.svg){kind=icon}
When Science Wins, Does Sport Lose?
Striking a Balance
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
.jpg)
ENGINE
Running into your Mikkos Cals from last week for Erg intervals into Running.
GYMNASTICS
This week we continue to focus on Toes to Bar utilising other skill work/progressions for the movement before we shift our focus to Handstand hold/walk work!
HYROX
Hyrox Specific Strength work into running into a sled and farmers carry workout.
MOBILITY
There is no mobility this week. It will resume on Saturday, 25th of January.
PURE STRENGTH
On Monday in Pure Strength, we are hitting some banded bench presses and progressing the loading on this and the banded row. Wednesday, we have banded back squats followed by some heavy hip thrusts.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in Weightlifting, we are focused on the Hang Snatch, which has some snatch balance, a Heavy Snatch complex, and some Pulls.
.jpg)
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
.jpg)
Monday
Time: 5:59am and 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Mobility and Tempo
AM Session:
We will start the session with a 20 mins recovery run, then head into out mobility.
We will be doing this session outside, so please dress in warm clothing. We will provide yoga mats, but feel free to bring your own.
PM Session: This evening we will have our Tempo Run, which will be 6 mins at 7/10 and 3 mins recovery.
x4. Aim to keep a 7/10 effort on each block of work.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. The session today will be 2km at 10km pace into 400m repeats at 3km pace.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you. The session is 1km repeats, each with a 2 mins rest. Keep the effort about 8/10 on the km runs.
Friday
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be holding the tempo pace (7/10) for 5 mins, each with a 1 min rest. Repeat the sequce 7x before coffees at 7am as a community.
Sunday
Time: 06:00
Session: Dirtopia
Location: The Sevens, check WA for exact Location:
From 6am - midday clients and coaches will be running Dirtopia. Come along and support if you are not running.
.jpg)
We start the week with hinge endurance and a spicy partner, AMRAP, with Deadlift ski and wall walks. On Tuesday, we have some gymnastics and interval work. Wednesday, we are working on our overhead strength with the push press and push jerk, followed by a fast workout and the second week of our assault bike work progression. Thursday, we are snatching in the strength piece and then a For Time workout to get after. We finish the week with a double workout for Friday therapy.
Monday:
Strength:
Barbell Good Mornings into Banded Good Mornings
Conditioning:
AMRAP 20 Partner Workout
15/12 cal Ski
8 DL (120/80)
3 wall walks
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Kipping Pull Ups + Ring Rows
B) Wall Balls + Goblet Wall Sit
Conditioning:
In a 3 Minute window
30/24 Cal Row
10 burpee over the rower
AMRAP in the remaining time Box Jump steps down
rest 2 mins
x 4
Wednesday:
Strength:
Push Press + Push Jerk
Conditioning:
30-20-10
Alt Db Reverse lunge (2 x 50/35)
DB STOH
AB Mat sit-ups
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Snatch Complex Power Snatch + Hang Power Snatch + OHS
Conditioning:
5 rounds for time
12 Power Snatch (40/30)
12 Push-ups
30 Air squats
Friday:
Some 5-minute intervals to finish off the week. Will you be able to hold the pace? Have your running shoes, your lung,s and your gymnastic game ready!
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Monday
Time: 5:59am and 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Mobility and Tempo
AM Session:
We will start the session with a 20 mins recovery run, then head into out mobility.
We will be doing this session outside, so please dress in warm clothing. We will provide yoga mats, but feel free to bring your own.
PM Session: This evening we will have our Tempo Run, which will be 6 mins at 7/10 and 3 mins recovery.
x4. Aim to keep a 7/10 effort on each block of work.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. The session today will be 2km at 10km pace into 400m repeats at 3km pace.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you. The session is 1km repeats, each with a 2 mins rest. Keep the effort about 8/10 on the km runs.
Friday
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be holding the tempo pace (7/10) for 5 mins, each with a 1 min rest. Repeat the sequce 7x before coffees at 7am as a community.
Sunday
Time: 06:00
Session: Dirtopia
Location: The Sevens, check WA for exact Location:
From 6am - midday clients and coaches will be running Dirtopia. Come along and support if you are not running.
We start the week with hinge endurance and a spicy partner, AMRAP, with Deadlift ski and wall walks. On Tuesday, we have some gymnastics and interval work. Wednesday, we are working on our overhead strength with the push press and push jerk, followed by a fast workout and the second week of our assault bike work progression. Thursday, we are snatching in the strength piece and then a For Time workout to get after. We finish the week with a double workout for Friday therapy.
Monday:
Strength:
Barbell Good Mornings into Banded Good Mornings
Conditioning:
AMRAP 20 Partner Workout
15/12 cal Ski
8 DL (120/80)
3 wall walks
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Kipping Pull Ups + Ring Rows
B) Wall Balls + Goblet Wall Sit
Conditioning:
In a 3 Minute window
30/24 Cal Row
10 burpee over the rower
AMRAP in the remaining time Box Jump steps down
rest 2 mins
x 4
Wednesday:
Strength:
Push Press + Push Jerk
Conditioning:
30-20-10
Alt Db Reverse lunge (2 x 50/35)
DB STOH
AB Mat sit-ups
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Snatch Complex Power Snatch + Hang Power Snatch + OHS
Conditioning:
5 rounds for time
12 Power Snatch (40/30)
12 Push-ups
30 Air squats
Friday:
Some 5-minute intervals to finish off the week. Will you be able to hold the pace? Have your running shoes, your lung,s and your gymnastic game ready!
ENGINE
Running into your Mikkos Cals from last week for Erg intervals into Running.
GYMNASTICS
This week we continue to focus on Toes to Bar utilising other skill work/progressions for the movement before we shift our focus to Handstand hold/walk work!
HYROX
Hyrox Specific Strength work into running into a sled and farmers carry workout.
MOBILITY
There is no mobility this week. It will resume on Saturday, 25th of January.
PURE STRENGTH
On Monday in Pure Strength, we are hitting some banded bench presses and progressing the loading on this and the banded row. Wednesday, we have banded back squats followed by some heavy hip thrusts.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in Weightlifting, we are focused on the Hang Snatch, which has some snatch balance, a Heavy Snatch complex, and some Pulls.
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Monday
Time: 5:59am and 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Mobility and Tempo
AM Session:
We will start the session with a 20 mins recovery run, then head into out mobility.
We will be doing this session outside, so please dress in warm clothing. We will provide yoga mats, but feel free to bring your own.
PM Session: This evening we will have our Tempo Run, which will be 6 mins at 7/10 and 3 mins recovery.
x4. Aim to keep a 7/10 effort on each block of work.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. The session today will be 2km at 10km pace into 400m repeats at 3km pace.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
If you didn't run track, today we have some speed work for you. The session is 1km repeats, each with a 2 mins rest. Keep the effort about 8/10 on the km runs.
Friday
Brief time: 5:54am
Start Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be holding the tempo pace (7/10) for 5 mins, each with a 1 min rest. Repeat the sequce 7x before coffees at 7am as a community.
Sunday
Time: 06:00
Session: Dirtopia
Location: The Sevens, check WA for exact Location:
From 6am - midday clients and coaches will be running Dirtopia. Come along and support if you are not running.
We start the week with hinge endurance and a spicy partner, AMRAP, with Deadlift ski and wall walks. On Tuesday, we have some gymnastics and interval work. Wednesday, we are working on our overhead strength with the push press and push jerk, followed by a fast workout and the second week of our assault bike work progression. Thursday, we are snatching in the strength piece and then a For Time workout to get after. We finish the week with a double workout for Friday therapy.
Monday:
Strength:
Barbell Good Mornings into Banded Good Mornings
Conditioning:
AMRAP 20 Partner Workout
15/12 cal Ski
8 DL (120/80)
3 wall walks
Tuesday:
Strength:
A) Kipping Pull Ups + Ring Rows
B) Wall Balls + Goblet Wall Sit
Conditioning:
In a 3 Minute window
30/24 Cal Row
10 burpee over the rower
AMRAP in the remaining time Box Jump steps down
rest 2 mins
x 4
Wednesday:
Strength:
Push Press + Push Jerk
Conditioning:
30-20-10
Alt Db Reverse lunge (2 x 50/35)
DB STOH
AB Mat sit-ups
Thursday:
Strength:
A) Snatch Complex Power Snatch + Hang Power Snatch + OHS
Conditioning:
5 rounds for time
12 Power Snatch (40/30)
12 Push-ups
30 Air squats
Friday:
Some 5-minute intervals to finish off the week. Will you be able to hold the pace? Have your running shoes, your lung,s and your gymnastic game ready!
ENGINE
Running into your Mikkos Cals from last week for Erg intervals into Running.
GYMNASTICS
This week we continue to focus on Toes to Bar utilising other skill work/progressions for the movement before we shift our focus to Handstand hold/walk work!
HYROX
Hyrox Specific Strength work into running into a sled and farmers carry workout.
MOBILITY
There is no mobility this week. It will resume on Saturday, 25th of January.
PURE STRENGTH
On Monday in Pure Strength, we are hitting some banded bench presses and progressing the loading on this and the banded row. Wednesday, we have banded back squats followed by some heavy hip thrusts.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in Weightlifting, we are focused on the Hang Snatch, which has some snatch balance, a Heavy Snatch complex, and some Pulls.
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Entrance fee: https://isddubai.com/athletics-venuehire/
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oomJAa31vKy3hQNG6
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
Now before you get started, let it be known that this is quite a big step away from what we, as coaches, tend to say. I am a sports scientist who loves the performance and training benefits that continue to develop through scientific research. What I am about to say is a huge contradiction, but there have been a few things recently that have got me thinking…
I was reading an article that highlighted the outstanding performance of Joshua Cheptegei, an incredible athlete that has broken the longstanding 5km world record time with an incredible time of 12.36.36. This meant that his running speed was around 23.5kph! The article, which you can find here, describes how a line was used for the pacers and Cheptegei to stick to, ensuring a scientifically perfectly paced effort was executed. Of course I don't wish to take away his incredible effort which no doubt involved a great deal of pain and determination. But when it comes to this record breaking time, It feels more of a scientific experiment than a competitive race. I had a similar feeling as I watched Kipchoge break 2 hours for a marathon. Watching as a sports scientist, I could understand the various aspects of this performance, how he sat at his critical pace, the calculations and testing required beforehand, the clinical execution. I was left feeling this was an emotionless event, I am in no doubt I am wrong.
This led me to think about cycling and how there is a raging debate regarding the use of power meters in races. It’s when you see Chris Froome intently staring at his bike computer, riding to his FTP rather than focusing on the race that is going on around him, that you can really see why there would be an argument against them. Does the development of scientific knowledge correlate with a less enticing sporting spectacle? Would the sport be more exciting if there were more Alberto Contador’s in the mix, relentlessly attacking on the hills and animating the race?
Science in sport is everywhere, there are golf swing analysis, football stats forever, and even heart rate zones in cross country skiing. Does this mean that sport is becoming more sterile? On the one hand, the modern olympics was founded on the purity of sport and the concept of pushing the human body to outstanding physical performances. It should be celebrated that these world records continue to be knocked down as the bar continues to rise.
But, does science take away from the raw contest of mind and body in a race? I understand that science is essential for an individual pursuit, such as targeting the hour record or a time trial, but this is different to a race environment. Take away the garmins, pacers, power meters and heart rate monitors, how different would the race be then?
I hope this article has given you food for thought. What would you rather watch; Team Sky dominating the front of a peloton, riding to power, preventing attacks and winning, or the top 10 general classification riders throwing in their biggest punches in Mont Ventoux?
Let me know your thoughts on the subject, email me at rf@innerfight.com
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
.jpg)
.webp)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
