Athletics Coaching Hub

Tendons are the unsung heroes of athletic performance—acting as biological springs that store and release energy to enhance movement efficiency, power, and resilience. While muscle strength often takes centre stage in training, optimising tendon properties can be the key to unlocking new levels of performance and reducing injury risks across all track and field disciplines.

This article delves into the science of tendon adaptation, exploring how plyometric and resistance training influence tendon stiffness and compliance. Backed by cutting-edge research, it provides practical coaching insights, including targeted training interventions, recovery considerations, and the ideal balance between stiffness and elasticity for different event demands.

Mental fatigue is an often-overlooked performance killer, impacting reaction time, decision-making, and training consistency—even in physically fresh athletes.

This article explores how mental fatigue manifests in track and field, its physiological roots, and, most importantly, practical coaching strategies to assess, train, and support mental recovery and resilience. From chaotic drills that sharpen adaptability to targeted recovery techniques like mindfulness, strategic rest, and cognitive training, this guide provides actionable tools to help coaches keep their athletes mentally sharp and competition-ready.