I started coaching figure skating when I was about 11. Since then I’ve picked up a number of coaching certifications and worked for several years leading outdoor sports. I always knew that in these roles I had responsibility for others. I had control over the environment that was created, opting for positive and supportive, but … Continue reading
The more I learn, the more I’ve realized how inappropriate generalizable research is in many situations. Fortunately, this is starting to change but it is slow going which makes knowing what to do challenging. I came across an article that studied the muscle activation of highly resistance trained athletes on different instability devices such as … Continue reading
I am not biologically suited to being a figure skater but figure skating is the sport I most love to do. I may have cursed those individuals who were smaller and could rotate quicker than me, but I did so privately knowing full well it came down to biology. This seems to be similar to … Continue reading
I am running more than I have in the past but I’m training for relatively short distances and I have too many other sports and activities to run everyday. As I looked around for training plans I noticed that most of them recommend a heck of a lot of running. This got me wondering if … Continue reading
In my PhD research my participants, who were all connected to outdoor education, expressed some of the conflict they feel when trying to do the outdoor activities they enjoy. I understand this challenge personally. As an outdoor person I’m inclined to run, bike, canoe, ski, etc. This is awesome. I enjoy the activities and they … Continue reading
Kids have a lot of energy. Anyone who has worked or lived with one knows what it’s like when you’re full out exhausted and a kid or kids asks what’s next. In a recent study Birat et al. (2018) compared the fatigue and recovery rates of a group of boys around age 10 to a … Continue reading
As I have dealt with the gong show that has been my wrist injury over the past 2.5+ years I have tried to stay active. One of the activities I have kept to some degree is running. But it has been amazing to me how much my running has been affected by my arm and … Continue reading
Mark Ideson, the skip of the Canadian wheelchair curling team at the 2018 winter Paralympics talked about how watching skeleton athlete Jon Montgomery win during the Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics inspired him to pursue sport more seriously. The result, for an individual who thought that their sporting days were over has been multiple Olympic medals … Continue reading
The 2018 Winter Olympics are in full swing and I’m entirely addicted. I watch everything. Sure, I have my favourites but I will watch almost any sport. I’m always interested when they talk to athletes, both those who have medaled and those who haven’t. I want to know what goes on in their brains and … Continue reading
Figure skates are not exactly the easiest things to jump in. They are stiff and restrict the motion of your foot and your ankle. Which makes me wonder how this affects the way the rest of your leg moves while jumping. Haguenauer, Legreneur, and Monteil (2006) examined national and international figure skaters jumps comparing their … Continue reading
