Genetic Benefit (or Burden) for Athletes

We hear all the time that "picking good parents" is a great way to advance your athletic career. In other words, genes are usually considered important to sports performance.

One thing we do not hear much about-at least in the popular media-is how some genes may be a benefit in one sport and a burden in another.  Many people understand a person's percentage of fast or slow twitch muscle fibers is largely genetic. 

Some people may not understand if you are more "fast-twitch" you are likely to have more success in strength and power sports (football, baseball, sprinting, etc.) , and... read more

Elite Exercise Pro: Merge the Real World and the Lab

It is puzzling to me when coaches and exercise professionals say things like "I do not care about studies.  I am interested in the real world" or words to that effect.  I understand the perspective (I think) and many studies can seem pretty obscure, but it misses the point.

Exercise research is designed to lead to "real world" benefit.  The research may affirm something discovered by an exercise professional, or the research may help clarify a disputed issue. It also may offer a completely new idea not yet considered by exercise professionals. In any case, the research should advance... read more

Muscle Memory Mechanism?

One point of exercise research is to determine the "mechanism" behind a given outcome.  When the mechanism for a positive outcome is determined, duplication becomes possible.

A recent Norway study attempted to determine the mechanism for "muscle memory" and came up with some interesting findings.

This study was done on mice so we need to place an asterisk beside it.  Animal studies do not prove the same thing occurs in humans, but they can lead to later successful human studies.

The study found resistance training increases muscle cell nuclei, and this increase may last for a lifetime... read more

Plyometric Training for Runners

A 2008 review showed the potential of resistance training to help running performance.

Yamamoto reviewed the highest quality research involving highly competitive runners. Four of the studies involved explosive resistance training and one study involved strength training only.

Four of the five studies showed running economy improves from resistance training. Running economy is one of the "Big Three" variables for running performance (along with VO2 Max and Lactate Threshold).

Two of the studies showed actual time improvements from the resistance programs.

Yamamoto concludes plyometric training can improve running economy and running performance.

Resistance for Runners... read more