Recent news
High Bar vs Low Bar Squat: A comparison
Christopher Fudge, B.KIN, B.PEd., CSCS, C.S.E.P. CPT, PTS, FST
Thesis: If you are reading this article chances are you are a strength athlete of some sort and want to maximize your squat. As an athlete, coach and strength and conditioning specialist, I have spent many hours analyzing and changing the squat to maximize the end effect of the lift and understand the benefit of low bar compared to high bar placement for the sport of powerlifting. In relation to powerlifting and the rules that govern the sport in accordance with the International Powerlifting Federation “the lifter must bend the knees and lower the body until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the top of the knees.” (1) The idea is to descend low enough for the hip to be beneath the top of the thigh and then return to the starting position With a low bar placement in the squat, a lifter can (1) maximize muscle recruitment, (2) minimize lever arm length, (3) reduce shear force on the knee and lumber spine, and (4) optimize posterior displacement, one will maximize their squat performance.
Loading the Bar: Curriculum, Gendered Identities and Equity
Maggie Rafferty B.A., B.Ed, OCT, PTS, FIS
Abstract: The null curriculum of our current education system continues to place the experiences of women in the margins. My experiences have demonstrated to me that the language of the other places women in a position of alienation and appropriation (Ng-A-Fook, 2009). As a female powerlifter in a male dominated world, I know firsthand the inequality women experience in their everyday lives. Through the use of mettisage in my teaching practice, I am able to weave my lived experiences into the grand narrative of the curriculum creating a deeper meaning in what I am teaching my students (Donald, 2005). I am calling teachers to action, to “actively encourage students’ critical interrogation of the problems that underlie gender injustice” (Pinto & Coulson, 2011, p. 74). We can no longer use value neutral language, rather we need to speak of equity and incorporate various viewpoints of feminist, queer and multicultural into our interpretation and delivery of the curriculum. Only when this happens will we begin to see a shift in the dominant discourse to one that includes the once marginalized.
Youth Analysis 2 Step Approach to identify youths needs when designing a strength and conditioning program
Christopher Fudge, B.KIN, B.PEd., CSCS, C.S.E.P. CPT, PTS, FST
Thesis: When adhering to safety guidelines identified by a proper youth needs analysis, youth can not only benefit from strength and conditioning program but can also reduce the risk of injuries in youth sports and reach maximum development of bone mass density (BMD).
