This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- Is AiKYNETIX revolutionising the coaching and sports science world?
- First stimulate and then simulate
- New research on AG1 safety
Is AiKYNETIX revolutionising the coaching and sports science world?
AiKYNETIX is an inspiring American software company that has the potential to transform the coaching and sports science landscape. By harnessing the power of AI and biomechanics, AiKYNETIX provides an innovative way to analyse human motion. Imagine being able to generate a detailed report with important metrics like joint angles, centre-of-mass trends, contact angle, braking and propulsion indicators, RSI, and symmetry within just one minute from a smartphone video! It’s an exciting prospect for athletes and coaches alike.
The range of assessments that can be conducted through AiKYNETIX, such as running mechanics, counter-movement jumps (CMJ), and the overhead squat, is impressive. This means that by simply recording an individual performing one of these assessments, coaches can obtain a comprehensive report that was once only possible with expensive equipment like force plates, etc. It’s heartening to see that AiKYNETIX has been validated by the University of Houston, adding to the credibility and trust in its effectiveness.
As we watch AiKYNETIX grow, it’s fascinating to think about how it might change the way we approach sports and training. The early indications are incredibly promising, and it’s clear that AiKYNETIX is driven by a passion for progress. They are already working on applications in tennis, basketball, and equestrian sports, which speaks to their commitment to supporting a wide range of sports and athletes. The future seems very exciting for AiKYNETIX.
If you are interested in finding out more about AiKYNETIX, check out the video above.
First stimulate and then simulate
The phrase “train the way you play” is a popular saying in the world of sports. Its straightforward nature makes it accessible to those without a background in sports science, while also allowing those educated in the field to argue that it relates to the principle of specificity.
However, prominent sports scientist Tim Gabbett has recently challenged the effectiveness of this phrase (see here). He suggests that if simply mimicking competition scenarios was the best way to promote training adaptations, then only track sprinters would race, and team sport athletes would solely focus on playing games. Gabbett believes that coaches and performance staff should first aim to stimulate specific training adaptations before moving on to simulate these adaptations during competition simulations.
He argues that an exclusive focus on competitive simulation can be problematic. He refers to research that indicates activities like small-sided games often do not fully capture the demands of actual gameplay. While these activities may train various physical capabilities simultaneously, none will be specifically targeted. Additionally, relying too heavily on isolated strength and conditioning in a decontextualised environment fails to transfer effectively to real competition.
Instead of fixating on the notion of “train the way you play,” Gabbett proposes a more effective strategy: “first stimulate and then simulate.”
New research on AG1 safety
Last year, we highlighted a study that demonstrated the safety of the popular supplement Athletic Greens 1 (AG1) (here). However, a significant limitation of that study was its duration, which lasted only four weeks. Now, a new study has been published, examining the potential adverse health effects of AG1 supplementation over a longer period.
In this new study, 120 participants took either 13 grams of AG1 or a placebo powder daily for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the 12 weeks. The blood tests revealed that AG1 supplementation did not lead to any adverse effects on renal, hepatic, metabolic, or overall health. Moreover, no adverse events were reported among the participants.
This new research reinforces that AG1 supplementation is indeed safe. While the long-term safety is still uncertain, this study demonstrates that daily AG1 supplementation is safe over a 12-week timeframe.
From us this week:
>> New course: Velocity Based Training
>> New podcast: What Sport Teaches Us About Leadership, Culture & the Human Mind
>> New infographic: Reliability
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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