in Power development, Proprioception and balance, Speed development, Strength
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most athletes find themselves trapped within their home surroundings with limited resources for exercise. With events canceled globally and training programs halted, Trevor Langford begins a series on how sports professionals can ensure athletes remain focused, conditioned, and ready to return to training once give the ‘all clear.’ This article... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Improve, Strength
The immediate benefits of a resistance training program include improved strength, larger muscle volume, stronger bones, and tendons that withstand the burdens of added load. For athletes, strength training also helps improve performance and prevent injuries, especially when tailored to the needs of their sport. The challenge is finding the time to adhere to a... MORE
in Prevent, Shoulder injuries, Strength
Tracy Ward explores the subject of shoulder instability; what preventative measures can athletes take to prevent its occurrence or worsening? Shoulder instability is the abnormal movement of the shoulder joint beyond normal physiological ranges, which can result in subluxation (partial displacement) or dislocation (full displacement) of the humeral head in the glenoid cavity (shoulder joint... MORE
in Improve, Power development, Strength
The debate continues surrounding appropriate timing and volume for implementing plyometric training in return-to-play rehabilitation. Pat Gillham looks at the latest thinking ‘Plyometric exercise’ was a term coined in 1964(1). Plyometrics exercises exploit the benefits of the plyometric regime and involve the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC)(2). Thanks to the muscles’ pre-stimulation during the eccentric phase, plyometrics... MORE
in Power development, Strength
In part one of this two-part series, Pat Gillham looked at injury incidence and prevention in golfers. In this article, Pat explores the role of strength and conditioning for enhancing golf performance. Simple physics tells us that by generating more force against the ground (vertical ground reaction force), we can increase velocity. This applies directly to... MORE
in Hip injuries, Knee injuries, Overuse injuries, Strength
In the first part of this two-part article, Alicia Filley reviewed the recent research on the underlying biomechanics of illiotibial band syndrome. In part 2, she looks at diagnosis and treatment options. In some athletes, repeated knee flexion causes the illiotibial band (ITB) to produce friction over the lateral femoral condyle (LFE), or compression of the... MORE
in Anatomy, Diagnose & Treat, Leg injuries, Strength
Adam Smith explores the anatomy of intramuscular hamstring tendons, outlines an injury classification system and using a case study, provides treatment and rehab options following surgical repair. Hamstring injuries are the most common muscular injury in athletes with most injuries occurring at the musculotendinous junction(1-3). There is some evidence that injuries that involve the intramuscular... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Power development, Strength
Running injuries to the knees and ankles often occur as a result of gluteal weakness. Without stability at the pelvis, the lower body bears the brunt of the forces of running in ways they weren’t designed to do. Therefore, strengthening the gluts is usually a priority for injured runners. Which exercises are the best to... MORE
in Ankle and foot injuries, Diagnose & Treat, Strength
Chris Mallac looks at the anatomy and biomechanics of the FHL the pathogenesis of possible injury, and provides detailed rehabilitation suggestions. The flexor hallucis longs (FHL) has been referred to as the ‘Achilles of the foot’ due to its unique role controlling mid foot pronation and supination. Its physiological and mechanical properties allow it to act... MORE
in Diagnose & Treat, Improve, Power development, Strength
Luke Heath looks at the evidence for blood flow restriction training; does it benefit athletes who require rapid post-injury rehab and if so, how should it be performed MORE