Physiology

This is the best of the exercise physiology websites available. With sports science information from leading experts, you can find the latest on thermogenesis, training in dance, and other subjects useful for those into fitness training… To browse our library of free sports training articles, browse using the categories on the left or use the search box.

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Articles

We'll pay you to ask questions

Got a question about sport? We'll pay you to ask it, and pay more to answer others' questions!

Understand the body's use of oxygen during exercise

Oxygen kinetics – start smart for a mean finish!

Squash, Badminton, and Tennis players: Improve your power!

Big hitting for racquet sports players – prepare yourself!

Does exercise affect brain function?

Effects of maximal exercise on the brain

Soccer players' balance is inferior

Comparison of standing balance in dancers and football players

Physiology in Rowing

New methods of monitoring elite rowers

Rowing Performance Dependent on Height

Recipe for the perfect rower

Face-cooling improves sports performance

The effects of face-cooling during hyperthermic exercise

Back pain caused by bad posture

Slouching isn’t just an attitude – it will damage your sport and your health

Physiology performance parameters

Athleticogenomics – the gene genie is out of his bottle

Elite Rowing: Maintaining Maximum Condition

Life at the top – how are elite rowers tested and monitored?

Cycling Training improves sports performance

Can bike training improve the performance of non-cycling athletes?

Can Athletes Dance Their Way to Agility?

Dance Training for Agility, Speed and Power

Sleep Loss - Making Sure it Doesn't Affect Your Training

waking up to the performance of sleep

Cycling Training

Physiological Assessment in Cycling

Sports Science Glossary Part 6

Sports Science Glossary Part 6

female triad

Female Triad: Bone recovery after female athlete triad

arm strength

Arm Strength: Transfer of arm strength works one way only

estrogen replacement therapy

Estrogen Replacement Therapy: Another blow for estrogen therapy

glycobiology

Glycobiology : Could sugars be the new route to sweet success for athletes?

Body composition

Body composition and sport - why weight is a poor performance indicator

record-breaking

Record-breaking predictions : What are the absolute limits to human performance levels?

Sports Science Glossary Part 8

Sports Science Glossary Part 8

Sports Science Glossary Part 7

Sports Science Glossary Part 7

Sports Science Glossary Part 9

Sports Science Glossary Part 9

weight training systems

Weight Training Systems : Weight train your hormones

blood doping

Blood Doping: New warning on blood doping

Sports Science Glossary Part 2

Sports Science Glossary Part 2

biopsychosocial pain

Biopsychosocial Pain : Pain and brain - the biopsychosocial method of chronic injury rehabilitation

menstrual problems in athletes

Menstrual problems in athletes

mental effects exercise

Mental Effects Of Exercise: Prolonged exercise and mental function

Sports Science Glossary Part 1

Sports Science Glossary Part 1

Sports Science Glossary Part 10

Sports Science Glossary Part 10

fans pressure

Fans feel the pressure too

periodisation

Periodisation: Advanced strategies for bringing your performance to a peak at just the right time

cyclists sperm

Cyclists sperm: Sperm changes in long-distance cyclists

sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation

recovery

Recovery: what is the best strategy?

running stitches

Running stitches: New thoughts on stitch

lactic acid | lactate

Lactic acid: Lactate - 'bad guy' no longer, but rather one of the body's most vital fuels

travel

Travel: How time zone travel harms performance

osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis: What happens when you hang up your sports kit - for good?

thermogenesis

Thermogenesis: It's not just what you eat...

sport music

Sport music: Music as ergogenic aid

supplements athletes

Supplements athletes: Antioxidant vitamins - can they do athletes more harm than good?

exercise infection

Exercise infection: Gender divide after exercise stress

vitamin e

Vitamin E: Vitamin E and immunity

sports science

Sports science: What have the sport scientists done for us? Craig Sharp on the interface between knowledge and performance

orthotic therapy

Orthotic therapy: when self-help and sports therapies don't go nearly far enough

muscle glycogen stores

Muscle glycogen stores: Supercompensation only works once

endurance muscles

Endurance muscles: Why endurance athletes cannot afford to ignore the vital contribution of fast-twitch muscle fibres

menstruation

Menstruation: Cycling proficiency - do the various menstrual phases affect athletic performance?

sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death: how can clubs pick out those at risk ?

asthma risk | athletes

Asthma - Lower asthma risk for amateur athletes

football referees

Football referees - Dehydration problems for the men in black

degenerative joints | veteran athletes

Degenerative joints - The best foods and supplements to protect your joints from age-related degeneration

cycling biomechanics

Cycling biomechanics - The biomechanics of safe and effective cycling performance at all ability levels

fitness and brain power

Fitness and brain power - How fitness protects the ageing brain

power | endurance | veterans

Power v endurance: what goes first in the ageing stakes?

speed | age | sprint training

Speed and age - The bad news is that speed declines with age; the good news is that you can arrest, even reverse, this degenerative process

sport nutrition

Sport nutrition - How athletes can benefit from world consensus on sport nutrition

distance running veterans

Distance running veterans - Is ageing inevitable - or simply the result of 'detraining'?

fatigue

Persistent fatigue and recurrent infections

fitness and memory

Fitness and memory - How fitness improves memory in mid-life

exercise induced asthma

Exercise induced asthma: Take a deep breath - and learn to manage your asthma without falling foul of doping regulations

exercise-induced cardiac fatigue

Is exercise-induced cardiac fatigue caused by damage to the heart muscle?

sauna-induced weight loss

Risks of sauna-induced weight loss

Ethiopian endurance running

Nature and nurture in Ethiopian endurance running success

exercise addiction

Exercise addiction

Metabolism

Metabolism: You do have a 'fat-burning zone', but do you really want to go there to burn off fat?

Bone mass, menstrual function and calcium

Bone mass, menstrual function and calcium.

weight training | menopause

How menopause limits women's response to weight training

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation: Despite the claims for PNF, you still can't beat static stretching

The eyes: soccer

The Eyes: Soccer: What makes a topnotch football player different from a mediocre performer? One key difference is in the way their eyes move, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester.

sex differences | exercise | sexual dimorphisms

How the sexes vary in response to exercise

Improve heart-rate recovery

Improve Heart-rate Recovery: How to use biofeedback to improve your heart rate recovery times - and, ultimately, your performance.

fat burning zone

Fat burning zone - Why athletes, fitness enthusiasts and slimmers should steer clear of the fat burning zone

Boosting vo2 max

Boosting Vo2 Max: Now that winter's coming, here's a useful programme for boosting your VO2max.

boys physical self-perception | body image

Boys physical self-perception - When Boys Care More than Girls About their Body Image

Plasma expansion

Plasma Expansion: If you're an endurance athlete, you need more blood than the individual who sits around watching the telly.

strength training for children

Strength Training For Children: This is what science says is the most effective strength training for kids

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country Skiing: Cross-country skiers who crank up intensity, achieve higher VO2max values and better performances

Report on blood lactate 2

Report On Blood Lactate 2: Things your mother forgot to tell you about blood lactate

dynamic flexibility

So what about dynamic flexibility?

Cooling down

What is the best way to cool down?

vo2max

Knowing Your Vo2max: Does your laboratory really know your V02max?

Aerobic capacity

Aerobic Capacity: What makes VO2max decline so rapidly as you age - and what can you do about it?

Upper extremity power: tennis

Upper Extremity Power: Tennis: For years, exercise scientists with an interest in tennis have tried to determine the physical factors which allow certain tennis players to have unusually powerful serves.

Muscle soreness | Farabloc

Farabloc: How muscles can be shielded against delayed onset muscle soreness

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews 2

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews - Warning: reliance on a heart monitor can seriously damage your performance

Workout value

The heart of the matter: here's a novel way to monitor your training load.

football | penalty taking | soccer

Football - penalty taking: How to win the shoot-out mind game

Protection for bones

Protection For Bones: Adolescent exercise offers best long-term protection for bones

Lactate threshold heart-rate

Lactate Threshold Heart-rate: A question of distance, and how to work out your lactate threshold heart rate.

performance | temperature

How temperature affects performance - Why Heat's Not Such a Bad Thing

Erogenic aid

Ergogenic aid, but with a price to be paid

flexibility

Flexibility: A physiotherapist explains the science behind the importance of keeping flexible

Distance events

Distance Events: The risks of going long: when the super-fit endurance athlete turns into the heart attack victim

lactate

Lactate: How to boost lactate threshold and why it will lift your performances.

brain | vital organs | exercise fatigue 1

The governor: how the brain protects your vital organs by inducing exercise fatigue

Muscle fibre types

Muscle Fibre Types: Why tapering after intense training boosts sprinting speed

vo2max

Calculating Vo2max: Make sure you have your doctor's permission before carrying out the following test.

trigger points | injur avoidance

A trigger point in a muscle is a warning sign of a possible serious injury. Here we explain what TPs are, how they happen and what to do about them

Sports Drinks

Sports Drinks: When sports drinks don't work

How exercise protects your heart: 1

How exercise protects your heart: 1

athletes and sleep

Athletes And Sleep: Can they really hurt your performances?

osteoporosis | female athletes | distance running injuries

Osteoporosis - female athletes distance running injuries : why distance running can be bad for bones

Menstruation and lower bone density

Menstruation And Lower Bone Density: Running tends to increase bone density in the legs, thwarting osteoporosis in that part of the body, but there have been disturbing reports that running can produce lower-than-normal bone thicknesses in the lumbar spine.

Maximal Lactate Steady State pace

Maximal Lactate Steady State Pace: An easy way for runners to estimate Maximal Lactate Steady State pace

Sleep and performance

Sleep And Performance: Just how crucial is a good night's sleep before a major event?

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews - Is heart rate monitoring of any value?

Stretching

Stretching: Does Stretching Work?

Sports Injuries | headaches

The case of the ex-rugby player with a mysterious headache

Flexibility | Stretching

Flexibility and Stretching: Two sports physiotherapists show why flexibility is so important, and explain the science behind it

Abs workouts

Abs Workouts: Oblique facts about abs workouts

Music and sport

Music and Sport: Music hath charms to soothe the savage workout - or perhaps it doesn't.

sprinters muscle composition | distance runners muscle composition

Sprinters and distance runners muscle composition: why sprinters have a natural advantage

Sports supplements

Sports Supplements: Experts determine what's really in bee pollen - but does the stuff actually work?

Muscle and glucose

Muscle And Glucose: Why doesn't muscle use glucose straight from the bloodstream as required?

Warm-ups

Warm-ups: Fizzy bathing makes for great warm-ups

Exercise and immunity

Exercise And Immunity: Infection and swimming performance

vVO2max workouts

New vVO2max workouts lead to impressive gains in fitness

Age and fat

Age And Fat: As you get older, do you have to get fatter?

Concentric and Eccentric Quadriceps Contractions

Concentric and Eccentric Quadriceps Contractions

Building bone-mass

Building Bone-mass: Hoping to build bone mass? Try squash and weight lifting!

genetics | sports performance

Genetics and Performance: Now science is getting to the long and the short of how genes influence performance

Pain

Train through the pain

Report on blood lactate 1

Report On Blood Lactate 1: Things your mother forgot to tell you about blood lactate

sports science future

Sports science of the future - Here's an exclusive report on a world-record attempt made in (or about) the year 2025

Physiology & performance

What time is it inside your body? The answer may determine the effectiveness of your training - and your performance

Boosting oxygen uptake

Boosting Oxygen Uptake: Perhaps the greatest work physiologist of all time, Olaf Astrand, has stated that the maximum oxygen uptake can be improved by up to 20 per cent, and in order to achieve that, work must be done at above 80 per cent of the maximum uptake.

Training intensity

Training Intensity: On the threshold of something big: how intensely must you train to obtain real benefit?

Bone density and muscle mass

For endurance athletes, two of the key problems associated with getting older are a gradual decline in muscle mass and a potential loss of bone density. The missing muscle makes it more difficult to run, cycle or swim powerfully, and the shrinking bones increase the likelihood of injury and osteoporosis.

The value of anti-oxidants: an expert sifts the evidence

The value of anti-oxidants: an expert sifts the evidence

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews 1

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews - Warning: reliance on a heart monitor can seriously damage your performance

Runners v cyclists

Runners V Cyclists: Runners may have denser leg bones, but cyclists have more muscular arms.

bilateral co-ordination | training

Bilateral Co-ordination: Why dexterity alone just will not do: some lessons from a young piano player

recovery | overtraining | swimming | norepinephrine

Swimming, overtraining, recovery and norepinephrine

supercompensation

Supercompensation works for women - but better for men

Bone density

Bone Density: Endurance exercise and bone density in male athletes

warming up | substitute players

Warming up, substitute players & sitting on the bench

Bone accretion

Bone Accretion: I was interested to read the article, "Rowing appears to be the perfect sport for bone accretion". Letter to editor from: Penny Chuter, OBE, Principal National Coach, Amateur Rowing Association, London W6

endurance athletes race pacing

Endurance Athletes Race Pacing: If it makes sense to run the second half faster than the first, then why do the Kenyans go out so fast?

Warm-up

How effective is your warm-up?

Clenbuterol Side Effects

Clenbuterol side effects: Rats! Clenbuterol may reduce, not enhance, performance, and stiffen heart muscles to boot

nervous system | muscle performance

How to improve your performance by optimizing the functioning of your nervous system

Hitting the ball

Hitting The Ball: When batsmen don't need to keep their eye on the ball

Self-assessment

Self-assessment: VO2max is a poor predictor of performance, but computing your velocity at V02max can pay big benefits.

Delayed onset muscle soreness

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: Tips for avoiding delayed onset muscle soreness (the dreaded DOMS)

The testosterone effect

The Testosterone Effect: If you're training the right way, your gonads get into the act.

cold weather training

Cold weather training: what your mother forgot to tell you

Bone health

Bone Health: Osteoporosis ('brittle bones') isn't just a problem for post menopausal women. Both younger women and men are at risk from this disease.

How Good is the ‘Bod Pod’?

Body Composition - Fat Measurement: How Good is the 'Bod Pod'?

Muscle soreness

Muscle soreness is the bane of all athletes because it's connected with low muscular power outputs and an inability to carry out high-quality workouts and competitions.

lateral preferences

How to overcome lateral preferences and end up with two dominant legs: Owen Anderson offers practical guidance on how to identify your own dominant side - and bring the other side up to par

Triathletes

Triathletes should drink less to prevent hyponatraemia

Fat as fuel

Fat As Fuel: What value are medium-chain triglycerides as an energy source for endurance athletes?

Ergogenic Aids

Ergogenic Aids

Lactate Testing

Lactate testing: is there any point?

lactate threshold | lactate training

Lactate Threshold and Lactate Training: What the latest research says about your lactate threshold and lactate training

Rest And Recovery

Rest And Recovery: How do you know when you're at risk of overtraining? It's a simple matter of how well you feel, sleep and eat

phosphorus

Phosphorus: " Warning: excessive consumption of this drink may damage your bones"

brain | vital organs | exercise fatigue 2

The governor: how the brain protects your vital organs by inducing exercise fatigue

Ironman Triathlon

Ironman triathlon: how to determine the optimum intensity

Altitude v sea level

Altitude V Sea Level: Why has the progression of world records slumped since endurance athletes began training at altitude?

Injury avoidance 2

A trigger point in a muscle is a warning sign of a possible serious injury. Here we explain what TPs are, how they happen and what to do about them

Winter workouts

Winter Workouts: Exercising in the cold air can help hot up your fat-burning fires.

How exercise protects your heart: 2

How exercise protects your heart: 2

Biological clocks

Biological clock-watching can give your performance an extra boost.

Bone Maintenance in Older Runners

Bone Maintenance in Older Runners

Vo2max

Vo2max Predicts Performance

endurance training for children

Endurance Training For Children: This is what science says is the most effective endurance training for kids

HRT

HRT maintains muscle after menopause

Bone-strengthening

Bone-strengthening: The remarkable soya bean can help guard against osteoporosis, and that's only the beginning.

Fluid: the one thing your body can’t learn to do without

Fluid: the one thing your body can't learn to do without

Gluteal muscles

Gluteal Muscles: The glutes are key muscles for people with back problems

Synchronising muscles with heart

Synchronising Muscles With Heart: Should athletes attempt to synchronize muscular contractions with heart rates during workouts and competitive efforts? At first glance, the idea seems like a strange one, but scientific research suggests that it might be the right thing to do.

muscle soreness| massage | delayed onset muscle soreness

Muscle soreness: massage and delayed onset muscle soreness

distance running injuries

Distance running injuries: Why distance running can be bad for bones

sleep

Lack of sleep can reduce an athlete's cardiovascular performance by 11%. These are the measures to take...

Questions

Major Hydration Issues!!!! Please Help!!!!

I play professional ice hockey in the NHL for the Nashville Predators, my position is goalie. In an average game I will lose 10-16 pounds of weight.

why cant i lose weight part 2

This is an update and a request for further advice....please see my profile for part 1.

What do you think of the Peak Performance Premium area? (!)

As the main provider of information in this area, I'd like to find out what you think about the videos and the articles in particular.

How do u get more a more ripped look, without 'bulking' too much ?

I normally train in functional principles but would like someone to give me a couple of answers for a change :) i am about average bodyfat and would love to get 'cut' for the summer.

Pre Season Rugby Training

Hi im currently at university doing an assignment looking at creating a 12 week pre season rugby programme for a university athlete.

What things can i do to improve my high jump?

I'm doing high jump in mid may. Any tips on how to train?

I injured my shoulder 10 weeks ago...more than a strain?

I injured my shoulder 10 weeks ago, reaching backward to pull open a stuck door. I didn't go to the doctor right away, because it seemed just sore/strained.

Effect of gender stereotypes on sporting goals/achievements?

any thoughts towards this topic? do you know of any articles i can read up on? thanks so much for your time

Does astroturf covering on a force plate dampen forces recorded?

I am currently researching the force dampening effects of covering a force plate. In simple terms I am looking to find out does covering a force plate with astro turf affect the force produced.

beach body for a 40yr old

Yeah, okay don't laugh!! - Vanity is quite underated I think!

How do I increase speed, explosiveness, and my verticle leap?

I am an 20 yr old collegiate basketball player, wanting to improve my speed, foot speed, stability, explosiveness, and verticle leap.

Can I get rid of excess skin?

Last year i lost a lot of weight quite quickly due to health reasons. I have now put sme weight back on but not all of it.

What should I do to run Athen's Marathon this year in 3 hours?

I used to be a middle distance runner for 7 years,my 800m PB=1:56min,my 1500m PB=4:00min,and my 3000m steple PB=9:15min, I quit 5 years ago and at the same time i start smoking, I quit smoking 2 month

Training Fads

What is the latest training Fad and does it actually work. Im really interested in the ones that do.

Sauna and Blood volume

I have started using a sauna in an effort to get that acclimatization effect which includes and improved sweat response and increased blood volume.

Growth Hormone and sleep

The literature states that as you sleep you release growth hormone which repairs and restores your body. This occurs after roughly 60min of sleep. If you have interrupted sleep i.e.

When should a triathlete travel before a sea level race?

We live and train in Mexico city at 2300 meters above sea level. I have received conflicting evidence regarding travelling to sea level races.

How can you get rid of shin splints?

I love to run, but recently I've developed awful shin splints and I'm trying to get them to go away.

What is the best way to train for a judo tournament?

Our matches are 5 minutes long with no breaks, up to 8 matches in the tournament. I am trying to find the best exercises to get us ready for the tournament.

How do you tell shin splints?

How do you tell if you have shin splints. I have a pain in my left leg above my ankle, but I don't know what it is.

Why in distance/swimming training do swimmers work on breath holding?

I am relatively new to swimming and have stumbled on workouts that include breath holding.

Sprint faster

I need to be able to sprint 50 meters very quickly. My sport being paintball, i have to have my head down keeping a low profile.

Milk

If i Drink Skimmed milk every day for a month and not drink anything else or eat anything else cept from veg and fruit.. will that be a healthy lifestyle?

How do I lose belly fat?

My friend who has just had a baby has come to me with a question. It seems that no matter how much weight she loses, she always seem to maintain a pouch on her stomach.

Whats everyones views on the use of ice baths?

Does anyone here use them regularly? If so how long for?

Describe a training cycle and periodization for bodybuilding?

I have been bodybuilding for four years. I am 36 years old.

back of knee / inside knee pain

i recently started running more milage so i guess this could just be too much training too quickly, from 10-20km a week to 40-50km... i have pain on the inside and back of my left knee.

Does increased protein intake depress mood?

In summer I train outdoors for 10k and half-marathon, with some gym work. In winter I tend to train indoors and work on strength and speed, with an occasional outdoor run.

Best exercises to improve VO2Max quickly?

What are the best exercises methods to improve your V02 Max quickly by a large percentage over a couple of months? Btw, the sports i'm interested in is Soccer.

Formula for determining HRmax - Does it apply to all fitness levels?

Does the standard formula for determining HRmax (220 minus age in years) hold true for all levels of fitness? Is it not based on "sedentary" individuals?

Des resting heart rate affect your performance?

i am a 22 year old male having played soccer my whole life, my resting heart rate is about 68 beats per minute, this is quite high compared to other elite athletes, would this affect my performance, c

Why is the Bench Press so popular...

I do not really care for it, I like Squats so much better. Don't the back and legs provide a better measure of strength?

Powerlifting and Olympic Lifting?

Are there any notable people who excelled in both?

I'm tired all the time

I'm wondering if I am lifting to much. I find it hard to beleive that I could be overtraining.

Gymnastic routine...

for someone who can not take lessons? I have pull-up/ dip bars and know about the planche and front lever. Any training tips would be appreciated.

The Squat...

uses the the entire lower body, to what extent does it work the hamstrings and calves?

How do I endure heat during a training session?

I live in South Africa and attend a Virgin Active gym nearby. I am increasing my training schedule this year.

Would a jogger squat more...

than a person of the same body type and size who does not run?

Do chair/bench dips work the rhomboids?

..I think they do, but have never read so. When ever I do do them, my rhomboids are felt...I can also feel them doing regular dips.

Should I weight train to lose weight?

I run, swim and cycle (doing at least one or a combination of the three each day for at least 1 hour per day). I also do weight training 1-2 times per week.

How can I perform pulldowns?

At home I have a pull-up bar and some weight plates and I want to know how I can perform pulldowns.

I have heard that push-ups work the back.

Is this true and if so to what extent?

How accurate is the beep test as an indicator of VO2 max?

I'm doing a research assignment. I have run tests with the beep test but can't do any any actual VO2 max testing because i don't have access to a sports lab.

What do you think of Juice Plus?

Juice Plus is a natural supplement with mega doses of antioxidants.

Supplementation to prevent upper respiratory infections?

After any type of exercise (running or weight training), I wind up getting sick (upper respiratory) within a day or two. 50 year old male.

How do you condition fast twitch fibres?

I hear that is what makes you faster. This is because I am looking to get a faster time in my 100m and 200m

Opinion. If you could only do one aerobic exercise, which would it be?

Facts are lovely. Which one provides the best overall benefits?

Opinion: Do you think body weight exercise training is superior...

...to free weights? Opinion, but facts and studies are nice.

What is the ideal body of a rower?

Height? Weight? What do olympic rowers look like? And what biological advantages do most have through genetics

12 weeks of resistance trainig - results

Anyone has any info on how much one would gain in results - for example in bench press - after training 2 times or 3 times per week for a month, two months, three months?

Power clean target

I am a 39 year old 800m / 1500m runner. I took up running in my early 30`s and have settled on running middle distance for the Veterans (Masters) team for my local club.

What are the benefits of boxing as a sports to college students?

I want to know the psychological benefits a college student can get from boxing as a sport. People tend to associate boxing with violence thus it is not offered as a P.E.

Do Abs help sprinting?

I just wondered.

what is the proper technique for sprinting

I have a general idea of how to sprint however i think my form may help decrease my time.

Help finding sport

He ran track best mile time of 5:55 and ran cross country, best time of 20: 40 for a 5k. He is lean, but not skinny or fat. He is a decent sprinter, but can not jump high.

Has anyone dealt with vocal fold dysfunction in a swimmer

My daughter, a competitive swimmer, has developed vocal fold dysfunction.

What are the differences in doing a pull-up and a pulldown?

I know that a pull-up body weight and have heard that it is a close chained exercise, but what are the biomechanical differences and how does the body respond to each one?

knee injury ????

On going pain coming from the back of the knee ,its even starting to hurt when i walk. If i kneel down on both knees and then lean bk i get a sharp pain at what seems the back of my right knee.

How do I strengthen my neck without injuring it?

In the course of training for grappling sports I felt it very important to have a strong neck.

Does sweating or not sweating determine a good workout?

I hear some say, one does not have to sweat to gain a good workout. I believe this is incorect.

Is cycling JUST for losing weight?

I am 30 yrs. old. I want to build strong, muscular legs, but people tell me that cycling is the wrong sport for that purpose.I have always been very lean and cut.

Comparison charts for 1 minute of sit ups, push ups and press-ups?

Does anyone have charts for adults performing 1 minute of sit-ups, push-ups and press-ups?

Type 1 diabetes

I have had type 1 diabetes for 25 years (current age is 54) and have completed numerous races including marathons and ultras.

Gaining muscle with explosive training?

I've noticed that people who run a marathon are very skinny and have no fat, but sprinters have huge muscles. Do sprinters have these muscles because they need energy very fast?

Which are the most effective strength and power tests?

I am required to investigate and compare tests for stength and power tests, using field and lab testing for both elite and non elite athletes.

Swedish manoeuvres and Walt's SAS - video?

anyone know of a video demonstrating Swedish manoeuvres and Walt's SAS exercise technique? i have achilles tendinitis and would love to try this out!!! thanks sudie.

Is Vibration Training OK after double knee replacement?

I have to be realistic about what I can achieve now in terms of exercise but really want to keep fit and trim.

How can I reduce chronic hard muscle after exercise?

I am 43 year old male, 150lbs, and 5'11".

Prolotherapy or cold laser therapy for cartilage re-development

I have been running for over 25 years(primarily marathons,ultras. etc.) I had my first scope done on the knee and they found grade 4 changes in the cartilage.

Does aerobic exercise increase tidal volume?

I am researching responses and adaptations to aerobic exercise. I have been told at college that there are several adaptations to respiratory system, e.g.

Do you have a question for our community?

PP Online has over 10,000 registered users, all of them keen sportsmen and women, including many coaches, personal trainers and sports scientists.

What is the ACL?

"Danny O'Dell M. A. CSCS*D is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach, and the co-owner of The WeightRoom Gym and Explosivelyfit.com, both located in Nine Mile Falls, WA. Here, he shares with us some of the questions he gets asked most often. How would you answer this question?"

Blogs

Slow motion video & changing faulty running form to treat an injury

In otherwise healthy individual there can be multiple reasons for running with faulty form including: faulty underlying anatomical structure or weakness; a low level of pain, nagging lingering injury;

How do you feel about your running form/style/technique?

During the initial interview with a client a standard question that I use is “how do you feel about your running form, do you think you have good form, or do you think you look like Ikabod Crane”?

Ideal Running Form: Pose Running versus Chi Running – Theory & Evidence

Advice from coaches and personal fitness trainers can be classified into two categories; a theory based approach or an evidence based approach.

What your Body Fat Says about You!

What does your body fat say about you? Does it scream that here is a healthy eater, a mean lean fighting machine whose body is his temple?

Personal Training in London

I have been wailing and gnashing my teeth of late trying to find some great personal trainers here in London.

Bodybuilding Personal Trainer

A constant theme of my life seems to be questions about what makes a good personal trainer.

Strength Training & Conditioning for Football / Soccer

Strength training for football (or soccer for our American cousins) used to be up their on a par with the post match recovery / regeneration drink to replenish a professional footballer's lost glycoge

5 Ways to Increase Testosterone Naturally

Every personal trainer should seek to educate themselves on ways to improve the hormonal profiles of their personal training clients.

Have shoulder pains?

Have shoulder pains? You came to the right place.

The 7 Deadly Sins of Lifting

“The 7 Deadly Sins of Lifting” this is another installment from A. Jay of a series of motivational articles.

Drug testing what's out there a physiotherapists view point

Testing Athletes for Drug Use Why do some “athletes” try to enhance their performances on the track and field by taking drugs?

Nick's Strength Q&A!

Here is the first and not the last instalment of Nick Mitchell’s long awaited All Strength Q&A.

Are you making these mistakes as an Athlete?

Don’t get me wrong nobody’s perfect, especially me, many of these ideas came from my “Stupidity”, a rollercoaster of discovery, injuries and re-injury, does that sound about right?

What's a girl to do?

It's been so long since my knee injury. You'd think I'd have got over it and be back on my bike as it were! . . But alas It's taking me a while to build my fitness up again.

Sports Medicine Foot and Ankle Rehabilitation

This article was a long time coming. After writing and then scraping and re-writing it is a good way to describe this.

The Insider’s Secrets to a Flat Stomach

Hey regular blog readers myself and Nick sat down and and had a conversation, long story short this article was born.

Rotational Carbohydrates "RO-CHO" ?

Rotational Carbohydrates "RO-CHO" Article by Steve Blades. It is all about carbohydrate rotation for ultimate performance.

Dont Be a "Hard Learner"!

Another great read by Steve Blades aka "Marmite". If you are not making gains in the gym or the track this will change everything completely.

You are a Beginner, READ THIS!

A great,long article about everything on general bodybuilding ,training, nutrition and supplementation as a beginner.

The Right Resolutions!

A great new update to hit Rawgrip.com, a great article for all of the new found health freaks this year.

Squat Rx Video Creator Interview

If you are a serious lifter you must have heard of the “Squat Rx” video series all over the net. The Videos are available on YouTube.

How Focused Are You at the Gym?

Sean discusses The Top 10 Reasons why you are slacking in the Gym and How to prevent this. He exposes some great Tips how to make your training sessions more productive for better end results.

How To Increase Bench Press

Finally an article created for all you serious weight shifters. C Pikey discuses the truth about A massive Bench Press and gives some tips How To Improve your Weak Bench.

haemoglobin levels and performance

what effect on performance would a 15% drop in haemoglobin levels have? as any one had blood test and and had this problem ? and what was the outcome ?

Glycemic Index in Athletes and Weight management

An article about the glycemic index of carbohydrates pertains directly to athletes and their performance.

Protein intake in Athletes

A new article by Michael Nystrom discussing the protein intake amounts in athletes. Athlete Protein intake article

Introduction to Tai Chi Training

This article is merely a brief and light hearted introduction to Tai Chi. My next article will focus upon how the key principles of Tai Chi can be used to develop optimum sports performance.

Training Methods for the Development of Power

The other day I came across a presentation a friend and I did at university. Thought I'd share it with you all.

Catalano (Sam) All about tennis coaching.

Hi seeking info to implement into my tennis coaching to increase the development of my young players, all suggestions greatly appreciated. For e.g simple ways to understand a kick serve.

Peak Performance Relaunches!

It's a very exciting day for us today, because we've had our first major relaunch in 7 years.

Write for Peak Performance

When we set up the new PP Online site, one of our biggest aims was to create a place where anyone with a passion for sport could share their opinions and experiences.

The Autonomic Nervous System and Repeated Sprints

The autonomic nervous system or ANS is made up of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.

Protein requirements for the strength athlete

Figures are regularly tossed out as to how much protein an athlete needs in their diet.

Combining amino acids and carbohydrates

Protein synthesis is the name of the game when it comes to building powerful muscles. Anabolism, muscle synthesis, will take place whether proteins are taken by themselves or with carbohydrates.

Eating breakfast

he athletes coming to my gym eat breakfast everyday. It’s almost a mandatory thing if they want to lift heavy for the entire fifty minutes.

Gluteus troubles

I had a wonderful training run yesterday.

Videos

Sandbag Overhead Throw for Height

Sandbags are an effective low cost alternative to medicine ball. This drill is excellent for developing whole body power. You can adjust the weight of the sandbag to suit your strength goals.