What is the Wingate Anaerobic Test?

Developed in the 1970s in Israel (Bar-Or, Dotan & Inbar, 1977), the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), also known as the Wingate Test and Wingate Protocol, measures (Bar-Or, 1987; Cooper et al., 2004): Lower-body peak power; Anaerobic capacity; and The reduction of power, known as fatigue index (FD). The WAnT, usually on a cycle ergometer, is… Read More

What is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)?

“High intensity interval training (HIIT) involves repeatedly exercising at a high intensity for 30 seconds to several minutes, separated by 1-5 minutes of recovery (either no or low intensity exercise).” (Gibala & McGee, 2008, p.58). “HIIT generally involves alternating bouts of higher-intensity exercise (20 seconds to 5 minutes) sessions with either true rest or light-… Read More

What is the Tabata Method?

During the 1990s, Izumi Tabata and his colleagues published what is considered a landmark paper (Tabata et al., 1996). In their study using 14 physically fit, young, male subjects, Tabata and colleagues compared two training protocols, examining improvements in both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. In experiment one, seven subjects performed steady state exercise (moderate-intensity endurance… Read More

What is Fartlek Training?

“… this relatively unscientific blending of interval and continuous training introduced to the United States in the early 1940s had particular application to exercise outdoors over natural terrain. The system used alternate running at fast and slow speeds over both level and hilly landscape.” (Katch, McArdle & Katch, 2011, p.436). Katch, McArdle and Katch (2011,… Read More

Why Does Running Hurt Our Lower Limbs?

Love running, but keep getting leg injuries? That could be because the way we run focuses jogging’s hard impacts in our lower limbs. In a light, half-hour run, the average recreational runner’s feet will strike the ground about 5000 times, absorbing shocks with every strike. Now Delphine Chadefaux at Aix-Marseille University in France and her team (2017) have used tracking techniques… Read More

What are the Effects of an Elastic Hamstring Assistance Device During Downhill Running?

Research Paper Title Effects of an Elastic Hamstring Assistance Device During Downhill Running. Background The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriateness of using an elastic hamstring assistance device to reduce perceived levels of soreness, increase isometric strength, increase passive range of motion, and decrease biomarkers of muscle damage after eccentric exercise, specifically,… Read More

FootStriker: A ‘Shocking’ New Aid to Develop Running Technique

As a qualified running coach I appreciate how difficult it can be to change an individual’s running technique. Trying to convince/develop runners to land on the front of their feet rather than the back can be a tricky task. However, there is now another method available to coaches: “CHANGING your running style can be tricky. Perhaps… Read More