Hello Reader,
I hope this email finds you well. Last week, we explored the impact of hot summer conditions on our performance and discussed the physiological changes that occur when we experience heat. Today, we want to emphasize the significance of understanding the factors that our brain processes, as they play a crucial role in our performance. It's important to note that all these factors were at play to varying degrees, contributing to the reduced performance we observed in the prior two emails.
If you're interested in a comprehensive overview, you can refer to my presentation at the ITU Congress in Paris. However, for the sake of brevity today, we have included one of the key figures that sets the stage for focusing on the most relevant aspects of performance.
Take a moment to observe the two sides of the equation in the mind. On one side, we have feedback to the brain, and on the other, we have feedforward — your drive to perform. In the middle, there is the internal struggle within us, represented by the little man or woman in our head dealing with emotions. Yes, fatigue can indeed be seen as an emotion. If you recall the picture I shared last week after the hot 70.3, you can see the emotion clearly reflected on my face.
Now, let's delve deeper into these terms and understand their significance:
Feedback:
Feedforward:
Next week, we will begin by tackling the first item on the list — the debatable topic of hydration. How important do you believe this variable is for performance? Do you follow a planned schedule, drink according to thirst, or have a different approach?
Stay tuned until next week for an insightful discussion on hydration.
Best regards,
Paul
Paul Laursen, PhD
Read our previous newsletters and subscribe to get future newsletters in your inbox.
Hello Reader In honor of World Menopause Day on October 18th, we have prepared something amazing for all women and coaches of female athletes. We’ve got three free resources to help you navigate training, nutrition, and mindset during perimenopause and menopause. These episodes of the Athlete's Compass podcast and a free summit will empower you to keep training smart and feeling your best! And remember, if you are a male coach, these resources come in handy when coaching female athletes, so...
Hello Reader, We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new rowing plans, now fully integrated with Concept 2 devices! This update enables you to seamlessly incorporate rowing into your training regimen, leveraging the precision and data from your Concept 2 machine to optimize performance. What’s New: Tailored Rowing Plans: Whether you're new to rowing or a seasoned pro, Athletica's rowing plans are designed to optimize your performance. Simply head to your settings, select a rowing...
Hello Reader, It’s been a while since I last shared a Coaching Prof excerpt, and that’s because the team and I have been deeply immersed in all things product development. We’re excited to announce a big release coming next week, and I want to extend a huge thanks to the Athletica product team and our incredible group of patient beta testers. Your consistent feedback on the forum has been invaluable in guiding us. For those of you who are new to Athletica (and there are many — welcome!), the...