How Can I Train to Move Faster on the Court or field?

Power is defined as the combination of strength and speed. In any sport explosive movement is critical for improving performance. In sports like tennis, soccer, basketball, and football sprinting from one side of the court or field to another is an important part of winning.

The first step of the quick sprint across the court might be the difference in reaching a tennis ball to return it with minimal accuracy or even hit a cross-court winner. In baseball, quickness is measured by how fast can the athlete get a jump on the pitcher when stealing a ... Read more

What is the patellar tendon?

The patellar tendon is a thick, organized band of tissue that attaches the kneecap (“patella”) to the shinbone (tibia). It plays a crucial role in transmitting the forces generated by the muscles in the front on the thigh (“quadriceps”) to the tibia so that the leg can be straightened and support our weight with walking or jumping. The patellar tendon together with the quadriceps muscle, quadriceps tendon, patella, and its surrounding tissue (“retinacula”) make up the extensor mechanism of the knee. The patellar tendon is composed of a highly organized arrangement of collagen that are organized longitudinally to resist tensile forces like a rope.

The battle for any athlete to recover from injury is always perplexing. How much do I push my limits, what damage am I doing? What is the risk vs. the reward? What’s my pain threshold? What do I fight through?

"I'm in a two-day rugby tournament. I need food help!!"
"This weekend, I'm riding in a 100 mile bike event. What should I eat the day before?"
"For a charity fundraiser, I'm participating in a 24-hour aerobathon. How can I avoid hitting the wall???"

... Read more

Athletes who want to build muscles and recover well from workouts often feel confused by ads for protein supplements. They wonder how much and what kinds of protein they should consume—and if egg whites or chicken can do the job. The following information can help you optimize your protein intake—and your peace of mind.

Answer: To determine how many protein shakes you need, you should first determine how much protein your body actually can use. You need adequate protein to enhance muscle ... Read more