Dive into the world of kettlebell swings, a simple yet powerful exercise that targets key muscle groups in the posterior chain. In this article, we cover the muscles engaged during kettlebell swings and their variations, offering insights into how this versatile exercise can enhance your fitness regime, regardless of your experience level.
Will Shaw PhD, MSc
Fitts & Posner’s Stages of Learning – Cognitive, Associative & Autonomous
Stages of learning consider the process of how a performer transitions from an unskilled novice to an expert for a given motor skill. This might be a child learning to catch a ball, a beginner learning to serve in Tennis, or a skill athlete transitioning from intermediate to advanced stages of learning.
What is a Serial Skill?
In this article we give a quick guide to serial skills, how they differ from continuous and discrete motor skills, and why they are important to understand as a coach and sport scientist.
Uniaxial Joints Explained
In this article we give an overview of uniaxial joints, examples of uniaxial joints and explain their function. We also give some sporting and exercise examples of how this contribute to movement.
Multiaxial Joints Explained
In this article we give an overview of multiaxial joints, examples of multiaxial joints and explain their function. We also give some sporting and exercise examples of how this contribute to movement.
Biaxial Joints Explained
In this article we give an overview of biaxial joints, examples of biaxial joints and explain their function. We also give some sporting and exercise examples of how this contribute to movement.
Whole & Part Practice: Answer For Coaches & Athletes
The way you train can play a key role in how quickly you learn a skill. Here we explain whole and part practice, before diving into what the research says about the best methods to use in order to optimise your skill development.
One Rep Max Calculator
Below is a one-rep max calculator – you focus on the athlete/lifting and we’ll take care of the maths.
What is the learning effect in research and testing?
The learning effect is a phenomenon observed in many areas of testing and research that surround human performance with a physical or cognitive capacity. In this article we’ll explain the learning effect, when it can become an issue and how to account for it.
How Many Learning Stages are There?
If you’re wondering how many stages of learning there are, then this article is for you! There has been a great deal of research and study on the topic and we will explore the various theories.
T-Test Agility Drill: How to Perform & Measure
The t-test is a popular way to measure athletes ability to change direction forwards, backwards and side to side.
It requires athletes to sprint forwards 10 yards, shuffle to the left 5 yards, then shuffle to the right 10 yards, then shuffle back to the left 5 yards and then run backwards to return to the start/finish line.
Yo-Yo Test: How To, Calculations & Normative Data
In this article, we’re going to cover what the Yo-Yo test is, how to perform the test, discuss the science behind testing and provide normative data for athletes competing in various sports and at various levels.
Fitness Tests for Athletes: What To Test & How To Measure
In this article, we’ll highlight physical tests that can be used to measure athletes’ physical qualities, which are also called their components of fitness.
As coaches, we choose, administer, analyse and interpret tests appropriately and effectively in order to monitor athletes’ progress and implement effective training programmes, which will optimize their physical development and preparations.
Distributed Practice vs Massed Practice Explained
If you are going to invest time practising or coaching a skill you may as well try to find the optimum way to structure practice. Here we look at massed and distributed practice, where research suggests the breaks or lack of breaks, in between repetitions can influence our rate of learning
Olympian Ollie Dingley: Sport Science and Pushing Past Your Limits
Olympian Ollie Dingley is an Irish diver who competed at the Olympic Games in Rio and is about to represent his country for the second time in Tokyo.
The Contextual Interference Effect Explained
As athletes, coaches and sport scientists we are interested in any factors that can speed up skill acquisition. Contextual interference is one factor that has been shown to accelerate motor learning. In this article we’ll explain contextual interference, discuss how you can apply it in practice and explore the theory behind this effect.
Performance Coaching & Skill Acquisition in Elite Golf
Golf is a peculiar sport for many reasons, but one which is often missed is the coach – player relationship. Golf has to be one of the few sports where sub-elite and elite players spend >90% of their practice time without a coach present. They are often left to manage 30+ hours of weekly practice time.
Motor Learning Explained
In this article we’ll cover all you need to know about motor learning, from what it is, how to measure it, and leading motor learning theories.
Motor learning defined
Motor learning can be defined as – a relatively permanent improvement in performance as a result of practice or experience. The relatively permanent feature of motor learning is a small but important detail. As it highlights that we cannot assess how much learning has taken place until after practice has finished.
Skill Classification Continuums – Learn the Basics
This article explains how to classify skills. We cover open skills vs closed skills, discrete vs continuous skills and…
Knowledge of Results vs Knowledge of Performance
Feedback is critical when learning any skill. Here we’ll look at two types of feedback – knowledge of results and knowledge of performance. We’ll define both and explain how they can be applied to a sporting context.