The effectiveness of a pre-competition routine

Athletes train to be able to perform with confidence during competition. They prepare both physically and mentally for all sceneries but there are situations that athletes cannot control on competition day such as weather, the venue or their opponents. Sometimes the unexpected can happen creating unwanted stresses. One way to help ensure athletes feel they…

Polarized training approach

During the Sochi Olympic Winter games in the Adler speed skating arena, the Dutch speed skating team showed total dominance as they hauled in 24 medals out of a possible 36. In fact, the Netherlands’ total medals came from speed skating only. A recent study on the Dutch speed skating team concluded that in the…

Is massage effective for exercise recovery?

For most coaches, trainers, and athletes, massage is an integral part of a training and competition program. Sports massage can be used to improve athletic performance, speed recovery, and can be used by all individuals, professional or recreational athletes, to help improve conditioning and maintain peak performance. What is sport massage? Sports massage is the…

Flow State: In the zone for optimal sports performance!

For basketball fans and sports enthusiasts this is a great time of year. March Madness is upon us. In tournaments such as this, when the outcome of a single game determines who plays on and who goes home, a single player hitting their peak can make all the difference. When an athlete can seem to…

Improving your game

Is your short game in golf hindering your ability to close out games? Are your competitors dropping you on hills during races?  In any competition, an athlete wants to go in well prepared in order to be able to accomplish his or her goals. However, some of us neglect to identify and correct our weaknesses…

Hungry to Compete

Coaches, trainers, anyone a part of an athlete’s support team, have a crucial role in not only preventing problematic eating, but also being the first responder in identifying the signs and symptoms. Recent studies show that athletes who have positive coach-athlete relations are less at risk of developing disordered eating habits. Coaches should work with…

I will be taking my talents to…

At the end of each school year, senior high school students have to make important decisions about the future. For student athletes, this heralds an exciting time in their lives, since some will have the opportunity to be collegiate athletes. For these young people, the process of being recruited and offered a scholarship, often by…

Match Point: Treating and Preventing Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a very common sport related injury. Despite its name the injury can occur in a number of different sports. While usually a fairly minor injury, the resulting pain, discomfort, and potential weakness can prevent a person from participating in their activity of choice. Thankfully if the individual is knowledgeable, tennis elbow can…

Should athletes continue to train through illness?

Every athlete during their career has experienced the frustration of illness which often temporarily derails their training. Many times the length of time off is determined by the severity of the illness and the rate of recovery, however, there are many athletes that claim that they’ve pushed through and trained while sick. Training while sick…

Can motivation be developed?

by Trent Weir  Algonquin College Sport Business Management Intern  Kieran Behan made his first Olympic appearance at the 2012 London Games as the first gymnast from Ireland to qualify based on his results. While it’s an impressive feat, it is only part of the story. As a young boy, Kieran suffered two major injuries, as…