Coach Education Resources
Strength and Conditioning for Middle and Long Distance Athletes - Who Needs it?
The area of strength and conditioning has historically been lacking in the training programs of our potentially elite middle and long distance athletes. As a result, many of them are breaking down because they are not musculoskeletally strong enough to cope with high mileage or are burnt out because they are bored with training before they have a chance to achieve anywhere near their potential.
In this article, Di Huxley explores why and how strength and conditioning training should be incorporated for middle and long distance athletes.
Does U18 and U20 Success Correlate with Success at Senior Level?
Both male and female athletes who are more successful in young age categories (U18 and U20) were more likely to achieve success as a senior than less successful young athletes. Female athletes who were successful when young were more likely to maintain athletic success as a senior when compared to young males. A significant proportion of senior athletes (both male and female) were not successful in any of the young age categories.
How Many Times a Week Should a Muscle be Trained to Maximise Muscle Hypertrophy?
Training frequency is considered an important variable in the hypertrophic response to regimented resistance exercise. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies designed to investigate the effects of weekly training frequency on hypertrophic adaptations.
Post-Activation Potentiation Improves Long Jump Performance
Discover how adding a set of drop jumps within two minutes of performing a long jump can enchance an athlete's performance in this peer-reviewed research summary.
Respiratory Muscle Training Improves Endurance in Adolesent Track and Field Athletes
The study aimed to present the effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on lung function, pulmonary ventilation and endurance in adolescent track and field athletes as a part of their pre-competition training.
Plyometrics and the High Jump
Plyometric training is a vital tool for track and field athletes, enhancing power and overall performance, particularly in events like the high jump. This article outlines the history, scientific principles, and practical applications of plyometric training, emphasising its significance for coaches and athletes alike.
Coaching Throws with Scott Martin
Scott Martin speaks to us about the challenges of coaching throws at the various levels of the sport and will hopefully encourage more club-level coaches to specialise in coaching the throws events.
Biomechanical Performance Factors in the Track and Field Sprint Start: A Systematic Review
In athletics sprint events, the block start performance can be fundamental to the outcome of a race. This Systematic Review aims to identify biomechanical factors of critical importance to the block start and subsequent first two steps performance.
How Hills, Heat and Altitude Optimise Performance
Learn how hills, heat and altitude help optimise performance, but also the soft skills required for creating a positive training environment.
Research Explained: Does the Menstrual Cycle Affect Athletic Performance?
Discover how an athlete’s menstrual cycle may affect their performance and when in the cycle athletes feel that they are performing their best.
How Brooke Buschkuehl Achieves Long Jump Success
Brooke Buschkuehl started long jump at 6 years old and 25 years later, she holds the women's long jump record for Australia and Oceania. Here's how she worked her way up and set a high standard for the event.
Strategies for Overcoming CNS Fatigue
explore evidence-based strategies for coaches to effectively reduce central nervous system (CNS) fatigue in athletes. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanisms of CNS fatigue and implementing tailored training, recovery, and mental conditioning techniques.
Development Model for Strength Training
This table provides a long-term periodization model for strength and gives an overview of the development stages, training method, volume (quantity), intensity (load), and means of training.
Preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics
Learn from three of Australia’s leading High Performance coaches as they describe their preparation for the upcoming 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Hear from Sprints Coach Andrew Murphy, Jumps lead Alex Stewart, and Distance guru Philo Saunders as they explain how elilte athletes will optimise their condition prior to a major championships.
Serial Winning Coaches
Prof. Cliff Mallett explores the common qualities of serial winning coaches, their motivators, and how you can reflect on what you know about yourself and others.
Tips for Athletes, Coaches, Athletes, and Parents from Melinda Gainsford-Taylor
Legendary Australian Athlete, Coach, and Parent, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor shares her tips and experience in the sport.
GAINcast: Athlete Profiling
Listen now to Episode 279 of GAINcast with Vern Gambetta, a production of HMMR Media. This episode explores athlete profiling with Jason Hettler, head strength and conditioning coach at the IMG Academy.
World Para Athletics Championships Team Information Session
Watch a replay of the information session for athletes, parents, and coaches of prospective members of the Australian team to the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan.
World U20 Championships: Team Information Session
This information session is designed to help athletes, coaches, parents, and other support staff understand important concepts of the World U20 Championships, including: The role of the World U20s in the athlete pathway, location and performance implications, competition structure, post-selection planning, and team coaches
Optimising Your Training at Altitude
Learn from Athletics Australia’s Lead Physiologist, Avish Sharma and Bryce Anderson as they make evidence informed recommendations for when, why, and how altitude training may be incorporated into an athletes’ training plan.