The effectiveness of a short course to improve coaches' knowledge on considerations for female athletes.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an online short course in improving the knowledge and confidence of coaching and support staff when working with female athletes. A mixed-methods survey design was used, where participants completed surveys pre-, post-, and 6 months following an 8-week online course. Qualitative responses were analysed inductively using thematic analysis based on two pre-identified themes.

Evaluating the effect of sports compression tights on balance, sprinting, jumping and change of direction tasks.

Compression garments are commonly used during athletic tasks. However, the effect of compression garments on balance, sprinting, jumping and change of direction performance requires further investigation. In the current study, 24 recreationally active participants (12 males, 12 females, age 27 ± 3 years) completed single-leg balance tasks, countermovement jumps, drop jumps, 10 m straight line sprints and change of direction tasks wearing either compression tights (COMP) or regular exercise tights (CON).

Fundamentals or Icing on Top of the Cake? A Narrative Review of Recovery Strategies and Devices for Athletes.

The sport and athletic performance industry has seen a plethora of new recovery devices and technologies over recent years, and it has become somewhat difficult for athletes, coaches, and practitioners to navigate the efficacy of such devices or whether they are even required at all. With the increase in recovery devices and tools, it has also become commonplace for athletes to overlook more traditional, well-established recovery strategies. In this narrative review, we discuss recovery strategies in relation to the hierarchy of scientific evidence, classifying them based on the strength of the evidence, ranging from meta-analyses through to case studies and reports.

Under the Gun: Percussive Massage Therapy and Physical and Perceptual Recovery in Active Adults.

Context: Handheld percussive massage devices (ie, massage guns) are a relatively new and under-researched recovery tool. These tools are intended to increase range of motion and reduce muscle soreness by delivering targeted vibration to soft tissues. Empirical knowledge about the potential influence of these devices on perceptual recovery and the recovery of performance characteristics after exercise is scarce.

High Prevalence of Iron Deficiency Exhibited in Internationally Competitive, Non-Professional Female Endurance Athletes-A Case Study.

Background: While iron deficiency is commonly discussed in populations of professional female athletes, less is known about highly trained, sub-elite female athletes (e.g., those winning international age-group competitions) who generally have less access to medical and allied health support.

Contextual Factors Influencing Physical Activity and Technical Performance in Australian Football League Women's Competition Match-Play.

Leabeater, A, Clarke, A, and Sullivan, C. Contextual factors influencing physical activity and technical performance in AFLW competition match-play. J Strength Cond Res 37(1): 194-199, 2023-The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of contextual factors on physical activity and technical match performance during Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) competition match-play.

The AFLW draft combine: Seasonal changes and relationships to draft success.

This study aimed to identify seasonal changes in AFLW Draft Combine assessments, examine the physical and anthropometric assessments associated with draft outcome and investigate the presence of a relative age effect. Three seasons (2017-2019) of the AFLW Draft Combine assessment data were obtained ( = 131). Testing data between seasons were examined using a MANOVA.