The Role of Eccentric Training in Strength and Hypertrophy
Eccentric training—the controlled lowering phase of a movement—is one of the most underappreciated tools in a strength athlete’s arsenal....
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darkhorseathlete36
Nov 158 min read
Recovery Modalities for Athletes: Boost Performance and Prevent Injuries
Athletes across disciplines—whether grappling on the mats, pushing through grueling endurance events, or moving heavy loads in the...
darkhorseathlete36
Nov 86 min read
Nutrition Tips for Tactical and Busy Athletes
Disclaimer: Note that I am not a registered dietitian. This article is intended for general information and should not replace...
darkhorseathlete36
Nov 17 min read
Athlete Classification: Dark Horse Athlete’s Guide to Long-Term Progress
At Dark Horse Athlete, our approach to training starts with understanding where each athlete currently stands. When new athletes join our...
darkhorseathlete36
Oct 1810 min read
Understanding RPE: The Why and How Behind Your Effort
The Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is a self-assessment tool that allows athletes to gauge their intensity level during training, using...
darkhorseathlete36
Oct 117 min read
Breaking Through Training Plateaus
Every athlete, regardless of experience, hits a training plateau at some point. Progress stalls, and frustration sets in. Whether your...
darkhorseathlete36
Oct 45 min read
Maximizing Female Performance: Understanding Volume and Recovery Differences
When it comes to program design and it's individualization, one often overlooked aspect is the difference in how men and women respond to...
darkhorseathlete36
Sep 275 min read
How Upper Body Strength Training Improves Running Mechanics and Endurance
Many endurance athletes, particularly runners, hesitate to incorporate upper body strength training into their routines. They fear that...
darkhorseathlete36
Sep 207 min read
Factors That Affect Athletic Performance
Achieving peak performance is a complex process influenced by numerous factors. Unfortunately, not every athlete can perform at the same...
darkhorseathlete36
Sep 134 min read
Unilateral vs. Bilateral Strength Training: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
In the world of strength training, exercises can be categorized as either unilateral or bilateral. If you're training with the Dark Horse...
darkhorseathlete36
Sep 65 min read
Functional Overreaching Weeks in Strength and Conditioning Programs
Functional overreaching is a powerful tool in the arsenal of any strength and conditioning coach. It’s a deliberate and strategic...
darkhorseathlete36
Aug 304 min read
Deload Weeks: Essential Recovery in Strength and Conditioning Programs
What is a Deload Week? A deload week is a planned reduction in training intensity, volume, or both, typically occurring every few weeks...
darkhorseathlete36
Aug 235 min read
Understanding Rates of Decay in Strength and Conditioning.
As athletes, maintaining peak performance across a wide range of fitness qualities is no small feat. Whether it's max speed, strength...
darkhorseathlete36
Aug 167 min read
Zone 2 Conditioning: Why It’s Essential for Every Athlete.
In the world of fitness, there’s a common misconception that you can either train for strength or endurance, but not both. This couldn’t...
darkhorseathlete36
Aug 16 min read
Athlete Analysis: The Importance in Designing Individualized Training Programs
After the Task/Needs Analysis, the individual Athlete Analysis is conducted. If you are unsure what a Task/Needs Analysis is, please...
darkhorseathlete36
Jul 247 min read
Part 7: Psychological Considerations in Training.
In this final installment of this series, we will explore the psychological aspects of training, focusing on how an athlete's mental...
darkhorseathlete36
Jul 166 min read
PART 6: Environmental Considerations in Training.
Welcome to Part 6 of our blog series on the Needs Analysis for Athlete and Strength and Conditioning Programs! In this post, we will...
darkhorseathlete36
Jul 126 min read
Part 5: Mechanisms of Injury. Identifying and Preventing Common Injuries
Welcome to Part 5 of our blog series on the Needs Analysis! In this post, we will explore the common mechanisms of injury (MOI) for...
darkhorseathlete36
Jul 35 min read
Part 4: Biomechanics of the Task: Optimizing Outcomes Through Movement Analysis
Welcome to Part 4 of our blog series on the Needs Analysis for Athlete and Strength and Conditioning Programs! In this post, we will look...
darkhorseathlete36
Jun 264 min read
PART 3: Physiology of the Task: Understanding the Demands for Optimal Training
Welcome to Part 3 of our blog series on the Needs Analysis for the Athlete and Strength and Conditioning Programs! In this post, we will...
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