Posts Tagged ‘speed and agility’

Find Out How An Agility Ladder Will Help Improve Your Speed And Agility Workout

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Do you even understand what an agility ladder is?  I do not mean the one you lean up against the house in order to do house repairs. The ladder we are referring to is the one that strength coaches like myself use for physical performance. The agility ladder appears the same as a ladder in its outline but it is usually made of plastic as well as a material like rope It’s crafted from this stuff so it is easy to position it flush on the ground so as to complete speed agility and quickness exercises.
The primary intent of this agility ladder regime should be to encourage a wide range of special foot and movement routines. These movements become automatic, and the body is able to immediately respond towards the various angles necessary. You’ll improve your quickness through repeating the movements in training and so the agility ladder is really a helpful device in a good agility program.
The cool factor concerning doing this kind of agility ladder training drills is that you could complete them almost wherever you have a little smooth open area. Your backyard, a park, and the local highschool football playing field all work as terrific areas to implement the benefit of these kind of drills. You’ll be able to improve your footwork along with eye-hand coordination through performing high-knee runs, shuffles, as well as bounding workouts through the rungs in the ladder. All of these work outs should be executed keeping appropriate running techniques along with form. They must also be performed in an intense manner to generate the complete advantage. Agility ladder work outs are terrific and you can pretty much repeat them in any number of ways to carry out both foot quickness workouts and agility ladder work outs. For those who have a somewhat long driveway or patio and you don’t want to spend the funds to get a ladder then you may easily fashion your own using a bit of colored duct tape that you get hold of at your local hardware supply! If you try this route ensure the ladder is a minimum of 5 yards in length.
You’ll find in excess of 20 separate quickness work outs that are usually used with an agility ladder and they all help develop fast twitch muscles. The workouts range from lateral movement side steps, to front steps including staggered travel. All work outs require swift and explosive actions .These movements are what are behind the growth of the fast twitch muscle fibers.
Even a track participant is going to benefit from this sort of workout. The track competitor will get off the blocks more rapidly which translates into quick run times. The ideal training for speed is going to consist of an agility ladder, but also some general speed and agility training, sound nutrition and eating habits, along with suitable core training to maximize the athlete’s results.
You will get a quick feel of what real cardio is like when it comes to this form of training! Upgrade your performance right away. Step up your workout to have the outcomes you want.

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Are You Putting Your School Age Children In The Hot Seat

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Speed and agility training in the summertime means hiking temperatures and young people practicing athletics in the heat. Therefore, it is important to know that children do not adjust to the heat as well as adults. Don’t underestimate the importance of knowing the warning signs for heat illnesses and how to prevent them. Heat stroke, heat exhaustian and heat cramps are the kinds of heat ailments. Whether your child or your team is doing strength training workouts as a coach, or parent,  you want to be aware of the seriousness of heat-related illnesses. In actuality, heat illness can be more dangerous to youngsters.  Heat stroke in children is deadly as the mortality rate is anywhere from seventeen to seventy percent. The factors to consider are the youth’s age and the gravity of the illness.

Youngsters suffer heat sickness when their bodies can not adapt to heat and correctly lower the body temperature.  Youngsters are more vulnerable to heat related illnesses because they don’t adapt as fast or as well to heat changes as do adults and they also create additional warmth with activeness. They also generate additional heat with activity. Young athletes perspire less than adults and they do so at a higher body temperature..  For overweight children, who take medicine and have ongoing illnesses are more at risk in hot weather during workouts.

NOTE
Heat Cramps – sore, involuntary muscle spasms, usually in the gastrocnemius or hamstring muscles (the muscles at the rear of the calf muscles and thighs)

Dehydration – weariness, thirst,  dizziness, less-frequent urination,  sloppiness, intensified heart rate and respiration, dried out skin,  dry mouth and mucous membranes

Heat Exhaustion – clammy, dull skin, sweaty,  weakness (fatigue), throbbing head and or lightheadedness

Heat Stroke – loss  of awareness, muddiness or hallucinations, headache, agitation, high body temperature, absence of sweating, deep or shallow breathing, frail pulse rate, seizures

PREVENTING HEAT ILLNESS
Be aware that temperatures over 80 degrees make conditions favorable to heat illness..  Also be aware that high humidity reduces your body’s ability to get rid of excess heat by sweating. In order to ensure health of the young people, get them used to practicing in hot weather. Slowly raise levels of intensity for the first 2 weeks and no intense work for the first week. Cooler parts of the day such as early evening or morning is the best time for practice time. Make sure children rest frequently. Have youngsters drink fluids before working out. Make sure plenty of water is available during work outs. Although they might not be thirsty, youngsters should drink fluids every 20 minutes when exercising. Liquids to avoid are caffeine and anything effervescent. With clothing, have kids wear well-ventilated, sweat-absorbent and light-weight.

Whether your teenager or your squad is doing agility training as a manager or parent, you require to be aware of the criticalness of heat-related illnesses.  Respect the heat or there could be fatal consequences.

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