PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Why Your Daughter Keeps Tweaking Her Hamstring

Hamstring tweaks are a frustratingly common issue in young female athletes.

If your daughter frequently experiences hamstring strains, there’s likely a deeper reason behind it. Understanding these causes can help prevent future injuries and improve athletic performance.

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

The Female Volleyball Athlete: Strength and Conditioning Essentials

Over the past decade the sport of volleyball has evolved for female athletes.

Providing more opportunities for girls to participate in this rapidly growing and highly competitive sport.

Although non-contact, the sport of volleyball requires an physical demands that females must meet to dominate their opponents and stay off the sideline from injury.

Check out my recent podcast with TNT volleyball where we discuss all things strength & conditioning for the female volleyball athlete!

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Five Rules For Speed Development for Female Athletes

HERE ARE FIVE-SPEED RULES WE USE EVERY DAY AT RELENTLESS THAT ARE GUARANTEED TO GET YOUR ATHLETES FAST!

!!!WARNING!!!

Following these rules on a regular basis may cause extreme speed and performance upgrades that could have your coaches and peers wondering WHAT THE HECK YOUR GIRL HAS BEEN DOING!

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Female Athletes Need to Train Differently: Its Biological.

In the world of sports and athleticism, one size does not fit all.

Female athletes are biologically different than males and need to train for their sport based on these differences that emerge after puberty.

Developing athleticism in the female athlete is rooted in these differences, here is what she needs to do.

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Five Common Foods MISLABELED as High in Protein- and What to Eat Instead

A COMMON MISTAKE WE SEE OUR FEMALE ATHLETES (AND HER PARENTS) MAKE AT RELENTLESS IS THINKING CERTAIN FOODS ARE HIGH IN PROTEIN WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE HIGHER IN CARBS OR FATS.

THIS MISLABELING LEADS TO UNDERCONSUMPTION OF PROTEIN, DECREASED PERFORMANCE, AND HIGHER INJURY RISKS.

EATING PROTEIN IS HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FEMALE ATHLETE NEEDS AS MANY GRAMS OF PROTEIN AS HER BODY WEIGHT!

TO HELP, WE LIKE TO TEACH OUR ATHLETES TO LABEL FOOD FOR WHAT IT IS HIGHEST IN TO HELP INCREASE PROTEIN CONSUMPTION OVER TIME.

CHECK OUT THE FIVE MOST COMMON MISLABELED FOODS AS “HIGH IN PROTEIN” AND WHAT TO EAT INSTEAD!

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

What Causes Soreness? How to manage training during the sports season to avoid being sore.

Soreness is a common companion for athletes, Resulting from pushing the body beyond its accustomed limits.

And when female athletes feel sore, they often feel their sports performance will suffer!

But what actually causes soreness?

And how can the female athlete manage weight Training, practice, and mitigate soreness during her sports season?

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Key Signals of Inadequate Carbohydrate Timing in Female Athletes

IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS AND ATHLETICISM, THE ROLE OF NUTRITION, PARTICULARLY CARBOHYDRATES, CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

CARBOHYDRATES SERVE AS A VITAL ENERGY SOURCE FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH-INTENSITY ACTIVITIES.

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY FEMALES STAY AWAY FROM CARBS, FEARING THEY WILL LEAD TO “BULK” OR BELIEVE THAT SUGAR IS BAD….

FOR FEMALE ATHLETES, UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER CARBOHYDRATE TIMING IS ESSENTIAL TO UNLOCK THEIR FULL POTENTIAL ON THE FIELD OR COURT.

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Should the Female Athlete Train Differently Around her Menstrual Cycle?

FEMALE ATHLETES EVERYWHERE KNOW THEIR PERIOD WILL AFFECT HOW THEY FEEL, AND HOW THEY FEEL WILL AFFECT HOW THEY PERFORM.

Training around the menstrual cycle seems to be a hot topic in 2023, but what does your athlete really need to do to succeed in her sport and stay off the sidelines from injury?

Check out this conversation with Erica Suter, MS where we break down the current research and what parents of female athletes really need to know when it comes to their daughter’s’ periods and training!

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PERFORMANCE, Sports Nutrition Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE, Sports Nutrition Emily Neff (Pappas)

Nutrition Labels: A Guide for Female Athletes to Making Informed Food Choices

Nutrition labels are crucial in helping our athletes make informed decisions about the food they consume.

They provide a snapshot of the nutrients within a particular food, aiding individuals in maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

However, it's essential to understand the nuances of these labels to utilize them effectively.

Keep reading to learn:

What serving sizes mean

The order in ingredient lists matters!

Understanding %Daily Value for Protein vs. Grams of Protein

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Pitching Power: The 6 Essential Movements Every Softball Pitcher Needs in Her Training Program

In softball pitching, precision and strength are paramount for consistently delivering high-velocity pitches while ensuring shoulder stability throughout the season.

Unlike baseball, softball lacks the structure of pitch counts, placing an even greater emphasis on the necessity of incorporating these six fundamental movements into every female softball pitcher's training program.

Learn how these movements can elevate performance, reduce the risk of injury, and contribute to your daughter's enduring success on the mound this year.

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

A Guide to Plyometrics for the Female Athlete: Why Girls Require a Different Approach to their Training.

As parents, we all want to see our daughters excel in sports and reach their full athletic potential.

Plyometrics, or jump training, can significantly enhance a female athlete's power, agility, and overall performance.

While plyometrics are a fundamental component in building explosive power, they might not be sufficient on their own, especially for female athletes who lack an abundance of fast-twitch muscle fibers.

Keep reading to learn the two types of plyometrics that female athletes need to incorporate in their training and how resistance training allows plyometric training to realize greater results!

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Three Reasons Your Daughter Looks Gassed on the Field: The Science of Overcoming Fatigue in Female Athletes

Ever wonder why your daughter seems exhausted on the field despite all her hard work in training?

Many parents ask us to help their daughters improve their conditioning so they can kick harder, sprint faster, or jump higher from the start to the end of their game.

But before we jump into adding more running to her program, we first consider these three other factors that influence gametime performance.

Keep reading to learn the three factors your daughter may look gassed on the field that have nothing to do with her conditioning levels!

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PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Three Crucial Strategies for Female Athletes to Prevent Shin Splints

Shin splints are a common ailment among field sport athletes and can be particularly challenging for female athletes. However, with strategic measures in place, your daughter can significantly reduce their risk of developing this painful condition.

Here are three essential strategies and a video overview our intern Coach Ari made to explain how to help your athlete!

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