• Who is the GOAT of running based on science?
• Standardising the Single-Leg CMJ Test
• Concussion knowledge in rugby players and coaches

Who is the GOAT of running based on science?

A fascinating study recently aimed to apply scientific reasoning to determine who the greatest male and female runners of all time are. The research analysed over 2,000 athletes who won medals at major global championships since 1896, focusing on sprint, hurdle, and distance events. It also took into account world records and their longevity.

According to the study’s scoring system, Usain Bolt was crowned the male GOAT, while Faith Kipyegon was named the female GOAT. Bolt boasts an incredible eight Olympic gold medals across three Olympic Games, whereas Kipyegon has achieved the remarkable feat of winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1500 metres. This clearly highlights that career longevity plays a significant role in establishing GOAT status.

It’s important to recognise that since 1972, there has been a rise in global competition, which has created more opportunities for athletes to win major medals. As a result, a potential limitation of this study is that athletes from the early 20th century may have faced disadvantages due to fewer competitive opportunities.

While the comparison of athletes from different eras and disciplines can be enjoyable yet somewhat trivial and subjective, it is nonetheless intriguing to see how a scientific scoring system ranks the greatest male and female runners.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Bolt and Kipyegon being the designated GOATs, or do you believe someone else deserves that honour? We’d love to hear your opinions!

Standardising the Single-Leg CMJ Test

The single-leg Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test is frequently utilised in both sports performance and rehabilitation contexts. However, there is a lack of standardisation in the protocol and technique employed for the test. To address this issue, a recent study aimed to establish a reliable and valid protocol that standardises the single-leg CMJ test.

Participants in the study performed the single-leg CMJ using four different technique strategies. The first strategy required participants to jump with the non-jumping leg positioned at a 90-degree angle at both the hip and knee. The second strategy involved maintaining a 90-degree bend in the knee of the non-jumping leg. The third strategy kept the non-jumping leg straight, while the fourth allowed for unrestricted movement, permitting the non-jumping leg to swing freely for added momentum.

The findings highlighted that the second technique—maintaining a 90-degree bend in the knee of the non-jumping leg—proved to be the most reliable method. This approach minimises any contribution from the non-jumping limb and encourages better coordination of the hip, knee, and ankle. As a result, this protocol is recommended for use when administering the single-leg CMJ test in both performance assessments and rehabilitation settings.

Concussion knowledge in rugby players and coaches

A noteworthy study conducted within the American rugby community revealed striking differences in concussion awareness across stakeholders. The findings indicated that rugby referees and administrative staff exhibited the highest levels of knowledge and the most responsible attitudes towards concussion, in sharp contrast to the insights from coaches and players.

Alarmingly, players showed the least understanding of concussion, raising significant concerns about their self-reporting behaviours. This study underscores the urgent need for improved educational strategies to raise concussion awareness among American rugby players and coaches.

If you would like to learn more about concussion assessment tools and their effectiveness, check out our excellent blog Sport concussion assessment tools: How well do they work? Also, our course Concussion Rehab provides a fantastic insight into concussion recovery.  

From us this week:

>> New course: Socially Supporting Athletes
>> New podcast: The Performance Demands of a World Cup with Dr Dave Hancock
>> New infographic: Factors for Decision Making in Team Sport
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post The GOAT Of Athletics? appeared first on Science for Sport.

• Is VO₂ max a performance “cheat code” in anaerobic sports?
• How Niklas Süle fooled his Bayern Munich manager
• Benjamin Šeško’s secret technique to sharpen focus

Is VO₂ max a performance “cheat code” in anaerobic sports?

When we hear the term VO₂ max, we naturally think of aerobic sports. However, renowned coach Mike Young recently shared an Instagram reel that might change your perspective on the significance of VO₂ max in anaerobic sports. As Young puts it, VO₂ max is “a performance cheat code”, even in anaerobic sports.

In the reel, Young explains that having an above-average VO₂ max score enhances an athlete’s ability to deliver and utilise oxygen. This improvement leads to greater work capacity and faster recovery between intense efforts. With a higher VO₂ max, athletes can better withstand fatigue and sustain their performance during repeated sprints, jumps, or heavy lifting.

He further explains that athletes with an above-average VO₂ max experience less decline in speed, power, and decision-making during training sessions and games. Moreover, they can recover more quickly between training sessions, enabling them to handle a greater training volume.

So, even in anaerobic sports, a higher VO₂ max enhances overall performance and developing it shouldn’t be neglected. If you would like to learn more about VO₂ max, check out our blog VO₂ Max and our course Aerobic Conditioning.

How Niklas Süle fooled his Bayern Munich manager

Earlier this month, German footballer Niklas Süle announced that he would be retiring this summer at just 30 years old, primarily due to ongoing injury problems. In a recent podcast, Süle opened up about the extreme physical demands he placed on his body and the mental strain it took on him.

Throughout his career, Süle’s fitness level was often questioned. During his time at FC Bayern Munich, then-manager Jupp Heynckes implemented mandatory player weigh-ins every Thursday. Süle revealed that to prepare for these weigh-ins, he would fast on Wednesdays and spend Wednesday nights wrapped in a raincoat in a sauna. While he seemingly met his weight targets for management and support staff, by the time he took the field on Saturday, he was back at his usual weight. In reality, he hadn’t been losing weight; instead, he was using a boxing or MMA-style weight cut to dehydrate himself each week for the weigh-in, fooling his manager.

Süle also admitted that after the weigh-in, he would often stick his head out of a window for several minutes, hoping the fresh air would prevent him from passing out. This method of weight cutting is certainly not advised for professional footballers, and it’s very plausible to suggest that it contributed to his early retirement.

If you want to know more about the potential dangers of weight cuts, check out our excellent blog by Dr James Morehan, The severely detrimental effects of making weight the wrong way.

Benjamin Šeško’s secret technique to sharpen focus

Manchester United F.C. striker Benjamin Šeško recently opened up in an interview with Sky Sports about how he incorporates Box Breathing into his daily routine and before games to help him relax and sharpen his focus.

Box Breathing is a meditation technique that involves engaging in continuous 16-second breathing cycles, usually practised for three to five minutes. The 16-second cycle consists of four steps:

1. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for four seconds.
2. Hold your breath for four seconds.
3. Exhale gently through your mouth for four seconds.
4. Hold with your lungs empty for four seconds.

Šeško emphasises that reaping the benefits of Box Breathing requires practice, time, and patience. If you’re interested in exploring more breathing techniques, be sure to check out our podcast episodes:

• Breath-Holding Improves Physical Performance
• Are You Breathing Wrong? How You Can Use Nasal Breathing To Improve Performance
• Could Poor Breathing Be Destroying Your Performance?

From us this week:

>> New course: Socially Supporting Athletes
>> New podcast: Preparing for the World Cup: Physical Performance Under Extreme Pressure
>> New infographic: V02 Max
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post A Performance Cheat Code!!! appeared first on Science for Sport.

• New research on chains and elastic bands
• The latest research on pomegranate juice
• Is Perch reliable?

New research on chains and elastic bands

Incorporating chains and elastic resistance bands into various exercises has been practised for many years and is known as variable resistance training. Interestingly, a recent study shed new light on the effects of using chains and elastic bands specifically in the back squat.

The study evaluated participants performing back squats under three different conditions: with just the barbell and free weights, with chains attached, and with elastic bands attached. The researchers concluded that chains are more effective than elastic bands for enhancing power output. In contrast, elastic bands can help decrease spinal loading for those at risk of lumbar spine injuries while still providing sufficient resistance for the lower body. Interestingly, back squatting without any added chains or elastic bands actually resulted in the highest peak ground reaction force.

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of chains and elastic bands, be sure to check out our blogs Chain-Resistance Training and Elastic-Resistance Training.

The latest research on pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice is known for its high polyphenol content and has been suggested to aid recovery in those experiencing delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and exercise-induced muscle damage. A recent study put this theory to the test with male collegiate volleyball players.

Participants either drank pomegranate juice or a similarly flavoured placebo in the evening before (500ml) and two hours prior (500ml) to an exercise-induced muscle damage protocol that involved performing 200 weighted maximal vertical jumps.

Surprisingly, 48 hours after the exercise-induced muscle damage protocol, pomegranate juice did not outperform the placebo in recovery outcomes. While further research is certainly needed, these findings may come as a disappointment to fans of pomegranate juice!

If you would like to learn more about DOMS, our blog Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS): What is it, and how can it be minimised? by the excellent Dr Tom Brownlee is definitely for you!

Is Perch reliable?

At SFS Weekly, we’ve previously highlighted Perch, an innovative athlete monitoring platform. Well, exciting new research has emerged about Perch!

Perch utilises non-invasive cameras mounted on racks to track barbell velocity. The latest study evaluated the day-to-day reliability of Perch and compared it to a 3D motion capture system. During the study, participants performed Olympic weightlifting derivatives at varying intensities—0%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of their estimated one-rep max—across four separate sessions, with the velocity of their lifts being closely monitored.

The findings show Perch can be used to monitor training and provide feedback reliably. However, it’s important to note that its readings tend to be systematically lower than those from the 3D motion capture system. As a result, it’s best to use Perch consistently within its own system rather than switching between it and other devices.

Building on their initial success, Perch has now launched Perch P2, the next generation of their original technology, featuring enhanced capabilities. If you’re curious to learn more about how Perch P2 is pushing the boundaries of performance monitoring in the weight room, be sure to check out our podcast episode The Future of Weight Room Monitoring with Perch P2.

From us this week:

>> New course: Socially Supporting Athletes
>> New podcast: The Challenges of Modern Collegiate Sport
>> New infographic: V02 Max
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post The Latest On Chains & Bands! appeared first on Science for Sport.

• A cause of knee pain that coaches and parents have never heard of!
• The future of Power Slap competitors
• Overcoming The Youth Sport Dropout Crisis

A cause of knee pain that coaches and parents have never heard of!

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a well-known cause of knee pain in growing adolescents, which many youth coaches have become increasingly aware of. However, there’s another condition that both coaches and parents are often unaware of, even though it can also lead to knee pain in young athletes.

Rob Anderson, the 2024 UKSCA S&C Coach of the Year, recently posted an insightful piece on LinkedIn discussing Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome. This syndrome arises when the growth plate below the kneecap becomes irritated during periods of rapid growth. It’s particularly common in sports that involve heavy jumping and rapid changes in direction. Typically, it’s characterised by a gradual pain just beneath the kneecap that worsens with activity and improves with rest, often accompanied by knee stiffness the following morning.

Anderson emphasises that the goal for adolescents suffering from Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome is to remain active without risking further damage, as complete rest can actually weaken the surrounding tissues. He suggests focusing on building stronger quadriceps through pain-free exercises such as static holds and wall sits. Additionally, he advises cutting back on high-impact running and jumping for a time, while also prioritising sleep and nutrition to aid tissue repair and support growth.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, definitely check out Anderson’s piece on LinkedIn (here) and our blog Monitoring Growth.

The future of Power Slap competitors

Power Slap is rapidly emerging as one of the most popular sports, amassing over one billion views a month across various social media platforms. The brainchild of UFC president Dana White, the sport features two opponents taking turns slapping each other across the face with an open hand until one can’t continue or is declared the loser by decision.

In a chilling recent article for The New York Post, Dr Christopher Nowinski, a neuroscientist known for his research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), voiced his serious concerns about the future of Power Slap competitors. He warned that “We’ll pay for it as a society for another 70 years by having to care for people with more mental health problems and dementia.”

Nowinski’s worries are grounded in research; a study from last year found that 79% of competitors showed signs of concussion after being slapped, with many opting to return for more slaps during the contest. He also dismissed the argument that Power Slap is a safer and more controlled alternative to boxing and MMA. According to Nowinski, boxers and MMA fighters can defend themselves by blocking, ducking, and weaving, whereas Power Slap participants are required to passively stand and receive blows until it’s their turn to strike back.

If you want to learn more about the seriousness of concussions in sports and best practice recovery guidelines, our blogs are definitely worth reading.

• Concussion recovery in sport: A comprehensive guide
• Concussion recovery: Why it’s important to get active after a head knock (but don’t overdo it)
• Sport concussion assessment tools: How well do they work?

Overcoming The Youth Sport Dropout Crisis

Last month, Brenton Barker delivered an impactful message on LinkedIn (see here) regarding the alarming Youth Sport Dropout Crisis. He pointed out that a staggering 70% of kids quit participating in sports by the age of 13. Barker identifies six key reasons that contribute to this trend of young athletes stepping away from sports:

1. Loss of fun
2. Excessive pressure from adults
3. Overwhelming schedules
4. Not enough playing time
5. Over-emphasis on winning
6. Declining confidence

Therefore, Barker emphasises that it’s essential for youth sports programs to prioritise a sense of belonging, build confidence, and promote enjoyment if we want to keep kids engaged in sports. Striking the right balance between keeping kids engaged in sports while also emphasising the importance of improving their performance may very well be where the true sweet spot lies.

If you are interested in this topic, our blog Physical Literacy is definitely worth reading.

From us this week:

>> New course: Socially Supporting Athletes
>> New podcast: ACL Rehab: Training Age, Force Progression and Return to Sport with Carmen Bott
>> New infographic: Not Mini-Adults: Youth Athlete Physiology
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post The Knee Condition You Never Heard Of? appeared first on Science for Sport.

• How to implement the 10×10 Repeat Sprint Protocol
• Is coconut water effective for rehydration?
• What stages of the menstrual cycle impact readiness to train?

How to implement the 10×10 Repeat Sprint Protocol

The “10×10” Repeat Sprint Protocol is a widely used training method aimed at enhancing both speed and conditioning. One of its foremost advocates is Derek Hanson, a well-respected authority in speed training and rehabilitation.

In a recent Instagram post, Hanson outlined how he applies the 10×10 Repeat Sprint Protocol, adjusting it based on specific training objectives. A key aspect of his approach is monitoring the overall time for each repetition, which includes the duration from the start of the sprint to the setup for the next acceleration. When the focus is on conditioning, he allows 1.5 to 2 seconds for the acceleration phase, followed by roughly 4 seconds for deceleration and preparing for the next repetition. Completing the entire set of 10 reps typically takes about 60 seconds, with rest intervals of 2 to 5 minutes between sets.

For cases involving rehabilitation or reintroducing athletes to the protocol, Hanson allows for longer rest periods and extends the time per repetition to 10 to 12 seconds, resulting in a set completion time of around 2 minutes.

When using the 10×10 protocol for acceleration and speed development, Hanson again incorporates longer rest periods, usually between 18 and 30 seconds, depending on the athlete’s stage in the season and individual needs. In this scenario, the entire set takes around 2.5 to 3 minutes, with the intention of executing all 10 reps with maximum effort, ensuring no drop-off in time.

If you’re keen to dive deeper into the 10×10 Repeat Sprint Protocol and learn how to adjust it for various goals—be it conditioning, return to play, or speed development—be sure to check out Hanson’s post!

Is coconut water effective for rehydration?

Recent research has cast a positive spotlight on the rehydration effectiveness of coconut water. The study compared flavoured water, a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports drink, and coconut water itself. Eight recreational athletes were subjected to exercise-induced dehydration and then rehydrated with one of the three drinks

Flavoured water resulted in the highest urine output among the drinks, indicating less fluid retention. However, coconut water and the sports drink were found to be equally effective for rehydration. This suggests that, despite having lower sodium levels, coconut water can perform just as well as a sports drink when it comes to hydration. The likely reason for this is its high potassium content.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into the topic of hydration, be sure to check out our blog Hydration Testing and explore our course Hydration!

What stages of the menstrual cycle impact readiness to train?

A recent study highlighted an important finding that coaches training female athletes should take into account. The study examined two distinct stages of the menstrual cycle—the early follicular phase and the luteal phase—and their effects on recovery, jumping performance, and overall readiness to train.

While no significant differences were found in recovery, assessed through heart rate variability, or in jumping performance, evaluated via reactive strength index and vertical jump height, a notable difference emerged in readiness to train between the two phases. Participants demonstrated a significantly higher readiness to train during the early luteal phase.

These findings suggest that during the early follicular phase, female athletes may be more influenced by the psychological factors linked to the menstrual cycle, resulting in a lower preparedness for training.

If you would like to learn more about how the menstrual cycle affects sports performance, our podcast episode How The Menstrual Cycle Affects Sport Performance: Must-Know Info for Coaches and Athletes, is well worth a listen!

From us this week:

>> New course: Socially Supporting Athletes
>> New podcast: The Under-fueling Problem in Professional Sport with Dr Nessan Costello
>> New infographic: Hydrotherapy
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post The 10×10 Repeat Sprint Protocol appeared first on Science for Sport.

• Should the RSI be retired?
• CMJ norms based on maturation status
• Christian Blummenfelt’s VO₂ max score of 101!

Should the RSI be retired?

Leading sports scientist Lance Brooks recently sparked quite a debate when he declared on an Instagram post that the Reactive Strength Index (RSI) ought to be retired as a performance metric.

Brooks argues that the RSI, which combines jump height and contact time, results in mixed units that make its physical interpretation unclear. An athlete can boost their RSI simply by decreasing contact time, even if they aren’t genuinely jumping higher or generating more force. This makes Brooks contend that the RSI can be improved through technique adjustments rather than actual advancements in force or power, rendering it an unreliable measure of stretch–shortening cycle performance.

Instead, Brooks advocates for the adoption of the Dynamic Rebound Index (DRI) to replace the RSI in both research and practical applications. He believes the DRI, which takes gravity and squared contact time into account, offers a more accurate representation of how efficiently the body accelerates during ground contact. Brooks asserts that the DRI is more robust, consistent, and interpretable than the RSI.

It will be fascinating to see if a noticeable shift toward replacing the RSI with the DRI occurs in the sports science field soon. For those interested in insights on this topic, check out Brooks’s informative Instagram post here.

CMJ norms based on maturation status

We recently highlighted S&C coach Zach Emberson on SFS Weekly for his thought-provoking LinkedIn post regarding the Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio. Emberson has now shared another incredibly insightful and valuable resource on LinkedIn (see here) for those conducting CMJ testing with youth athletes.

The CMJ test serves as a practical and straightforward way to assess lower-body power in young athletes. However, it’s important to recognise that the maturation status of these athletes can significantly impact their CMJ performance. Drawing from a study by James Baker, Emberson has developed CMJ norms that take maturation status into account rather than relying solely on chronological age.

While these normative data are suggested guidelines and should be interpreted with care, they offer valuable CMJ norms for youth athletes categorised by their stages: pre-peak height velocity, approaching peak height velocity, circa-peak height velocity, and post-peak height velocity.

Christian Blummenfelt’s VO₂ max score of 101!

The endurance community has been buzzing recently after footage surfaced of triathlete Christian Blummenfelt allegedly achieving a staggering VO₂ max score of 101. However, leading exercise physiologist Professor Mike Ormsbee took to LinkedIn (see here) to raise some eyebrows regarding the validity of Blummenfelt’s score.

Ormsbee pointed out that in the video of Blummenfelt’s VO₂ max test, the Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER) was recorded at 0.93. This indicates that it wasn’t a true max test, as VO₂ max testing typically requires an RER above 1.1. Additionally, the test lasted over an hour and 14 minutes, which is unusually long; most VO₂ max tests are completed in about 20 minutes.

While Ormsbee certainly recognises Blummenfelt as an exceptional athlete, he questions the legitimacy of the reported VO₂ max score of 101. So, the next time you come across astonishing VO₂ max scores circulating online, it’s worth digging deeper into the testing protocols and equipment used!

If you’re interested in learning more about VO₂ max, be sure to check out my blog VO₂ max (click here).

From us this week:

>> New course: The Role of a Performance Analyst
>> New podcast: Peak Demands and Decision-Making Under Fatigue with Stan Parker
>> New infographic: Nutrition For ACL Rehabilitation
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post Time To Retire The RSI? appeared first on Science for Sport.

• Can drop jumps be an effective tool to identify ACL injury risk factors in females?
• Joel Hansson’s simplistic but effective approach for developing speed in youth athletes
• Shoulder injuries and swimming

Can drop jumps be an effective tool to identify ACL injury risk factors in females?

ACL tears among female athletes frequently occur during rapid landings, making drop jumps a common method for assessing ACL injury risk. However, there is ongoing debate about whether drop jumps focused on maximum vertical jump height or those emphasising a quick vertical jump are more effective in identifying risk factors for ACL injuries in female athletes.

A recent study delved into this issue by having female athletes complete three trials of both types of drop jumps while collecting kinematic and kinetic data. The findings revealed that drop jumps performed with a quick vertical jump resulted in stiffer landings, increased frontal-plane knee motion, and heightened muscle activity in the semitendinosus and vastus lateralis muscles. As a result, the researchers proposed that drop jumps, emphasising a quick vertical jump, are more effective tools than those focused on maximum height in identifying ACL risk mechanics among female athletes.

(For clarity, we used the same terminology as in the study. If you have read one of our previous editions of SFS Weekly (see here), you may remember that technically, drop jumps with a maximum vertical jump are classified as “depth jumps,” while drop jumps with a quick vertical jump are simply referred to as “drop jumps.” In summary, based on the study’s findings, drop jumps appear to be more effective indicators of ACL injury risk than depth jumps.)

Joel Hansson’s simplistic but effective approach for developing speed in youth athletes

Leading Swedish S&C coach Joel Hansson recently shared a simplistic yet highly effective viewpoint on LinkedIn regarding the development of speed in youth athletes. He emphasises that true speed training doesn’t begin with “A-skips or ladder drills,” but rather with allowing young athletes to run!

Hansson involves his youth athletes in running activities that include various directions, such as backward and lateral sprints. He also encourages them to accelerate from different starting positions and to run in various shapes and curves. While structured speed training and sprint mechanics are important, Hansson’s approach of exposing young athletes to a diverse range of running scenarios lays a strong foundation for their future development as they grow older.

If you’re interested in seeing Hansson’s post and a video showcasing his methods in action, please click here.

Shoulder injuries and swimming

A large-scale systematic review and meta-analysis revealed some troubling findings regarding shoulder injuries among swimmers. The study encompassed nearly 11,000 participants and found that more than 70% of the literature reviewed reported incidences of shoulder injuries. Notably, the second-most affected area was the knee, which appeared in 34% of the reviewed studies.

Another important finding was that the prevalence of shoulder injuries increased with higher levels of swimming performance. This research underscores the pressing need for improved strategies for preventing and managing shoulder injuries in swimmers, highlighting the vulnerability of the shoulder region in this sport.

If you would like to learn more about shoulder injuries, check out our excellent course Shoulder Injury Rehab.

From us this week:

>> New course: Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Contraceptives in Female Athletes
>> New podcast: The Evolution of Professional Cricket Through Ryan Sidebottom’s Career
>> New infographic: Beetroot Juice
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post Identifying ACL Injury Risk! appeared first on Science for Sport.

• 2026 Fitness Trends
• Slaves to GPS norms
• Mondo Duplantis and the help of shoe technology

2026 Fitness Trends

At the end of each year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) releases its predictions for fitness trends in the upcoming year, based on surveys of thousands of exercise professionals. For the third consecutive year, wearable technology tops the 2026 list, underscoring the ever-growing significance of data tracking in fitness.

Coming in second is the rise of fitness programs tailored for older adults, reflecting the increasing demand for specialised programming that encourages independence and supports functional health in this age group. Exercise for weight management holds the third position, highlighting the continued necessity of structured physical activity in tackling the global obesity crisis. Mobile exercise applications take fourth place, showcasing the widespread popularity of flexible, digital workout options.

Overall, these leading trends illustrate a fitness landscape that is increasingly shaped by data, adaptability, and a focus on holistic health throughout the lifespan. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into the top 20 trends, be sure to check out the full report here.

Slaves to GPS norms

Martin Buchheit, a prominent figure in sports science, recently shared a compelling message in a LinkedIn post. In this post, he includes a report he co-authored with Tom Little, titled “Slaves to (GPS) Norms,” which underpins his argument.

Buchheit clearly articulates the issues with today’s overreliance on GPS and load management. He argues that GPS norms often serve as “mirrors of the past,” lacking substantial empirical evidence to prove they are optimal for performance or injury prevention. He also addresses the “top-up fallacy,” where athletes engage in mindless linear “top-up runs” merely to fulfil a dashboard metric, rather than to facilitate actual improvements. Furthermore, he expresses concern that the safety-first approach inherent in GPS norms and load monitoring is leading to the development of “fragile” athletes who are ultimately under-trained.

So, what do you think of Buchheit’s perspective? Are we perhaps too obsessed with GPS norms and load monitoring? As Buchheit suggests, it’s time we shift our focus from managing spreadsheets back to actually training athletes again.

If you would like to hear more from Buchheit, check out our podcast episodes with him, Anaerobic Speed Reserve: Your Secret Weapon To Optimise Conditioning and Coaches & Athletes: Turn The Ego Volume Up And Down To Maximise Sporting Performance.

Mondo Duplantis and the help of shoe technology

In 2025, Mondo Duplantis emerged as one of the standout stars in sports, shattering his own pole vault record four times and earning the title of World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year. In a recent feature with The Guardian, Duplantis remains unyielding in his ambitions, confidently stating that he believes he can soar to even greater heights in the near future, thanks in part to advances in shoe technology.

Duplantis predominantly competes in PUMA track spikes, but for some of his world record attempts, he has opted for a customised version of his PUMA shoes, which he nicknames the “claw.” This specially designed shoe features a protruding spike at the front, allowing Duplantis to gain extra speed and grip during his run-up to the jump.

Intriguingly, the feature reveals that PUMA is currently developing and testing an even faster version of the “claw” shoe, a development that Duplantis is excited about and believes will help him achieve new heights.

It will be fascinating to watch Duplantis in 2026 when he may unveil the new “claw” shoe for his upcoming world record attempts.

From us this week:

>> New course: Fundamental Movements in Youth
>> New podcast: Training Through Disruption: Managing Load, Time, and Performance in Winter with Michael Fennell
>> New infographic: Alcohol and Athletic Performance
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post 2026 Fitness Trends! appeared first on Science for Sport.

• The latest research on My Jump Lab
• Should footballers wear runners/trainers or football boots in the pre-season?
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s spitting habit

The latest research on My Jump Lab

In the past, we have highlighted the My Jump Lab application favourably (see here). However, new research has surfaced evaluating the app’s validity and reliability. This research simultaneously measured participants’ countermovement jumps (CMJ) using force plates (ForceDecks) and the My Jump Lab app with its AI setting activated.

Interestingly, the findings revealed that while My Jump Lab is reliable, it tends to overestimate CMJ height compared to the force plates. Although this discrepancy is somewhat concerning, the app’s relatively low cost compared to force plate systems means that teams and athletes with tighter budgets can still gain valuable insights by using My Jump Lab for monitoring and assessment. Just as long as people are aware of the app’s tendency to overestimate CMJ height readings compared to force plates.

So, My Jump Lab certainly has a use for teams and athletes on a budget! If your team is on a budget, check out our relevant blog 4 Ways to Monitor an Athlete’s Load on a Budget.

Should footballers wear runners/trainers or football boots in the pre-season?

A highly informative Instagram post by Jack Grimes (known as jjshighperformance on Instagram) sheds light on the ongoing debate about whether footballers should train in runners/trainers or traditional football boots during pre-season.

Grimes emphasises that runners greatly aid shock absorption, helping to prevent overuse injuries such as shin splints and plantar fasciitis, while also reducing the likelihood of blisters. However, he raises a crucial point: using runners in pre-season can leave players severely underprepared for the intensity of the actual game. This is because runners offer less traction, which means players can’t transfer as much force into the ground, negatively impacting their ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction at high speeds. He also mentions that the mechanics of kicking with runners are very different from those in football boots.

Grimes recommends that while runners can be beneficial for warm-ups and longer runs, players should definitely opt for football boots for everything else! His post is definitely worth a view, especially since it includes excellent visual examples highlighting the differences between runners and football boots.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s spitting habit

It’s often mentioned among casual fans that football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has a curious habit of sipping a drink and then spitting it out. While some may find this behaviour peculiar or even rude, a recent Instagram post by 433 on the topic generated over a million likes!

As 433 pointed out, what Ronaldo is actually doing is mouth rinsing rather than drinking. He takes a sip of a carbohydrate-based beverage, swirls it around in his mouth, and spits it out. The proposed reason for mouth rinsing is that a quick rinse activates receptors in the mouth, which signal to the brain that energy is coming. This may lead to reduced fatigue and enhanced focus, all without the discomfort of having a full stomach of fluids or encountering digestive issues.

Although the science behind mouth rinsing may be somewhat mixed, it’s clear now that there’s a method behind Ronaldo’s spitting, and it’s not just a matter of bad manners! If you would like to learn more about the role of carbohydrates, check out our excellent courses Carbohydrates For Team Sports and Understanding Carbohydrate Intake in Sport.

From us this week:

>> New course: Fundamental Movements in Youth
>> New podcast: Finding the Competitive Edge: Elite Performance with FC Midtjylland’s Niklas Virtanen
>> New infographic: Deceleration
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post Is My Jump Lab Accurate? appeared first on Science for Sport.

• The latest research on early sport specialisation
• Liverpool’s outfield players are practising ball catches…
• Should football players have their own personal S&C coaches?

The latest research on early sport specialisation

Leading performance coach Fred Duncan, a regular feature in SFS Weekly, recently shared an insightful post on X about early sport specialisation. In his post, Duncan included an infographic that summarises the findings of a recent scientific review.

This comprehensive review analysed data from an astonishing 62,327 athletes across 93 studies, all of whom specialised in a single sport for at least eight months per year before reaching puberty. The results revealed that early specialisation is associated with a higher risk of overuse injuries and sub-optimal performance compared to those who played multiple sports or specialised later in their youth.

Given that this large-scale review found no clear benefits to early sport specialisation, Duncan strongly advocates for encouraging young athletes to participate in a variety of sports during their pre-adolescent years and to steer clear of early specialisation.

If you want to learn more about this topic, check out Duncan’s X post and the review. Additionally, our blogs, Early Sports Specialisation and What the kids have to say early sport specialisation by the excellent Tom Green, are also worth reading.

Liverpool’s outfield players are practising ball catches…

A recent clip featuring Liverpool F.C. sparked considerable debate on social media. In the footage, Liverpool players were seen making curved runs around cones, concluding the drill by jumping to catch a thrown ball. This raised eyebrows among many observers, who questioned the relevance of the drill, pointing out that outfield players are not even allowed to jump and catch a football during actual games.

Oli Lowe, the S&C coach for Birmingham City F.C. academy, took to LinkedIn to clarify the rationale behind Liverpool’s drill. He noted that 86% of sprints in the Premier League are curved rather than straight. This is precisely why Liverpool implemented a curved cone setup. Furthermore, he highlighted that 62% of these sprints involve a rotating torso, as players are constantly scanning their surroundings for teammates and opponents. This aspect explains the addition of a thrown ball for players to catch at the end of the drill.

While the drill may initially seem disconnected from typical game scenarios, it’s specifically designed to prepare outfield players for the realities of play. It allows them to practice curved runs while also incorporating torso rotation to assess their environment and anticipate a thrown ball. Thus, the evidence clearly indicates that Premier League players often need to execute curved runs with a rotating torso, remaining aware of their teammates and opponents.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, check out Lowe’s LinkedIn post and our blogs, Speed training in football (soccer): How to develop this game-changer and Don’t just sprint in a straight line: why curved running is important.

Should football players have their own personal S&C coaches?

There is a noticeable trend among football players who are choosing to work with their own personal S&C coaches. For example, Anthony Elanga from Newcastle United F.C. has publicly shared his training achievements on social media alongside his S&C coach, Tom Joyce (see here). One of his noteworthy accomplishments is an impressive 100-meter sprint time of 10.93 seconds.

Interestingly, Newcastle seems to support this arrangement. There are rumours that Joyce attended Elanga’s medical and that he has daily contact with the club’s performance and medical teams. Elanga is not the only player in this situation; several other Newcastle players are also believed to have their own private S&C coaches.

While this setup appears to benefit Newcastle, instances at other clubs raise questions about its effectiveness. Just last month, Preston North End F.C. player Daniel Jebbison missed a match due to an injury he sustained during a private training session with his personal trainer (see here). This incident infuriated Preston’s manager, Paul Heckingbottom, who pointed out that while private trainers are quick to highlight their work with players on social media, they provide no financial support to the club when injuries occur during their sessions.

What are your thoughts on this? Should football players exclusively work with club performance coaches, or should they be allowed to work with their own individual S&C coaches and personal trainers? If you’re interested in finding out more about this topic, check out our recent podcast episode Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge?

From us this week:

>> New course: Team Dynamics & Cohesion
>> New podcast: Ellie Wilson: Inside the High-Performance World of Women’s Football
>> New infographic: One Repetition Maximum (1RM) Testing
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post The Latest On Early Sport Specialisation appeared first on Science for Sport.

Become a Certified Sports Data Analyst.

Performance analysis is now the fast growing sports science discipline, with sports teams and organisations all over the world on the hunt for qualified and skilled data analysts to help their team translate data into practical performance enhancement.

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Data analysis has revolutionised sport, transforming how teams strategise, train, and perform. By leveraging advanced statistics and machine learning, coaches and analysts can now make data-driven decisions that optimise player performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance game tactics.

From tracking player movements in real-time to analysing opponents’ weaknesses, data has become a crucial tool for gaining a competitive edge. Athletes benefit from personalised training programmes based on precise metrics, while teams use predictive analytics to scout talent and devise winning strategies. The rise of sports data analysis marks a new era in athletic performance and sports management.

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The Certified Sports Data Analyst certification is an in-depth online course designed to teach coaches and sports professionals how to effectively analyse, visualise, and finally, interpret data to enhance sports performance. This certification covers essential topics like data collection, understanding and cleaning data, analysis methods, performance metrics, visualisation, and applying data-driven insights to enhance player performance and team tactics.

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For coaches, this certification offers valuable benefits by enabling them to make decisions grounded in solid data rather than relying solely on instinct or experience.

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Mastering sports data analysis allows coaches to fine-tune training programs, minimise injury risks, and craft more effective game strategies. This not only boosts individual athlete performance but also improves overall team success. In a sports world increasingly driven by data, this certification helps coaches stay competitive and advance their careers.

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Gain essential knowledge in data analysis, performance metrics, predictive analytics, and sports strategy. Learn from top experts at your own pace and revolutionise your approach to coaching and sports performance.

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Arian Forouhandeh

Arian currently works in the English Premier League as the First Team Sports Scientist and Data Analyst for Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. His previous roles include Performance Analysis Intern at Nottingham Forest FC, Sport Science Data Analysis for the USA Hockey team, and Loughborough Hockey. Before working with the First Team at Wolves, Arian was a Sports Science and Data Analyst for the U18s.

In addition to all of his practical experience, Arian also holds a Professional Doctorate (DProf) in Strength & Conditioning, a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, and a Professional Certificate in Data Science from HarvardX.

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Ryan White

Ryan White is an accomplished Sports Data Analyst who currently works in the English Premier League for Crystal Palace Football Club. He has also worked at Ajax Cape Town as a S&C coach and Sports Scientist for the academy teams. In addition to his working experience, he is also a PhD candidate at Leeds Beckett University and holds an MSc in Sports Science and a BSc (Hons) in Sport Science & High Performance from Stellenbosch University.

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Benjamin Klein

Benjamin Klein is a leading sports data analyst with extensive experience working for top organisations such as John Carroll University, Ohio State Wrestling and Lacrosse, FC Cincinnati, UFC, Chicago Bulls, and Michigan State Basketball.

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The post Certified Sports Data Analyst appeared first on Science for Sport.

• Can short-term exposure to cryotherapy improve athletic performance and sleep quality?
• How fast should young footballers be?
• Do professional rugby players meet their recommended macronutrient guidelines?

Can short-term exposure to cryotherapy improve athletic performance and sleep quality?

A recent study yielded mixed results regarding the use of cryotherapy. The research involved twelve Division I collegiate basketball athletes and employed a crossover, counter-balanced design. Participants were randomly assigned to either a cryotherapy exposure group, which performed post-exercise cryotherapy sessions for five days, or to a control group. The cryotherapy sessions lasted for up to three minutes, with temperatures commencing at −110℃ and gradually decreasing to −196℃.

The results indicated that post-exercise cryotherapy significantly enhanced the number of pull-ups performed by participants. However, no significant improvements were observed in other performance metrics, including the bench press, sprint speed, vertical jump, and agility tests. Furthermore, cryotherapy did not have a significant effect on sleep quality, as measured by both objective and subjective assessments.

These findings suggest that short-term post-exercise cryotherapy offers minimal enhancements to athletic performance and has no observable impact on sleep quality. It is important to note that participants spent on average, only 2 minutes and 8 seconds in the cryotherapy chambers, highlighting exposure time and the study’s limited duration as significant study limitations. Nonetheless, this study contributes to the ongoing debate surrounding the effectiveness of cryotherapy as a recovery tool.

We have an excellent podcast episode featuring Emily Partridge from the Australian Institute of Sport, discussing affordable alternatives to cryotherapy: The Cheap Alternatives To Cryotherapy.

How fast should young footballers be?

STATSports, a leading provider of GPS player tracking technology, has recently published an insightful Instagram post targeting professionals who work with young footballers. This post outlines the suggested maximum speed targets for aspiring footballers aged 16 to 21.

According to STATSports, the recommended range for individuals in this age group is between 31.82 and 33.23 km/h. The post further specifies target speeds for each age as follows:

• Age 16: 31.82 km/h
• Age 17: 32.33 km/h
• Age 18: 32.76 km/h
• Age 19: 32.94 km/h
• Age 20: 33.12 km/h
• Age 21: 33.23 km/h

While it would be unwise to rely exclusively on these figures, as other factors such as playing style, position, and maturation status must also be taken into account, these targets nonetheless serve as a useful resource for coaches working with footballers in this age range. They provide a valuable benchmark for aspiring elite footballers and their coaches to assess whether their maximum speed is adequate or requires further development.

If you’re a footballer and want to become faster, check out our excellent blog Speed Training In Football (Soccer): How To Develop This Game-Changer and our course Game Speed In Soccer.

Do professional rugby players meet their recommended macronutrient guidelines?

A recent study has highlighted the persistent disparity between research-backed nutritional guidelines and their practical implementation among athletes. The study analysed the dietary habits of 34 professional rugby players from the Italian rugby club Zebre Parma over a span of three days, encompassing a training day, a competition day, and an off day.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) have established macronutrient guidelines for rugby players. These guidelines recommend a daily carbohydrate intake of 5.0–8.0 g/kg of body weight and a protein intake of 1.5–2.0 g/kg of body weight while advising that 20-35% of total energy should be derived from dietary fats.

Alarmingly, the findings of the study indicate that 90% of the players did not meet the recommended daily carbohydrate intake, with an average consumption of only 2.7 g/kg of body weight, falling significantly below the established guidelines across all three monitored days. Furthermore, only 50% of the participants met the protein and fat requirements consistently over the three days.

This study illustrates that even at a professional rugby club, players struggle to adhere to the recommended macronutrient guidelines, underscoring the necessity for enhanced education and improved dietary monitoring within the sport. Although the three-day monitoring period presents a limitation to the study, the findings nonetheless serve as a valuable resource for those working in rugby.

From us this week:

>> New course: Foundations of Sports Nutrition
>> New podcast: Secrets of Success: What Makes Teams Thrive?
>> New infographic: Sodium
>> New article: Hydrotherapy

Access to a growing library of sports science courses

SFS Academy is an all-access membership to premium sports science education.

With SFS Academy, you’ll learn from some of the best coaches around the world as they teach you how to apply the latest research and practice with your athletes.

The post New Research On Cryotherapy! appeared first on Science for Sport.