Emily Dingley

Emily, co-founder of Sport Science Insider, graduated from the University of Leeds in 2020 and went on to become an accredited S&C coach with the UKSCA in 2022. A former athlete herself, Emily has since gone on to deliver S&C coaching for the Southern Academy of Sport, GB Rowing, GB Taekwondo and works currently as a full-time S&C coach at the University of Leeds.

The FITT Principle Explained

In this article, we’re going to explain the FITT principle (also known as the FITT formula). We’ll cover what it is and how we can use this principle to create an effective training programme. FITT Principle The FITT principle stands for frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise. These are four components that we can … Read more

5 Components of Fitness

What does it mean to be fit? In a sporting context, fitness means having the physical qualities to perform physical movements at any time. Sport requires athletes to have high levels of speed, strength, power, endurance and flexibility to perform optimally. These qualities are five key components of fitness that athletes must develop – in … Read more

Anxiety in Sport

Anxiety in sport is commonly experienced by athletes at all levels – for some, it can either help or hinder their athletic performance. It is therefore important to understand what it is, what causes it, how we can measure it and how athletes can manage it. In this article, we’ll cover just that. Definition of … Read more

Mental Toughness in Sport

Mental toughness has been referred to as one of the most important psychological characteristics for successful performance in sport, but what really is mental toughness, how can we measure it and how can athletes develop it? Keep reading to find out more! What is mental toughness? Mental toughness has been defined as the company of … Read more

Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2)

competitive state anxiety inventory questionnaire

The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), which was developed by Martens and colleagues in 1990, consists of 27-items that assess the intensity of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence in sport.

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The Sit and Reach Test: Benefits & Normative Data

The sit and Reach test is an indirect measure to assess hamstring and lower back flexibility. Hamstring and lower back flexibility are important for activities of daily living and sports performance. The sit and reach test was first proposed by Wells and Dillon in 1952. Since then, a few variations of the test have been … Read more

Profile of Mood State (POMS) Questionnaire

The Long Form Profile of Mood States questionnaire (otherwise known as the POMS questionnaire or POMS test), which was first developed by McNair, Lorr and Droppleman in 1971, is a validated psychological test that contains 65 words and statements that describe feelings. It is widely used in sport to measure athlete’s transient, distinct mood states … Read more

6 Mental Skills All Athletes Should Develop

Great mental skills don’t guarantee success, but they do increase your chances of performing at your best and excelling in those critical moments. In this article, we’re going to delve into what mental skills training is, what techniques can be used to improve mental skills and their benefits on performance. So, let’s get started. What … Read more