The “mind-muscle connection” is when you focus on using a specific muscle during exercise to make it work better and grow more. This is called internal cuing. It’s different from external cues, which focus on the end result of the exercise, like lifting a heavier weight. External cues are better for improving performance, but internal […]
Building muscle takes time and patience, but if the muscles aren’t being used, they can reduce rapidly, like during a long period of inactivity, or injury, which prevents moving a certain limb. A less extreme example of muscle disuse is detraining (i.e. training less or not at all). How fast do you lose muscle if […]
A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology aims to compare the effects of squat training with a short range of motion versus a long range of motion on strength adaptations. PMID: 23604798 Specifically, the study investigated the impact of heavy shallow squats (0-60 degrees knee flexion) & lighter deep squats (0-120 […]
Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the mental health and diet of populations. Studies have shown links between the COVID-19 pandemic and observed negative changes in food intake in populations. According to various studies, the global impact of COVID-19 on mental health is an obvious fact. PMID: 33316900 Rates of symptoms of anxiety, depression, […]
The menstrual cycle and its related physical and psychological symptomology can negatively impact daily life and activities, including absences from school or work. In the field of sports, a 2018 study reported that 77% of elite athletes (332/430 subjects) not using hormonal contraception (HC) had negative side effects during their menstrual cycle; including pain (abdominal/back), […]
Sleep plays a key role in many physiological and cognitive functions, and it is recommended that adults obtain between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep has also been causatively implicated in the maintenance of muscle mass with an increased likelihood of both sarcopenia and lower total skeletal muscle mass in those reporting […]
Many people believe that sleeping is unproductive and that they can get by with less. However, recent studies have shown that sleep is incredibly important for athletes and can greatly affect their performance. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of sleep and athletics. We’ll explore the benefits that athletes […]
An optimally balanced diet is one of the most critical factors that positively influence athletic performance. Experts show how athletes’ diets should be balanced in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and micronutrients. However, there is an ongoing debate about the most optimal proportions of macronutrients in a diet leading to the reduction of excessive body […]
A Canadian researcher from the University of Calgary set out to describe the treatment techniques and interventions following concussion. The majority of individuals recover in 24-48 hours period following a concussion; However, in 20–30% of cases, symptoms persist beyond 4 weeks following injury. TYPICAL TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PATH Typical treatment following a concussion is a […]
Rugby union is considered to have one of the highest injury incidences of any sport. The overall injury incidence for matches in professional rugby union players is reported as 81/1000 player hours. In adolescent players, match injury incidence is 12–22/1000 hours, whereas elite junior academy and schoolboy rugby players report match injury incidence as 47 […]