps not surprising that similarities between the models appear greater than the differences. In continuing to meet the challenge to explain skill acquisition, neural-based models provide a glimpse of the cutting edge where behavior and biological mechanisms underpinning processes of control, coordination, and acquisition of skill might meet.
 
 
Books
 
  • The Culture Code – Daniel Coyle
 
I’ve always enjoyed Coyle’s books, starting with the Talent Code – actually did an interview with him you can find here – https://www.building-better-athlete.com/blog/interview-with-daniel-coyle
 
He does a fantastic job of story telling, bring ideas together, and mixing science with culture. Some of his writings may be a little exaggerated with what the actual literature says, but its much less taken out of context as say Malcolm Gladwell.
Some of my favorite tidbits…
 
  • In successful groups the following happens
    • Everyone talks
    • High expectations, and confidence that people can reach them
    • Try to help things develop organically
    • Leaders show vulnerability
    • Surrounded with motto’s
    • Leaders are partners not dictators
    • They name priorities
    • People feel safe and connected
 
  • The Energy Bus – Jon Gordon
 
Personally I find these kinds of books a little cheesy, but it’s a quick, painless read with a few tidbits here and there. Good book to throw into the mixture of more serious reads - with short chapters and some good reminders but too much of Gordon’s self-help message gets old, fast.
2-3 Gordon books a year is plenty
 
  • Opening Skinner’s Box – Great Psychological Experiments of the 20th Century – Lauren Slater
 
This was a fascinating read into 10 of the greatest psychological experiments over the past 100-years. From BF Skinner to Harry Harlow to Eric Kandel to Stanley Milgram. From topics such as love to obedience to addiction to false memories. With subjects from humans undergoing lobotomy’s, monkeys separated from their mothers and having a surrogate mother, rats being rewarded with food and drugs, sea slugs and memory.
Slater does an incredible job of blending the hard-nosed details of the experiments and outcomes, to laying out a story line of each researcher, their backgrounds into their studies, and personal stories of how these scientists affect her and other psychologists.
Give this one a read!
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0 Comments

April in Review

5/1/2018

0 Comments

 
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​Thoughts/Quotes
  • Exploration and creativity in practice leads to exploration and creativity in games
  • I will take of me for you, if you take care of you for me
  • At every new level of success one achieves, comes even greater challenges
  • It's not always about being the fastest but knowing when to be fast and when to change tempo's – Korey Van Wyk
  • It is important to note that recovery-adaptive strategies and techniques are not sufficiently powerful enough to over come bad coaching, stupid planning, or lack of talent - Tony Sumner
  • Keep things more playful - increases engagement, creativity, and fun – Jake Marshall
  • The way an athlete changes direction when he or she can preplan movement is different from how the athlete changes direction in reaction to a stimulus – Korey Van Wyk
  • The technique an athlete uses is dependent upon their perception NOT the other way around – Korey Van Wyk
  • Are closed drills useless? No. They still provide a powerful physical load. But when training time and capacity are limited, providing that load in a coupled setting is efficient and works on all aspects of agility – Joel Reinhardt
  • Can we add a stressor or consequence during practice? Gives feedback and athletes aren’t 100% successful in sport – Shaun Larkin
  • Training doesn’t meet the demands of games - especially lateral loads/movements – Tyler Bosch
  • Connect the problem and solutions together – Shawn Myszka
  • The perception-action cycle also involve anticipatory skills – Karl Newell
  • Low Performance Variability DOES NOT EQUAL Low Movement Variability – Rob Gray
  • High performers have consistent outcomes but use a variety of mean to get there – Rob Gray
  • There is no 1 ideal technique – each athlete needs to find their own optimal movement solution – Rob Gray
  • People keep thinking about sport as a series of movement solutions rather than thinking about sport as a series of movement problem – Stu Armstrong
  • Thoughts for Warm-Ups
    • Exploration – Don’t just do a linear lunge, rather encourage exploring different angles, depths, and stances. Add an accel out of each position to encourage adaptability of accel mechanics in various positions.
    • Include Perception
    • Daily Screen – Daily routine that gives athletes and coaches feedback on athletes current state and help individualize daily modality/therapy
  • Starting to ask my athletes to coach things or at least ask them – how would you teach this? What words would you use?
  • What you do Monday, effects Friday. I don’t coaches really think about this – mentally, physically, nutritionally, emotionally
  • Give a little bit, get a lot – Tony Stewart
  • I’m ok with athletes looking “bad” during agility – Korey Van Wyk
 
 
A Note on Sport Specialization
 
This past weekend was the NFL Draft, and as this weekend arrives every year, so do the cries from people with daily stats on how may NFL draftees played multiple sports, quotes of college coaches saying they recruit multi-sport athletes, and the claim playing multiple sports is key in them getting drafted.
 
A HUGE discussion was brought out by Keir Wenham-Flatt with this tweet – I encourage you to read all the branches this tweet spurred

 

 







I want to share my thoughts on this topic, as it seems I've been booked into promoting specialization by some coaches because I disagree with their commentary and language used. In today's world, having an opinion that differs from the majority gets you yelled at, called an idiot, or the worse of all... blocked on twitter. 

In fact, Tony Holler, a coach I highly respect and enjoy his work, blocked me because I disagreed with his opinion on this topic, and instead of having an intelligent discourse, he blocked me and  proceeded to tweet negative things about me... heartbreaking

So, here are some random thoughts on specialization
​
1.  First I want to make it clear, I don’t think anyone is truly pushing specialization - in the terms that specialization actually exists. THIS is where I think many of these coaches go wrong – if they’d actually read the literature on specialization, they’d know that it points to NOT specializing at young ages (7-13), and instead to get involved in many athletic endeavors – and this is something I don’t think anyone is disputing.

​Again if you’ve read the literature, it actually points to encouraging specialization around ages 16-18 – well guess what – That’s a sophomore through senior in HS. So if a HS kid is passionate about a sport and wants maximize his/her ability in that sport – the literature actually supports this decision.

So, that’s the difference – when to specialize, NOT if specializing is bad. I think we all agree 7-12 year olds should be exposed to as many athletic events as possible. Understand that a 7-12 year old specializing is vastly different than a 16-18 year old specializing.
 

2. Let's Try an Example

We have Johnny and Billy - both are HS Juniors. 

Johnny was blessed with the genetic lottery - He’s a very gifted athlete. Football is his primary sport, with a scholarship on the way. He also plays basketball and track. Johnny is a 9/10 football player, and even though he only plays basketball during the season (3-months out of the year), he still manages to be a 7/10 basketball player because of his raw athletic ability. Physically dominant kids like Johnny can afford to be less technically & tactically skilled in their lesser sports and still be good – hence why he is a 7/10 with only playing basketball 3-months out of the year.

And remember - When you're a good athlete
 you get pulled into multiple sports. It's not that playing multiple sports causes one to become a good athlete - it's being a good athlete causes one to be pulled to play multiple sports.

Billy on the other hand was not blessed with superior genetics, he's a pretty average athlete. Billy loves basketball; it’s his passion and his ultimate goal is to play college basketball - ultimately he realizes DI is out of the question and DIII is his likely route - but that shouldn't be any less of a reason to pursue this goal.

Unfortunately for Billy, he’s only a 6/10 basketball player.
 
So, how can Billy compete with Johnny in basketball???
 
Well, Billy decides to specialize in basketball. He improves his basketball specific skill set, IQ, specific perception, and learns the nuances of the game that can only come from accumulating time in that sport.
 
Basketball season comes around and now Billy is a 7/10 – he now has a chance to compete with Johnny. If he played multiple sports, he’d still be a 6/10 and wouldn’t see the court.

By his senior year, Billy has raised himself to a 7.5/10 basketball player, good enough to be a starter and earn an opportunity to play at the DIII level.

Who is to say this is the wrong path for Billy?
 
I can hear the critics – But he’ll burnout, that doesn’t sound fun, he’ll never be as athletic if he played multiple sports, etc.
 
But I ask – who led this situation?

It was athlete led; Billy decided this is what HE wanted, and it is wrong for an adult to criticize his decision – and this is where I get frustrated.

 

3. The language I see used by coaches needs to change.  

Athletes NEED to run track; they MUST play basketball; they HAVE to play baseball. If you're under 6'6 and don't have a basketball scholarship yet - you NEED to be playing football (these are real quotes from coaches - publicly displayed on Twitter)
 
Ever thought for a second that the athlete just doesn’t like those sports? That they don't like track or football or any other sport?
 
My argument is how is this any better than the AAU coach saying the same thing?
 
We get pissed if an AAU coach says - If you want to play college basketball you NEED to play AAU. If you want to get noticed by college coaches you HAVE to play AAU.
 
It’s the same thing – it’s an adult with an agenda trying to lead the decision.
 
Athletes should be encouraged to play multiple sports – no doubt. But coaches shouldn’t FORCE or MAKE HS athletes play multiple sports. If a kid doesn’t like a sport, stop trying to push them to do it.
 
A who cares if a kid wants to play hoops all year long, and they’re only 5’11 – if it’s athlete led and the kids passion – awesome.
  

 4.  If a HS kid can start to specialize his/her education, then why not sports?  

Junior and senior HS kids are asked what careers they’d like to pursue and encouraged to specialize their schoolwork towards those careers.
 
My junior and senior year, I don’t think I took an English class; instead I loaded up my schedule in the math and sciences because that’s what I enjoyed.

Why is it different for sports?

Or how about this - why don't college or professional athletes play multiple sports? 

If playing multiple sports is the panacea of athletic development - why don't athletes post HS do it?
 

5.  What classifies as playing multiple sports?

I have a number of Jr. & Sr. football players who don’t play another sport but play pick-up basketball 2-3 days a week. I have college basketball players that golf 2-3 days a week. Does playing a wide variety of games in the backyard as a youngster count multiple sports?

Does this negate specialization?

 
6.  A final piece and hardest for people to come to terms with – Specialization works!

When done right, specializing has worked for tons of athletes all over the world. Look at sports like gymnastics, swimming/diving, tennis, soccer, golf, basketball, baseball - the majority of the athletes in these sports have specialized from a young age. Look at countries who send little kids to specialized camps from a young age to groom them into Olympians.
 
Specialization works.

 
7.  Clearly it is much more complex than 
specialization = bad
multiple sports = good.

And that’s how this whole thing got started – coaches with an agenda (yes I said agenda) trying to get better athletes to play their sport.
 
At the end of the day kids should define their own athletic experience.
 
Trust me, I played 3 sports in HS and couldn’t imagine only playing a single sport in HS – but I also understand everybody is different and kids should lead the decision-making process.
 
Ok, enough of this rant... on to normal business

 
Articles


  • The Myth of Learning Styles
  • How Fatigue Shaped the NBA Season and Playoffs
  • Dinosaur or Cockroach – Adapted or Adaptable
  • Very Stable Idiot – Week 14
  • A Simple Addition to Practice – Add a Defender
  • When to Move Beyond the Barbell – Chris Gallager
 
 
Podcasts


  • Interview with Rajiv Ranganthan, MSU, Motor Learning, Variability & Coordination
  • “People are still looking for the drills and the activities...they want the cookbook" - A conversation with Ed Coughlan & Shawn Myszka
  • All Things Wellness #167 – Mike Tuchscherer
 
 
Research


  • Colyer, S. L., Nagahara, R., & Salo, A. I. (2018). Kinetic demands of sprinting shift across the acceleration phase: novel analysis of entire force waveforms. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports.
 
A novel approach of analysing complete ground reaction force waveforms rather than discrete kinetic variables can provide new insight to sprint biomechanics. This study aimed to understand how these waveforms are associated with better performance across entire sprint accelerations. Twenty-eight male track and field athletes (100-m personal best times: 10.88 to 11.96 s) volunteered to participate. Ground reaction forces produced across 24 steps were captured during repeated (two to five) maximal-effort sprints utilising a 54-force-plate system. Force data (anteroposterior, vertical, resultant and ratio of forces) across each contact were registered to 100% of stance and averaged for each athlete. Statistical parametric mapping (linear regression) revealed specific phases of stance where force was associated with average horizontal external power produced during that contact. Initially, anteroposterior force production during mid-late propulsion (e.g. 58-92% of stance for the second ground contact) was positively associated with average horizontal external power. As athletes progressed through acceleration, this positive association with performance shifted towards the earlier phases of contact (e.g. 55-80% of stance for the eighth and 17-57% for the 19th ground contact). Consequently, as athletes approached maximum velocity, better athletes were more capable of attenuating the braking forces, especially in the latter parts of the eccentric phase. These unique findings demonstrate a shift in the performance determinants of acceleration from higher concentric propulsion to lower eccentric braking forces as velocity increases. This highlights the broad kinetic requirements of sprinting and the conceivable need for athletes to target improvements in different phases separately with demand-specific exercises.
 


  • Spearritt, D. (2013). The impact of field vision on performance within an English Premier league academy soccer team: A case study.
 
Previous perceptual-cognitive skill research in sport has often applied laboratory-based protocols to examine differences amongst elite and sub-elite performers. Contemporary research within the area has started to move away from such protocols and has begun analysing visual search behaviours within competitive adult soccer matches. The purpose of the current study was to develop an understanding of visual search behaviour in relation to performance outcome amongst elite level youth soccer players, within competitive match performance. Thirteen matches from an English Premier League academy soccer team (under 15 age group) were analysed using a specifically designed notational analysis system created in Microsoft Excel. Visual explorations conducted by individual players were collated, followed by their subsequent action when in possession of the ball. The results show significant visual exploration differences between higher and lower ability elite level youth players (p=0.000). The results of a series of categorical logistic regression analyses also show a clear positive relationship exists between visual exploratory behaviours that are initiated prior to a player receiving the ball and performance with the ball. This relationship remains when assessed amongst several match conditions including overall pass completion, attacking third pass completion and forward pass completion
 


  • Nyland, N. (2010). Visual perception in soccer: a study of elite and sub-elite defenders (Master's thesis).
 
The general purpose of this study was to examine how soccer defenders explore the environment for and use the information to deny opponents goals from crosses into the penalty area. A specific aim was to determine which variables differentiated between elite and sub-elite players. An ecological approach was used as conceptual framework. Participants were at the Premier League level - classified as elite (n = 13, m = 28.15 yrs, SD = 3.82) and at the Reserve League and Academy League level - classified as sub-elite (n = 11, m = 18.3 yrs, SD = 1.40). All participants were filmed in at least one game (six were filmed in two game). A high zoom camera recorded and focused solely upon a single player and general game events were obtained from professional camera recordings (obtained from the clubs) using regular zoom. These two videos were edited and synchronized into a split-screen video.
Results indicate that players in the elite group are more perceptually and functionally active than players in the sub-elite group prior to a cross, by exploring more frequently and positioning themselves more with a back-towards-goal posture allowing them to visually perceive more of the actions of the surrounding forwards. However, it was not demonstrated any functional relationship between exportation and performance related to this defensive situation. Further, constraints such as the players posture, type of defense, distance be-tween the crosser and defender, and involvement showed some differences between the levels and may affect exploration.



  • Dello Iacono, A., & Seitz, L. B. (2018). Hip thrust-based PAP effects on sprint performance of soccer players: heavy-loaded versus optimum-power development protocols. Journal of sports sciences, 1-8.
 
Using a crossover design, eighteen soccer athletes performed 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprints before and 15 s, 4 min, and 8 min after two PAP protocols. The PAP conditioning activities consisted of hip thrust exercises loaded with either 85% 1RM or a load for optimum power development. The resulting 5 m and 10 m sprint performances were impaired at 15 s following both protocols. At 4 min and 8 min, meaningful improvements were observed for the three sprint distances following both of the protocols. Meaningful differences were found when comparing the two PAPs over time: greater impairments in 5 m and 10 m following the 85% of 1 RM protocol after 15 s, and greater improvements in all sprint distances after 4 min and 8 min following the optimum power development protocol. Positive correlations between the hip thrust's 1RM and power values and the overall individual PAP responses were found. This investigation showed that both heavy-loaded and optimum-power hip thrust exercises can induce a PAP response, with the optimum-power development protocol preferred due its higher efficiency.



  • Preventing Hamstring Injuries – Part 1: Is there really an eccentric action of the hamstrings during high speed running and does it matter?
 
A review of Van Hooren and Bosch article that argues isometric exercises may be more effective at reducing hamstrings injuries and more easily and smartly programmed into busy training schedules than eccentric exercises.


  • Preventing Hamstring Injuries – Part 2: Is there really an eccentric action of the hamstrings during high speed running and does it matter?
 
Van Hooren and Bosch respond to the questions and comments posed by Shield and Murphy in part 1



  • Bolger, R., Lyons, M., Harrison, A. J., & Kenny, I. C. (2015). Sprinting performance and resistance-based training interventions: A systematic review. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29(4), 1146-1156.
 
 
Books


  • Unblievable – Katy Tur
    • Read this in about 4-hours. Easy, interesting read as Katy tells her story as she follow Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.

  • Applied Sprint Training – James Smith
    • Solid, thorough read of fundamentals of acceleration and sprint development. A lot of it is based on track & field, but James works to make it applicable to field/team based sports.
      • Sport is a contest of movement, movement between sports is much more similar than different
      • While elite sprinters accelerate up to 60-70m, the bulk of it (90%+) is done within 30m. Thus the bulk of acceleration can sit in this range
      • Enter the season fit, the sport will take care of itself
      • Anyone can run relatively fast, but no one can sprint well without proper training
      • Weight lifting is not the only means of strength training
 
 
News


  • Pick-Up Dr. Stephen Osterer’s Recovery for Baseball Manual – HERE.
Stephen is a bright and awesome guy, and this manual is a heavy hitter for not only baseball players but all athletes. It comes with a 180-page PDF, Monitoring Document, and Online Resources! Seriously, this is a must have for all things recovery. (Not an affiliate link, I receive no monetary gain from promoting this)


See past Reviews below
 - January
 - February
​ - March

0 Comments

March In Review

4/1/2018

0 Comments

 
Thoughts/Quotes
 
  • Your movement signature is not strength. It’s your ability to put meaning and action to your perception as quick as possible – Harjiv Singh
 
  • Don’t go into innovation & entrepreneurship if you don’t have an extremely high tolerance for humiliation. Tons of people, even potential customers, will mock you until you get it right…the entrepreneurial journey to success is long & difficult – Alex Osterwalder
 
  • What I fail to comprehend is Y everyone is so darn sure that fatigue causes ACL injuries... or any other injuries... is this taught in the standard curriculums? – Tim Hewett
 
  • You have to know the rule before you can break the rules
 
  • My complaint with Physical Therapy is they label you, describe your condition, give you restrictions, give you generic exercises/modalities, and tend to put people on a reductionist solution path.
 
  • It’s better to be strong with some asymmetries than have no asymmetries and be weak
 
  • We can make athletes learn better by performing worse – pull into dysfunction/error can highlight the athletes awareness of problem
 
  • Return to play should emphasize the whole athlete NOT just the physical
 
  • Many coaches still believe that the only/best way to train force absorption is the catch portion of Olympic lifts.
 
  • Perceptual information and movement are interlinked; training should reflect specific information-movement couplings.
 
  • All things being equal – best posture wins – Vince Anderson
 
  • Try accelerating the whole race – Vince Anderson
 
  • Generally, the athlete moving fastest at 50m will beat the athlete that reaches 50m first – Stuart McMillian
 
 
Articles
 
  • How does heavy strength training transfer to fast sporting movements? – Chris Beardsley
  • The Normalization of Deviance – Craig Pickering
  • Do You Even Recover Bro? – Stephen Osterer
  • The Art of Relationship Based Coaching – Josh Bonhotal
  • Very Stable Idiot, Week 12 – Stuart McMillian
  • Very Stable Idiot, Week 11 – Stuart McMillian
 
Podcasts
 
  • Perception-Action Podcast – Can Assisted Movement Facilitate Skill Acquisition?
  • Perception-Action Podcast – The Why, What, How, and When of Movement Variability
  • Perception-Action Podcast – Brain Dynamics and Psychomotor Efficiency, Effect of Culture on Movement
  • The Talent Equation Podcast – The Decision Comes Before the Action – Jack Walton
  • All Things Strength & Wellness Podcast – All Things Speed w/ Jonas Dodoo
  • GAINcast Podcast - Drills
  • Stuff You Should Know Podcast – What Are False Positives
  • The Hidden Brain – Thinking Fast w/ Daniel Kahneman
  • Just Fly Performance Podcast – Scott Thom – Culture in the Weightroom to the Court
 
 
Research
 
Tsoukos, A., Veligekas, P., Brown, L. E., Terzis, G., & Bogdanis, G. C. (2018). Delayed Effects of a Low-Volume, Power-Type Resistance Exercise Session on Explosive Performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(3), 643-650.
 
  • 5 × 4 jump squats at 40% 1RM with 3 minutes rest shown to potentiate performance (CMJ, RSI & RFD) 24-48 hours after session.
 
Araujo, D., Davids, K., & Hristovski, R. (2006). The ecological dynamics of decision making in sport. Psychology of sport and exercise, 7(6), 653-676.
 
  • Decision-making behaviour is best considered at the level of the performer–environment relationship and viewed as emerging from the interactions of individuals with environmental constraints over time towards specific functional goals.
 
Bruce, L., Farrow, D., Raynor, A., & Mann, D. (2012). But I can’t pass that far! The influence of motor skill on decision making. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 13(2), 152-161.
 
  • Motor skill influenced the performance of the required action, but not necessarily the decision made. Performance is superior on a coupled perceptual-motor task relative to a de-coupled perceptual-cognitive task. Motor skill performance was commensurate with expertise.
 
Liefeith, A., Kiely, J., Collins, D., & Richards, J. (2018). Back to the Future–in support of a renewed emphasis on generic agility training within sports-specific developmental pathways.Journal of sports sciences, 1-6.
 
  • The authors propose that generic agility can play a role in operationalising movement development through facilitating skill transfer: thereby enabling the learning of new skills, reduce incidence of injury and facilitating re-learning of old skills during rehabilitation and Return-to-Play processes.
 
Buckner, S. L., Jessee, M. B., Dankel, S. J., Mattocks, K. T., Abe, T., & Loenneke, J. P. (2018). Resistance exercise and sports performance: The minority report. Medical hypotheses,113, 1-5.
 
  • Although there is a large body of cross-sectional literature providing a rationale for resistance exercise for sport, its implementation is largely based on the following: 1) An increase in muscle size will produce an increase in strength and 2) a stronger muscle will increase sports performance. However, there is a lack of evidence to support these assumptions. The weight of evidence suggests that resistance exercise may indirectly impact sports performance through injury prevention, as opposed to directly improving sport related abilities.
 
Jeffreys, I., Huggins, S., & Davies, N. (2018). Delivering a Gamespeed-focused Speed and Agility Development Program in an English Premier League Soccer Academy. Strength & Conditioning Journal.
 
  • It can be argued that what is crucial is not speed and agility, but how the capacities are exploited in the game. Speed and agility will be ineffective unless they can be combined with the ability to employ these capacities to effectively perform the tasks of the game. Optimizing these capacities requires a sophisticated development program that addresses the full gamut of potential constraints to performance. This article outlines how such a development program has been set-up at an English premier league soccer academy.
 
Warren, C. D., Brown, L. E., Landers, M. R., & Stahura, K. A. (2011). Effect of three different between-inning recovery methods on baseball pitching performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 25(3), 683-688.
 
  • The purpose of this study was to determine which of 3 forms of recovery were the most effective after an inning of pitching in baseball. Three different measurements were used to determine which recovery method was most effective; the difference in blood lactate (BLa) levels was used as a biological measurement, average pitching speed was the physiological measurement, and the psychological measurement was done on how the pitchers perceived their pitching and recovery. The recovery methods that were used were passive recovery (PR), active recovery (AR), and electromuscular stimulation (EMS). Seven college men aged 21 (62 years) who were National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II college baseball pitchers were assessed during game play simulations. Blood lactate levels decreased significantly from the premeasurement to the postmeasurement with the EMS recovery method (p , 0.0005); however, BLa did not change for PR (p = 0.017) or AR (p = 0.134). Perceived recovery was also found to be best in the EMS and PR conditions. These findings suggest that EMS is an effective recovery method between innings of pitching
 
Warren, C. D., Brown, L. E., Landers, M. R., & Stahura, K. A. (2011). Effect of three different between-inning recovery methods on baseball pitching performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 25(3), 683-688.
 
  • Previous investigations of strength have only focused on biomechanical or psychological determinants, while ignoring the potential interplay and relative contributions of these variables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative contributions of biomechanical, anthropometric, and psychological variables to the prediction of maximum parallel barbell back squat strength. Twenty-one college-aged participants (male = 14; female = 7; age = 23 ± 3 years) reported to the laboratory for two visits. The first visit consisted of anthropometric, psychometric, and parallel barbell back squat one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing. On the second visit, participants performed isometric dynamometry testing for the knee, hip, and spinal extensors in a sticking point position-specific manner. Multiple linear regression and correlations were used to investigate the combined and individual relationships between biomechanical, anthropometric, and psychological variables and squat 1RM. Multiple regression revealed only one statistically predictive determinant: fat free mass normalized to height (standardized estimate ± SE = 0.6 ± 0.3; t(16) = 2.28; p = 0.037). Correlation coefficients for individual variables and squat 1RM ranged from r = -0.79-0.83, with biomechanical, anthropometric, experiential, and sex predictors showing the strongest relationships, and psychological variables displaying the weakest relationships. These data suggest that back squat strength in a heterogeneous population is multifactorial and more related to physical rather than psychological variables.
 
Nagahara, R., Takai, Y., Haramura, M., Mizutani, M., Matsuo, A., Kanehisa, H., & Fukunaga, T. (2018). Age-Related Differences in Spatiotemporal Variables and Ground Reaction Forces During Sprinting in Boys. Pediatric exercise science,20(XX), 1-10.
 
  • There was a stage of temporal slower development of sprinting ability from age 8.8 to 12.1 years, being characterized by unchanged propulsive force and decreased step frequency. Moreover, increasing propulsive forces during the middle acceleration and maximal speed phases and during the initial acceleration phase are probably responsible for the rapid development of sprinting ability before and after the period of temporal slower development of sprinting ability.
 
Sugisaki, N., Kobayashi, K., Tsuchie, H., & Kanehisa, H. (2017). Associations Between Individual Lower Limb Muscle Volumes and 100-m Sprint Time in Male Sprinters.International journal of sports physiology and performance, 1-19.
 
  • Individual differences in 100-m-race performance cannot be explained by the muscularity of specific muscles, and 23% of the variability in the performance can be explained by the relative difference between the muscularity of gluteus maximus and quadriceps femoris; faster runners have a greater gluteus maximus relative to quadriceps femoris.
 
Books
 
Been another slow month…
 
  • Captivology – Ben Parr – Parr documents the stories of those who have successfully brought their ideas/projects to public awareness. Has some decent parts and gives some good thought as to how to attract people to your cause and build trusted followers.
 
News
 
  • 1st Annual Sport Movement Skill Conference – Honored to speak at what will be an incredible conference. Shawn Myszka has put together a knockout line-up of speakers and even an international call to Ireland to speak with Keith Davids, Ric Shuttleworth, & Mark O’Sullivan
  • Our 4th Annual Elite Performance Clinic is fast approaching on Saturday, April 14th. We hope you can join us for this great event. 
0 Comments

February In Review

2/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Random Thoughts/Quotes

  • Only the athlete can see the problem from his or her perspective, thus they must develop the skills to search for their own unique solutions
 
  • An athlete’s motor solution is the result of what they sensed and perceived in that moment. They selected a motor solution they thought would be correct, even if you as a coach think it is wrong. You must ask how they arrived at that solution
 
  • Force is easy to improve, easy to measure, easy to justify. Coordination, perception, rhythm are all much more difficult to measure and justify, thus we tend not to seek to improve as much as strength –Stu McMillan
 
  • A coach should never apologize for having standards of excellence, so always remind athletes that your time is valuable, and that you will spend it wisely – Dan Pfaff
 
  • Most training and practice tasks are performed simply because they have always been done that way, or because there is a misplaced belief that the only way to improve something is through repetition and more repetition – Fergus Connolly
 
  • The acquisition of perceptual-motor skills is highly task-specific
 
  • People somehow think doing something predictable over and over again will somehow make an athlete better at doing something that is unpredictable
 
  • Closed drills close the door to many different movements, and thus reduce and get in the way of allowing an athlete to be adaptable and creative
 
  • To improve decision-making you need to make decisions – coordination needs context. Drop the drills and build movement scenarios – Nick Winkleman
 
  • An increase in muscle mass does not appear to enhance force production
 
  • We often practice for practice instead of practice for performance
 
  • Skilled movement is not simply learning muscle commands or movement and repeating them
 
  • You can’t just “adjust” a psoas. If anybody has ever done a cadaver, you’ll know you literally have to move internal organs to reach the psoas, so poking your fingers isn’t actually doing anything
 
  • Getting out in nature is a natural anti-depressant and mentally restorative
 
  • There isn’t a single version of you – what/who you’re surrounded by influences behavior/mindset/
 
  • If you want to enhance player buy-in & real culture, focus on players that aren’t playing a lot, tell them their development plan, what they can do to improve & your interest in them. It’s easy to forget those on the bench, but many times, they drive the culture – Bhrett McCabe
 
  • Dexterity is the ability to find a motor solution for any external situation, that is, to adequately solve any emerging motor problem correctly, quickly, and resourcefully – JD Hitting
 
  • Pre-planned movements do not allow for problem solving and creativity – Warren Young
 
  • Effective agility is not always about how fast a player can move in multiple directions, it’s about effective movement to achieve an outcome – Warren Young
 
 
Articles
 
  • Rethinking Strength Training Part 5 – Kevin Kishna
  • Rethinking Strength Training Part 3 – Kevin Kishna
  • 10 S&C Books For 2018
  • Why The Concept of Biomotor Abilities is Bullshit – Mladen Jovanovic
  • Key Concepts in Preparing for Agility and Change of Direction – Matt Kuzdub
  • Private Sector Business Review
  • The 2 Biggest Mistakes Coaches Make With Squatting – Cody Plofker
  • Transfer of Training – Henk Kraaijenhof
  • Bilateral Coordination Skills
  • Bought In: Building Trust and Getting More Effort Out Of Your Athletes – Brett Bartholomew
  • Tom Crean’s Year Long Coaching Gap
  • Correlations, Causations, and Multi-Sport Athletes – Craig Pickering
  • Digging Into Elite Sprint Kinetics and Training with JB Morin
  • Relatively Stable Genius – Stu McMillan
  • Race Modeling, Empowering The Athlete – Chidi Enyia
 
 
Podcasts
 
  • The Legend of Nikolai Bernstein – Repetition without Repetition and Beyond
  • Can Assisted Movement Facilitate Skill Acquisition – Perception Action Podcast #96
  • Just Fly Sports – Michael Zweifel (self-less plug ()
  • Pacey Performance Podcast #175 – Jason Hettler
  • All Things Strength & Wellness #155 – Devon McConnell
  • Just Fly Sports #86 – Alex Natera – Elite Strength Development for Speed
  • Radio Lab – Smarty Plants
  • Joe Rogan Experience #1081 – Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying
 
 
Research
 
  • Wylie, S. A., Bashore, T. R., Van Wouwe, N. C., Mason, E. J., John, K. D., Neimat, J. S., & Ally, B. A. (2018). Exposing an" Intangible" Cognitive Skill Among Collegiate Football Players: Enhanced Interference Control. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 49.
 
This data reveals a clear cognitive advantage among football athletes at executing motor responses in the face of distraction, the existence and magnitude of which vary by position. Individual differences in cognitive control may have important implications for both player selection and development to improve interference control capabilities during play.
 
 
  • Sugisaki, N., Kobayashi, K., Tsuchie, H., & Kanehisa, H. (2017). Associations Between Individual Lower Limb Muscle Volumes and 100-m Sprint Time in Male Sprinters.International journal of sports physiology and performance, 1-19.
 
Individual differences in 100-m-race performance cannot be explained by the muscularity of specific muscles, and 23% of the variability in the performance can be explained by the relative difference between the muscularity of gluteus maximus and quadriceps femoris; faster runners have a greater gluteus maximus relative to quadriceps femoris.
 
 
  • Jackson, R. C., Warren, S., & Abernethy, B. (2006). Anticipation skill and susceptibility to deceptive movement.Acta psychologica, 123(3), 355-371.
 
Participants (14 per group) attempted to predict direction change from video of expert and recreational rugby players changing direction with and without deceptive movement. Confidence associated with judgments was recorded on each trial to seek evidence regarding use of inferential (heuristic-based) and direct-perceptual (invariant-based) judgments. Novices were found to be susceptible to deceptive movement whereas skilled participants were not; however, both skilled and novice participants were more confident on trials containing deceptive movement. The data suggest that the skill-level difference in sensitivity to advance visual information extends to deceptive information. The implications of this finding, and the importance of considering the underlying process of anticipation skill.
 
 
  • Buckner, S. L., Jessee, M. B., Dankel, S. J., Mattocks, K. T., Abe, T., & Loenneke, J. P. (2018). Resistance exercise and sports performance: The minority report. Medical Hypotheses,113, 1-5.
 
Although there is a large body of cross-sectional literature providing a rationale for resistance exercise for sport, its implementation is largely based on the following: 1) An increase in muscle size will produce an increase in strength and 2) a stronger muscle will increase sports performance. However, there is a lack of evidence to support these assumptions. The weight of evidence suggests that resistance exercise may indirectly impact sports performance through injury prevention, as opposed to directly improving sport related abilities.
 
 
  • Moir, G. L., Brimmer, S. M., Snyder, B. W., Connaboy, C., & Lamont, H. S. (2018). Mechanical limitations to sprinting and biomechanical solutions: a constraints-led framework for the incorporation of resistance training to develop sprinting speed.Strength & Conditioning Journal, 40(1), 47-67.
 
The effectiveness of resistance training methods on sprinting performance is not always demonstrated experimentally. Accelerative sprinting is limited by the the requirement of a foreward-directed ground reaction force during progressively shorter stance phases that accompany higher sprinting speeds, whereas maximal speed sprinting is limited by the application of sufficient vertical impulse during stance, constraining minimal stance durations. Considering the mechanical limitations and the biomechanical solutions used by the fastest sprinters from a constraints-led perspective provides a framework from which practitioners can explore the incorporation of resistance and sprint training in the development of long-term training programs.
 
  • Oranchuk, D. J., Robinson, T. L., Switaj, Z. J., & Drinkwater, E. J. (2017). Comparison of the Hang High-Pull and Loaded Jump Squat for the Development of Vertical Jump and Isometric Force-Time Characteristics. Journal of strength and conditioning research.
 
While there was a significant main effect of training for both groups, no statistically significant between-group differences were found (p ≥ 0.17) for any of the dependent variables. However, medium effect sizes in favor of the jump-squat training group were seen in SJ height (d = 0.56) and SJ peak power (d = 0.69). Loaded jumps seem equally effective as weightlifting derivatives for improving lower-body power in experienced athletes. Since loaded jumps require less skill and less coaching expertise than weightlifting, loaded jumps should be considered where coaching complex movements is difficult.
 
  • Latash, M. L., Scholz, J. P., & Schöner, G. (2007). Toward a new theory of motor synergies. Motor control, 11(3), 276-308.
 
Driven by recent empirical studies, we offer a new understanding of the degrees of
freedom problem, and propose a refined concept of synergy as a neural organization
that ensures a one-to-many mapping of variables providing for both stability
of important performance variables and flexibility of motor patterns to deal with
possible perturbations and/or secondary tasks. Empirical evidence is reviewed,
including a discussion of the operationalization of stability/flexibility through
the method of the uncontrolled manifold. We show how this concept establishes
links between the various accounts for how movement is organized in redundant
effector systems.
 
 
  • Mehrab, M., de Vos, R. J., Kraan, G. A., & Mathijssen, N. M. (2017). Injury Incidence and Patterns Among Dutch CrossFit Athletes. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 5(12), 2325967117745263.
 
A total of 449 participants met the inclusion criteria. Of all respondents, 252 athletes (56.1%) sustained an injury in the preceding 12 months. The most injured body parts were the shoulder (n = 87, 28.7%), lower back (n = 48, 15.8%), and knee (n = 25, 8.3%). The duration of participation in CrossFit significantly affected the injury incidence rates (<6 months vs ≥24 months; odds ratio, 3.687 [95% CI, 2.091-6.502]; P < .001). The majority of injuries were caused by overuse (n = 148, 58.7%).
 
 
Books
 
Been a slow month for reading books, only managed a measly one
 
  • Training Camp: What The Best Do Better Than Everyone Else – Jon Gordon
 
 
News
 
  • Check out our 4th Annual Elite Performance Clinic coming up on Saturday, April 14th. We have a great line-up of speakers and practitioners who will share a ton of practice info. Great opportunity to network and meet coaches in our field and we’d love to have you. For more info, check-out  - https://www.building-better-athlete.com/elite-performance-clinic.html
 
  • My friend, Brett Bartholomew, put together an awesome resource that discusses the art of coaching. Check out his course as Brett covers everything from cueing, dealing with difficult athletes, various coaching styles, and human behavior. It’s a great extension of his recent book – Conscious Coaching – which is a game changer in the coaching World. Check it out this new resource - HERE
0 Comments

January In Review

1/31/2018

0 Comments

 
Random Thoughts
 
  • Don’t water down the perception/information – Shawn Myszka
 
  • It is unwise to pull the movement out of their respective equation – Shawn Myszka
 
  • When trying to develop “technique” it needs to be done in open environment – never de-coupling a movement/action
 
  • Manipulation of constraints can lead to successful development of motor patterns, decision-making
 
  • Rather than just trying to mimic a movement pattern – place athletes in representative environment where they must discover appropriate movement solutions
 
  • Performance is superior when perception–action is coupled. It is unwise to un-couple this process – Rob Gray
 
  • We perceive in order to move and move in order to perceive – Shawn Myszka
 
  • You need decision making before the technique – the process of learning a technique cannot interfere with the perception. The problem is we as coaches learn in the opposite - We learn technique/biomechanics, but omit the perception. Instead we should emphasize perception and build technique into the athlete’s perceptions.
 
  • A skilled mover changes his or her movement based on their interaction/perception of the environment and task
 
  • The essence of sport is movement – Bruce Lee
 
  • Sports are really just a problem solving activity with our movements are used to solve those problems – Shawn Myszka
 
  • Soccer has about 600 cuts in a game – Sophia Nimphius
 
  • What is ideal agility mechanics? There is no consensus - I have found that what is perfect for one is not perfect for another though this is contrary to popular belief.
 
  • We as S&C coaches should be sitting in on film meetings, meeting with coaches, etc
 
  • The environment should be variable to have continuous changes so athletes have constantly make differing decisions
 
  • Movement variation is a deviation from “norm” – so movement variability can be seen as the athlete searching for more an effective solution.
 
  • Adding pressure/anxiety can quickly reveal movement dysfunction. When we don’t add pressure/anxiety to training, athletes will break down in competition
 
  • What should/can coaches do
    • Be more hands off
    • Aim to facilitate
    • Encourage exploration and creativity. Applaud failure
 
  • Because of coaches incomplete knowledge of practice variables, they are often inefficient in their practice session
 
  • Learning is a problem-solving process in which the goal of an action represents the problem to be solved and the evolution of a movement configuration represents the performer’s attempt to solve the problem.
 
  • Sources of information available during and after each attempt to solve a problem are remembered and form the basis for learning
 
  • Critical for learning – a) an action plan, b) feedback
 
  • To increase learning, one must increase information
 
  • Be aware of trying to fit an athlete into what we deem as an ideal technical model, fit your coaching to each athlete’s current model. 
 
  • I've found improving an athletes understanding of sport IQ, sport objectives, and sport flow improves movement strategies because the athlete now better understands the end goal, and with that in mind, they have a better understanding of more optimal solutions. 
 
  • The whiteboard initiates the process, practice develops it, and games mature it
 
  • Sport movement is unnatural and continually evolving
 
  • You only get so many live bullets, practice them
 
  • We can’t only consider commands going from the brain to the body – efferent - Rob Gray
 
  • We need to consider afferent commands – information coming from the body to the brain – Rob Gray
 
  • You can’t take an action out of its context and only train movement. Athletes need to learn how to adapt movements using afferent information from the environment
 
  • Behavioral decision-making is a complex, temporally extended process, and it makes little sense to consider a putative optimal decision prior to, or independently of, the behavioral expression of that decision during performance
 
  • Perceptual-cognitive strategies are task dependent the time to perform an action and the accuracy of decisions are more consistent when performers are required to perceive to act than when they perceive to communicate – For example, athletes required to perform a sport action in comparison to when they were required to report a decision or judge a situation pressing a button
 
  • Sports performance comprises two primary components; the ‘how’ (referring to technique), and ‘what’ (referring to tactics)
 
  • An unanswered question in the literature is whether technical ability (how) affects the ability to make a decision (what)
 
  • Perceptual-cognitive skill can be considered to be what one is able to perceive and understand; perceptual-motor skill refers to what one is able to perceive and do through movement
 
  • Repeated exposure to a stimulus may produce stronger representations between the stimuli and associated performance
 
  • The most prevalent method of assessing perceptual-cognitive skill in team sports has been to use video-based tests of decision-making ability where perception is uncoupled from an action. These essentially cognitive tasks result in an obvious reduction in ecological validity when comparing this to testing which takes place in-situ
 
  • Totally conscious of not making errors can self-disrupt the most basic, fundamental skills by making the athlete aware of a skill they otherwise do subconsciously
 
  • Coaches are often forced to sacrifice long-term cures for short-term fixes
 
  • A coach should be aware of technical deficiencies in the skills of athletes but must find ways to correct deficiencies with minimum conscious awareness of the athlete
 
 
 
Podcasts
 
  • Variability of Practiced Revisited – Perception-Action Podcast #91
  • The Legacy of Nikolai Bernstein I – Problems in Movement Coordination
  • The Legacy of Nikolai Bernstein II – Skill Acquisition Through Free(z)ing Degrees of Freedom
  • Just Fly Podcast – Cody Plofker
  • Just Fly Podcast – Justin Moore
  • CVASP – Jeremy Frisch
  • All Things Strength & Wellness – Nick Littlehales
  • All Things Strength & Wellness – Fergus Connolly
  • Radio Lab – Poop Train
  • Joe Rogan Experience – Jordan Peterson
  • Joe Rogan Experience – Danica Patrick
 
 
Research
 
  • Guadagnoli, M. A., & Lee, T. D. (2004). Challenge point: a framework for conceptualizing the effects of various practice conditions in motor learning. Journal of motor behavior, 36(2), 212-224.
 
This paper explores the effects of practice conditions on motor learning, specifically looking at contextual interference and knowledge of results. Learning is related to information arising from performance, which should be prioritized during training/practice. The challenge point hypothesis is presented.
 
 
  • Ajemian, R., D’Ausilio, A., Moorman, H., & Bizzi, E. (2010). Why professional athletes need a prolonged period of warm-up and other peculiarities of human motor learning. Journal of motor behavior, 42(6), 381-388.
 
The warm-up for high level athletes needs to seen as more than just general ie raising body temperature, preparing tissues, increasing CNS – but rather as a chance to recalibrate fine motor skills
 
 
  • Amazing Athletes With Ordinary Habits: Why Is Changing Behavior So Difficult?."International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(10), pp. 1273–1274
 
We all know that eliminating non-desirable behaviors can be difficult, even when there is a clear understanding that poor habits are detrimental. Athletes often know the benefits of diet, exercise, and drinking less alcohol, yet short-term bursts of enthusiasm are more common than long-term change. Academics in behavior change consistently report that efforts to change health behaviors, such as the ones mentioned, have had limited success.
Experienced coaches and sport scientists often represent the “front line” when it comes to promoting changes in an athlete’s behavior and positive habits. Unfortunately, change is often difficult; some athletes will resist change, as the effort required to change poor behaviors may not always seem to be worth it. Or, perhaps fear of the outcome stifles initiation and following through with desired changes.
Trying to get athletes to sleep more is a common example of trying to modify behavior to improve performance. Many will agree that sleep is a pleasant activity. Additionally, sleep researchers have revealed many benefits of consistent sleep for the athlete. The fact that most individuals actually like to sleep and complain when they do not get enough sleep suggests that it should not be difficult to get athletes to improve sleep behavior. However, athletes often obtain well below the general recommendation of 8 hours of sleep per night. 
Potentially one of the hardest things to change is the use of electronic devices before bed. How do we get our athletes to limit or stop Instagram and Netflix time creeping into sleep time? How do we get athletes to prioritize sleep over “the fun stuff.”? Athletes can have knowledge and desire, but continue to miss out on what is good for them. We can know something and even believe that changing a behavior is important and yet still do nothing. Clearly, changing behavior is more complex than just common sense. If it were simple we would all make the changes we know we should make.
Behavioral modification has been theoretically discussed and applied by many. More recently, Bill Beswick (British sports psychologist) presented a model that discusses 3 drivers of behavioral change, credibility, reliability, and intimacy, all underpinned by trust.
In elite sport, credibility is crucial; on one hand there are the necessary qualifications to consider, and on the other hand, and perhaps even more important, is “street credibility,” which is typically related to the level of experience possessed by the sports scientist or coach. It is relatively easy to provide athletes with basic sleep information, but to be effective it can be important to consider issues such as late-night video games and caffeine use that are unique to the elite athlete. Sometimes “experts” in their fields cannot connect and engage with the athlete if they do not fully understand the athlete’s world. The second driver Beswick refers to is reliability. How many times have you heard a sport scientist promise to deliver a report or follow-up with the athlete, yet fail to deliver? If you are not reliable, athletes’ trust can be lost and athletes may not want to work with you. The third driver is intimacy, similar to emotional intelligence and reflecting how in tune you are with the athlete. How well do you listen, observe body language, and understand the athlete’s mood without even talking? Will the athlete open up to you about what may be interfering with his or her sleep or just lie and tell you everything is going fine? And, of course, many athletes may actually like sport science but not like the sport scientist they work with.


  • Florent Lebon, Célia Ruffino, Ian Greenhouse, Ludovica Labruna, Richard B Ivry, Charalambos Papaxanthis; The Neural Specificity of Movement Preparation During Actual and Imagined Movements, Cerebral Cortex
 
Current theories consider motor imagery, the mental representation of action, to have considerable functional overlap with the processes involved in actual movement preparation and execution. To test the neural specificity of motor imagery, we conducted a series of 3 experiments using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We compared changes in corticospinal excitability as people prepared and implemented actual or imagined movements, using a delayed response task in which a cue indicated the forthcoming response. TMS pulses, used to elicit motor-evoked responses in the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the right hand, were applied before and after an imperative signal, allowing us to probe the state of excitability during movement preparation and implementation. Similar to previous work, excitability increased in the agonist muscle during the implementation of an actual or imagined movement. Interestingly, preparing an imagined movement engaged similar inhibitory processes as that observed during actual movement, although the degree of inhibition was less selective in the imagery conditions. These changes in corticospinal excitability were specific to actual/imagined movement preparation, as no modulation was observed when preparing and generating images of cued visual objects. Taken together, inhibition is a signature of how actions are prepared, whether they are imagined or actually executed.
 
 
  • Jarvis, P., Turner, A., Chavda, S., & Bishop, C. (2017). The acute effects of heavy sled towing on subsequent sprint acceleration performance. Journal of Trainology, 6(1), 18-25.
 
Eight athletes performed sprints under three different weighted sled conditions – 1x50% body mass, 2x50% body mass, 3x50% body mass followed by unweighted sprints (15m) after 4,8,12 min rest. Significantly faster sprint times for 3x50% body mass protocol following 8min rest compared to 1x50%, 2x50%
 
 
  • Faubert, J. (2013). Professional athletes have extraordinary skills for rapidly learning complex and neutral dynamic visual scenes. Scientific reports, 3, 1154.
 
 
A distinguishing factor explaining the capacities of professional athletes is their ability to learn how to process complex dynamic visual scenes.
 
 
  • Young, W. B., Miller, I. R., & Talpey, S. W. (2015). Physical qualities predict change-of-direction speed but not defensive agility in Australian rules football. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29(1), 206-212.
 
Reactive strength and sprint acceleration are important for COD speed, but those qualities are not associated with defensive agility performance.
 
 
  • Farrow, D., & Robertson, S. (2017). Development of a skill acquisition periodisation framework for high-performance sport. Sports Medicine, 47(6), 1043-1054.
 
 
Unlike physical training, skill acquisition does not currently utilize periodization to plan, monitor and evaluate programs.
 
 
  • Guadagnoli, M. A., & Lee, T. D. (2004). Challenge point: a framework for conceptualizing the effects of various practice conditions in motor learning. Journal of motor behavior, 36(2), 212-224.
 
Motor learning is related to the information arising from performance. Authors look at practice variables such as skill level and task difficulty.
 
 
  • Greenham, G., Hewitt, A., & Norton, K. (2017). A pilot study to measure game style within Australian football. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 17(4), 576-585.
 
Game style was measured using 12 performance indicators. This analysis can highlight areas of concern in specific play periods or phases and help with organizing training drills and practice.
 
 
  • Gabbett, T., & Masters, R. (2011). Challenges and solutions when applying implicit motor learning theory in a high performance sport environment: Examples from Rugby League. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching,6(4), 567-575.
 
Aim of this paper is to describe some of the challenges faced by high-performance coaches and athletes who may wish tot use implicit motor learning to frame potential solutions with respects to Australian NRL.
 
 
Books
 
  • Deep Work – Cal Newport
  • How Children Succeed – Paul Tough
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2017 In Review

1/1/2018

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I keep an open Word document on my computer where I write up all my random thoughts, quotes I hear, research I like, notes from books/podcasts/lectures. I look back on this document every couple of weeks to remind myself of things I found important.
Decided I would take a little time to organize this file and post it in hopes other coaches may gain something from it. Here's what the Table of Contents looks like...

​
Table of Contents
 
Books…………………………………………………………………………………………. 3        
 
Notes………………………………………………………………………………………... 12
 
Research…………………………………………………………………………………... 24
 
Articles…………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
 
Sample Programs……………………………………………………………………… 35



You can read here, or download the file.
​Enjoy!
2017_review_.pdf
File Size: 488 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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    Michael Zweifel CSCS-

    Owner and Head of Sports Performance. National Player of the Year in Division 3 football. Works with athletes including NFL, NHL, and Olympic athletes.

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