Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Dr. John Mullen”
Below is an interview on the principle differences and movements between weightlifters and powerlifters. Whats included and demand in each sport. Here is the latest article to Lars Berglund’s “Injuries Among Weightlifters and Powerlifters: A Systematic Review” his latest studies and complete research work sites can be found here. 1. First off, what is the difference between weightlifters and powerlifters? The principal differences …
Background on Intensive Training and the Innate Immune System Exercise is good for health. However, elite athletes seem to be prone to illness during periods of heavy training. Elite athletes are not immune deficient, but intensive training could lead to immune system depression. Most athletes self-report being sick with upper respiratory systems (RPS). However, these symptoms are not always confirmed …
Background On Nitric Oxide Ergogenic aids are a huge market in the sports performance and fitness community. Every product is the advertised to benefit performance. Nitric oxide (NO) is a labile lipid soluble gas synthesized in many body locations which are believed to improve athletic performance. NO is an important modulator of blood flow and mitochondrial respiration during physical exercise. …
Background on Baking Soda Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is a commonly used ergogenic aide with mixed literature ineffectiveness. The mechanism behind sodium bicarbonate is to buffer the acid hydrogen ions from high-intensity exercise and lactate accumulation. Most literature has investigated the effectiveness of acute loading, just prior to a high-intensity performance. However, chronic loading for 3-6 days prior to …
Background on Shoulder Pain in Swimmers Shoulder pain is the most common injury site for swimmers, due to the high level of overhead motions. In rehabilitation, sleep position is commonly discussed and analyzed, despite much-supporting research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if there is an association between the side of unilateral shoulder pain in swimmers and the …
Background on CAP for Swimmers The ability to perform repeated sprints with minimal fatigue is important for swimming training and competitions with multiple events with minimal rest. Supplements are an enormous industry, commonly projecting breakthrough supplements to improve performance. IL-6 is a cell signaler (cytokine) with both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect, which may be important in the recovery process, but …
Background on Blood Lactate Samples Blood lactate testing is typically performed at swimmers at National competitions and sometimes during practice. Most often at meets, blood is drawn from the ear, yet blood lactate samples are commonly taken from the fingertip in practice. It is believed that blood circulating in the body contains the same blood lactate, but this has yet …
Background on Neck Pain Neck pain is the fourth common source of pain in swimmers. Of the various causes of neck pain, mechanical neck pain is believed to be influenced by changes in muscle function. Many muscles in the shoulder attach to the neck and spine, potentially altering movement patterns. The trapezius and levator scapulae are typically viewed to influence …
Coaches use a plethora of drills, but are they adequate for improving technique? Most drills are performed because “that’s how it has been done” or “because everyone else does the drill”, but what about individualizing drills specific for each swimmer. This concept may seem abstract but needs as common as a Charlie Sheen cocaine interview. Upon discussion with a great …
Take Home Points on How to Swim the Breaststroke Body position should be sought between each stroke. The breaststroke breath should be low to minimally disrupt streamline. The kick should occur with the arms and head in streamline. While butterfly is commonly depicted as the hardest stroke, breaststroke is typically the most difficult to master. Even many elite swimmers do not …