Home-based strength program for runners

Links to exercises can be found here. In this challenging time of COVID-19 precautions, here’s a home-based 4-week strength training program for runners who no longer have gym access. Research from groups like Montana Running Lab shows that to improve performance, strength training should be done with moderate to heavy resistance (ex: 60-80% of a 1 rep max) for 3-6 … Read More

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

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

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

Research Roundup: Fatigue, Arthritis, In-Season Strength Training Week of May 30

May 30, 2016:  What CLE Sports PT is reading to give athletes #BETTER care   Should player fatigue be the focus of injury prevention strategies for international rugby sevens tournaments?  During the Rugby Sevens World Series, much more injuries seen in the second half of matches.  The proportion of injuries also increased as the tournament went on-  probably due to fatigue.   The Relationship of Foot Strike Pattern, Shoe Type, … Read More

Research Roundup: Hamstring Injuries; Neck Strength in Football

Research Roundup-  Week of May 16, 2016: What CLE Sports PT is reading to give athletes #BETTER care Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: Clinical Aspects of Assessment and Management:  New ahead of print in JOSPT–  a great read and management outline of an injury affecting many athletes.   Strengthening the Gluteus Medius Using Various Bodyweight and Resistance Exercises.  Explains why glute medius strengthening is important, and compares exercises based on … Read More

Research Roundup: Don’t “Tighten Your Core”

Research Roundup: What CLE Sports PT is reading to give athletes #BETTER care   Abdominal Bracing Increases Ground Reaction Forces and Reduces Knee and Hip Flexion During Landing.  Many coaches and PT’s teach athletes to “hold the core tight” during certain exercises.  But in this study, when athletes pulled their core tight during plyometrics (drop landings), researchers saw increased forces through the athletes’ joints … Read More

Hurt or Burnt Out From Your New Fitness Regimen? How to Fix it

Getting better mentally and physically means challenging your body through your fitness routine.  However, there’s a delicate balance between how far to push and when to take a break.  At this time of year, it seems we spend lots of time beating ourselves up over poor health choices during the holidays (Skipping workouts for holiday parties?  The endless trays of Christmas … Read More