In Pursuit of Performance

Job posting: West Ham United - Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach (Academy)

2012-02-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

Thought this may interest some readers of this blog. WHU Academy has a fantastic tradition, and many experienced sport scientists in the sport are now turning to such roles as more can be achieved at the academy level than in first team positions. Good luck to those applying!

Job posting (via UKSCA website)

Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach (Academy)
Closing Date: Monday 27th February 2012 Location: South East
Full time/Part time: Full Time
Position Type: Strength & Conditioning Coach Salary: £25000 per annum (non-negotiable)
An opportunity has become available for a motivated and enthusiastic Strength and Conditioning Coach to join West Ham United Football Club’s Academy Sports Medicine & Sports Science department on a full-time basis.
The successful applicant will be part of the Academy Sports Science team providing strength and conditioning coaching to Academy players from all age groups. The role primarily involves assisting the Lead Sports Scientist and Head of Sports Science and Medicine with the full-time scholars and development squad. Additionally, the role will involve Athletic Development coaching for the 5-16 year old players.
Main roles and responsibilities will include:

Planning and implementing individual/group strength and conditioning sessions for the under 15 to under 21 age groups.
Overseeing athletic development sessions with the younger Academy age groups.
Assisting the medical staff with individual/group training preparation.
Formulation of injury reduction programs for all Academy age groups.
The successful applicant will:
- Be qualified to degree level in strength and conditioning or equivalent.
- Preferably have UKSCA/NSCA accreditation or equivalent.
- Have experience working within an Academy system or sporting organisation.
- Be available to work flexible hours (including evenings and weekends).
- Be an organised individual with good communication skills.
- Have a current driving license that is full and clean.
  To apply please email your CV with a covering letter to: Tom Smith - tsmith@westhamunited.co.uk

CESSCE Research: Ashley Kavanaugh - WBV & static jump performance

2012-02-01T03:06:00.000-08:00

Kavanaugh, A., Ramsey, M.W., Sands, W.A., Haff, G.G., and Stone, M.H.
Acute whole-body vibration does not affect static jump performance.

European Journal of Sport Science

Currently, whole-body vibration is being used to promote enhanced performance. Many coaches and athletes believe that it can acutely enhance explosive performance and power output. However, the scientific literature is unclear as to whether this enhancement occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of whole-body vibration on static jump performance, including jump height, peak force, rate of force development, and peak power. Fourteen recreationally active individuals (5 females, 9 males) participated in three separate randomized treatment sessions. Treatment 1 consisted of no vibration while treatment 2 and treatment 3 incorporated whole-body vibration. The whole-body vibration protocol consisted of three 30-s bouts of vibration performed at 30 Hz and low amplitude (~3 mm) with a 30-s rest between bouts. Treatment 1 was identical in duration to both treatments 2 and 3, but did not contain any vibration. Five minutes after each treatment, the participants performed the static jump protocols. Two (data averaged) non-weighted static jumps and two 20 kg weighted jumps were performed. Treatments 1 vs. 2, 1 vs. 3, and 2 vs. 3 were calculated for each variable at both 0 kg and 20 kg. Jump height, peak force, rate of force development, and peak power were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. The intra-class correlations comparing the two trials of each jump for each of the three treatments were ≥0.92. Compared with the no-vibration condition, jump height showed a non-significant increase as a result of whole-body vibration for both unweighted and weighted jumps; peak force, rate of force development, and peak power were not statistically different. The results indicate that whole-body vibration has no effect on jump height, peak force, rate of force development or peak power during static jumping.

CESSCE Research: Dr. Kimitake Sato - Weightlifting shoes & squatting

2012-01-30T12:12:00.000-08:00

Sato, K., Fortenbaugh, D., and Hydock, D.S.

Kinematic changes using weightlifting shoes on barbell back squat.

J Strength Cond Res 26(1): 28–33, 2012

The purpose of this study was to validate a higher degree of foot segment angle by wearing the weightlifting (WL) shoes and to determine the kinematic differences between WL shoes and running shoes during the barbell back squat. College-aged individuals volunteered to participate in this study (N = 25). After warm-up, subjects performed 60% of 1RM barbell back squat. Reflective markers were placed on lower extremity joints and end of the bar to create segments to analyze kinematics of the barbell back squat from a 2-dimensional view. Three separate repeated measure analyses of variance were used at p = 0.05. Results showed that there was a difference between the footwear conditions; foot segment angle of 3.5° (p < 0.05) and trunk lean of 22 mm (p < 0.05) were captured when wearing WL shoes. However, thigh segment peak flexion angle was not statistically different (p = 0.37). Wearing WL shoes seems to be beneficial in reducing the overall trunk lean, because this position is believed to reduce the amount of shear stress in the lower back area. Back squat with WL shoes also increased foot segment angle and possibly contributes to greater muscle excitation in knee extensors. Weightlifting shoes did not help reach thigh segment closer to horizontal as compared with the running shoe condition. It is recommended that WL shoes be used by those who are prone to displaying a forward trunk lean and who aim to increase knee extensor activation.

Science and Football V & VI for sale

2012-01-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

Having recently gone over to the "dark side" of e-books, I am selling the two latest Science and Football books. It pains me to pass these on as they have been very helpful to my work, but it makes no sense having both electronic and physical copies.

Please check out the amazon.com links below and click on the used book listings (such as "10 used from $XXX"). My seller name is HSGray.

Science in Football V

Science in Football VI

Obviously you can trust my descriptions of each book's conditions, but feel free to email me at sportscienceed@gmail.com for more information. Proceeds go towards a new laptop for my studies!

CESSCE Research: Chris MacDonald - Complex training

2012-01-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well done to colleagues Chris MacDonald and Dr. Hugh Lamont, along with Dr. John Garner on this recent publication. I will be posting abstracts of each of the research articles that we produce out of the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education from now on.

MacDonald, C.J., Lamont, H.S., and Garner, J.C.
A comparison of the effects of six weeks of traditional resistance training, plyometric training, and complex training on measures of strength and anthropometrics.
J Strength Cond Res 26(2): 422–431, 2012

Complex training (CT; alternating between heavy and lighter load resistance exercises with similar movement patterns within an exercise session) is a form of training that may potentially bring about a state of postactivation potentiation, resulting in increased dynamic power (Pmax) and rate of force development during the lighter load exercise. Such a method may be more effective than either modality, independently for developing strength. The purpose of this research was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT), plyometric training (PT), and CT on lower body strength and anthropometrics. Thirty recreationally trained college-aged men were trained using 1 of 3 methods: resistance, plyometric, or complex twice weekly for 6 weeks. The participants were tested pre, mid, and post to assess back squat strength, Romanian dead lift (RDL) strength, standing calf raise (SCR) strength, quadriceps girth, triceps surae girth, body mass, and body fat percentage. Diet was not controlled during this study. Statistical measures revealed a significant increase for squat strength (p = 0.000), RDL strength (p = 0.000), and SCR strength (p = 0.000) for all groups pre to post, with no differences between groups. There was also a main effect for time for girth measures of the quadriceps muscle group (p = 0.001), the triceps surae muscle group (p = 0.001), and body mass (p = 0.001; post hoc revealed no significant difference). There were main effects for time and group × time interactions for fat-free mass % (RT: p = 0.031; PT: p = 0.000). The results suggest that CT mirrors benefits seen with traditional RT or PT. Moreover, CT revealed no decrement in strength and anthropometric values and appears to be a viable training modality.

The full text version of this article is available to NSCA members and/or through your library.

The NCAA - making the best of it...

2012-01-11T16:06:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: While we are given some opportunities by the NCAA - some of which are described below - their rules are still ridiculous and counteractive to the wellness and success of soccer players!

It is rare to come across a situation where "best practice" is 100% applicable to any one situation. "Best practice" really should be unique each individual situation and the complete environment about it.

When speaking with an old colleague while I was at home in England over Christmas, we got on to talking about muscle strains. We have had very few here at ETSU over the past few seasons. A fraction of what is happening at the professional level. Yes I feel that we do do a good job with our strength training and managing fatigue, but really we do have something else to be thankful for (in this regard).

I have bashed the NCAA many times. It's rules, specifically with regards to soccer, limit development as athletes and players. However, IF, and it is a big IF, the player do buy in to your program, the opportunity to "build the engine" with general training is great.

I firmly believe that the ability to perform general training has a huge role to play in limiting the incidence of preventable injury. If this chance is seized strongly by the SCCs, coaches, and of course the athletes, then progress is bound to follow. Naturally, coaches are going to focus on the fall season. But the work has to be well underway by this point (with returning players) to take advantage of the physical oppurtunities presented to us.

The term "general training" could be taken many ways - and it is not the scope of this blog to define it in depth (maybe in future writings). What I do want to be taken away from is that doing 100% "sport specific" work (playing the game and little but...) all year every year is only going to exacerbate the injury problems in the game.

The always strained face of

Darren "Sicknote" Anderton

Going back to best practice. We can only handle the cards in which we are dealt by the powers that be. Christmas break, the first half of the spring when we are not playing games, and the summer are times for us working in college soccer to develop the athlete that can then help them become better soccer players and avoid injuries that plague world soccer such as Dazzaandertonitis.

Top & under-visited blogs of 2011

2012-01-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

2011 has been a year where I have been able to write a fair amount. Admittedly blogs have come in bunches - hopefully I can write more regularly in the future!

Top blogs of 2011, by pageviews

1. Power balance bracelets - false claims admitted

Google searches no doubt playing a role here in this being number 1.

2. Thoughts on the Soccer Journal article: "Multi-Sport Athletes: Saints or Sinners?"

A rant by yours truly reporting on a somewhat narrow view on a very important topic.

3. NSCA... Why?

A slightly angry rant. But would not change a thing from this post even now. It all needed to be said. To be fair to the NSCA they have responded to the junk email issue.

4. Appreciating and learning from other sports

Although we need to become well read and experienced in our respective sports, lets not forget or disregard the excellent work being done in other disciplines.

Under-visited blogs (in no particular order)

1. Football / soccer strength and conditioning at different levels

Two part piece that I enjoyed writing illustrating that it is more than just the football and the athletes that differs between the levels.

2. Ex-pros as fitness / S&C coaches in professional football

Perhaps a different perspective to the usual on this hot topic.

3. Being a busy bas**rd

We all should be one at times.

4. Preseason: Low volume & always avoiding fatigue?

Some factors going into planning your preseason and how fatigue is a part of this.

5. The effectiveness of the strength and conditioning coach

A critical look into gauging success with teams.

Book of the year

Strength and Conditioning: Biological Principles and Practical Applications

Marco Cardinale, Robert Newton, & Kazunori Nosaka (Eds.)

Tools that improve the efficiency of my work every day

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

Dropbox - 2 GB free - get 250 MB extra by clicking this link

Kale Poland - Proposal for New Years

2012-01-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

Kale Poland, my good friend, former classmate, and competitive ultra triathlete posted this on his blog a couple of weeks ago.Obviously most relevant with the general population, it could easily be applied to athletes and young sport scientists / S&C coaches.

In situations like these - it is easy to be critical, however to be critical with no offer of assistance isn't going to help anyone. What newcomers need is help in it's purest form - with no ulterior motive. This is sometimes rare in the fitness industry. Over to Kale:

Resolution Proposal for the Original Gangstas of Fitness
January 1.
New Years.

Soon, the gym you know will not be the same.
You'll enter at the normal hour, and the treadmill you always use at that time will be occupied.

Flustered, you look over towards the stationary bike you sometimes use, and are frustrated to find that again, someone has dominated your usual machinery.

Glancing around the gym, the scene is the same: sweaty people fumbling with buttons on the cardio machines, constantly adjusting equipment, eyes darting around self-consciously.

Ah, yes. Resolution Season is almost here.
And this is where I throw you off.

I've been participating in endurance sports all of my life. I cannot help but notice that the further I continue on this journey of fitness, the more jaded I become. I think this happens to anyone who experiences too much in one particular area.
Been there, done that, becomes the attitude.

Most Original Gangstas in the fitness community can't help but look at the Posers with disdain and disgust.
It's not because of their weight or their appearance, it's just drastic perspective difference. People that LIVE the fitness lifestyle look forward to and enjoy their training. Resolutioners look at their workouts like a chore, and value their workout about as much as they value cleaning their toilet. This is why they last until about.... mid February at best. As long as the thought of a workout as misery prevails, fitness will not.

Maybe it's time for a change of perspective for the OGs in the fitness world. It's so easy to be a prick, sitting there glaring at the people struggling to bench a bar with no weight on it.

Instead of counting down the hours and minutes until another Resolution dream is crushed, why not look at the influx of new people in the gym as a chance to create new recruits to the army of the fit?
I think most give up because they have no idea what they are doing. Ignorance is not bliss in the gym.
Why not give some tips? Exchange email addresses if the encounter is good, and hold them accountable.

I'm not saying make a new workout partner, but shooting them an email asking how their workouts are going once in a while is enough to keep some people going...maybe enough even to get over that mid-February hump.
One winter, I did something like this, and started a running group for beginners. Some of these people are now very good friends of mine.
To see some of them now running ultras and becoming serious athletes is more rewarding than my own accomplishments.

We OGs have this foundation of knowledge from years and years of living and breathing and dreaming fitness. Why continue on this odyssey by selfishly withholding information that might otherwise make something click in someone?
Of course, motivation cannot be coached, and some people just don't want it bad enough.
However, some do. They just don't know where to start.
That's where we come in.

Happy Holidays.
Thanks for reading,

kalerp

Cheers Kale - always someone that speaks from the heart and looks after the welfare of other people.
Check out more of Kale's stuff below.
Website: http://www.kalepoland.com/
Blog: http://endurancegeek-kalerp.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @kalepoland

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone's 2012 is filled with success and happiness.

Personally, although I am not huge on new year resolutions or making big changes just because of the turning in the calendar, I do feel I can do better in creating formal goals for myself (and my athletes).

This is likely to be a year where change occurs for me as in the latter half of 2012 I will be looking for a new job as I will be entering the final stages on my PhD at East Tennessee State University.

Best of luck in all your endeavors - lets hope that the mayan's weren't right, and that the year 2012 turns out better than the film made about it!

Dropbox - if you are not using it - start now

2011-12-21T09:56:00.000-08:00

If you are not using Dropbox - then you need to start using it now.

Dropbox makes sharing work and resources between different computers and/or people so much easier. It acts as a regular folder on your computer and so you can drag and drop files rather than having to upload and download as is common with other ways of sharing. An added bonus is if you happen to mistakenly delete or modify any files then you can go back to previous versions backed up on the dropbox website.

If you click on: http://db.tt/daplfbF and sign up then I get a referral bonus (extra free storage space). Sure this is a shameless plug that will benefit me, but once signed up you can invite your friends and get more free space yourself. You get 2 GB free to start with. Go for it!

Strength and conditioning internship: Alpha Omega Performance

2011-12-20T13:12:00.000-08:00

There is an internship opening up for the spring semester. It is at a facility ran by a former college of mine at ETSU - Henry Nowell. Please see the posting below and if interested visit check out alphaomegaperformance.com and email their info to info.alphaomegaperformance@gmail.com.

Open to all students in the Exercise Science Dept, Alpha Omega Performance Training, located in Gulf Breeze. (1147 Gulf Breeze Pkwy). An affiliate of the Gulf Breeze Aerobic and Fitness is looking for interns this spring. Applicants that are interested in the field of Strength and Conditioning/ application of Sport Science research. The students will be introduced to Alpha Omegas research based curriculum and training methodology. Over the semester the student will be introduced to variety of disciplines that are involved in sports performance such as; functional movement screening, biomechanics, olympic weightlifting, sprint mechanics, anatomy, physiology, program prescription and application. Alpha Omega's clientele consists of youth to collegiate athletes that aspire to enhance their athletic potential. The intern will aid in performance training sessions (coaching), and day to day tasks of running a Performance Training facility. Daily tasks of consist and not secluded to, aid in the Alpha athlete monitoring program (A.M.P), learning progressions and technique in Sprinting and resistance training (kinetics and kinematics), as well as daily maintenance of the facility. This is a great opportunity for any student looking to further their education/ experience in the Strength and Conditioning field. The Intern will be guided towards how to obtain distinguished certifications in the field, such as NSCA CSCS or USAW Performance Coach. Alpha Omega is also the only competitive USAW sanctioned Olympic Lifting team (Emerald Coast Weightlifting Club) in the area as well as Certified Speed Tracs® operator.

A little about the Director of Performance:

Henry Nowell is the Lead Trainer at Alpha Omega Performance. He is a graduate of East Tennessee State University where he studied Sport Science at a Graduate level and has had experience working with many different athletes from grass roots to collegiate level. Prior to ETSU Henry has worked at Velocity Sport Performance and received a degree in Physical Education and Coaching at Radford University, Va. His primary focus of training is speed development with interests in methods of resistance training such as Olympic lifting movements, due to their contributions to aiding in performance. His athletic background ranges from men’s rugby to track and field and Olympic weight lifting. Currently Henry is placing a strong interest in biomechanics, strength/power adaptations to resistance training and sport specific training programming. Post graduation, Henry participated in research at the Andrews Institute and Speed Tracs®, as a performance coach.

info.alphaomegaperformance@gmail.com

alphaomegaperformance.com
AOP on Facebook

Notes from UKSEM 2011 by David Sutton

2011-12-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

Via news feeds and social media online, I heard a great deal of good things about the UKSEM conference this past November. For those of you not familiar with this event, here is a description from the website:

"Europe's largest interdisciplinary Conference on Sports Science, Medicine, Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Performance Coaching"
www.uksem.org

Although I was not lucky enough to attend, I wanted to help spread the news of this great event here, so asked David Sutton, who also presented at the conference, to write a few words. As always, he has been able to pick out some important messages that are practically applicable to us in our pursuit of performance. Thank you David for doing this.

I am honoured to be writing a blog for Howard Gray. From a few discussions online and meeting at the UKSCA conference in 2010, we have become good friends and he is always someone I can turn to for advice.

As there have already been a couple of excellent reviews of UKSEM here http://jplightfoot.com/2011/11/27/uksem-a-recap/ and http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2011/11/27/moneyball-rewarding-excellent-sports-medicine-care-but-check-your-indemnity-limit-you-may-need-more-if-treating-elite-professional-athletes/ and http://www.coachmattsmith.com/2011/12/01/uksem-2011/

Howard writes predominantly about monitoring and evidence-based practice, so I am going to highlight some thoughts and highlights from the UKSEM conference that touched on this area.

Vernon Neville presented a fascinating insight into the demands of American Cup Sailing. There were several interesting physical demands, not least the challenge of thermoregulation when going downwind (cold) vs working to get upwind (hot). However what I really took away was their monitoring of Salivary Iga and the link with upper respiratory infections. This has been published Here and demonstrated how managing the risk of this through careful monitoring could maximise training sessions. Similar research has been done in female soccer here without success and successfully with endurance athletes here. I think with some sports it has potential to be a massive benefit, whilst for others, the resource required could perhaps be better allocated to areas. It would be perhaps useful to establish baseline data for a team during off season and then target key areas of the season that are most demanding schedule or training wise to test for Iga.

Dr Tom Dawson, who comes from a Sports Medicine background and has lectured and published extensively led a great workshop on defining what data in sport actually is. Whilst times, reps and sleep are all regularly monitored, consider, impact of weather, academics, health, family, sponsors and media as all having the potential to have a great impact on performance. Whilst as scientists and coaches, we are very good at identifying areas that we feel are important and then attempting to analyse them, he then further to ask a great question - Where does your athlete get their data from? There is a continually growing amount of information available on the internet plus other athletes, coaches, articles and 'well wishers', all presenting data in the form of performance, opinion and coaching techniques. Whilst the coach may be providing feedback to the athlete in the best form they feel appropriate, the athlete is often comparing this and themselves to the other data sources that they receive.

After making the excellent point that "Why does iTunes know more about you than your doctor?" He then went on to demonstrate a new free online sports monitoring software called Elite Performance Network that he has been involved in developing which uses a 3 tiered social network as its structure to analyse information from the athlete, medical support and coaches. Whilst there are already a number of excellent free and commercial options for athlete monitoring available, this I believe the first one that 'learns' in a similar way that Itunes or Google does. Clearly social networking is not going away anytime soon, and whilst I believe that systems will never replace coaching, with ever increasing levels of data to manage, perhaps having a system that helps us by searching for trends in behaviour and data will help to compliment coaching?

A couple of additional short highlights from the conference.

Dr Karim Khan:

As as entertaining as always, Karim presented some frankly horrifying data on the cost to health of inactivity and how this is a greater cost to life than smoking, diabetes or obesity! He also highlighted the cost of inactivity; 1 day of total inactivity is an equivalent cost of smoking three cigarettes on your health. He finished his presentation with this excellent short film that is already gaining significant interest worldwide. Whilst the focus in primarily performance, for the young athletes who don’t 'make it' or for the majority of athletes who retire by 35, by consistently training, we are creating habits that will make massive positive impacts on their day to day health.

He also made the great point that Twitter is simplified Google. It was fascinating to see how Twitter was a live medium for not only feedback on presentations at the conference but also a means of delegates and those that had not been able to attend interacting.

Dr Marie-Elaine Grant

There is not a direct link between levels of pain from a tendinopathy and the actual pathology. Your athlete could be feeling significant pain and only be in a reactive stage or have a manageable level of pain and then tendon be in a degenerative state. Its important to use determine which stage the tendon is in and then provide appropriate guidance. She also highlighted that lack of Strength training, and in particular eccentric loading is often the cause of unsuccessful rehabilitation. In addition she highlighted the need for more proactive eccentric strength work in healthy athletes to prevent a tendinopathy.

Dr Fergus Connolly

I had long wanted to hear Fergus talk, as his reputation as a world class sport scientist consultant AND presenter is becoming well known. He had a great few points to consider how to maximise your sport science support.

1) If your shot your Sport Scientist in the morning, would it matter?!

2) Feedback of data to coaching and medical staff and players must be instant, not several hours later.

3) Coaching today is like (financial) trading. I feel that this point is very true. The financial implications not only within professional teams but also with funded athletes on Olympic programmes means that there is great scrutiny on performance.

David Sutton
performancetraining.org
@davidcsutton

Planned changes to NCAA soccer

2011-11-23T13:16:00.000-08:00

Some of you may be aware of the recent proposals from the NCAA regarding men's and women's soccer (along with other fall sports) at the Division 1 level. If you are not familiar, check out this article by examiner.com.

If you work in NCAA Division 1 soccer, are a player or parent, or know some that is, then I urge you to pass this blog on to them.

As previous blogs have probably indicated, I am not a fan of some of the NCAA rules in place. Many of them actually hurt the very welfare of the student-athletes that they are supposedly meant to protect. I will not go into these now, but will address the (some of the) new proposals below. The emphasis will be on the physical and injury side of this argument. I will leave the coaches, players, and administrators to discuss how college soccer will be impacted beyond this.

Reduction of Competition by 10%
Teams typically play around 20 games during the fall season so taking 10% away would leave 18. This is not many games in which to compete for a championship nor does it give much oppurtunity to develop the soccer athlete. I have discussed the packed schedule (these games tend to come in a 12 week season plus playoffs) and how this can lead to a very high risk of injury in NCAA soccer (especially when you consider the very short preseason period). Theoretically, two less games could aid with the management of fatigue (that is assuming the folk at the NCAA don't also reduce the length of the season). For this reason, my main arguments are with the changes below rather than with this one (this does not mean I am in favor of the 10% reduction).

Elimination of the Spring Season
As discussed above, the fall season (the one that truly counts) is already very brief (and may be getting shorter still). The negatives of this can be countered, in part, by a successful spring season. Playing on 5 competitive dates throughout the spring has a number of benefits as outlined in the examiner article, and taking this away may have a huge knock-on effect on the physical side of soccer and injuries:

Our research here shows that injuries are highest in most sports in the period when athletes return to extensive training and games.

This is especially true in soccer when the long gaps between seasons leads to a lack of preparation (despite the S&C coach's best efforts).
The gap from the end of the spring season to the beginning of the fall season is around 3.5 months. A long time. Extending this to 8+ months is madness.
If you were to ask an experienced expert in physical development, people at the very top of their field such as Frank Dick, Mike Stone, Vern Gambetta, and Dick Bate, then I am sure they would agree that such a gap is madness.
College soccer already has a long off-season (albeit one that is split in two), and yes this can help with developing certain physical attributes, however there is nothing that quite prepares a player for 90-110 minutes of intense match play than just that. The impact on the level of soccer performance to one side, injuries will be an even bigger problem in college soccer than they already are.
More serious injuries may likely follow. If the ultimate motives behind these changes is saving money (as it seems), then they are extremely short-sighted. The cost of insurance policies and medical bills will rise significantly.

Possible glimpse into preseason injuries -

orthopaedic surgeons across the country can't wait

Players will want to play more than they are allowed by the NCAA, and so summer leagues will probably prove to be where student-athletes turn to. Many current college players do this already and often with success. Unfortunately there can be problems:

There is a strong chance of injury while away with summer teams. Many of the teams are not run or coached as professionally as NCAA teams, and they often lack the support of qualified sports medicine and strength and conditioning staff. From voluntary self-reported data that I have collected in the past over the summer - there seems to be VERY little elements of fatigue management and injury prevention strategies.

The players are not "theirs" so why should they invest in this? It is the college programs that truly suffer if long-term injuries occur as so much is invested in these student-athletes. We had two starters suffer major injuries while away from us during the past summer and had to redshirt them.

The balance of more game experience vs. accumulation of chronic fatigue is a tough one. Some players (juniors and seniors) may be more prepared to go from a short but intense summer season straight into the subsequent short but very intense fall NCAA season. Younger and less physically-able players, however, now may be more inclined to go by this option to avoid the lack of games problem discussed above. This may be further exasperated by poor training practices.

The 5 playing dates in the spring, while not a full season by any means, brings about structure and motivation to training at this time of year.

Training endlessly with seemingly no end in sight would be hard for the majority of student-athletes. I can see problems with drink and drugs being a much bigger issue as the temptations of being a student with time on their hands come to the surface.
Academics are massively important in college sports. To say that traveling and playing in the spring significantly impacts studies however may be missing the point. 1. It is five dates - almost always played at the weekends avoiding lectures and exams. 2. I know that I had far better grades in the fall during play than when we we were out of season. The structured days and weeks in place help this.

Keep working hard and neglecting your social life,

next season is just at the end of this road

Restrictions brought about by the Soup-Nazi, errr I mean the NCAA, already keep / force out many good, well educated coaches and staff. Bringing in more rigid rules will make college soccer even less attractive to these people. Poorer coaches = a drop in performance and an increase in injury. I feel that my colleague Satoshi and myself do a pretty good job with the ETSU men's soccer team in regards to performance and injury. Future work in NCAA soccer seems far less attractive to us now and I am sure we are not the only people thinking this.

No ~~soup~~ soccer for you. Come back 1 ~~year~~ 9 months!

The ultimate impact of the proposals is that it will hurt the student-athletes collegiate experience. In addition, torn ligaments, muscles, and tendons will quite literally hurt them. The welfare of NCAA Division I soccer players, along with other fall sports, is at risk here and we all need to stand up to protect them and our sport(s). Please pass this on or get writing yourselves on the topic if you wish to have an impact.

Kind regards,

Howard Gray

Coaching Manager - CESSCE

Sport Scientist - ETSU Men's Soccer

The effectiveness of the strength and conditioning coach

2011-11-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

From time to time I tune in to the popular strength coach post casts (via iTunes and strengthcoach.com). While catching up on an older one, from September of this year, I heard talk of a discussion forum thread focusing on how to gauge the effectiveness of strength and conditioning coaches. Should it be based on wins and losses, number of olympians coached, championships won? Etc. etc.

Checking out the thread first hand, I saw that there were a number of good posts commenting that changes of physical abilities and reduction of injury may be the best indicators of success in our role. Even with these well thought out thoughts, it became apparent to me there really is little attention being paid to analyzing good evidence on the topic. Are we actually doing a good job?

If we are doing a good job, then we need good evidence to back this up. This will help us at stressful times with coaches and administrators. Especially at those times of the year when staff changes are common (coming up in American Football!!!).

If we are not doing a good job then we need to change what we are doing or move on. Simple as that.

So how might we go about analyzing our success in preparing our athletes for the demands in which they are faced?

Performance & Readiness

Physical attributes: Are your athletes getting better physically at appropriate times? This should be measured with valid and reliable tests that can track changes over time. How do the numbers compare to the same time the previous year? Do these measures relate to overall success? This, especially in a team sport is difficult to measure but may be estimated by a combination of coaches rank, player game ratings, stats and minutes played.

Performance at demanding times: Does your team perform well (physically and overall) at key times of the season? They should be as near to their best as possible for the playoffs or when competing against rivals or strong opposition (as identified by the coaching staff). This is a key goal of periodization.
Does your team tend to win or lose games in overtime? Do they outscore teams in the second half or do they roll over and give it up late on? Generally, the bigger the stakes, the closer the games will become. We can have an impact on the outcome.
Are athletes ready when it comes to game day? What are their ratings of fatigue or readiness? How confident are they in their preparation?
Are you meeting the goals of the athletes, coaches, and teams? Why or why not?
What you see with your eyes and hear with your ears can be indicators also. Are your defenders being bullied physically by opposing forwards? Do you tend to be the team initiating things in tight games, or are they just trying to hang on? Subjective opinions are fine, as long as you have real data that also seems to follow the trends you see.
Wins and losses, championships, and awards. Probably the least accurate measures of the strength coach's performance, but important nonetheless. If all of the above points show positive things, then winning percentages and performance are likely to improve.

Injury

What are your injury stats showing? As a strength and conditioning coach, you should be analyzing these numbers as closely as the sports medicine staff does. At ETSU our ATs use SportsWare online (www.swol123.net) to track a number of important numbers and factors:

Number of injuries - important although other stats may be more indicative of success in limiting the impact of injuries
Number of training days lost
Number of games lost
Mechanism of injury - contact or non-contact. High numbers of non-contact injury indicates that things may well be going wrong somewhere. That said, even non-contact injuries may be able to be limited if fatigue is managed.
Type of injury - muscle strains are possibly the most preventable injuries from a S&C standpoint. If you have a lot of these, then again, something is probably going wrong. Illness also can come when fatigue is not being managed.

Injuries can never be completely eliminated, but if you have a high number of the "more preventable" types and/or never seem to be able to field a full-strength team for big games, then performance will suffer. For every injury, there should be an analysis into what may or may not have gone wrong. What could have been done differently?

This may not be effective strength and conditioning

The majority of the above can be quantified and measured. This is important. It shouldn't come down purely to "I think", "I believe", "I feel". These are wishy-washy words that lack evidence and substance. Have a reliable and valid testing and monitoring system and keep meticulous records of what each of your athletes have done and you have the data to analyze your performance. This can then be computed into graphs, charts, and stats that can help either justify what you do, or show you where you need to improve (or both).

There are lots of other things that contribute to the above factors that may or may not be outside our control. It is often down to the whole performance team (coach, strength and conditioning coach, sports medicine staff). However we should not hide behind these possibilities. We can and should have an impact on overall performance and success of our athletes and teams. If not, why are we doing what we do?

I need to be careful with current data as it is sensitive and confidential, but will find a way of coming up with examples of an analysis that does not sacrifice this in the future.

Seasons End - 2011

2011-11-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, the ETSU Men's Soccer team's season ended in the Atlantic Sun Conference finals. It was an interesting season - with some ups and downs, differing form, and with a little controversy thrown in there for good measure.

For many people, the period immediately following the conclusion of the season is a time to relax and get away from it all. It is, rightfully, a period of active recovery for the majority of our players after all. For the sport science staff, however, these two weeks represent a busy period, possibly rivaling preseason in this regard.

Successes that we have had during the season need to be examined so that we can increase the chance of expanding these, if appropriate, in the future. Likewise, disappointments need to be investigated so that we can learn from them.

Going into too much detail here about our season would not be appropriate, but anyone following our progress would have seen the following play out.

Preseason

Preseason was a success in that we were very competitive against very strong opposition whilst allowing the majority of the squad to get their feet wet as we transitioned into the regular season. The returning players came back stronger (isometric peak force), more powerful (CMJ & SJ jump height, RFD), and with better agility-endurance (trial average) than in any previous preseason testing sessions. The indicators for each of these qualities are in brackets. We feel confident that we have the best combination of testing and monitoring in NCAA soccer.

Weighted static jump from 90 degree knee angle

Non-Conference Schedule

Our out-of-league play was very successful from a win and loss standpoint with 6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 tie against the strongest non-conference schedule in program history. 4 of these teams were ranked in the top 25 when we played them.

Atlantic Sun Conference

A slight wane in form, plus a little misfortune meant that we found ourselves in a mid-season hole. At the end of conference play, great credit must go to the players and coaching staff for not panicking when it seemed that things were going against us, and we were able to get the performances, and results that were needed to finish in the top 6.

Atlantic Sun Playoffs

Entering as the 6th seed in a 6 team tournament meant that we had to go the hard way. First up was the number 3 seeded Jacksonville University, a team that had beaten us 2-1 away earlier in the season (#3 played #6, and #4 played #5 with #2 and #1 receiving a bye). Happily, we started strongly behind David Haba's first two goals of the season and never really looked like surrendering the potentially dangerous 2-0 lead. This was even more satisfying for the sports medicine and sport science staff because David was just returning from a couple of games out.

Decent celebration from Haba to match the quality of the goals

Next up were the #2 seed Stetson University, complete with the Atlantic Sun offensive and defensive players of the year. The big worry here was that the extra game that we had to play 48 hours earlier would catch up with us. Thankfully, the whole staff's meticulous planning and preparations over the previous two weeks possibly helped us give as good a showing physically as our fresher opposition. Coming back from 2-0 down to 3-3 at full-time a, quite-frankly, incredible penalty shoot-out followed with misses for both teams seeming to come in bunches. Three shots into sudden death, Ryan Coulter was able to make his fourth save (from eight taken) allowing us to defend our conference title in the final. Words cannot express how impressive each of the four saves were that Ryan pulled off.

Is Ryan smiling as he saves this? BTW this penalty was not
hit as tamely as the photo would make it appear!

In the conference final we faced the number 1 seeded team in Florida Gulf Coast University. We were the only team to beat them in league play this season and so felt confident we could perform despite our tired legs. The home crowd was fantastic - as good as we have ever had at Summers Taylor Stadium.

In the first half, we had the ball in the back of the net twice, but both were disallowed for offside. The second of these was clearly offside, but I think you can make you mind up whether the decision was correct of not from the video screen-capture of the pass setting up the first "goal" below.

In the second half, we were really starting to assert our dominance on the game, but like so many times during the season, couldn't find the back of the net. Late on, a goal by FGCU definitely left us feeling like victims of a smash and grab.

Losing in the way that we did, considering our strong resurgence following a mid-season dip, makes me sure that we will be able to compete strongly again next year. As staff, we could not have asked any more of our players during the conference playoffs. We were very close to taking the hard way all the way to the NCAA national tournament. Bring on next year.

Finally, there is no way that I could write this blog post without mentioning the three senior players that we will be leaving us. Blake Pelton, Aaron Schoenfeld, and Ronnie Westbrook, thank you for being fantastic in training, games, and as people. My work with Blake in particular goes way back. It seems like yesterday that I was a Master's student (and a very green sport scientist) working with him in 2007. Good luck to them in all their future endeavors.

The three seniors and head coach Scott Calabrese

ETSU sport physiology & performance PhD students (2011)

2011-11-13T17:08:00.000-08:00

Last year I did two posts introducing the first ever PhD students in our program to give them some press and also help prospective students see the type of people currently studying here. This year I am reposting a blog from Mark Chiang.

These guys didn't take long to get their feet wet both academically and in their work with the teams and athletes that we support at East Tennessee State University. Great to have you all!

Ryan Alexander MS, CSCS
Raised in East Tennessee, returning home to pursue my PhD in Sport Physiology and Sport Performance. I attended Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and my Master’s Degree in Movement Sciences with a specialization in Exercise Science. While at Barry University I competed for four years in collegiate soccer at the NCAA Division II level. I am currently working with the women’s soccer program at East Tennessee State University with colleague Chris MacDonald. My interests for research include, testing and monitoring for sport specific variables that may attribute to the early detection of fatigue accumulation and/or overtraining.

Chris Bailey, M.Ed, CSCS
I am originally from Marietta, Georgia and I received my undergraduate degree in exercise science from Georgia College and State University (2006) in Milledgeville, Georgia. After graduating I worked at a private sports performance training facility for a year before going back to GCSU for a master’s degree in kinesiology/human performance. After completing my master’s degree (2009) I began working with the San Diego Padres as one of their minor league strength and conditioning coaches. I spent my first season with the Padres short season single A affiliate the Eugene Emeralds in Oregon. My second and final season with the Padres was spent in Texas with their AA affiliate the San Antonio Missions. I am currently pursuing the sports physiology track of the PhD program at ETSU. My research interests include: asymmetrical force production and its effects on sports performance,optimization of rate of force development, and the kinetics and kinematics of striking performance for combat sports.

Mark Chiang, M.P.E CSCS, ACSM-HFS
Hello- my name is Mark Chiang , I come from Taiwan, first year PhD student in sport performance concentration. I received my master’s degree from National Taiwan Sport University (exercise physiology major, minor in athletic training). My experiences in sport include working in the Taiwan national training center (sport science division) and coaching (as Strength and conditioning coach) of collegiate and national team.

The reason for studying abroad is because the unique opportunity to study under renowned sport scientist Dr. Stone and acquire practical training experiences. After years of searching, I know this is the best Sport Science PhD program in US. My research interests focus on Periodization training for team sports, especially maximized strength and power training and its transfer effects for agility performance. I’m so excited to work with great colleagues at ETSU.

James Hoffmann MS,CSCS,CPT
I was born and raised in Chicago IL. Before starting the PhD program here at ETSU I received both my B.S. in Biochemistry and my M.S. in Applied Exercise Physiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My favorite sport is Rugby, which I have been playing for several years.
I came to ETSU because I had grown tired of personal training and the more clinical aspects of exercise physiology. I really wanted to work with athletes in a hands on setting where I continue to learn about coaching and strength and conditioning. I really enjoy working with athletes of all ages and in the future I hope to teach sport science to students and work with Rugby players as the sport grows in popularity in the US.
My primary interests are high intensity interval training techniques for sport, specifically for sports involving repeated pushing/drving movements. Currently I am involved with Men’s Tennis, Men’s Golf, and High School Weightlifting and boys and girls Basketball

Keith Leiting MA, ATC
I grew up in Lemont, Illinois. I enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after high school. After my service I enrolled at Western Illinois University in exercise science with an emphasis in athletic training. I pursued my master’s degree at East Tennessee State University in sport and exercise science. Meanwhile, I was the athletic trainer for the ETSU women’s soccer team, gaining experience in sports medicine. I am currently working towards my Ph.D. in sport science. I work with the ETSU Army ROTC unit in pursuit of increasing soldier preparedness for combat operations. I hope to continue with this line of research and assist the armed forces in their physical preparation for combat.

Tim McInnis MS, CSCS, USA Weightlifting Senior Club Coach
I hail from the great state of Louisiana where exercise and health are staples of life…well I’m from Louisiana anyway. I completed my undergraduate in 2004 with a degree in exercise science from Louisiana State University Shreveport. I then went to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC for my masters in Exercise Science with a concentration in strength and conditioning (finished in 2006). After personal training for a year I took a job as the Health and Physical Education Facilities Coordinator at LSU Shreveport. During this time I was also a volunteer assistant coach for the USA Weightlifting High Performance and Development Center at LSU Shreveport. From 2009-2011 I served as the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympics chair for weightlifting. I currently coach the ETSU Stoneage weightlifting team. After I finish my Phd, my goal is to coach weightlifting and possibly teach in a university setting.

Jacob Reed MS, CSCS
Native to Muscatine, Iowa, I received my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Iowa in 2009. During my enrolment at UNI I played rugby and started fostering my passion for research. After completing my degree, I enrolled at the University of Memphis to pursue a Master’s degree in Health and Sport Science where my research focus was on concurrent training.Following Memphis, I moved to Johnson City where I am currently pursuing my PhD in Sport Performance. As a PhD I am interested in not only optimizing sport performance in elite athletes but also developing a method which could allow us to qualitatively assess the effectiveness of our Sport Performance Enhancement Consortium.

Zhanxin sha MS
My name is zhanxin sha. I am from China. It is my first year study at ETSU as PhD student. I got bachelor degree of exercise science in Liaoning Normal University. In 2007, I came to U.S pursing master degree through an exchange program between Liaoning Normal University and Emporia State University. Basketball and track& field are my favorite sports. To improve athletes performance and prevent them from injuries (biomechanical and physiological) are my interest.

Thanks to Mark for letting me post the bios. Below are links to last year's class.

2010 Part 1

2010 Part 2

Writing...

2011-11-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling fairly inspired of late - resulting in the blogs here and more creativity in my everyday work. Along with this, I have started writing an article, "Applying Sport Science to College Soccer" that we will aim to submit for publication in the Strength and Conditioning Journal early in the new year.

It will be a 2 or 3 part peice and will be aimed at strength and conditioning coaches, soccer coaches, sports medicine staff, and administrators working in NCAA and NAIA soccer. If you work in college soccer and have something you really wish to see covered in the article, please let me know. I want it to be "big picture" by design and would really appreciate any feedback here.

Sportably releases Training Log features

2011-11-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

Regular readers of my blog will have probably seen my plugs for Sportably before. Whether you have checked it out before or not, you really need to have a look at their newly released training log features. These new features are a BIG step in making it easier to manage and optimize your training programs. The features are free for every athlete, coach, and sport scientist to use, and should be a nice complement the daily monitoring set-up that has been operating for a while.
Here are some updates:

Athletes
- Track the sessions and exercises you perform each day
- Track session duration, RPE, heart rate training load and add custom session categories
- Several types of exercises (strength, speed/agility, endurance, flexibility) can be added to each session
- Custom exercises can be created if a particular exercise is not already in the database
- Graph, export and compare training and daily monitoring variables over time (for instance, in a few seconds you can now graph weight training volume load against resting heart rate or body weight over time)

Coaches, Sport Scientists and other Professionals
- Training Logs for all athletes on a team can be viewed by the professionals of that team
- Professionals can also graph, export and compare training and daily monitoring variables for each athlete over time
- Custom exercises can be created and shared so athletes can search for and add your custom exercises to their training log.

Jeremy Gentles, my colleague and fellow PhD student, runs Sportably. It has been so great to see how this system has developed over the past couple of years. We are always bouncing ideas around the office to expand and improve what it offers. We use it extensively with our athletes at ETSU and in the Center of Excellence for both applied work and research, so can certainly recommend it here. Of course this recommendation has nothing to do with Jeremy supplying me with some of his excellent home-brewed beer!

Check out Sportably here (it is all free)

Controversial issues: #3 Goings on at the University of Oklahoma

2011-11-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

Recent things that have come up provided the motivation for the next three blogs:

The published ahead of print Parchmann and McBride FMS article
The recent interaction between Dr. Mike Stone and Mike Boyle
The University of Oklahoma exercise science professor(s) accused of questionable practice in research

#3. My last two post have really focused on the need for proper evidence for the things we do. Formal research in a university environment is a big part of this. It is important, however, to consider that not all research is good research. Along with the study design, the way that it is done, how subjects are treated, and the ethics involved are vitally important. Check out the video below and the associated news article.

News on 6 complete article

Predictably, the TV news report focuses on all the wrong things - the seemingly brutal biopsy procedures shown on video. Yes the bruising from the biopsy does seem excessive, and other practices could be criticized, but the REAL issue here is to do with the accusations of falsifying results and conflicts of interest.

The professor in question has been influential within the NSCA for a while. The gentleman who has "left for Florida" is of even greater stature. Controversy like this is bad in any instance, but such high profile people involved makes it even worse. Sidenote on this - during the awards part of the banquet at this year's NSCA National Conference, an outsider at our table commented on the number of research awards Oklahoma were winning (all of them I think - as previously noted). Just an observation.

The accuracy of the claims regarding the conflicts of interest and falsification of results may well still be under investigation. I have not seen an update on it since this November 1st report. What is certain is that there are obviously bad feelings on the side of the graduate students at Oklahoma. It must have taken a lot of things to build up to result in such a person(s) going to the university administration and press. This is not good for these young people's careers either.

We may never know everything that went on - but this is a warning to all of us to treat the people we work with well, and fully involve them in the research process. Yes, sometimes graduate students will be used as subjects or for practice. This is fine if things are done well and professionally.

In part one and part two I was critical of some applied practices, and this serves as criticism of what may or may not be happening in research out there. Being critical is good if it open eyes and (hopefully) helps to make common practice better, little by little.

Controversial issues: #2 Mike Stone & Mike Boyle

2011-11-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Recent things that have come up provided the motivation for the next three blogs:

The published ahead of print Parchmann and McBride FMS article
The recent interaction between Dr. Mike Stone and Mike Boyle
The University of Oklahoma exercise science professor(s) accused of questionable practice in research

#2. Last month Perform Better hosted A Meeting of Minds seminar in Arizona. It has become fairly well-known that there was an interaction between Dr. Michael Stone and Michael Boyle during the latter's talk on strength and conditioning.

I am probably going to disappoint some of you when I tell you that I can't/won't give away too much about the disagreements that followed. I wasn't there, and distributing a second-hand account of what was discussed would not be the most professional thing to do. Apparently it is getting discussed out there on various internet forums. Although this content I am sure is interesting and debate-generating, I have managed to avoid reading it. God-knows who the people commenting are and how accurate or productive the discussion is.

What I will do, however, is state / remind you all of some things about Dr. Stone, along with what evidence-based practice is and the role of research and sport science in this.

The "research guy" vs. the "applied guy" situation would probably be a fascinating one for me if it wasn't, by it's very nature, so infuriating and frustrating. I am sure that other professionals in related fields are LAUGHING at us right now because this still exists in our "profession". I use the bunny ears because with the problems we currently face in our field we cannot truly call ourselves professionals, nor do we operate within a profession. Sadly.
Different people will always have a different emphasis / opinion in this world and this is fine - but to have such a divide is counterproductive to ourselves and more importantly our athletes. Everyone should have some background in sport science, and everyone should have practical/applied experience. Not one or the other. Just because someone may be a PhD does not mean they can't get out there and coach or haven't had any practical experience.

Firstly, a little about Dr. Stone.

It appears that the majority of people out there have lost focus about his background and role in sports:

Doc and his lab collects data in the real world of collegiate (and higher level) athletics. The primary purpose of this is to help each of the respective teams/athletes win. Research that comes out of it (in an effort to help other teams win) is supplemental to this.
Doc is as much a coach as he is the above researcher. He coaches a sport and athletes directly, is a former head strength coach of an SEC school, and gets his hands dirty everyday. He has been "in the trenches" of coaching, S&C, and sport science since the early 70's.
Doc lifts like (and with) his athletes everyday and is bloody strong and mobile for a man of his age.
He is married to, and greatly influenced by, a legend of strength and conditioning. Meg Ritchie Stone has been commanding respect as a coach since the early 80's, and as an Olympian and medal winning athlete since the 1970's.

Doc does not need defending - I just feel that much of the above is forgotten. We (his students), and many others out there aim to follow a similar path with regards to how we conduct ourselves in our career. Unfortunately it seems having done formal research and/or a real MS/MSc/MA/PhD is looked at as a negative thing in certain circles!

When we decide how we plan, carry out, and evaluate our practice, what is the process we go through? Should we not collect evidence (from our data and from others)? Yes - our own experience of certain training modalities does carry weight - but we have to understand how subjective evidence can be skewed by a number of outside factors, and by the error of human judgement. If we are to use our own practice as evidence then we need to take data (good data) and lots of it. In order for this to be the case, we all need to know and practice good sport science.

The argument that research is behind practice may true from a time standpoint, but doing a good job of practicing sport science everyday means that you should have access to up to date good data, and then formal research will come slightly later to compare with. If we go in "two-footed" with a training modality or piece of equipment without evidence, we may well be hurting our athlete's performance.

Lastly - using science when it backs you up but disregarding it when it goes against your practice is NOT cool and is about as bad a thing as you can do in our "industry"/"profession"/"marketing business"/"training play-pen".

Here is Part 3.

Controversial issues: #1 Recent FMS research

2011-11-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

Recent things that have come up provided the motivation for the next three blogs:

The published ahead of print Parchmann and McBride FMS article
The recent interaction between Dr. Mike Stone and Mike Boyle
The University of Oklahoma exercise science professor(s) accused of questionable practice in research

#1. The FMS (Functional Movement Screen / Functional Movement Systems) method of assessment has gained huge popularity over the past 10 years. Very little research, however, has been done on this kind of screening and so whenever something comes up it certainly creates discussion. Below is the published ahead of print abstract:

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Christopher J. Parchmann and Jeffrey M. McBride

Appalachian State University, Department of Health, Leisure & Exercise Science, Neuromuscular & Biomechanics Laboratory, Boone, NC 28607

Tests such as the functional movement screen (FMS) and maximal strength (1RM) have been theorized to assist in predicting athletic performance capabilities. Some data exists concerning 1RM and athletic performance but very limited data exists concerning the potential ability of FMS to assess athletic performance. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if FMS scores or 1RM are related to athletic performance, specifically in Division I golfers in terms of sprint times, vertical jump height, agility T-test times and club head velocity. Twenty- five NCAA Division I golfers (15 men, age = 20.0±1.2 yrs, height = 176.8±5.6 cm, body mass = 76.5±13.4 kg, squat 1RM = 97.1±21.0 kg) (10 women, age = 20.5±0.8 yrs, height = 167.0±5.6 cm, body mass = 70.7±21.5 kg, squat 1RM = 50.3±16.6) performed a FMS, 1RM testing and field tests common in assessing athletic performance. Athletic performance tests included 10 m and 20 m sprint time, vertical jump height, agility T-test time, and club head velocity. Strength testing included a 1RM back squat. Data for 1RM testing was normalized to body mass for comparisons. Correlations were determined between FMS, 1RM’s and athletic performance tests using Pearson product correlation coefficients (p ≤ 0.05). No significant correlations existed between FMS and 10m sprint time (r = -0.136), 20m sprint time (r = -0.107), vertical jump height (r = 0.249), agility T-test time (r = -0.146) and club head velocity (r = -0.064). 1RM in the squat was significantly correlated to 10m sprint time (r = -0.812), 20m sprint time (r = -0.872), vertical jump height (r = 0.869), agility T-test time (r = -0.758) and club head velocity (r = 0.805). The lack of relationship suggests that FMS is not an adequate field test and does not relate to any aspect of athletic performance. Based on the data from this investigation 1RM squat strength appears to be a good indicator of athletic performance.

Key Words: strength, power, sprint, jump

Having read the full version of this research article, there are certainly some things that are less than ideal. The fact that the subjects are golfers performing test that may not be familiar with or important for success (agility and spring testing) being a primary issue. This said - the findings are really not surprising and it shouldn't have taken so long for this kind of research to have been done.

One could argue that the purpose of the FMS is to guage injury risk factors and not as a performance test, therefore nullifying the point of this research. This could be a valid argument when the FMS was first proposed (focusing, I believe, on the injury-side of things), but the use of this "tool" has now seemingly extended far beyond what may be appropriate. It seems now in common lore that the functional movement screen (or similarly packaged system) should be used as the primary assessment of performance, in addition to predict susceptibility to afflictions such as ACL injuries, hamstring strains, the common cold, and ingrown toenails. How on earth did we ever let our athletes get up out of bed, walk, run, or play hop-scotch before without checking that they scored above 14/21?

The (S&C) world truly has gone crazy if it is to put so much faith in a testing battery that does not incorporate the jump ability, force production, RFD, change of direction, acceleration, etc., much less relate to any of these CRUCIAL (game winning) factors.

I am not saying that these systems are without a place. What I am saying is that we need to ground ourselves and realize what they can and cannot show us. We also need far more (good) research on this to truly know. This research will be the evidence to help us make better decisions. The above abstract is a step in the right direction, but obviously has limitations.

It would be very interesting to implement an extensive testing battery (including FMS) over the course of a whole year with athletes from numerous sports, and look at the incidence of injury and how this relates to these scores. We currently have this in place (without the FMS part) here at ETSU, and have evidence on how our tests relate to performance, and change in performance. Interestingly of late we have been analyzing our injury numbers and the signs are very promising that we have been impacting this as well as performance. Hopefully we can get something of this ilk rolling here.

Force has a massive impact on every athletic movement that our athletes perform, and ultimately helps them to win. That said, we are not of the belief that force is the ONLY thing. Managing fatigue and moving correctly is important.

Every movement in the weight room and on the field can effectively be a screen of it's own if the coach or sport scientist is educated and experienced. Of course this approach, along with a well-researched testing battery is harder to be packaged and sold as a product, and therefore may not ever be popular in certain circles, whether it works or not.

Discussion is welcome. Here is part 2. Part 3 to come.

Sport Science Poster: Between the Polar Team2 Training Load and Session-RPE Training Load as Methods of Monitoring Training and Games in NCAA Division 1 Male Soccer Players

2011-10-24T20:20:00.001-07:00

The following is a poster presented at the 2011 Coaches and Sport Science College. At the bottom of the page, the complete version is displayed. More to come on this topic at the 2012 South East ACSM and 2012 National ACSM meetings.

A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE POLAR TEAM2 TRAINING LOAD AND SESSION-RPE TRAINING LOAD AS METHODS OF MONITORING TRAINING AND GAMES IN NCAA DIVISION 1 MALE SOCCER PLAYERS

Howard. S. Gray, Satoshi Mizuguchi, L. Scott Calabrese, Justin D. Meredith, Christopher J. MacDonald, Marco Cardinale, G. Gregory Haff, Michael W. Ramsey, Adam L. Sayers, and Michael H. Stone

Introduction

Quantifying training is an important step in the training process. Doing so means that training can be objectively analyzed, appropriate training loads identified, and suitable adjustments made in an attempt to improve performance and reduce the incidence of injury and illness (2).

Using Session-RPE Training Load (S-RPE TL) as a method of quantifying training has been investigated for a number of different training modalities and sports including speed skating, basketball, cycling, rugby league, soccer, and resistance training (3, 4, 6, 8, 10). Training loads and variation of loads, as quantified by the S-RPE TL method, has been related to incidence of illness (3) and injury (6). Additionally, comparisons have been made with heart rate (HR) based training loads, along with measures of volume and intensity in the weight room (8, 10).

Heart rate (HR) monitoring as a measure of training loads typically uses time spent in specific zones (based on % of HR max or HRR), multiplied by a coefficient points system. The Edwards method is an example of this (5).

The Polar Team2 Training Load (Team2 TL) is a new HR based form of quantifying training. When considering the use of a new measurement tool or system, it is important to investigate its validity. A comparison with a previously studied method, such as the S-RPE TL, is a step towards this.

Methods

Nineteen outfield players from an NCAA Division 1 men’s soccer team (N=19) volunteered for this study. Team physical and performance data (mean & standard deviation) from the 1st day and 2nd day of the 12-week period is illustrated in Figures 1 - 4. The participants read and signed informed consents prior to participating in the present study. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of East Tennessee State University.

Performance Testing
Pre-study Testing: Each player’s maximum heart rate was established by a method proposed by Bangsbo (1) the week before training data collection started as maximum heart-rates are an important component contributing to heart-rate-based training loads.

Day 1 Testing: Height was measured with a stadiometer. Body composition was measured using plethysmography (Bod Pod). Performance measures included strength, rate of force development, jump heights. Strength was measured using an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) with a force plate (sampling 1000 Hz). Isometric peak force (IPF) and rate of force development (RFD) were taken from the corresponding force-time curve. The IMTP was used because it is rapid and safe, and has strong correlations with dynamic measures of strength including the 1RM squat, as well as explosive measures of strength such as the 1RM clean and jumps. Jump height for static and countermovement jumps was derived from flight time measured using a force plate. These methods have been previously described in the literature (9).

Day 2 Testing: Agility endurance was measured by fifteen runs through a soccer specific agility course. Ten seconds of active rest (jogging) was given between repetitions. The details and validity of this test is currently being prepared for publication.

Figure 1. Anthropometric Data
Age	20.1 ± 1.2
Number of Participants	19
Height (cm)	178.5 ± 7.2
Body Mass (kg)	78.0 ± 7.4
Body Fat (%)	10.7 ± 3.2

Figure 2. Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Testing
Peak Force Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (N)	4381.12 ± 488.47
Allometrically Scaled Peak Force Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (N)	240.47 ± 24.97
RFD (200 ms) Isometric Mid-thigh Pull (N/sec)	7111.64 ± 2065.10

Figure 3. Jump Testing
Static Jump Height 0 kg (cm)	34.0 ± 4.2
Static Jump Peak Power 0 kg (W)	4522.43 ± 443.60
Static Jump Height 11 kg (cm)	30.4 ± 3.6
Static Jump Peak Power 11 kg (W)	4267.45 ± 450.34
Static Jump Height 20 kg (cm)	26.5 ± 3.4
Static Jump Peak Power 20 kg (W)	4223.57 ± 470.02
Counter Movement Jump Height 0 kg (cm)	38.2 ± 5.3
Counter Movement Jump Peak Power 0 kg (W)	4982.01 ± 583.86
Counter Movement Jump Height 11 kg (cm)	34.1 ± 4.2
Counter Movement Jump Peak Power 11 kg (W)	4635.12 ± 481.91
Counter Movement Jump Height 20 kg (cm)	30.4 ± 3.9
Counter Movement Jump Peak Power 20 kg (W)	4575.61 ± 523.25

Figure 4. Repeated Agility Endurance Testing
Agility Endurance Best Time	4.54 ± 0.21
Agility Endurance Mean Time	5.10 ± 0.31

Monitoring of Training
The Team2 TL and S-RPE TL methods were applied to an NCAA D1 men’s soccer team during 12-weeks of the spring season. The spring season is defined as the time of team training held during the spring semester as per NCAA rules. The 12-weeks comprised of 56 soccer, 31 strength training, 10 running, and 5 testing sessions. Additionally, there were a total of 17 cycling sessions for injured players. The team also took part in 6 spring season games. Data was taken for this study from all sessions of all modalities.

At the beginning of the spring season, a meeting was held and players were educated on the following: 1. The role of HR and S-RPE monitoring in the training process. 2. That the S-RPE should represent an aggregate of the whole session (all the different stages within the training session including the warm-up and cool-down), and the importance of an honest score. 3. The correct fitting and treatment of the HR transmitters and straps. Players were also reminded of these points throughout the spring season.

HR monitors were worn for all training sessions of all modalities. Following each session and games, players were asked to rate the difficulty of their workouts using the term, “how was your workout”, as suggested by Foster (3, 4). With the exception of the initial educational meeting, no extra prompting was used other than a reminder to rate the entire session from the beginning of the warm-up to the end of the cool-down. A visual reminder of ratings and corresponding descriptors (as displayed in Figure 5) was also available after each training session.

Figure 5. Modified Borg Scale (3)
Rating	Descriptor
0	Rest
1	Very, Very Easy
2	Easy
3	Moderate
4	Somewhat Hard
5	Hard
6	-
7	Very Hard
8	-
9	-
10	Maximal

It has been suggested that athletes should be asked to make a rating approximately 30-minutes following the end of the session (3, 4). Due to the strict commitments of the players (NCAA student-athletes), a 30-minute break before ratings were taken was not possible, so a consistent 15-minutes was used throughout the 12-week study. This was deemed a better alternative to attempting 30-minutes but failing to do so due to participants having to leave early.

The duration for each session was timed from the beginning of the warm-up, to the end of the active portion of the cool-down. Time spent static stretching after training was not included in the duration. The S-RPE and training duration were used in the following formula; S-RPE TL = Session RPE x Training Duration (3, 4, 8).

Heart rate data was recorded throughout the duration of training (as defined above) by the Polar Team2 system (Polar Electro, Kempele, Finland). Data was transferred to a PC and analyzed with the supplied software. Each player’s maximum heart rate was determined in the week prior to the data collection using a field test proposed by Bangsbo (1). The Polar Team2 training load was calculated by the supplied software. Erroneous Team2 data was discarded from this study, along with the corresponding S-RPE TL score for that player’s session.

The relationship between the session mean Polar Team2 TL and S-RPE load were determined using a Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. The alpha-level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) (ver. 18.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

The descriptive data and the results of the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient between the two methods are illustrated for each modality in Figure 6, while these are displayed graphically in Figures 7a-7f. The correlations range from very strong to nearly perfect across the various modalities as defined by Hopkins (7). These are team means for each session, a method of comparison that has previously been used by Impellizzeri (8).

* Significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed)

** Significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)

Discussion

The correlations for all modalities were very high. Specifically regarding soccer training, higher than Impellizzeri (8) found between S-RPE TL the Edwards HR method (r = 0.71), and in our pilot study (r = 0.88). The population that made up the participants of this study (university athletes) had been working with ETSU sport scientists for some time. They were possibly more educated in the monitoring process than typical athletes, and showed excellent compliance to instructions. These factors may have contributed to the very strong correlations shown in this study.

Although strong correlations between the session mean Polar Team2 TL and S-RPE TL were found for all modalities, some of these findings may need to be approached with caution.

· There were a very low number of player sessions (22 making up the 17 team sessions) for the cycling modality. This is because the cycling modality was only used for injured players. The same player accounted for 15 of these 22 player sessions.

· Running sessions were used primarily as part of a recovery protocol rather than for conditioning or performance enhancement, hence the low Team2 TL and S-RPE TL scores indicated in the descriptive figures. The Pearson correlation may have been higher had a wider range of sessions with varying training loads been evaluated.

· Testing sessions included 4 lab-based batteries (comprising IMTPs and jumps), and a single field based test (our agility endurance test). In order to fully investigate the use of the Polar Team2 system for monitoring exertion during performance testing, we may need to collect data over a longer period of time and keep lab testing separate from field-based tests.

· NCAA games tend have more substitutions than is typical in FIFA regulated games, especially during the spring season. Also some of the games were shorter than the normal 90 minutes. This may make it hard to compare game data from this study to that from elsewhere in world soccer.

The data presented in this poster concerns session mean training loads (from both Team2 and S-RPE methods). It is important to consider that there are likely major within-session differences as the training demands, fitness, and perception of work may vary player to player.

Variation also seem to be present in how different forms of training are rated. With the exception of running, the correlations between modalities is be fairly comparable (above r = 0.9), but absolute differences exist. The participants typically rated soccer training lower for a given Team2 TL than other forms. Additionally weight training and testing sessions were rated considerably higher. There could be a number of reasons for this variance, including familiarity of training, and the potential for physiological and psychological factors that may or may not be represented by the two monitoring systems investigated in this study.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the Polar Team2 TL seems to be very comparable to a previously investigated form of monitoring, the Session-RPE Training Load. A strong relationship exists across a number of training modalities that an NCAA soccer player may take part in. More in-depth analysis and research needs to be carried out into the within-session and between-modality differences in order to further examine the relationship between the Team2 TL and S-RPE TL as a form of quantifying training.

This study was funded in part by Polar Electro (Kempele, Finland).

References
1. Bangsbo J. (2003). Fitness training in soccer: a scientific approach. Spring City, PA, USA: Reedswain Publishing, 134-135.
2. Borresen, J., & Lambert, M. I. (2009). The quantification of training load, the training response and the effect on performance. Sports Medicine, 39, 779-795.
3. Foster, C. (1998). Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 30, 1164-1168.
4. Foster, C., Florhaug, J. A., Franklin, J., Gottschall, L., Hrovatin, L. A., Praker, S., Doleshal, P., & Dodge, C. (2001). A new approach to monitoring exercise training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15(1), 109-115.
5. Edwards, S. (1993). The heart rate monitor book. Sacramento, CA: Feet Fleet Press.
6. Gabbett, T. J. (2010). The development and application of an injury prediction model for noncontact, soft-tissue injuries in elite collision sport athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(10), 2593-2603.
7. Hopkins, W. A new view of statistics. 1997 (updated 2001) c:\sportsci stats\index.htm
8. Impellizzeri, F. M., Rampinini, E., Coutts, A. J., Sassi, A., & Marcora, S. M. (2004). Use of rpe-based training load in soccer. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36, 1042-1047.
9. Kraska, J. M., Ramsey, M. W., Haff, G. G., Fethke, N., Sands, W. A., Stone, M. E., & Stone, M. H. (2009). Relationship between strength characteristics and unweighted and weighted vertical jump height. International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 4(4), 461-473.
10. Sweet, T. W., Foster, C., McGuigan, M. R., & Brice, G. (2004). Quantitation of resistance training using the session rating of perceived exertion method. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(4), 796-802.

Whole Poster

Congratulations ETSU Women's Soccer

2011-10-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend, the women's soccer team here at ETSU clinched a share for the Atlantic Sun regular season title (along with Florida Gulf Coast and Jacksonville). This is a tremendous achievement in it's own right, but especially impressive considering previous seasons and the fact that current head coach Adam Sayers only arrived here in the spring.

The team works extensively with the Center of Excellence. Sport science services are led by Chris MacDonald, with Ryan Alexander, Christian Carter, Mike Israetel, Joel Cowan, & Aaron Casey all assisting. Along with men's soccer, baseball, and volleyball, the women's soccer team is one of the teams that takes most advantage of the support sport science can bring.

The development of the team since the spring has been fantastic to see, and Coach Sayer's is right to point out that it is the "process" that has got them this success. Sport science is part of this process.

Congratulations again to the players and staff - more work lies ahead before the A-Sun tournament, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast in two weekends time. The winner of this will get an automatic berth to the NCAA national tournament.

Major League Soccer internship opportunity at Seattle Sounders FC

2011-10-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

From David Tenney at Seattle Sounders FC (via facebook):

We will be have a full year, 2012 Sounders FC fitness coach internship position that we will be filling for next season. The position is with the MLS team, and you will interact and coach this group every day. This is a paid position, and you will be asked to participate in all activities with the 1st team for the entire year.

Applicant will be expected to possess most, if not all of the following background requirements:

- A minimum of an undergrad degree in an Exercise Science related degree, a Master's is preferred.

- A strong background in soccer as a player, coach, or fitness specialist.

- Past experience in the strength & conditioning and/or performance enhancement field.

- Past experience with FMS or similar movement assessments and corrective strategies.

- Currently residing in the US. Non-US citizens (students, etc.) must have the ability & documentation to live and work in the US for all of 2012. Our organization will not be able to provide any help or aid for Visa or work permit issues, as this is an intern position.

The job requirements for this internship will consist of:

- Work directly under the head fitness coach in MLS training sessions every day.

- Aiding the head fitness coach on a daily in collecting data from technologies such as OmegaWave, HR monitors, and/or GPS.

- Helping in setting up the training area (on field or in weight room) every day.

- Coordinating all post-training and competition nutrition recovery strategies.

- Working with selected injured players either in the weight room, or with sports-specific work on the field.

- Helping to administer corrective assessments & corrective exercise with selected athletes.

- Helping to administer team or individualized strength training programs during the week.

Job specifics:

- This position is a 30-40hr/week job, and there will be academy training opportunities beyond your internship with the 1st team.. The job will commence on/or about Jan. 1st, 2012. I will be taking applications -- you can e-mail me a resumé directly at DavidT@SoundersFC.com, or send me a PM note here. I hope to hear from candidates that have all of the background requirements -- an education in FMS, movement, & posture assessment is very important, as is some level of background in soccer since much of this job is on the training field, and not the weight room. Strength training in a team setting is also important. This is a position where you will coach, interact with these professional athletes on a daily basis, and learn how to utilize the newest technology in performance enhancement in soccer in this country. Our last two interns have relocated to the Seattle area for this opportunity, so this is a country-wide search.

Feel free to PM if you have further questions. I will be doing telephone interviews around November 1st, and think that there will be a very good pool of qualified applicant.

David Tenney

Head Fitness Coach

Seattle Sounders FC

Dave does a fantastic job up in Seattle and this represents a great chance for a hard-working applicant. Good luck to all applying!

Five years!

2011-10-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend marks five years to the day since I last played a competitive game in any sport.

Playing one of my sports, New Hampshire (circa 2002)

Although this sounds like the start of a depressing post it really isn't. It seems like more than five years have passed - not because that time has gone slowly - more that I have experienced so much in that time. Since September 30th, 2011 I have garnered two degrees, worked for four different sporting organizations, and lived in four vastly contrasting places.

ETSU men's soccer, 2011

I stopped playing due to injury. It is never an easy transition away from playing and into a non-playing career, but the early end to my life as as athlete truly has been a blessing as it gave me a head start into full-time coaching / sport science. I would probably still be flirting with playing semi-pro sport of some kind otherwise (I really was not good enough to ever truly "make it").

With friends and colleagues at the 2011 NSCA National Conference

No I can't squat 200 kg anymore, nor can I out-sprint or out-strength the opposition like I used to, but hopefully I can help others to do this. One door shuts, and another door opens - I am very lucky to be doing what I am doing and hope to share more of it on this blog in the near future.

Take care of yourself, not just your athletes!

2011-09-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have blogged and for this I apologize. I have wanted to report back on progress with the ETSU men's soccer team, but we have been on a run of late and I don't want to curse it! We are currently in the middle of a stretch of four challenging games in nine days. Once we get through this I will write some more about specifics.

This tough run comes off the back of four away games in two weeks (3 of them nationally ranked), so to say things have been busy would be an understatement. This is why this subject has come to mind.

I am a sport scientist. You may be a strength and conditioning coach. You may be a sport scientist. You may be an athletic trainer or physiotherapist. Dr. Craig Duncan has said it well on Twitter that the team does not revolve around us. We are all support staff for our coaches and athletes. Our role is to help these guys and girls do their job to the best of their ability. They are the talented ones.

The support role wasn't enough for this guy...

Our roles require constant monitoring, record taking, and observation. Often we are the ones that have to be there at every session, even when the majority of the squad is "off". Our roles take a LOT of time and effort from our part, publicly appreciated or otherwise.

We like reinforce good lifestyle habits in our playing squad. Sleep, nutrition, and of course good training is vital to their success, but how much time and effort do we put into these aspects of our own lives?

Since the recent stretch of away games, I have been able to get 7-9 hours sleep a number of times and I truly feel fantastic. It had been so long since I felt like this that I had forgotten what a healthy human being is supposed to feel like! Efficient work and interpersonal relationships come so much easily in this more rested state, just like performance and success in the athlete.

All common sense right? Yes, but easily forgotten in our role.

As well as the philosophical message of this blog, there are are some things that may need to be implemented in order for us to get time away to recharge our batteries.

The working/training week needs to be arranged so that there is one day off where you don't need to come into work. This requires communication with other staff members. Perhaps you can take over a colleagues duties one day a week so he/she can have that day off and then they do that for you on another day. Perhaps you need more help and/or need to train or trust your interns or assistants more. This may require extra work initially to put the time into training them up so that they can do this, but it could help you maintain your work-rate or level of energy during those tough times of the season. Lastly, work your arse off when you are at work and try to leave it there, go home and rest - get some sleep, then come back and do this again. Having a working day that trickles on at a distracted pace late until the late hours is good for no one nor no task.

Jerry Springer knew how to take care of himself!

I am the number one person guilty of many of the above statements, but feel more aware of it now following this mini epiphany (realizing how good I can feel). We still need to be workhorses - putting in extra time researching and implementing best practice is what this is all about. At the same time we like to practice what we preach in many other aspects so should do it in this regard also. We need recovery following "over-reaching" just like an athlete. Whether we "super-compensate" like they might is another story, but let's take care of ourselves, eh?!?

If only I knew then, what I know now

2011-09-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

Back in June I had intended on doing a "1 year back in Tennessee" post, but that never happened. This is more a blurb than a blog really about how professional development should never stop.

I am lucky to be in the position that I am in with so many resources around me, a great coaching staff to work with, and the ability to travel and experience things outside our organization. All that in addition to my more formal education puts me in a great spot. I remember writing this post on how things change last year. In all honesty, I could update this again and say that compared to now, I knew much less this time last year. Although slightly scary, this is how it should always be. Always moving forward and upwards.

Most of you reading this may have a harder time due to the situations you are in. It can be especially hard to expand horizons and learn new things from different people when you are busy all the time with a professional team as the pressure is on for you and the team to do well. Many people will be working for free. In this case they likely will have another job that pays the bill, hence making free time to develop even more difficult.

These challenges aside, CPD has to be a priority. Plan regular times to get together with other people in the field. Put it in your schedule. Down in stone. Also put down regular times slots during the week to read the literature and/or talk to people you trust on the phone. Get in touch and network with new people. In the offseason this is especially true. Visits and phone calls, meetings at conferences, and taking time to evaluate previous practice and then plan again is all part of our job. It should therefore be part of our working day / week / month / year just like other duties.

If we stop progressing (or even worse, if we regress), it is not just ourselves that take the hit. Our athletes, and teams will suffer even more as the opposition moves forward. It is our duty to ourselves and our team to do this.

Now to catch up on some journals...

Sport science & coach education this summer

2011-09-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

The new university year is now in it's second week and the fall sports are in full swing so I thought I would write a little about the sport science and coach education activities that we took part in over the summer period. As coaching manager for the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education, I am lucky to be a part of these services and trips.

Educational Presentations / Symposiums
On Friday May 13th, we hosted our 2011 Medical Symposium. This included talks from sports medicine professionals, university professors, and strength and conditioning coaches on concussion, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and strength training for young athletes.

ETSU has a school on campus, and in early June we provided an inservice to their coaching staff - focusing on program design and exercise technique. At the end of the month, we presented on similar topics to local coaches and trainers on behalf of the Mountain Athletic Trainers Society. Christian Carter and I received some really good questions during both the theoretical and practical components. These questions were positive signs to the growing base of knowledge amongst coaches in the area.

A number of Center of Excellence staff and students were also active during ETSU volleyball and soccer camps over the summer months. The very nature of these camps means that the young attendees are effectively a captive audience. Any education that can help them make better decisions regarding training, nutrition, and recovery in their future careers is a huge oppurtunity that we have been lucky enough to grab.

Everyone wants to work with elite athletes, and we are no exception. Events such as these, however, are vital in improving coaching practice and performance from the ground up.

Sport Science Consultancy
Late in May, I hit the road and spent a couple of days with a strong NCAA Division 1 program to help them put together a season plan for training on and off the soccer field. In July, I gave similar assistance to a very successful NAIA program that had been having a problem with injuries over recent years. Fatigue management was a key issue for both programs.

In August, a group of us were lucky enough to be asked to visit a major Division 1-A football program that are interested in introducing a sport science program similar to ours at ETSU. Meeting with all involved, including the exercise science and sports medicine departments truly was an honor, and the potential at this college is huge.

Later in August we had a visitor from an NBA team spend three days with us. His team is currently hiring a sport scientist, along with putting everything in place at the practice facility for sport science to be a success.

Moving Forward
The best part of the summer by far was to see so many already successful sport coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports medicine professionals be so progressive and look for alternative / new ways to do things. These were not coaches and staff that were up against the rack and at risk of losing their jobs. They were already good. This is such a positive sign.
What is happening at the 1-A football program and NBA team are firsts at their respective levels and is very exciting for sport science in this country. We hope to continue to assist progress in sport at all levels in the future. The next major step in this is our Coaches and Sport Science College in October. We hope to see you there!

ETSU men's soccer preseason training 2011

2011-09-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

If you go by the standard definition of preseason, our preparatory period ended in the lead up to our first competitive game of the season, on August 27th against Presbyterian College. As I have stated previously, the NCAA gives us restrictions that means our preseason (using the standard definition) is unsafely short, and so from a practical approach, we included this first game (and the week leading up to it) in our preseason plans.

We were certainly not 100% for that first game, but this was not expected/planned, nor would it have been possible even if we had planned it in a way that we would typically approach an inseason game. We were able to, however, to come away with a 3-0 victory at home, and no injuries except a contusion due to a late challenge from a very physical side (they came to kick us).

Although sometimes we went over the planned training loads (and under too some days), the preseason period as a whole progressed as planned. It is now that we are entering a very difficult run of games (4 away games against good sides in 12 days), that this planning, and challenging period last week, will come to our aid now that the volume of training will drop.

This "roadtrip" of matches actually already started last night when we were victorious against a strong UNC Greensboro side that is currently ranked in the top 25 in four national polls. As in the Presbyterian game, it was not all that pretty but we got the result. Perhaps most positively, we were able to improve as the game went along and score the game winning goal in the last minute of over time. (for the non-American, all college soccer games go to 2x10 min golden goal over time periods if the scores are level at 90 minutes). It was a very challenging 110 minutes for our players as we continue to build our match fitness.

Each year that the ETSU men's soccer team has worked with the CESSCE, progress has been made on the field, in the weight room, and in our sport science practices. I hope to illustrate this progress with more specifics in a blog / article in the near future but have to be careful not to divulge too much at this stage. It goes without saying that we, the men's soccer sport science staff are constantly in a process of improving how we are doing things. In-depth analysis into every session, performance, and injury is key to this, as is timely communication with the coaching and sports medicine staff.

There truly is a special group of player's here. We have great spirit in the locker room, on the training pitch, and out under the lights come kickoff. This spirit has been displayed in the number of close games that we have won in the past two seasons. I have said it before that there is no way that we can continue to win such a high percentage of games in overtime, but even if some luck falling against us in the future, I feel confident that we will win more games late on than we will lose.

Above all else, the players also seem confident too and show great ability when the game is even approaching 90 minutes. If sport science has helped in building this then I am very happy.

Internships with college programs & professional teams

2011-08-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

This post has been inspired by the fantastic news that a former intern of mine Michael Lawe has been given the job of academy strength and conditioning coach at Crystal Palace Football Club on a full time basis. Michael was the first ever full time intern that I had ever managed, and the first to move on to a full time position at a professional team. Whether I managed him well or not, he put so much work into the club while I was there, and also after I had left, and thoroughly deserves everything that has come, and will come to him in his career. Congratulation to Mike!

This now brings me back to the role that internships, unpaid work, a volunteering has had on pretty much every sport scientist's career. I have been coaching at the collegiate and professional level since 2005, and yet more of this work has been unpaid than paid. This is just how it is. Although I have been lucky enough to move onto paid positions at higher levels, I will maintain that most of the more enjoyable work and experiences have been as an unpaid staff member. Many fond memories and experiences, and I am sure I will put in countless other hours unpaid into this profession in the future. That is just how it is.

It irks me somewhat when people complain about unpaid work and internships, claiming that these people are used. Some people feel that it is wrong when large numbers of interns are shipped in and out periodically throughout the year (something that is typical at major US college football programs). This is to one end of the internship continuum. Sure it may not be optimal for each interns learning, but they are getting valuable experience at a high level of athletics that is normally very closed-door with regards to training and practice. There are also internship programs that are more towards the other end of the spectrum - well constructed and truly give the young practitioner a good experience.

Many, many students come out of (supposedly good) undergraduate or graduate sport or exercise science departments with no clue about what training and sport at a high level is all about:

How many hours pro players are typically at the training ground for each day

How to run a warm-up

How to speak and coach with players and staff at high levels

Logistical problems that hamper perfect practice

Does perfect practice even exist at this level?

Identify how little steps may be taken towards a goal

Traditions in the sport

Banter!!!

Etc. etc...

The list could go on...

Recent grads typically either go in like a bull in a china shop and alienate their future/current/past colleagues, or are completely intimidated and won't even open their mouths. Without internships and unpaid experience, how can this be avoided? At the very least these interns that are "used" will know how things typically go. They will also probably come out with a better idea of whether this "game" really is for them or not once the glamour of pro sport has faded.

Lastly, thank you to Mike, and all the other interns that I have had since then that may be reading this. Internships are an exchange - both sides should get something from it, and I would like to think that over time my interns will get more and more from working with me. I am learning too!

6th Annual Coaches & Sport Science College

2011-08-17T03:58:00.000-07:00

The ETSU Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education is proud to invite you to the 6th Annual Coaches & Sport Science College. The conference will take place October 21-22, 2011 and the UK Strength & Conditioning Accreditation will be held on October 23, 2010 at 9 am.

Click here to register online now!

Schedule

Friday October 21st, 2011
11-12:00pm – Registration
12-12:15pm – Introduction – Meg Stone
12:15-1:15pm – Theoretical and Practical Aspects of the Training Process – Guy Hornsby
1:15-3:15pm – Acute Strategies to Improve Performances – Dr. Hugh Lamont
3:15-3:30pm – Break
3:30-6:00pm – Theory and Practical Aspects of Weightlifting Movements – Dr. Mike Stone
7:00pm – Banquet – Experiences in Developing an Olympic Venue – Mike Gattone

Saturday October 22nd, 2011
7-8:00am – Registration and Breakfast
8-8:15am – Introduction – Meg Stone
8:15-9:15am – Physiology of Sprint and Road Cycling – Dr. Mike Ramsey
9:15-10:45am – Training for Endurance and Sprint Cycling – John Graham
10:45-11:00am – Break

11-12:15pm – Overtraining – Dr. Andy Fry

12:15-1:15pm – Lunch – Sportably – Jeremy Gentles

1:15-2:15pm – Nutrition for Individual and Team Sports- Mike Israetel
2:15-5:15pm – Applying the Language of Movement - Steve Plisk
5:15-6pm – Round Table

Sunday October 23rd, 2011 9am – UKSCA Certification Exam

2011 Keynote Speakers

Meg Stone– Two-time Olympian and distinguished strength and conditioning coach. Director of the Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education.

Guy Hornsby– A second-year doctoral student at ETSU in the Sports Performance program. Guy is the strength and conditioning coach for ETSU baseball and is the co-lab supervisor for the ETSU Sport Science lab.

Dr. Hugh Lamont– Second-year faculty member in the department of KLSS and adjunct faculty in the CESSCE. His research interests are: whole body vibration to improve high performance, post activation potentiation in athletes and non-athletes and acute and chronic adaptations to resistance exercise.

Dr. Michael Stone– Professor Stone is the program coordinator for the PhD program in Sport Physiology and Performance. He is also the sports science lab coordinator. With a research interest in strength-power training and sports performance, Professor Stone was formerly the head of physiology for the USOC.

Mike Gattone– Current Manager of Team Sports for Gatorade Sports Marketing. Formerly the coaching manager for the United States Olympic Committee, Director for the Weightlifting event of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and personal coach of Tara Nott, Olympic Gold Medalist.

Dr. Michael Ramsey– Associate Professor in the department of KLSS and adjunct faculty in the CESSCE. His interests are the cardiovascular adaptations to exercise and sport performance. Dr. Ramsey is the undergraduate coordinator in the exercise and sport science program.

John Graham– Presently the Director of community and corporate fitness with Lehigh Valley Hospital & Health Network in Allentown Penn. He is a fellow of the NSCA and President of Power Agility & Speed. Member of the NSCA certification board and an associate editor of the NSCA Journal.

Dr. Andy Fry– Chair and Professor in the department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Kansas as well as the Director of Research for the Research and Coaching Performance team. NSCA 2005 outstanding Sport Scientist of the year award.

Michael Israetel –Originally from Moscow, Russia, received his bachelor’s in Movement Science from U of M and his master’s of Exercise Science at ASU. His doctoral studies are being done at ETSU in Sport Physiology.

Steve Plisk– The Director/ Proprietor of Excelsior Sports. Former Director of Sports Conditioning and worked and coordinated with football and all intercollegiate sports at Yale University, University of Memphis, U.S. Olympic Training Center and James Madison University.

The Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education (CESSCE) will be hosting posters for its Sixth Annual Coaches College. The subject matter must deal directly or indirectly with the enhancement of competitive athletes. Posters can deal with advances in coaching, coaching methods, or biomechanical, psychological, physiological or sports medicine aspects. The deadline for acceptance is September 23th, 2011, (no exceptions).

Awards will be given in the following categories:

Coaching/Coach Education
1st place – $150
2nd place – $75

Sport Science
1st place – $150
2nd place – $75

Outstanding Student Poster- $150

For more information about the call for papers call (423) 439-5796 or (423) 439-4375.

Conference Location

The conference will be held at the Millennium Centre (http://www.millctr.com) which is located directly behind the Carnegie Hotel.

Johnson City, TN Information

Airports

Tri-Cities Airport (20 minutes)
McGhee-Tyson Airport (Knoxville, TN, 2 hours)
Asheville Regional Airport (Asheville, NC, 1 hour)

Hotels

Carnegie Hotel: www.carnegiehotel.com Phone: (423) 979-6400 (Mention ETSU Coaches College)
Hampton Inn: Phone (423) 929-8000

Click here to register online now!

Preseason - 'ave it

2011-08-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Sleep deprivation, sunburn, session after session, precise planning and monitoring needed to minimize fatigue. What is there not to like about preseason?

This is what sport science is all about. This is when we earn our salt. This is where you can get the first advantage on your opposition.

Good luck to my fellow coaches and professionals working in the challenging environment of college soccer in the US.

Quality not quantity.

'ave it

Just replace the John Smith's with recovery shakes

Strength and Conditioning for Team Sports (book review)

2011-08-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

Strength and Conditioning for Team Sports: Sport-Specific Physical Preparation for High Performance

I was excited to receive this book as I had had my eye on it for a while. I had read some of Paul Gambles work in journals previously and had generally been impressed at his approach to important problems and issues in strength and conditioning.

When starting this book, you can see that the author's intensions were good as he obviously took a lot of time to review the literature. This is the way that it should be done, but questions are raised a little when you look into the quality of some of these references.

As we all know, there are many schools of thought on topics in strength and conditioning such as periodization, unstable training, rotational strength, and the development of power. The author seems to have attempted to present evidence backing the majority of these "schools". Again, the intention behind this is probably good, but I can see a young strength and conditioning coach new to the profession being extremely confused about the optimal way as there is little into how to bring all of these forms together into a long term plan. Essentially everything works, as far as this text is concerned, even though many of these forms of training may be contradicting and result in sub-optimal adaptation. More theoretical and practical information on periodization may have helped avoid this. The important periodization section is just 18 pages long.

Looking at the title, one would expect to see extensive sections exploring the challenges that face us when working in team sports: a long competitive season, extensive on-field training (and how to quantify this and react to it), and long term athletic development when winning every game is important. This is what being successful with team sports is all about. Sadly these subjects are barely touched upon which is disappointing.

There is some really good information in this book, but it is surrounded by a myriad of conflicting advice. If you have a good grasp on training theory and on periodization and therefore can pick out the useful info, then pick this up. If you are new to strength and conditioning then I would not recommend it, not because it is an advanced text, just because it may be difficult for you to apply what you are reading to a yearly plan.

The Science of Training - Soccer (book review)

2011-07-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Science of Training - Soccer: A Scientific Approach to Developing Strength, Speed and Endurance

There are a few books out there that have similar titles (Bangsbo's and Verheijen's come to mind), but I feel that this is the best of them. This book doesn't attempt to cover too much, and therefore the information is not spread too thin, and the late Thomas Reilly has presented the information in a very logical manner.

The approach that the author has taken here is to present the science that should help the sport scientist or coach design their own sport science program / protocols. This goes far beyond a list of drills or exercises to use, but includes areas of performance that are often overlooked such as recovery, travel, and the environment. These aspects are generally not seen as "cool" like fancy drills may be, but are important considerations.

A criticism of this text is that many of the references are very dated (from the 70s), and that information on the role of new technologies is brief. The other big criticism is that the strength training section is very poor, but this (sadly) is not uncommon in soccer-related texts.

NSCA... Why?

2011-07-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

I was actually going to refrain from writing this post, but recent events mean that I cannot resist. This may well prevent me from having any official input in the NSCA Soccer & Rugby SIG (we actually had a good meeting at the National Conference), but I feel I have to vent on this one.

Me right now (some Hollywood glamorization added)

NSCA National Conference

Why did you schedule all of the sport science related presentations during the same time slots, forcing us to take in presentations at other times that were little more than infomercials?

Why could I not hear the excellent presentation by Dr. Greg Haff because of the medicine ball convention next door?

Why did your president make inappropriate jokes about the Japanese natural disaster (and subsequent radiation leaks) at the awards banquet? Referring to the Japanese people in attendance: "It must be fine and safe to visit Japan because they are not glowing" Dr. Jay Hoffman. Thanks for this.

Why not be more honest about the "state of the union" at the awards banquet. No everything is not perfect and, everyone knows it and the entire audience is cringing. Why not state the problems and address them?

Why was the (30+ minute long) introduction for the lifetime achievement award more about the presenter than the worthy recipient? I honestly cannot remember who won the award because of this. I certainly know everything about the presenter though (I am not talking about the other presenter, Dan Wathen).

Why did all of the student / poster awards go to students from the same school?

Why did the exhibit hall resemble a circus / nightclub at times? Did that DJ really need a gig that bad? Evidence-based practice? Bridging the gap? BS.

Why were some new friends of mine from down under utterly gobsmacked at the amount of fluff present in every facet of the conference? I hope they at least got to network to make the trip worthwhile.

Since the National Conference

Why have I received 3 random advertisements in the mail in the last 2 weeks, all with battling ropes on the cover? I want to receive your publications, not humorous comics.

Why has my (previously spam-free) gmail account been bombarded by strength and conditioning related junk mail since I used this email address to register for the conference? The last one of which included all 500 other email addresses that it was sent to (all Conference attendees). I now can use these addresses or sell them to whoever I wish. No Mark Archambault, I am not interested in your RAPS seminar and I am shocked that a professional organization that we are members of sold all our contacts details to such a careless "associate". Yes Mark, I am calling you and your organization out:

5 of the 489 other email addresses blanked out by me for their privacy
(send comments to Mark: mla4256@aol.com)

Why does the latest Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research have over 300 pages, and it now published 12 times per year? Has the amount of GOOD QUALITY research really tripled since I became a member in 2005 (when there were 4 issues per year)?

Moving Forward

I first came into contact with the NSCA as a 15 year old when I was checking out training resources at Exeter University library. I instantly became obsessed with strength and conditioning and had a great deal of respect for the organization. The above things are little, and this is without doubt a rant, but it is things like these that are destroying our profession. We are here to make our athletes and teams better, not promote ourselves, or whoever wants to give us a little cash.

Will I still attend NSCA events and keep my certification? Yes. Will I look to contribute to the NSCA journals and the Soccer and Rugby SIG? If they let me, but this is all only because I am still an optimist and feel young professionals such as myself CAN make a difference if we speak up and express our concerns.

US WNT fitness & strength training

2011-07-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: This is me just being an "outsider looking in" - just thoughts no concrete conclusions...

It was fantastic to see the sport science / fitness of the US women's national team getting good press during the world cup. It really did seem (from observation) that this was well deserved. Although the final result did not go their way, the team was able to press for the majority of the match with Japan which is very impressive. Credit where credit is due.

Science in the sport really has moved forward in leaps and bounds of late, especially in terms of on-field work and monitoring. The picture below, however, shows where sport scientists are "weak" in soccer. Weak being the operative word.

I am really not sure what is being trained here. Like athletes from other sports, soccer players need to be able to put more force through the ground (and opponents). This exercise will not achieve this goal. Possibly smoke and mirrors aimed at confusing the opposition? I hope so.

Thoughts?

Preseason: Low volume & always avoiding fatigue?

2011-07-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of criticism of double sessions (two a days) and high volume preseason training in of late. Now while I tend to agree that many coaches prescribe too many double sessions, and too much volume too early in the preseason, I feel that we may have lost our way here somewhat.

Preseason training is about preparation for the season ahead. There are many elements in the equation that you must consider when designing preseason (in conjunction with your YEARLY plan). It would be beyond the scope of this article to go over them all, but the three that are most relevant here are:

1. The activity / inactivity of the players in the offseason. How much work, the type of training performed, and the length of this period are all things to take into account.

2. How long is your preseason period? In the college game here we strictly only have 2 weeks (which is ridiculous and is not by choice but is essentially enforced upon us by the NCAA). Luckily,we are able to plan the start of the season in a way that this period can be extended somewhat. In my time in the football league, we typically had longer; between 5 - 7 weeks before our first competitive match. This obviously impacts how you approach preparation for the season.

3. What are the demands of the in-season? Where are the "nightmare" weeks that jump out of the page when you look at the fixture list? The 4 games in 9 days / Christmas in England kind of periods. What is the estimated training load that the players will have to deal with during this time? How about travel and other outside stressors? This is another reason to have a monitoring system in place - we can look back at previous seasons and see how players responded to these demands and can estimate (pretty accurately), how it will be in the future.

Preseason needs to be challenging at some point. The timing and the magnitude of the challenge may be the more important point than purely looking to minimize fatigue.

Hitting them hard, early, IS a BIG mistake - especially if they have been relatively inactive for an extended period of time before returning to you. Unfortunately many coaches get caught up in the mental side of things here, saying that they need to be whacked early on to make them mentally tough or to show them who the boss is. I am not saying mental toughness does not exist - there may be something to it - but a small mental advantage will soon be eliminated by extreme fatigue or injury.

Below is a plan I have done with an NCAA college team. The numbers are real based on an extensive monitoring system that we have in place. I have left out some details because preseason is just around the corner and we can't go giving all our secrets away now can we? (the head coach would kill me!)

Essentially there is 4 weeks before the first challenging match (falling in the 5th week shown). The highest training load (week 3) matches the highest load reached the previous season, and is roughly 10% higher than we should reach during any week this season. This is not a coincidence. We have to prepare our players for these demanding times during the season. The concept of avoiding fatigue is not a complete fallacy. We want to avoid fatigue going in to key matches or periods of the season, however our athletes will be in trouble if they have never been exposed to high levels of fatigue (when ready - not the 1st couple of weeks in). Performance, and bodies, will break down.

MANAGING FATIGUE is the term / concept that is more applicable here. Manipulate the training variables to elicit favorable changes in our athletes physiology (and therefore performance). We have helped manage fatigue in preseason by:
1. A good offseason training program with periods of challenging training and periods of recovery and adaptation.
2. A gradual increase in training load prior to the over-reaching period. Yes the training load starts quite high but this is possible due to the offseason program (and compliance to it). The unfortunate regulations of the NCAA also has some part to play. Perhaps we would have a slightly more softly softly approach if it were possible.
3. In week 4, volume is reduced significantly to allow for recovery and adaptation. This should then allow performance to rebound up above baseline for the all important start of the season (where we have 2 games per week, most weeks).

The figure above shows an increase in load in a step like fashion, much like a basic form of periodization for weight training. It does not always need to be like this, however. If we had longer, say 6 weeks, then two step ups followed by a step down, repeated may be more appropriate.

A key to this is that you have a monitoring system and are not just guessing. The more data and information you take, the better and more informed your decisions in the future can be. Examples of simple, effective, and FREE systems are below:

RPE Monitoring Published Poster
Monitoring pt 1
Monitoring pt 2
Monitoring pt 3
Sportably online monitoring

Disclaimer: This is a simplified illustration of the decision making processes that we much make in planning preseason / the year. We have primarily discussed volume. Remember that manipulating intensity is an important consideration also. I do believe, however, that getting a handle on training volume is the first step before putting too much thought into intensity. Volume the major fatiguing factor and so if you manipulate volume, you can manipulate fatigue (outside stressors to one side).

Thank you Martin Rooney

2011-06-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

Thoughts from the 2011 medical symposium: Importance of fatigue management

2011-05-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we hosted our medical symposium here at ETSU. Topics included concussion, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, and strength training for children.

It was hugely impressive to see the presentations the two MDs, Dr. Eric Parks and Dr. Micky Collins touch upon the role of fatigue, strength, periodization, and overtraining. This truly was looking at the big picture. If these concepts are being understood and reinforced by those in the medical field, things must be moving forward.

Dr. Parks presented on sickle cell and the athlete. I am not going to give a recap on his presentation because this is beyond the scope of this article. What I will tell you is that Dr. Parks went into depth about how athletes with sickle cell anemia need to be planned and adjusted for when it comes to training and performance. Just like a player coming back from injury or a player that is less trained, training these athletes needs to be approached with caution. It further strengthens the need for an "individual within a team" approach for training.

Dr. Collins gave two excellent presentations on concussion. Now while not directly addressed, he alluded to the role of fatigue and concussion. Players naturally are more at risk of concussion when they are hit with a "soft neck" - as in they did not prepare for impact. If a player is extremely fatigued then mental concentration may suffer. Not a good situation to be in while playing a collision sport such as American football or rugby. If we are able to better prepare our players physically, or manage fatigue more effectively, then we may be able to limit this risk factor. This is something I will look to discuss with Dr. Collins in the future (he had to fly out after his presentation), and I will comment on our correspondence here.

If this guy has to play tomorrow, he probably won't do very well

The more and more time one spends working in and studying sport, the more obvious the importance of good fatigue management. I am seeing this both in my research and in my work with athletes and coaches.

Fatigue management doesn't mean that you always have to do less training. Recently I did some work with the staff of a successful NCAA D1 women's soccer team in the south east region. The team has had a tough time with injuries over the last couple of seasons and so the staff were looking to address this. After examining past training practice and discussing certain concepts with them, it seemed that they were not training their athletes into the ground with high volumes of soccer work like I was expecting. The volume of on-field training was fairly moderate. The content of training also seemed appropriate. The distribution of this work, however, may well be where problems were coming from. Variation; truly challenging training, and periods of recovery from training and competition seemed to be what was lacking. Fatigue was not being managed.

The more that sport scientists and medical professionals understand, and then present this concept when discussing training with coaches, the better sports training will become. Keep reinforcing. People will start to listen.

Questions & emails

2011-05-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note. If any of you have emailed me or messaged me with a question or something you would like to see on this blog, then please email me again to give me a kick up the arse. Don't feel that a reminder will annoy me - some things simply have been buried under other emails. Please do not take this as something deliberate. sportscienceed@gmail.com

I have always been impressed by people I have emailed out of the blue and got quick responses, so aim to be more like this in the future. Following an interesting little transition period here at the center of excellence, things are settling down and I have put an hour in my schedule every day to write back to people and also blog more so watch this space.

2011 Medical Symposium

2011-05-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Just a note to announce that we are holding a symposium for the medical profession here in Johnson City on Friday. Additionally, there will be a free talk in the evening by Dr. Michael Collins on concussion management. Apologies about the lateness of this notice but hopefully it will still interest those of you who are local.

From our website:

Schedule for the 2011 Medical Symposium

May 12, 2011– ETSU Culp Center

7-9pm – Sports Concussion Management: What are we Learning? – Dr. Michael Collins This talk is for coaches, parents and athletes and is FREE to all who attend!!

May 13, 2011– Millennium Centre

7:45-8:15am – Registration

8:15-8:30am – Welcome & Introduction – Meg Stone & Dr. R.J. Elbin

8:30-10am – Sports Concussion Management: What are we Learning? – Dr. Collins

10:15-11:45am – Sickle Cell and the Athlete – Dr. Parks

11:45-12:45pm – Lunch

12:45-2:15pm– Muscle Remodeling in Formerly Sedentary Subjects After Exercise Training – Dr. Stuart

2:15-3:45pm – Resistance Training for the Athlete with Type 1 Diabetes – Dr. Hornsby

4-4:45pm – A Practical Application for Strength & Conditioning in Children - Dr. Calendine

4:45-5:30pm – Children, Adolescents and Strength Training – Dr. Stone

Speakers

Dr. Micky Collins (Keynote Speaker) – Dr. Collins is a nationally renowned expert in the area of sports-related concussions, and is also a leading clinician and researcher. In addition, he has been instrumental in the development of numerous concussion management programs at the youth sports level nationwide. Dr. Collins is the assistant director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program. He will be coming to ETSU to speak on the issues pertaining to concussions. In the past Dr. Collins has worked with Tim Tebow, during his experience with concussions.

Dr. Eric Parks – Dr. Parks is a sports medicine physician at Watauga Orthopaedics. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of new and overuse musculoskeletal injuries, chronic musculoskeletal disease, such as arthritis, and the non-operative management of fractures.

Dr. Guy Honrsby – Dr. Guy Hornsby is an exercise physiologist from the West Virginia University School of Medicine where he serves as director of the WVU Human Performance Lab. He has served on the national board of directors of the American Diabetes Association and is currently the immediate past-chair of the board of directors of the Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association.

Dr. Charles Stuart - Charles Stuart is a professor of internal medicine at the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine. His clinical consulting practice in Johnson City focuses on patients with challenging diabetes management issues.

Dr. Chris Calendine – Dr. Chris Calendine is the Director of Pediatrics for Rural Health Services Consortium, Inc. and is also the Founder of ProStrength and Speed Youth Health Initiative, in Rogersville TN, and the Team Physician for Cherokee Comprehensive High School.

Dr. Michael Stone – Director of the Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory as well as program coordinator for the PhD program at ETSU. Published extensively on strength training for adolescents. Previous Head of Physiology for the USOC.

If you are interested check out the full posting here.

Graduation at ETSU

2011-05-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of the May 2011 graduates here in Johnson City!

All in all 33 ETSU athletes will be graduating, including men's soccer's Guilherme Reis. Gui has brought so much to this program in the two years he has been here, and I know without his ability and leadership, the 2010 season would have been very different.
Thank you Gui!

Staff-wise, the ETSU men's soccer team sees graduate assistant athletic trainer Andy Swanson depart with his master's degree in sport management. Trey Mitchell (sport science staff) will be leaving with his masters in exercise physiology to play for Charlotte Rugby Club, while two of our sport science interns, Aaron Thomas and Scott Dishner, have successfully completed their bachelor's degree in the same field. A huge thank you for all your efforts over the past year or two.

Investment in our athletes = commitment to us

2011-04-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

This week we had some candidates for an academic teaching position visit us at the Center of Excellence. While in a meeting with the graduate students, one of the candidates was asked how he approached motion capture work with high-level athletes, considering the many hours that it typically takes to perform.

The professional's answer struck home with me. Basically the athletes gave him as much time and effort as he needed because he gives the same to them. How simple, yet perfectly descriptive of the process.

This is something that we may forget from time to time when we perform more research-based sport science. We cannot show up a few times a year and expect total commitment and hard work if we are not prepared to do the same for them. It is a two-way street.

It reminds me of Dr. Stone's "eureka" moment that he has described in many talks on sport science:

Dr. Mike Stone experiencing harsh reality.
Check out the full explanation here

It is also something that is true in our applied work with athletes. Even the most resistant and non-compliant athlete will slowly start to come around when you invest in the athlete.

Thank you to the (currently nameless) candidate for this reminder!

Being a busy bas**rd

2011-04-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Busy

In the popular language, being considered "busy" is not complementary. The urban dictionary makes a hash out of this one, so here is my take on it:

1. busy

You take great importance out of seemingly unimportant things to such an extent that it is annoying.

"Stop being so busy - I am going to drink my recovery shake in a minute"

In my athletes eyes, I surely am a busy bastard. 98% busy. The coaches of my team also may see me as busy. Even fellow sport scientists may be annoyed by my busyness from time to time.

"Am I bovvered?"

As sport scientists, it is our job to be busy. Who else is going to do it? We have to demand more from our athletes than that are used to giving. Take urine cups on the road for announced & unannounced hydration tests. Restrict how many oil soaked bread sticks the players are munch down at Olive Garden. Ensure correct timing of subjective ratings following training or competition. Prompt fluid intake at every opportunity during matches. You get the picture.

Sometimes you do want to use your common sense: Demanding players static stretch for 15 minutes following training outside in freezing rain may be a little too busy when a large warm locker room is nearby. This will just piss your players off and you will be equally miserable.

The odd exception aside, you should stick to your guns. Remember that the right things don't become the wrong things just because a player or coach doesn't feel like doing it, and it certainly isn't our job to be best mates with our players. Beyond that brief pissed off scowl, you will be respected for it and your team will do better in the long run than if you had caved.

Stay strong, in more sense than one.

Good session?

2011-04-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

This past week, following a field session, I caught myself saying "that was a good session" following a tough session without really thinking about it. If you are working in the football league, this is something you hear a lot from football coaches and players, and so maybe it rubbed off on me. What the players and coaches mean by a "good session" or "good sess" describes a challenging session - most likely of high intensity and moderate volume. This may or may not, in reality, be a "good session".

What makes up a good session really though? Obviously there are many technical & tactical aspects to it, but the following questions come to mind when considering the physical facets:

Was the volume (amount of work) of the session appropriate to what is needed by the players / what was planned? If possible this should be quantified using HR, RPE, or GPS data. Is this the amount of work that was needed for the day? How about as part of the weekly training load, and phase training load? Do things need to be adjusted or are we on track?
Was the intensity (rate of work) of the level intended? The session should again be compared to the plan which should consider what is needed in the short-term (within the week), and the long-term (variations week to week and phase to phase). Intensity of football / soccer-based sessions is harder to quantify but an effort should be made to do this. A combination of HR & RPE, along with a good knowledge of the energy systems is ok. GPS & accelerometery is a better way. If you have nothing, then scientific understanding of training principles combined with a detailed "coaches eye" is better than nothing.
Were the players able perform at the required level physically / technically or were they too fatigued to improve complex skills? Set, rep, & rest interval formats can greatly impact motor learning.
Have individual players had the training that they need? Did they play last weekend of not? Do they need extra? Do they need less? Are they struggling with an injury? How did they sleep last night? Are they having personal problems? Are they likely to play a major role in the next game? What are the demands of the player's position? How does that individual player play that position (for example is she a clever defensive midfielder that cuts out passes with small movements or is she an enforcer physically). This kind of stuff is fairly easy to keep track of - it just takes time and attention to detail to record everything (minutes played, communication with sports medicine staff and coaches, etc.). The decisions you make from there, however, certainly combines science with art. There may be no hard-fast rule that always works in a given situation.
Has the session allowed the coaches to get across what they need to? Coming from a sport scientist, this may surprise you, but we are not the be all and end all of performance. If getting our team (and individual) periodization perfect is our only goal then we are missing the boat. Yes we want the players to be physically at their best, or close to their best for key periods of the season. However, if we do this at the cost of tactical or technical preparation, then we are probably negating any advantage that our sport science can bring. There has to be a balance. At the top level, the players probably need less time on certain technical work, or know certain systems of play very well already. At younger levels, however, the players are still developing these skills and need practice! Does this mean we should standby while the coach takes 2 hour session after 2 hour session? No. But is it ok for a training session to be 1 hour instead of (the physically "ideal") 45 minutes pre-game because the team needs specific work on defending set pieces? Most likely. I think Dr. Craig Duncan said it best that we are here to support the coaches not run the whole show, we are support staff. Likewise in describing my job to the layperson, strength & power to one side, I state that I am here to "help the coaches make better decisions in how their players are trained".

Coaches need to cover content - we can

help then decide how best to do this

You may think it is a matter of semantics - misusing the term "good session", but it goes beyond that. We have to be thorough in how we analyze and review our sessions (all sessions of all modalities), and then use specific terms to describe them. Yes is can be time consuming but it is our job. If you don't think it is your job then whose is it? In the normal (none ETSU) NCAA setting, then strength and conditioning coaches may have too many teams to do this, in which case the continual effort to help educate and encourage your coaches to do the above may be a constant "battle".

ETSU Weightlifting earns 3rd place at National Collegiate Championships

2011-04-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my fellow students and friends from our weightlifting team for finishing 3rd overall. Now while I am sure that some of the lifters will want to do even better in the future, if we put this in perspective this is higher than ETSU has finished in any ETSU sport so well done! It has been an excellent experience seeing them all train and compete over the past 10 months!

More thanks to the Center of Excellence staff, students, and ETSU men's soccer players & coaches

2011-04-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

This week we finished data collection for our 12 week monitoring study of our collegiate soccer team. All in all around 20 people assisted in some form, and I could not have wished it to have gone better. I owe you all a massive thank you!

Tracking volume & intensity in the weight room as well on the field

As well as those helping with the formal research, this could not have been possible without the full cooperation, hard work, and commitment of the players and coaches of the team. This cannot be underestimated because without this, the data we collect is essentially useless. At first glance, the performance data seems to be the best that we have ever had as a team since testing began in 2007.

This is our Church!

Now while this is a step forward, it is just the beginning. The organizing, analyzing, and writing up of the data is all to come. It is important to add that as well as contributing to my Doctoral dissertation, this information will all directly help us plan, monitor, evaluate, and modify training and performance for the team itself. This is a crucial aspect of sport science - that we are using this to improve performance, both for the team involved, and for those out there that also train teams.

Satoshi in his element

Although official data collection is now over, the majority of monitoring will continue. Every single session of all forms has been recorded or monitored in some way since I came to ETSU and will continue for the next 1.5 - 2 years. Pertinent data has been fed back to coaches on a daily, weekly, and mesocycle/block basis. This all makes for a great case study (or collection of case studies if you look at each individual) that will compliment my formal research studies, and at the end of the day help us win next season & beyond.

Next year's schedule - the most challenging in ETSU's history

I should be able to post more frequently in the coming weeks, and the summer period will also allow for some writing. I have a list of potential topics to cover. Any feedback is very much appreciated.

Good luck to the Stoneage weightlifters at Collegiate Nationals

2011-04-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow the USA Weightlifting Collegiate National Championships starts in Shreveport, Louisiana. Good luck to all of the lifters from Stoneage Weightlifting Club who train under Dr. Stone here at ETSU. It has been fantastic to watch so many athletes be so committed to their lifting while also juggling graduate degrees and work with their own sports teams.
Will post some results here after the weekend!

Thanks to Jeremy for the pic of our banner, a gift from USA Weightlifting.

Check out "Nutrition in Team Sports"

2011-03-09T20:03:00.000-08:00

Another article from a third party, but thought you would enjoy this: Nutrition in Team Sports on Inigo Mujika's blog: Sport Physiology and Training. It is a posting of a published journal by Dr. Mujika & Louise Burke. Check out the link to download the full PDF for free.

This is a topic that we are in the middle of really addressing with the ETSU men's soccer team. Often neglected, but critically important.

Coach education

2011-03-08T16:21:00.000-08:00

A bit of a belated post but last weekend I spent the day with the folk from Brentwood Soccer Club in Nashville. It was a thoroughly enjoyable time and I have to thank Sandy Pollock, and the other staff at the club for having me come down and speak. They are doing a fine job both on the field with their players and in educating their coaches. We are lucky enough to have a couple of players on our current ETSU roster that come from Brentwood.

Continuing on with this kind of coach education, I will be talking on behalf of the Center of Excellence as part Watauga Orthopaedics summer meetings with coaches and athletic trainers in the Tricities area. Us PhD students are also planning on offering workshops for high school coaches and athletics staff over the summer. These events will be free of-course. If you are local to this area, watch this space, www.sportscienceed.com, or better yet get in touch and let us know if you would like us to come to you.

Lastly, the schedule for the 2011 Medical Symposium has been announced, with the main event happening on May 13th at the ETSU Culp Center. Topics will include "Sickle cell and the athlete", "Muscle remodeling for formerly sedentary subjects after exercise training", "resistance training for the athlete with type 1 diabetes", along with two talks on resistance training and children. Attendance to the conference will cost $100 ($75 for students). CEUs can be earned for both the NSCA and NATA. On the night of the 12th there will also be a free talk on concussion with Dr. Micky Collins. Check out the full schedule HERE.

As well as coaches and athletic department staff, we the staff and students of the Center of Excellence learn a huge amount running these sessions and events. Thank you for giving us the opportunity!

When not so good things happen

2011-03-07T18:34:00.000-08:00

It is great when things go well for us. When we win a championship. When an athlete gets better. Gains a pro contract. Etc. etc. That said, how we react when things don't go so well is far more important.

When an injury happens, no matter how unavoidable it seems, we have to examine the facts. What was the training load on the lead up to the injury? How was the athlete moving? What was the athletes physiological state when the injury happened? Could / should we have done something different?

Following a great season with ETSU men's soccer and less training & game time lost through injury than in previous years, we have had some injuries in the spring. I have to be critical of what we have done with the players to help avoid this happening in the future.

We have to be critical of our own work -

it is a duty we owe to our athletes

If a player reacts badly to a workout or program then you also have to scrutinize. The exercise, workout, or program may not be inherently bad, but for that particular athlete it may not have been appropriate.

If an injury occurs then blame should not blindly be thrown at the coach or sport scientist. There is often lots at play. Sometimes bad performances or injury do just happen. Also, there may be a large psychological aspect. What is crucial is that we examine the facts. The better our planning, record keeping, and monitoring, then the easier it will be for us to spot problems and fix them in the future.

Press for ETSU's Sport Physiology & Performance PhD program

2011-03-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

Great report on our program from the Johnson City Press:

ETSU sport sciences doctoral student Ashley Kavanaugh working with Ambrose Serrano.

Ron Campbell/Johnson City Press

Mike Stone only planned for three students to enroll in the newly created doctorate of sport physiology and performance program at East Tennessee State University, not the nine students who did enroll.

“Already this year we’ve had over 20 applications for next year and there’s at least five more over in the hopper in the grad school office,” Stone said. “So it’s really taken off. We didn’t think it would be a knockout like it is.”

Stone is an associate professor of kinesiology, leisure and sport sciences and director of ETSU’s exercise and sport science laboratory.

The new doctorate has attracted students from around the world, perhaps in large part because it is the only such program available that focuses on the science of training athletes to minimize injury and thereby improve performance.

“Honestly this really is a one-of-a-kind program right now,” Stone said. “It really is focused on sport science and coach education.”

The benchmark for a doctorate program being considered successful is to graduate an average of five students per year over the course of five years. The doctorate in sports is on a path to exceed that benchmark.

Some other schools plan on beginning similar programs. But at ETSU, the athletics department has partnered with the program to allow its athletes to benefit from the science employed there.

“So we work it out where our students, master and doctoral students, can work with athletes on a daily basis,” Stone said, adding that unique relationship allows students to gain insight.

“That uniqueness really attracts the students here,” he said.

The idea behind the program is the better educated coaches are in the science of training athletes, the better protected athletes are from injuries. The less injuries athletes get, the better performance they will give.

“If you drop that potential for injury that saves the athletic department a lot in terms of money,” said Meg Stone, director of the ETSU Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education and a faculty member in the program. She is also the wife of Mike Stone.

Applicants for the doctoral program hail from China, Taiwan, Japan and England. An English student and a Japanese student are enrolled in the program. The original three positions created for the program were available as fellowships, meaning students did not pay tuition.

Enough money was found to fund 8.5 students in the program. Finding additional funds is tricky, though, especially in a down economy.

“We have students that could get in anywhere and they come here,” Stone said of the caliber of students applying to the program. “We could easily bring in 10 more students right now if we could support them.”

Jeremy Gentles was one of the students accepted into the program this past fall. He did his undergraduate work at ETSU in exercise science. He then served in the military and then began his master’s degree in sport physiology shortly thereafter. Then the doctorate in sport physiology and performance began this past fall.

Gentles began a website in his master’s studies called sportably.com, which is designed for athletes to monitor their physiology on a daily basis. The thought behind the site is that if athletes know how they are doing, they can better avoid injuries.

Often times, Gentles said athletes in college and high school will become lax about training during the summer months and over winter break. Upon their return to the field or court, coaches usually push athletes really hard to get back in shape and injuries occur.

Gentles has always been interested in human performance, he said. The opportunity to be among the first to change coaching practices by getting the ETSU doctorate was a driver for him to enroll.

“And the folks that come out of here will really be the first to go out and change the face of sport science in the United States,” Gentles said.

Ashley Kavanaugh also enrolled in the new program. She is researching how whole body vibration affects athletic performance. This is a new field of study and there are implications vibration does affect performance.

Kavanaugh thought using science in athletic training is the direction sports is moving in this country.

“I think growing up competing in sports I was very interested in the training aspect and saw through training I could enhance my ability to perform,” Kavanaugh said. “But I didn’t have the coaches who could help me do that properly.”

Thoughts on the Soccer Journal article: "Multi-Sport Athletes: Saints or Sinners?"

2011-02-22T18:36:00.000-08:00

This blog post are some thoughts on the article "Multi-Sport Athletes: Saints or Sinner?". This article was published in the publication of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the "Soccer Journal", volume 57, number 1.

I will not be rewriting the article here so those of you that are members of the NSCAA and have read it may get more from this blog post than those that do not have access. Nevertheless it would be great to get everyones opinion on this article or topic in general.

This article was categorized under the "in my opinion" heading. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. This is the whole idea behind blogs such as this one. What is important however, is that ones opinion is based on a well constructed and fair argument. This certainly should be the case for work appearing in a well distributed publication (even if the soccer journal is not strictly "peer-reviewed").

The following probably won't win me many friends at the NSCAA nor in the author's camp, but as always, this is nothing personal. It is merely a (big) difference of opinion:

Upon first reading the title you may well think that both sides of the arguments (pros & cons) would be represented here, but this really is not the case. This article starts by stating some possible reasons to why kids are playing multiple sports (that are over simplified), and then bashes the idea by providing some very short-sighted and frankly untrue reasons why this shouldn't be happening. No benefits of kids playing different sports are spoken of, and there are certainly no examples of where it may be appropriate (never apparently).

There are so many things in this article that I object to that it is hard to know where to start. A couple of key concepts follow:

The author calls multi-sport athletes a "trend". Isn't a trend when teenagers do something with their hair or clothing? A new kind of music? Body art? Young athletes playing multiple sports is nothing new. Think back to your childhood when soccer-specific-everything didn't exist. We played many sports, some more seriously than others. In England it was football and rugby autumn to spring, with cricket and athletics (track and field) in the summer. I would also argue that rather than increasing and becoming more prevalent, kids are actually getting less and less variation in their sport in todays world.
Over-training and injury. If you talk to the vast majority of experts in this area then you will hear that playing multiple sports early in a sporting career may lead to lower injury rates both in the present and the future. All soccer ALL the time = the horrific injury rates that we are experiencing from the grassroots all the way to the pinnacle of world soccer.
Balance effort? The author feels that playing multiple sports will lead to them getting used to playing at less than 100%. Ask a high level player if they are at 100% or give 100% for every training session and game. Balanced effort is natural and leads to intelligent training and play. No athlete can hussle hussle hussle all the time every time no matter what the situation.
Movement skills? How many good soccer players have we worked with that would have been great if they moved more efficiently (and therefore faster), or were stronger physically, or jumped higher? Other sports can help develop these things, yet this seems to have been overlooked here. An 8 year old does not need a soccer specific personal trainer doing inappropriate plyometrics 5 days per week over a ball to improve their jumping. Let them jump and move in a slightly different context.

Yes, we need to look after the welfare of the kids. If a youngster is playing a dangerous amount of sport (soccer or otherwise), then something needs to be done.

Yes it is a pain to plan and program for multi-sport athletes - but isn't that our job as coaches to modify and tailor training programs and sessions to our athletes needs / demands? Communication between the soccer coach and the coaches of other sports, as well as parents and the children themselves is paramount.

Yes there are many situations where athletes are doing too many sports back to back. I am sure, however, that if they were not, then these same kids would be the ones signing up to as many club teams, school teams, camps, tournaments, individual lessons, and soccer-specific strength and conditioning programs as possible. The latter, in my opinion, is a worse situation.

Finally: Of course young athletes need to specialize at some point. Some people say 14 or 15 is a good time, whilst others will say later. I am not Mr. "Late Specialization" as I think an athlete could decide a little earlier than that. But this does not mean that they cannot continue to play other sports in some way. No it doesn't have to be (or maybe shouldn't be) at a high level as the athlete gets older and more serious about soccer. It could be recreational, or effort in this other sport could be "balanced". Specialization can be good a little earlier IF the soccer program is well designed and constant overuse is avoided (that means a periodized yearly program, time doing less-specific activities and learning basic, general movement skills).

An argument against slightly later specialization is that the majority of the very best soccer players in the world have been soccer-only since they were very young. Yes this is true, but do the kids you work with have the amazing natural talent that these players have? These players may be the exception rather than the rule. Different animals. How about those amazing talents that burnout / got injured and never made it from soccer-only? Anecdotally, I have certainly found working with athletes at high levels that the majority those that have a background in other sports as well as football / soccer are not only better all around athletes, but pick up new skills quickly and tend to be injured less.

Taking a chill pill and moving away from this specific article (I have done enough bashing of my own), I feel that much of the worry about other sports may be due to three main reasons:

A paranoia that every kid is going to quit your team or soccer all together.
Money. DOCs at some youth club teams in this country (I am in America right now) make huge amounts of money. More than all but the very top professional and college coaches. It is sickening that this much money is being made out of kids. There are good clubs and coaches out there and I am not branding everyone, but there is too much money in the youth soccer system and money may just be the "root of all evil".
A lack of coaches education. Coaches try to make logical decisions and act for the kids welfare and development, but without an underlying knowledge of certain principles, the decisions actually made may be far from logical and good for the child.

The last point is why this blog is here, and ultimately why I am doing what I am in my career. I am speaking at Brentwood Soccer Club this weekend in Nashville and this topic will be one that I will cover. They have an excellent club model and coaches education program and I am really looking forward to being part of it.

Please let me know your own thoughts - especially if you have read this article or have experience in the topic. It would be really good to hear from youth coaches that encounter problems with multi-sport athletes so perhaps we can all learn about that side of the fence.

Do you see something significant here?

2011-02-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

There is something important going on in this picture. No I am not commenting on the training. Nor am I referring to the high fashion rain gear the players are wearing. I am talking about the presence of the gentleman in the center towards the back in the coat and cap. That is Bruce Arena, head coach of the LA Galaxy.

The important thing here is that the head coach / manager is present during a strength and conditioning session. This is what we need from coaches. Coaches being at these sessions (weights sessions, speed & agility, conditioning, etc.) sessions sends a message, and can help us do our job more effectively. Do they always have to be there holding our hand? No. But support in this way from time to time can do wonders, especially early on in the preparation period with a new strength and conditioning coach like Ben Yauss. Well done to the LA Galaxy, Bruce Arena, and his staff.

ETSU men's track & field - Atlantic Sun indoor champions

2011-02-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the East Tennessee State University men's track and field team for capturing the Atlantic Sun indoor championship this weekend.

Some fantastic performances in the throws and sprints were highlights for me, in addition to a very exciting finish to the 800 m. Our man in the decathlon also put on an impressive display showing fantastic all-around athleticism. Check out this news report for more info: ETSU men's track reclaims A-Sun Indoor Championship.

The throwers, both male and female, truly showed what a well planned out training program can do. Two weeks ago at the Niswonger invitational, they put on an average display. Two weeks later, eight out of nine throwers had at least one PR in one or more event.

Senior Jarrod Burton broke the Atlantic Sun record in both the shot put and the weight throw, earning him one first place and one second place finish and the outstanding field performer award. Well done big fella and well done to coach Meg Stone & Dr. Mike Stone and their staff, Daniel Corriher, Keith Scruggs, & Stuart Bowen, for enabling their athletes to peak at the right time. There is no use hitting the highs too early or too late (or not at all). Creative coaching guided by science works.

Thinking outside the box

2011-02-19T06:06:00.000-08:00

This post is inspired by my friend, colleague, and fellow PhD student Satoshi Mizuguchi.

This spring I have been taking data officially for my doctoral dissertation. This is essentially a more thorough and extensive extension of the monitoring system that we put in place during the fall for the ETSU Men's Soccer team. It predominantly focuses on the outfield players, with the goalkeepers, as is often the case, a secondary priority.

Goalkeepers are often left "on their own" both figuratively and literally when it comes to training (and the quantification of training. It has been like this at every pro and amateur team I have ever been a part of. I am certainly guilty of this as I spent the majority of my time with the bigger group; the outfield players. This justification is flawed however, as the goalkeeper is the most important position for many teams.

Satoshi predominantly focuses on strength and power development in both his research and work with the team whilst I am more field based. This spring however, he has taken a real interest in the goalkeepers field-based training and came up with the great idea to start a video blog. This has enabled him to not only learn about the demands of training himself, but can share this with the coaching staff and the players.

Screenshot of the blog

Such a simple idea but one that is helping us already. The goalkeepers themselves are loving it and get together often or call each other to discuss what they are seeing. We will be starting to do this more and more with other aspects of training in the coming weeks.

A key thing here is privacy. Satoshi uses youtube to host the videos but sets them to private so you can only access them if you have the specific address or link. Posting them on the blog makes it easier to organize and manage initially, as well as being simpler for the people you want to access them (they only need one link send to them - that of the blog). The settings for the blog also need to be private as they should not be listed anywhere, nor should they come up in search engine results. We are doing this for the good of the team, not to show off or become the next internet sensation like Lassi Hurskainen:

(To be fair, we played against him last season and he

had a good game, his distribution in particular, was excellent)

We still have a long way to go in developing a monitoring system for goalkeepers. Training without a doubt has bigger physical demands than actual games so this is very important. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to help us, the coaches and the players learn about training the position.

Connor Wickham linked with Spurs

2011-02-18T04:18:00.000-08:00

This may well be just tabloid speculation but this boy is a bit special and would love to see him at Tottenham:

Spurs "have one hand on" Ipswich ace Wickham

When I was with Crystal Palace we headed to Ipswich in the FA Youth Cup with an excellent squad. We prepared well physically and tactically, and had excellent scouting reports on the then 15 year old Connor Wickham. Three goals later from the big lad, we went home out of the cup and in awe of his complete game. Keep in mind he was the youngest player on the pitch. There are not many forwards out there at any level that can score with their head, put away tap ins, and bury 30 yarders as well as lead the line and bully central defenders physically.

Wickham is still only 17 and perhaps it is too soon to make the VERY big jump to the top 4 in English football. I don't see him being another John Bostock, though. Perhaps a loan move straight back to Ipswich where he can continue his development would be good for all involved?

What do I know though? I am just a sport scientist! Has anyone else out there seen much of him lately?

In-season training - the concept (from Vern Gambetta)

2011-02-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

Below are some excellent words of wisdom from Vern Gambetta's blog, www.functionalpathtraining.com

Yes we should emphasize and deemphasize things at certain times during the season but we can still work on improving the athlete. This is especially true if we are working with developing sportsmen and women. I especially agree with the things that Vern mentions must be considered when approaching team training (age of the team, experience, how individuals recover, etc.). Sometimes these things are not black and white, and so this is where science becomes quasi-science.

Perhaps one of the biggest dark holes in training is what to do for in-season training, especially in team sports. How much should do? What should you do? When should you do it? In-season train is immensely important. Too many people still subscribe to the myth that once the season starts then training should go into a maintenance mode. That concept is outdated and wrong. If you start a “maintenance” program once the competitive season starts you will quickly be in a detraining mode. Based on the law of reversibility (use it or lose it) the physical qualities that were developed in the non- competitive build-up phase will began to erode. Some erode faster than others based on training age and background, the sport, frequency of competition and gender.

All physical qualities should be trained in-season, obviously not to the same extent as in the off-season. I divide the competitive season into manageable blocks based on the competition calendar. I use pretty simple divisions - early season, mid season, late season and championship season which includes playoffs and championships.

Then I carefully consider the demands of the sport. Is it a collision, contact or high impact sport? What is the frequency of competition? Are there more than one game or matches in a week? What is the make-up of the team? Is it a veteran team or all young athletes without much experience? Is it a developmental team or a seasoned professional team? Then I will look closely at the individuals. Who are the fast adaptors? Who recovers fast, who is slow to recover. What is their role on a team? Are they a starter or substitute that rarely plays.

Then I begin to layout my distribution of the actual training. This is all determined by the quality and extent of the work I have been able to do in preparation blocks. If there has been a good foundation then obviously I can begin to build off of that. Keep in mind that training accumulates form day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month and year-to-year. We want to be sure to take advantage of that and continue that process.

I want to dispel the notion that you need large blocks of time for in-season training. Look for time and use it to maximum benefit. Five minutes a day by five training days is twenty five precoius minutes that yoiu can use to get the athlete better. Warm-up is an obvious period to stress fundamental movement skills. This is the time to address injury prevention through modules that address movements and elements of the sport that put the athlete at risk. This should be transparent.

Speed development must be trained. All components of linear speed including max speed must be addressed. Very simply, fast people must run fast or they lose speed. One of the causes of the hamstrting injuries we are seeing is that the players only are going top speed in games and matches. Something has to give. Agility should be addressed but to a lesser extent, because practice movements will hit that component. Regarding agility you have to be careful that you are not adding stress to stress by doing more change of direction outside of practice.

Strength training is paramount. It must be an emphasis throughout, especially for the female athlete. As the season progresses strength training will assume a different role, it becomes a tool for neural excitation, rather than for force development. My rule here is, a little bit more often.

Obviously I am only touching the surface here. This is one the topics we address in the GAIN Apprentorship. In future posts I will talk more about the actual work and the changes in the emphasis during the various blocks of the season. Ask yourself one question: Are they thriving or surviving?

Thanks Vern for allowing me to post this here!
His blog is truly one that I value (it is one of the few that I get an RSS feed from). Whilst I may not agree on everything that Vern writes (how many coaches do?), his approach to athletic development and experience is second to none. If you are interested in learning from some top class professionals working in the field, check out his aforementioned GAIN apprentorship. I know some people that have gone through this experience and the faculty and content is first class. www.gambetta.com