This video delves into different ways to test hamstring muscle strength. We discuss different tests and technologies available to sports scientists, fitness coaches and physiotherapists for testing the strength of the hamstring muscle group. These include Nordic hamstring curl testing with VALD's NordBord, isokinetic dynamometry, handheld dynamometry such as VALD's Dynamo, and isometric testing with a force plate, such as VALD Performance's ForceDecks. Nordic hamstring testing can provide really valuable information, but it is limited to a single contraction type (i.e. eccentric) during a kne ..read more

It is a pleasure to welcome Ashmeet Anand to this guest post on data visualization and sports science. Ash has worked as a Sports Scientist across multiple US Collegiate and Major League Soccer (MLS) teams and is now working as a Lab scientist for Therabody. [For more on developing Tableau and PowerBI skills, check out our recent post with Sport Horizon, which includes a 15% discount for their online courses.] I was an 8-year-old kid when I saw Rocky Balboa IV, which first inspired me to wear a white lab coat and test athletes, just like Ivan Drago. I moved to the US in 2012 to follow t ..read more

One of the most common questions I get asked by sports science practitioner is 'What data analysis tool should I learn?'. Currently, there's a notable surge in interest in data viz tools such as Microsoft PowerBI and Tableau among sports scientists looking to enhance their data science skills. PowerBI in particular appears to offer a middle ground between the constraints of Microsoft Excel, which is often pushed to its limits in sports science applications, and the intricate programming languages of computer science, such as R and Python. Based on their own experiences of trying to self-learn ..read more

Submaximal fitness tests involve a standardised, non-exhaustive exercise that enable a fitness assessment. They have become popular in team sports as a non-fatiguing fitness test that are time efficient and relatively easy to integrate into a training session, thereby reducing the testing burden on athletes. However, there are now over 100 different published protocols. In this brief video, I discuss the findings of two papers led by Tzlil Shushan. Shushan and colleagues have summarised the different protocols used in team sports, uncovering the diverse approaches to analysing outcome measures ..read more

Sports scientists practitioners use research and data to help athletes and teams achieve their goals. However, the nature of sports requires us to navigate a complex and dynamic environment, where different problems and challenges may arise. It is essential that we are able to adapt our approach and use a combination of strategies. Perhaps surprisingly, we can take inspiration from types of strategies that have been associated with hedgehogs and foxes to make informed and effective decisions. The hedgehog and fox metaphors were described by philosopher Isaiah Berlin in his famous essay "The He ..read more

Did you know there are at least ten different equations for calculating athlete asymmetries? As Dr Chris Bishop previously discussed for Global Performance Insights, we face a 'Calculation Conundrum' when trying to quantify an asymmetry from athlete performance testing in sports science. In the video below, I discuss asymmetries in more detail, including all the 'Calculation Conundrum' equations and why it matters whether you're conducting a bilateral or unilateral test with your athletes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqRD5IyD2P4 This video is part of our sports science athlete testing seri ..read more

Despite an abundance of research in this area in the male game, to date, research is limited in female football. The aims of this study were, first, to summarize the current literature on the monitoring of readiness in female football; second, to summarize the current evidence regarding the monitoring of the menstrual cycle and its potential impact on physical preparation and performance in female footballers; and third, to offer practical recommendations based on the current evidence for practitioners working with female football players. View and download this open access review here on the ..read more

The Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) is the ratio of peak force from a countermovement jump (CMJ) to peak force from an isometric mid thigh pull (IMTP). This data can be captured by force plate technology, such as VALD Performance's ForceDecks. The DSI can be used to guide your strength and conditioning programme for each athlete. Watch the video below to learn how: https://youtu.be/l9Y0z6_MeN4 For more on the Dynamic Strength Index, including the case studies discussed in the video above, read this post. This video is part of our sports science athlete testing series with VALD Performance ..read more

In this video, I give a demonstration of the ChatGPT Plus (Premium) plugin ScholarAI. We'll go through some examples of how you can use this AI chatbot as a research assistant, to find, ask questions of, and save research papers. So if you're wanting to learn how to use the Scholar AI plugin in ChatGPT, this is the video for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-WdGYD2GIc WATCH NEXT Demo of ChatGPT FREE: https://youtu.be/jNdGaiHQAd8?si=XDf_uEiBEZJTCu5y Demo of ChatGPT PLUS: https://youtu.be/-U4ero5R0Sg?si=Q3B95ev3kZqWoNUR Zotero Tutorial: https://youtu.be/sgi_SpP63UU?si=2QocTTIx5WZWavZM CHAPT ..read more

In January, many people, including sports science practitioners and athletes, resolve to improve their sleep. The importance of sleep for everyday health is well established across society. For athletes meanwhile, sleep stands as a cornerstone for physical and mental recovery. While I’ll briefly mention the benefits of sleep tracking, this post primarily explores the potential pitfalls. Do we adequately consider these downsides? Are they out of our control now that sleep tracking has widely become the athlete’s individual choice? In light of these reflections, I’ll provide practical strategies ..read more