Jamie French

This short paper explores the mechanical differences and subsequent technical implications of endurance running around an indoor 200m circuit. This is based on an interview with Jenny Meadows

Improving throwing technique is all about honing agility, balance and coordination.

Final piece on efficient running technique focussing on coaching interventions

A brief review of running technique of Mo Farah

Biomechanics of Endurance Running

The article focuses upon the difficulties athletics coaches have when tracking Long Term Development of Young Athletes

n previous research (Long & French, 2013a, 2013b, 2013c, 2014a) we have explored how since the start of athletic competition, coaches have attempted to create innovative methods of preparing athletes to perform at their optimum. Much of the established coach education literature has focused on the effects of long term preparation and planning, now known as Periodization, in terms of how different activities are performed in the weeks and months leading up to a competition (Bompa and Haff, 2009). This current research focuses on activities undertaken by athletes under the supervision of coaches immediately prior to performance and in this case we are specifically looking at how mode of warm can produce a potentiation effect. Evidence has suggested that warm ups can both reduce injury (Thacker et al., 2004) and increase both endurance and ‘power’ performance (Young & Behm, 2003). This being said, we have argued (Long & French, 2013a, 2013b, 2013c) that whilst many of the practices seem not to be new and have been implemented by coaches over a period of time, the effectiveness and scientific underpinnings are only now being understood. More specifically, we have begun to make the argument that it is not only the duration of the warm up which 2 matters but rather the intensity of the warm up undertaken before training and competition.

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The purpose of this paper is to explore how high performance women athletes in the UK experience the coach-athlete relationship. The aim of the study, conducted from a grounded theory perspective, was to explore how coaching and coaches can influence women’s participation in sport. Through privileging the voices of 16 women athletes, utilising in-depth interviews, four major themes emerged describing how women currently experience high performance coaching. These were: the salience of gender in the coach-athlete relationship; how the coach-athlete relationship was experienced by the athletes as a popularity contest; the quality of the coach-athlete relationship built upon whether the coach adopted an ‘invested’ or a ‘functional’ approach to his or her position; and the (em)powerful role of the coach. The results of the research demonstrate the significance and influence of gender in the coach-athlete relationship. The findings suggest that women's experiences of coaching are socially constructed, and that gendered ideologies concerning women’s sporting abilities can negatively affect this relationship. The study also reveals that the coach occupies a powerful and often over-bearing role in the lives of high performance women athletes, but that a more democratic, personalised and positive coach-athlete relationship can prove instrumental in improving women athletes’ experiences of performance sport.

Purpose This study aimed to determine whether a series of repeated maximal voluntary apnoeas is effective in improving subsequent time trial performance in competitive level track and field athletes. Methods Seventeen competitive runners volunteered for this study and based on their preferred competitive distance they were placed either in the 200 m (5 male, 4 female) or 1000 m group (3 male, 5 female). On two separate occasions (≤ 7 days apart), the participants performed a running time-trial that was preceded either by: (i) a standardised warm up (WO) or (ii) a standardised warm up succeeded by five repeated maximal dry static apnoeas (WA). Splenic volume, haematology and cardiovascular parameters were monitor at rest, before and after each time-trial. Results WA resulted in a significantly faster performance (27.51 ± 3.49 s; P = 0.009) compared with WO (27.96 ± 3.34 s) in the 200 m group, whereas no differences were observed in the 1000 m group (WA, 211.10 ± 26.18 s; WO, 215.82 ± 25.13 s, P = 0.120). No differences were noted in splenic volume between WO and WA in either group (P ≥ 0.081). Haemoglobin was significantly elevated after breath-holding in the 200 m (+ 7 g/dL, P = 0.041) but not 1000 m group. Conclusion This study demonstrates that five repeated maximal apnoeas are capable of significantly improving a 200 m but not a 1000 m time-trial performance in competitive track and field athletes.

© 2017 European Council for High Ability This study explored the extent of financial constraints experienced by athletes on the England Talent Pathway, as perceived by talent leads from various sports. Using a mixed-methods approach, 34 participants completed online surveys with 26 follow-up interviews. Findings showed the prevalence of financial constraints on individuals within the system, with three emerging themes: costs; demands on athletes; and potential funding support. “Pinch points”, causing the greatest severity of financial constraint, emerged further along the pathway and there were infrequent examples of mechanisms to identify talented athletes experiencing financial hardship. A means-tested system, premised on the demonstration of potential, is suggested by talent leads as a way of providing funding for athletes to ameliorate financial constraints in the future.