PEAK PERFORMANCE IS NOW...
The “rap sheet” on female athletes says that they don’t recover from hard training as well as males do. This ‘slur’ on females does make a certain amount of physiological sense. After all, the primary male sex hormone, testosterone, is a potent bone and muscle builder and connective-tissue-reconstructor. Oestrogen, the main female hormone, has more... MORE
Female and male athletes seem to respond to training in a comparable manner. As the quantity or intensity of training increases, aerobic capacity (VO2max) shoots upward, body fat tends to decrease, and performance improves, regardless of gender. In spite of these parallel responses, males frequently achieve better performance times than similarly trained females. Part of... MORE
More mitochondria mean more PBs, but what do you have to do to get them? Deep inside your muscles lurk a multitude of microscopic structures called mitochondria. Although infinitesimally small (they can’t be seen with an ordinary microscope), the mitochondria are of major importance to your athletic efforts; as you increase their density, your performance... MORE
Treadmill training: In mid-May, newspaper headlines trumpeted the news: treadmills are the best exercise device for individuals interested in burning calories and losing weight, beating stationary bicycles, stair machines, rowing devices, and cross-country ski machines by a whopping margin. As a result, people who trained in gyms and clubs began to cast a cold eye... MORE
This new research confirms that the also-rans are working every bit as hard as the winners A popular maxim among runners is that ‘back-of-the-pack’ individuals work just as hard as the front-runners during a race. The accepted belief is that the divergence in performances is not due to the effort exerted – but to differences... MORE
Turning your attention inwards can help you run more economically. Extensive research has been carried out on both psychological and physiological factors associated with distance running. For example, sports psychologists have investigated the relationship of anxiety and confidence to running achievement, while physiologists have examined factors such as VO2max and lactate threshold, relating these to... MORE
Practical recommendations for reducing the impact of the VO2 slow component Article at a glance The traditional way of classifying ‘exercise intensity’ is discussed; The concept of exercise intensity ‘domains’ is introduced; The VO2 ‘slow component’ is described and its importance to exercise performance is explained; Practical recommendations for reducing the impact of the VO2... MORE
Heart rate variability and stress analysis to enhance endurance Article at a glance The concept of heart rate variability is reviewed; The physiological and physical effects of fatigue and evidence for rest and recovery are presented and explained; The use of daily stress and recovery analysis to enhance endurance performance is outlined and examples given.... MORE
Training the right energy system in relation to your sport will ensure optimum performance. By John Shepherd. The three energy systems 1) Aerobic energy system Distance running uses aerobic energy Aerobic means ‘with air’. Oxygen provides the catalyst for a chemical reaction in our muscles (including the heart) that generates aerobic energy. If it were... MORE
Could training when muscle carbohydrate stores are low be advantageous to athletes? Andrew Hamilton looks at the very latest research in this area and how it translates into training recommendations for athletes… When it was first proposed as a useful nutritional approach to training, the ‘train low, race high’ theory ruffled plenty of feathers because... MORE
The latest triathlon research and best practice findings, covering improving technique, strength and conditioning, and endurance nutrition
The latest findings from running science with practical advice showing you how you can run further and faster whilst staying in peak health
