by Piotr Drabik Coaches and athletes need to know what fatigue is to understand all issues of the training process. The whole training process is predicated on fatigue and on recovery from it—degree of fatigue dictates the changes of training load, means of recovery, frequency and sequence of exercises and workouts, periodization, and nutrition. Without […]
by Thomas Kurz “Young athletes … can reduce their risk [of back injury] by strengthening muscles in the abdomen, as well as hip flexors and other muscles that support the back…. Typically, however, coaches prefer to focus … on muscles needed for the sport instead of on injury prevention.”—Dr. James L. Moeller, chairman of sports
Advanced Strength Exercises for Lower Back–Your Best Insurance against Back Pain Read More »
by Thomas Kurz Abdomen crunch. Lie on your back, with feet on the floor so your knees are bent. Alternatively, you can rest your legs on a bench or chair so your thighs form a 90° angle with your trunk. Inhale and then exhale as you raise your shoulders off the ground by tensing your
Beginning Strength Exercises for Abdomen and Lower Back Read More »
by Thomas Kurz Resistance Machines Most resistance machines offer either isolated movements (knee extension, knee curl) or alter the natural path of movement in complex movements (Smith machine). The Smith machine forces you to move the bar on a straight line while your body is planted in one spot. This is not a natural movement
Machines and Gizmos vs. Natural Exercises Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In this article I will discuss examples of good and bad martial arts workouts. I start with the example of a good workout. This description is based on a typical workout of East European athletes of the combat sports (boxers, fencers, karateka, judoka, wrestlers). At the opening of the workout the assembled
Examples of Good and Bad Workouts Read More »
by Thomas Kurz This article is based on a section titled “Cool-Down” from Science of Sports Training: How to Plan and Control Training for Peak Performance (Kurz 2001). In this article you will learn about the final part of a workout—the cool-down. When the main part of a workout is over, it is then time
A Well-Run Workout: The Cool-Down Read More »
by Thomas Kurz In this article you will learn about the main part of a workout—its exercises and their intensity. The content of the main part determines the selection of exercises in the warm-up, the duration of the warm-up, and the content and duration of the cool-down. Tasks and Workouts Workouts are divided into types
A Well-Run Workout: The Main Part Read More »
by Thomas Kurz Much has been written recently about concussions. Concussions in American football, concussions in boxing, concussions here, there, and everywhere. . . . Articles on signs, dangers of neglecting, and long-term consequences. The long-term consequences can be devastating for people who don’t recognize a concussion and continue to play, fight, or do whatever
Concussion: One-Minute Test Read More »
by Thomas Kurz While in some sports more than average flexibility in all or some of the major joints is needed just for the execution of their basic techniques, in some others the reverse is true: The greater than average the flexibility of some joints, the worse the performance. For example, running economy has been
Can You Have Too Much Flexibility? Read More »
by Thomas Kurz Information on this Web page is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before treating yourself or others. Always consult a
Stretching and Injuries Read More »
