This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- Should ice baths be banned in the pre-season?
- The fastest-adopted helmet in NFL history!
- India’s employment crisis
Should ice baths be banned in the pre-season?
Performance coach Damien Broothhaerts recently stirred up an interesting discussion on LinkedIn when he announced that he has banned ice baths during the pre-season period. He reasons that pre-season is a crucial time when athletes are pushed to their limits, and the body responds with natural inflammation. This response triggers a repair process and leads to supercompensation.
Broothhaerts argues that ice baths actually reduce inflammation, hindering the vital adaptation process. Instead, he recommends focusing on sleep, nutrition, active recovery, and learning to embrace healthy fatigue, rather than relying on ice baths.
The comment section of Broothaerts’ post has become a lively debate, with supporters for and against. What are your thoughts? Should we steer clear of ice baths during the pre-season, or do you think they have a place? We’d love to hear your perspective!
If you would like to learn more about ice baths, check out our blogs
- The positive effects of ice baths for athletes
- Should we be individualising ice baths? The influence of body size and immersion time
- Cold water recovery: does it actually work (and what about heat)?
- Cold water immersion, does one-size-fit-all?
The fastest-adopted helmet in NFL history!
While we recently critiqued the NFL’s salt-smelling ban fiasco (see here), one significant positive development in recent years has been the league’s commitment to reducing concussions and enhancing player safety (see our previous feature here and our blog on Concussion technology: The high-tech mouthguards trying to combat concussion).
Earlier this year, the Schutt F7 pro helmet was introduced. The helmet is designed to distribute the force of impact more effectively. The helmet also allows for real-time adjustments, providing players with increased protection and comfort. The helmet has now become the fastest-adopted helmet in league history!
Let’s hope that further advancements continue to emerge in this vital area, making the NFL even safer for its players.
If you are interested in this topic, we have a wealth of resources, such as our course Concussion Rehab and our blogs:
- Concussion recovery in sport: A comprehensive guide
- Concussion recovery: Why it’s important to get active after a head knock (but don’t overdo it)
- Sport concussion assessment tools: How well do they work?
India’s employment crisis
A recent article has highlighted a concerning trend within the Sports Science sector in India. As the nation ambitiously aspires to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games, attention must be directed toward fostering a robust sporting culture.
The article indicates that the Sports Authority of India is grappling with significant understaffing issues, with nearly half of its coaching positions remaining vacant. The situation is particularly critical within the sports science division, where only three out of the twenty-three high-performance director positions are currently filled.
The absence of adequately qualified coaches and support staff severely limits the potential of athletes, a matter that the Sports Authority of India must address with urgency. Furthermore, it is concerning that many coaches and support personnel are seeking opportunities in alternative roles or in alternative industries that offer better financial compensation and job security.
If you aspire to be a coach or sports scientist and need help with your career plan, check out our excellent podcast episode: Career Choices: How Athletes And Coaches Make Career Transitions Using Their Key Values.
From us this week:
>> New course: Anaerobic Conditioning
>> New podcast: AI in the Weight Room: Jacob Rothman on the Future of Velocity-Based Training
>> New infographic: Olympic Weightlifting
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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