Nix the Cardio-loading and Balance Your Fitness This Year
This is gonna be a decidedly low tech Christmas and new year for me. I have just read Lenny Bernstein’s blog in the Washington Post magazine highlighting a couple of “science fitness” options: an ear bud who whispers sweet workout feedback into your ear and a hovercraft that badgers you to stay on pace. Not […]
What’s in a Joint?
Nope, not talking about new legislation in Colorado and Washington State. Sorry. Talking about joints of the body. I know, there’s nothing more boring than an anatomy lecture. Trust me, I know. I’ve made students sit through hundreds of them. I used to trick them into having fun on the first day of class. I brought in […]
Coach as First Responder When a Young Athlete Gets Injured
As coaches we are not meant to be sports medicine experts and we shouldn’t overstep our credentials. But, let’s face it; we’re our athletes’ first responders. When they go down on the field, the referee signals for us to come on and check out their condition. This is a unique privilege – just ask any […]
Thank you, Vienna Youth Soccer Striker Parents
Author’s note: I just finished six weeks working with the Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS) Strikers, 3 teams of U14 girls soccer players who compete in WAGS and ODSL. They are professionally trained by Gerardo Ramirez, Elise Fasick and Andon Tsarev. They invited Fit2Finish to introduce soccer-specific fitness and injury prevention. Dear Striker Parents, You have a […]
Soccer Stretches for Coaches and Athletes
These stretches will take just a few minutes after each practice and game, but it’s time well spent. One coach contacted me to say his biggest challenge was parents who would want to whisk their kids away. Yes, we are in a hurry these days. Just email those team parents and let them know you […]
Coaching Fitness by Being Fit
What is the most important thing you can do to encourage good fitness in your players? a. have them run? b. have them do calisthenics? c. give them a home program for non-practice days? d. be fit yourself As an exercise physiologist, I certainly believe running, strength and home programs are important to help kids […]
Interval Train to use Recovery as a Training Tool
Recovery. Every athlete needs it. Suzy Germain says it’s missing from her son’s topnotch team and that’s taking a toll. Wayne Goldsmith, in his January 4th blog post, has a great mnemonic to help us think about how recovery – that is, time off from sport-specific conditioning and training – re-charges the elite athlete so he can go […]
The Beautiful Game, Beautifully Played
How many of us have watched in amazement and disgust this week as Elizabeth Lambert of the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team assaulted players from Brigham Young University’s team? First, pulling a player down by her ponytail, then administering karate chops to the face of a player on a “tackle” and more. After […]
Is it “just” Growing Pains?
I was stretching with my U13 soccer team after a scrimmage. Through a chorus of moans and evident wincing one player told me, “Coach, no one in my class can touch their toes.” Her teammates nodded in agreement. Yep, tight muscles in longer limbs are natural when they’re growing. But does that mean pain is […]
Stretching Develops Flexibility in Body and Mind
Stretching Develops Flexibility in Body and Mind I often get the question: when should I stretch?* The short answer is: After your workout. After your game. After your run. There are 2 main reasons for this. One is physical: after exercise is when your muscles are warm and supple. Stretching afterwards allows them to lengthen, […]