30 January 2024
Athletic Performance Insider
WELCOME😊
In this edition of the Athletic Performance Insider, we feature a close and personal interview with Rene Naylor, the physiotherapist of the rugby Springboks team. She shares the story of her journey with the team, including winning two World Rugby Cups, and discusses her challenges as a female in a male-dominated sport.
The newsletter is published weekly. Here, you will find the most up-to-date research, exclusive interviews, practical tips, and the latest industry news and trends.
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RESEARCH🧐
What factors contribute to ultra-endurance running performance?
Berger, N. J. A., Best, R., Best, A. W., Lane, A. M., Millet, G. Y., Barwood, M., Marcora, S., Wilson, P. & Bearden, S. Limits of Ultra: Towards an Interdisciplinary Understanding of Ultra-Endurance Running Performance. Sports Med. 1–21 (2023).
The research article explores the various factors contributing to ultra-endurance runners' performance. It discusses how humans have evolved to be skilled at moving long distances and covers the current knowledge of the physiological and psychological systems involved in ultra-endurance running. It examines evolutionary adaptations, thermoregulation, oxygen delivery, biomechanics, fatigue, nutrition, and psychological strategies, highlighting the factors that limit performance. However, modern ultra-endurance running often exceeds the physical activity levels that shaped our evolutionary past, revealing certain limitations and weaknesses. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple aspects such as thermoregulation, oxygen utilisation, exercise economy, digestion, nutrition, and fatigue management for successful ultra-endurance running. It also notes that ultra-endurance runners typically have high intrinsic motivation and a higher tolerance for pain and employ various strategies to combat fatigue and enhance performance. Understanding the interplay between physiological and psychological factors is crucial for improving ultra-endurance running performance. The authors suggest that focusing on tailored nutrition and hydration, heat acclimation, and psychological training during training and races could lead to better performance outcomes.
How do soccer academies integrate various factors to enhance players' long-term development and progression through the academy pathway?
Layton, M., Taylor, J. & Collins, D. The measurement, tracking and development practices of English professional football academies. J. Sports Sci. 41, 1655–1666 (2023).
This research investigates the complex and multifaceted nature of talent development in soccer, focusing on the full academy pathway and the factors that influence player progression. The study aims to generate knowledge that is practically meaningful for individuals and groups in the academy football context, as well as the practitioners who support them.
The methodology involved semi-structured interviews with coaches, informed by existing talent development literature and the professional experiences of the research team. The interview guide was refined through pilot testing to ensure clarity and participant understanding.
Results indicate a consensus on the importance of developing broad technical competency early in the academy pathway, with tactical adaptability also being crucial for long-term goals. Tactical adaptability in the context of soccer refers to a player's ability to understand, anticipate, and respond effectively to the dynamic tactical situations that arise during a game. It is also associated with the breadth and depth of tactical skills, such as scanning, anticipation, and game intelligence, which can distinguish exceptional players.
Some factors, such as psychological skills, were seen as more important in the later stages of development.
Practically, the findings can inform the design of player development systems within academies, ensuring that they are comprehensive and adapt to the changing needs of players as they progress through the pathway. This can lead to more effective talent identification and nurturing, benefiting the players and the sport.
How do different running speeds affect the risk of injuries?
Hooren, B. V., Rengs, L. & Meijer, K. Per‐step and cumulative load at three common running injury locations: The effect of speed, surface gradient, and cadence. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 34, (2024).
This study investigated the relationship between running speed and injury risk, focusing on the cumulative loading on tissues and how it may affect fatigue life and injury risk. Fatigue life is the amount of time, or the number of stress cycles a material or tissue can withstand before failure or significant damage occurs. The research question centred on whether faster running speeds increase the risk of injury due to higher cumulative loading on tissues.
The results showed that faster running speeds generally led to an increase in cumulative weighted impulse, indicating higher potential for damage, despite a decrease in cumulative loading outcomes with increased speed.
The study concluded that running at slower speeds may reduce the risk of injury if the total distance run is kept constant. Previous research supports this by associating speed training with a higher risk of running injuries, including Achilles tendon injuries.
Practical applications of these findings suggest that athletes, coaches, and clinicians should be cautious when using cumulative loading indices to infer injury risk. Instead, the cumulative weighted impulse may be a more informative measure of mechanical load and injury risk. The study recommends slower running speeds to reduce injury risk potentially but also calls for further prospective studies to substantiate these findings.
TRIVIA🫣
The Olympic Games were in Paris in 1900, 1924 and now will be in 2024. London is the only other city to host the Games three times; 1908, 1948 and 2012.
Aquatics awards the most medals, with 49 events across the disciplines of swimming, marathon swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming. Athletics follows with 48.
source
PRACTICAL 🤔
High-intensity interval training - what do we know?
Coates, A. M., Joyner, M. J., Little, J. P., Jones, A. M. & Gibala, M. J. A Perspective on High-Intensity Interval Training for Performance and Health. Sports Med. 53, 85–96 (2023).
This paper explores the concept of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and its applications for athletic performance and health. The study reviews existing literature and presents a conceptual framework for defining and operationalising HIIT in different contexts.
The authors highlight that while HIIT is a key component of training for high-level athletes, the specific intensity distribution and types of interval sessions that best enhance performance remain unclear. Regarding health, HIIT effectively increases cardiorespiratory fitness, which is inversely related to morbidity and mortality risks. The paper emphasises the need for robust study designs to understand the mechanistic basis of HIIT responses further and identify the most effective HIIT strategies across various populations.
In conclusion, HIIT is a versatile training method with potential benefits for athletic performance and health. Practical applications suggest that even low-volume, time-efficient HIIT protocols can significantly improve fitness levels, offering a promising approach for individuals with limited time for exercise. The paper calls for further research to refine HIIT prescriptions for different groups and to address methodological concerns in comparative studies.
Endurance Training - Science and Practice (2nd edition)
Details about the book's contents can be found by clicking the link.
INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES🤝
Close and personal section - Rene Naylor
Name and qualifications
Rene Naylor, BSc Physiotherapy (University of the Western Cape), MPhil in Sport Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town)
Background and Introduction
I grew up and attended school in Belhar, on the Cape Flats. I was motivated to become a physiotherapist after my dad had broken his leg playing soccer for our church. I went with him to his physiotherapy sessions and was instantly gripped by the potential life-changing treatment and technical skills of his physiotherapist. There and then, I made up my mind – and physiotherapy became my first, second and third choice career.
I loved the idea of physiotherapy because I always knew I wanted to do something in the field of medicine. But I didn't want to do actual medicine because I didn't want to be involved in bloody situations! Little did I know that I was going to end up in rugby!
I started my career working as a physiotherapist in 1993 - although it was never my plan to be a sports physiotherapist. In 1995 I attended a World Cup rugby match at Newlands. I thought it must be amazing to be part of a team as a physiotherapist. The thought of the exhilaration of being part of the pitch, changing room, and pre and after-sessions in a high-performing sport excited me. I started to work at a local rugby club in Mitchell's Plain while enrolled in a master's degree programme in sports physiotherapy. I did my research on injury risk factors and management. I got my first job with a professional team - Western Province Rugby, in 2001 and stayed with the team until 2008. I worked with the junior teams, the under-19, under-20 and under-21 teams. In my last three years, I was appointed as the physiotherapist to the Stormers and the Currie Cup teams.
In 2008, I joined the Springboks.
Career Journey and highlights
Personally, I was thriving working with the senior team at Western Province Rugby. I was the head of the physiotherapy department, practising, learning and evolving. Not only in my technical role but also through my involvement in the structure and design of a high-performance centre, managing the physiotherapy budget, working as a team of physiotherapists and bridging that gap between the amateur and the professional team. Then, I was appointed as a Springbok physiotherapist. Not in my wildest dreams did I think they would appoint a female as a physiotherapist for the national rugby team. It was completely unexpected. It was a real honour and a privilege for me to serve my country and national team. Being a woman of colour in a position I never thought attainable.
The cherry on top of any sports team is winning. In 2009, we won the Tri-Nations and the British Irish Lions Series- a tour that only happens every 12 years. This elation was furthered by the World Cup victory in 2019 and repeating our win in the British-Irish Lions series again in 2021. Nothing prepares you for the back-to-back Rugby World Cup win in 2023. The World Cup in France was a particular rollercoaster. We knew that there was only one goal – win. This life lesson of focusing against all odds and being committed to a shared strategy, coupled with a team determined to do their country proud – is a personal life lesson and one that I hope to carry through within my family, friendships and professional life.
Challenges and Learning
Being a female and having not played rugby, I always felt it was a challenge and something I needed to work on. For that reason I worked really hard in getting to understand the game very well and spent a lot of time in front of a laptop analysing games. I also attended the technical meetings with the players when they were sitting with coaches discussing various aspects of the game. This helped me to understand game plans, the defence and attack systems, line-outs, scrums and the different roles expected of different positions of play. Knowing what the team and the players were going through prepared me for my contribution when confronted with any challenge.
Then, on a more personal level, becoming a mother. The challenge was obvious because I was a 42-year-old single mom, and I wasn't sure how to manage that with my career. But I knew I had no choice, which forced me to make it work. And I was really lucky and grateful that SA Rugby agreed that I could return to work as soon as my baby was born. Cullin started travelling with me when he was eight weeks old. I took a nanny with me and continued breastfeeding. Sometimes I look back and think that was crazy, but it was just my determination to hold on to my position. I felt that as a female, I needed to make a mark and show that females could be in a position to manage work and parenthood. I knew this would open the pathway for many other female physiotherapists and females in sports. I think it is a challenge that the perception of a woman in this role and any leadership role is still not taken seriously in sports. It's something that we, as females in sports, need to pay attention to continuously.
Memorable Experiences
A particularly memorable experience was Jean de Villiers's return to play after he had a knee dislocation in the Wales test in 2014. We had to race to get him fit for the 2015 World Cup. We worked hard three hours a day every day, whether it was New Year's Eve, Christmas Eve or New Year's Day. We had to follow a schedule because we had a finite number of days to get him fit to participate - only for him to fall out of the World Cup because he fractured his jaw in a Test match. Then, of course, the return to play of Siya Kolisi was special and a major challenge. We were not sure if it would work, but we knew we would put in the maximum effort. It always helps when your surgeon is confident and tells you it can be done. I always say that the rehab is as good as the surgeon who has fixed the knee. By the third day post-surgery, I was at his house, showing his wife, Rachel, how to manage him daily. It was a hard struggle from his side, and I can just thank him for the amazing mindset that got him back to play.
Working with Handré Pollard was another memorable experience, particularly during the 2023 World Cup. He had a complicated calf injury and had five injuries in the 18 months before the 2023 World Cup. It was a blow when he was not selected initially at the beginning of the World Cup, but it was very special for me when he got selected later in the tournament and played so well in those last matches.
Daily Routine and Work Ethic
I start my personal training routine as early as possible. I start seeing athletes from about 7.30 am with individual treatments or strapping the guys in preparation for training. We are with the team the entire day, going to the different training sessions. Usually, from 7 pm, we start with the individual treatment again when the players have completed all the media and extra training. We work until about 11 pm.
The motivation comes from the feeling that winning is important. I test myself by asking “am I giving more than I'm taking?” while I'm in the working environment. If the answer is yes, I still have a right to be in the team.
Relationships with Athletes
The meaningful connections usually come with working with a player for a long period on a daily basis. Handre, Siya and Jean had long, intense rehabilitation programs. I would spend 2 to 3 hours with the player planning every day. I try to treat every player like a World Cup-winning captain. I also do research to find the best advances. This means consulting with doctors, physiotherapists or trainers all over the world. It is a real team effort from all the professionals to manage and rehabilitate players and get them back to performance. Trust comes from spending time together and talking about not only work but also getting to understand people’s perceptions and experiences and how they see the world.
Adaptation and Innovation
This is challenging for any professional that's working in a team environment and even in private practice. You need to dedicate time to do research. I do most when I am faced with a challenging case. Then I go into real depth and learn about the latest trends and advancements.
Personal Connection to Sports
No personal connection. But I am working in a sport that I'm passionate about. I've always watched rugby with my family as a young girl, so I think that is important when you choose to work in sport.
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
When you start your career and work with athletes, see them as people first instead of just seeing them as an injury. Make sure that you have an accurate diagnosis or at least a very good working diagnosis when you start your treatment management of any athlete. Don't be scared to work at amateur levels. I learned the most while working at the club level, where I needed to play more than one role. Always stay curious about the latest trends in advancements and ask questions before just doing what everyone is doing. Remember, you are always learning. Be authentic and speak your truth. To the females, keep your feminine energy and do not feel that you have to become something different because you're in a male-dominated space.
I say to the women, don't be scared to wear your lipstick. As a sports professional, you often have to fight for your piece of cake: your piece to work with the athlete, your piece of the budget and your piece to say something at the table. Young people need to know that it's long hours, it's not a nine to five job.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
I think balance is a myth. I think work and personal life are a blend, and there are certain times in the year when the contribution of each changes. I think that blend needs to be fulfilling for you. Also, have a support structure and know when and how to delegate. It’s not a weakness, it’s a strength.
Future Goals and Aspirations
In the field of athletic performance, I would like to be a mentor for other physiotherapists and medical support staff. I want to be a mentor for women working in sports in a male-dominated environment.
I want to advocate for more power for women to take leadership positions in all levels of the sport. I want to continue my role in corporate motivation, strategy, and leadership sharing in local and international arenas. I want to affirm my role in some philanthropy work in my community and work particularly with NGOs and teams focused on helping women in sports.
Favourite Quotes or Mantras
“Nothing is impossible until it is done” Nelson Mandela.
INDUSTRY NEWS📡
What to expect from the sports industry in 2024?
(summary of an article by Conrad Wiacek, December 20, 2023)
A surge in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) Integration, transforming fan engagement
A growing emphasis on sustainability initiatives and social responsibility within the sports sector, with a shift towards environmentally conscious practices.
Continued expansion and recognition of women's sports, with increased investment and opportunities for female athletes in the industry.
Influence of technological advancements on athlete performance, signalling a growing reliance on data-driven insights and innovations to enhance training and competition.
Changing landscape of sports media consumption indicating a need for adaptation and innovation among stakeholders to meet evolving viewer preferences and behaviours.
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