Bench press technique: flat-back vs arched-back. [INFOGRAPHIC]

I’ll admit that the arched-back bench press looks strange.  Kind of like a back injury waiting to happen.  However, when done correctly,  it’s safe and is the preferred technique used for powerlifting.   Why?  Because the arched position shortens the range of motion needed in competition to push a heavy barbell upward.   Is it necessary?  Depends on your training … Read More

Reaching Peak Performance [ARTICLE SUMMARY]

I’m loving the early edition of this paper in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. There’s no doubt that athletes need to train hard to reach peak performance. But how hard? And how fast should that training ramp up? Thanks to Tim Gabbett for this excellent commentary. In my very humble opinion, clinicians, coaches, and athletes all need … Read More

Running form: what’s ideal? [INFOGRAPHIC]

I get a lot of questions on “how to run.” This infographic outlines general guidelines, but please note that there is no perfect method for running. Use these as general suggestions, but keep in mind that everyone’s body is different. For example, some colleges did not recruit Michael Johnson due to his unconventional sprinting form. If you don’t have an … Read More

RECOVERY: the biggest buzzword in sports science right now

As athletes continue to push the boundaries of their bodies with training, recovery becomes even more important.  Why? To reduce fatigue and enhance athletic performance.  In theory, if you can recover faster, you can train harder (or more often). But, unfortunately recovery is complex.  There’s no one way to do it effectively. This is because it depends on a LOT … Read More

On-field injury rehab: how to safely get back in the game [INFOGRAPHIC]

One of the reasons I started CLE Sports PT & Performance was to work with athletes in their own element. I’ve always felt it provided a more complete recovery and return to their sport.  The literature shows that “on-field rehab” does just that. ACL injury. management, done in this manner, has been shown to be associated with: superior muscle strength … Read More

Perfect Your Training Intensity For Your Best Results Work smarter? Or harder? Balance is key to optimal performance and decreased injury risk.

Training harder and smarter.

Which are you… The person who never stops training?  The one who tries to outwork the competition? Or the person constantly looking for a way to hack the system?  (The one taking a break from Tim Ferriss’ 4 Hour Body to read this post?) Which is better?  Or, from a health perspective, which increases injury risk?   Overtraining or undertraining? … Read More

Do I need sports drinks or electrolytes for my best workout? Part 2 of the importance of the body's fluid balance.

Electrolytes are important for some workouts

In my last article, I talked about the importance of water and how much to drink.   But to be truly “hydrated” means to have a balance of water and chemicals called electrolytes. Electrolytes include: sodium and chloride (aka salt), potassium, calcium, and magnesium.  These compounds help control muscle contractions, nerve impulses, blood pH, and water transport in and out … Read More