Sports science, distilled.
Summaries and analysis of key research papers in sports science, velocity-based training, and performance measurement.
Muscle Pennation Angle Effects on Force Production: Architecture and Strength
A 30-degree pennation angle sends only 86.6% of force in a straight line, yet can still produce more absolute strength. See how architecture shapes force.
Rate of Force Development: Explosive Strength Factors
RFD separates athletes who look strong from those who are fast off the ground. This covers the neural and fiber-type factors, plus how tests measure it.
Reactive vs Planned Agility: What the Research Actually Shows
Cone drills build planned agility, but most sports demand split-second reactions to an opponent. This data shows which type actually transfers to games.
Sleep Quality and Recovery Biomarkers in Athletes
One bad night can drop cortisol, testosterone, IGF-1, and next-morning CMJ height by up to 12%. Here's the biomarker panel coaches can track without a lab.
Stretch-Shortening Cycle: The Plyometric Foundation
A countermovement jump beats a static jump due to the SSC, but fast and slow SSC need different training. Here's the mechanism and RSI benchmarks.
Tendon Stiffness and Sports Performance: The Elastic Energy Connection
Muscle strength jumps 15-20% in 6 weeks, but tendons need 10-14 weeks to stiffen — a mismatch that raises injury risk. See 3 IMU proxies that track it.
VBT vs Traditional Training: What Meta-Analyses Actually Show
Meta-analytic effect sizes favor VBT over fixed percentages, but only within specific velocity loss thresholds. See when VBT wins and when it doesn't.
Wearable Sensor Field Test Validity Study
Field testing reveals how wearable IMU sensors perform against force-plate accuracy, including jump height and velocity error margins, plus best practices.
ACL Prevention Program Evidence: What the Research Actually Shows
Do ACL prevention programs really cut injury risk, and by how much? Efficacy data, injury mechanisms, and neuromuscular protocols compared side by side.
Altitude Training Effects: Evidence Review and Applied Protocols
Live-high train-low sounds simple, but haematological gains vary widely between athletes. What the evidence says about timing, dose, and transfer.
Beetroot Juice and Exercise Performance: Evidence Review
Nitrate dosing windows, which exercise types respond, and why some athletes see no benefit from beetroot juice supplementation, sorted by the evidence.
Blood Flow Restriction Training Meta-Analysis: Mechanisms, Protocols, and Application
A meta-analysis of blood flow restriction training covering hypertrophy size, cuff pressure standards, rep protocols, and where it fits into rehab plans.