Here’s another short list of great links that caught my eye this week:
***
Science, scientific interest and news
- Boing Boing has a great logical fallacies poster, in case you missed it. Put it in your forum signature line and save yourself a lot of time arguing. (I save even more time by not frequenting forums).
- NPR reports on some recent research (you can get the full paper there) that criticises the notion of the normal distribution in human endeavours.
- Tony Ingram at BBOY Science has written a long discussion of placebo, which is well worth your time. However, I do have a rhetorical question, because I am completely results-focused and dislike authority of any kind. Is it “bogus” if it works? If that’s too black-and-white, let me add another consideration into the equation: include patient care as an integral part of the treatment and ask the question again. If you really don’t understand the point I am making, go watch Patch Adams again.
Sleep and stress
- Joel Smith talks about a subject close to my heart – the importance of reducing stress in order to maximise performance.
- Dr Briffa reports on a recent study that explains how sleep makes it easier to lose weight.
Personal training and coaching
- Charles Poliquin’s team have reviewed an article comparing sprints with long-distance running programmes for improving aerobic performance and body composition. Interestingly, while both programmes were effective in improving 2km times, the sprint programme caused much greater fat loss.
- Weighty matters discusses some recent research that has been done into the metabolic effects of massive weight-loss plans as can be seen on television programmes like The Biggest Loser. It’s provactive stuff that deserves looking into properly.
- And Jerry Brainium reports on some recent research that indicates it is possible to gain muscle while on a very slight calorie deficit. The thing that excited me about this research was that it was done on athletes and not on overfat beginners.
- Mike Nelson explains why he doesn’t use foam rolling any more. He also defends himself against a hostile attack with dignity. As Mike explains, we should be working together to find ways to improve our clients progress and our own progress. We shouldn’t be fighting over why people don’t agree with us. After all, this is science and not politics, right?
Injury prevention
- Phil Page discusses a recent study performed with UK soccer players. It found that the soccer players who had chronic groin strains also had decreased gluteus medius (hip abductor) muscle activation on the injured leg.
- Sports Medicine Research reviews a study about the injury incidence amongst ultra-marathon runners.
***
That’s all folks!
