By: Hugh Simson 

The following Flexibility document was provided by Hugh Simson BScHK, MPT, ART.  He is based out of Canmore and Banff, AB at Active Motion Physiotherapy.

Strechting Guidelines and Routine

Contact info:
Banff - Sally Borden Building - 403-760-0259
Canmore - Life Works Gym - 403-678-8890

www.activemotionphysio.ca

The National Talent Squad (NTS) program is up and running for 2011-12.  This program recently evolved from the Female Talent Squad program of 2010-11.  This new program from Cross Country Canada will essentially be managed and delivered by each of the 4 National Development Centres (NDC) in collaboration with the NTS athletes' personal coaches and/or provincial team program, if applicable.

Selection to the program was based on the athletes' 2012 Haywood Ski National results and is targeted mainly at the junior boy and junior girl's categories. However, the top juvenile athletes who had exceptional National results were also named to the Squad. >> more

http://www.dartfish.tv/Presenter.aspx?CR=p1490c6378m629260

by: Lisa Patterson & Stephane Barrette

As I travel around Eastern Canada and work with club coaches and athletes, I decided to take a different approach with a technique session of Train to Train (T2T) and Learn to Compete (L2C) athletes.  The T2T Coaching manuals place an emphasis on creating more independence in T2T athletes and encourages the athletes to take more ownership of their training and athletic habits.  For this reason, I decided to give a group of athletes the tools to determine if they are heading in the right direction concerning their lower body use during skate rollerski technique.  By no means is this a complete list of items that athletes need to know for completing good skate technique, but it is a start and these are technique tricks that I have observed to work.  All of these Self Check Tips are best accomplished when taking the poles away and doing leg-only drills. >> more

by: Lisa Patterson

Ski walking is a technique used to simulate diagonal ski striding uphill. In the summer when we don't have snow or access to glaciers, it is best to simulate skiing as much as possible.  Rollerskiing is our best option but it is sometimes hard for young athletes to feel comfortable enough to go at high speeds in order to complete intensity or speed sessions.  Ski walking and ski striding are very good alternatives for completing intensity, however, it is extremely important that the athlete maintain good technique while fatigued and at speed.  If an athlete practices good technique in ski walking and striding, their diagonal stride technique will transfer very well to snow.  The following are a few "basic" but key items to help with timing, weight shift and body position.  Although this checklist is aimed at L2T and T2T aged athletes, I have come across many L2C athletes who lack some of these basic checklist items. Please be advised that this is not a comprehensive list of Technique Check Points, but it covers the main or "basic" technique tips that will help a developing skier. (all checklist items are assuming the athlete is using poles approximately 7.5 to 10 cm shorter than classic pole length) >> more

This program is directed at coaches that are working with athletes in the Learning to Compete (L2C) stage of development. There are three components: Multi-sport modules, Sport specific training and making ethical decisions module. Currently the multi-sport modules are available and the sport specific modules are under development and will be piloted in the future.

Comp-Dev Multi-Sport Modules These modules are now available. They are delivered by provincial/territorial governments through their respective sport departments. For more information please contact your provincial/territorial sport branch.

• Leading Drug Free Sport (3.5 hrs
• Managing Conflict (4.5 hrs)
• Coaching and Leading Effectively (10 hrs)
• Psychology of Performance (7 hrs)

By: Kelly Anne Erdman, SNAC dietitian (posted to coach.ca)

Did you know that in a typical hard two-hour workout, you can use up all your stored carbohydrate energy (muscle and liver glycogen), sweat away over two litres of water (along with approximately 1600 mg of sodium), and break down a variety of different body cells including muscle and red blood cells?
 

That's why what you consume within the critical minutes after training or competing are the most important!  Without optimal recovery nutrition commencing within minutes after training, your body is likely to stay "broken down" and may not be fully recovered to train or compete to the maximum for the next 24 hours. 

Read the full article on coach.ca

Overtraining, unexplained underperformance, overreaching, burnout, chronic fatigue are just a few of the terms used interchangeably and can lead to confusion as to what overtraining actually is. In the most basic sense, overtraining is when an athlete has an excessive training load with minimal recovery time leading to negative physical and psychological impacts. Signs of overtraining syndrome can include tiredness, lack of desire to train, sleep issues, loss of appetite, susceptibility to illness, feeling anxious and stressed, continuous aches and pains and decreased performance. Sport, exercise and physical activity are important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle as overtraining can have a detrimental effect on participation.

Read the full newsletter

Information regrading a coaching clinic weekend for all sport coaches in Ontario. An excellent opportunity to complete the Comp Dev multisport modules in one weekend.

Full information

Finding it hard to stay up to date with our latest news?