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!

Read More
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

Read More
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.

Read More
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!

Read More
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!

Read More
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!

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Enhancing Agility with Dynamic Response Drills

Developing swift response times in agility drills is crucial for female athletes aiming to excel on the field or court.

In fact, without incorporating reaction, the drill is not developing agility but rather change of direction skills.

Efficiently reacting to rapidly changing game situations can make all the difference in competition.

By developing response times during training, female athletes can improve their ability to make quick decisions, change direction, and outmaneuver opponents effectively that directly transfer to the field or court, especially when fatigued!

Check out this lateral shuffle-to-sprint drill we use with our athletes to incorporate both visual and auditory reaction skills!

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Key Signals of Inadequate Protein Intake for Female Athletes

Protein is the foundation of strength and recovery

Yet, many female athletes find it challenging to meet their protein requirements, particularly during breakfast—the crucial time for muscle replenishment after a night of repair.

Discover the Top Three Indicators of Insufficient Protein Intake

And explore our three favorite quick breakfast ideas to boost protein consumption effortlessly!"

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Unlocking Multi-Plane Power: A Must for Female Athletes

Explosive lower body power is key for female athletes to improve their performance.

Developing this power in multiple planes is essential for improved change of direction abilities, balance, and single-leg stability that mimics real-game scenarios

Plyometric exercises like these Single Leg Skater to Hurdle Hop is an excellent movement combination we program for female athletes with a baseline level of strength and stability.

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Elevate Your Game with Reactive Strength

Reactive strength, the ability to swiftly generate force in response to unexpected movements or stimuli, is a game-changer for female athletes.

It's the key to explosive speed, agility, and enhanced jumping ability.

Reactive strength gives you the edge whether you're sprinting, changing direction rapidly, or aiming to jump higher.

Plyometric exercises like these Band-Assisted Depth Drop to Box Jump are an excellent movement to program for female athletes who have a baseline level of strength to benefit from this type of training!

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

ACL Injuries: Why FEMALES more than Males?

As a parent of a female athlete, there is a chance tearing her ACL has crossed your mind more than once.

Over the years we have heard things from Q-angles, to hormones, to the menstrual cycle phases that can all contribute.

Unfortunately, with technology there is a large stream of misinformation that is impacting your daughter’s health and performance.

Our recent intern created a great video that succinctly explains the current science behind female athletes, ACL tears, and what YOU can do to support her from experiencing this injury!

Check it out!

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Protecting Your Daughter from ACL Injuries: Understanding the Factors and Importance of Training

As a parent, you want the best for your daughter, especially regarding her sports performance and well-being. One area of concern for female athletes is the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Research has shown an increasing incidence of ACL injuries among female athletes, particularly during adolescence. To protect your daughter from these injuries, it is crucial to understand the complex factors involved and the importance of training.

This article aims to provide parents with valuable insights into ACL injuries and highlight the significance of injury prevention strategies.

Read More
PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas) PERFORMANCE Emily Neff (Pappas)

Key Psychological Factors in ACL Recovery for the Female Athlete

Female athletes are more likely to suffer an ACL injury than male athletes. When it comes to rehabilitation, most focus is played on physical factors. Yet fear of reinjury is the greatest reason for the failure to return to play.

This article discusses the psychological factors that have proven to play a role in the female athlete’s recovery.

Read More