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Our latest news and insights
SSA Blog: Home Surveillance
While the football authorities across Europe discuss how and when professional competition will return, the players have been trying to remain in the best condition possible. With return dates now confirmed in Germany and squads in England beginning to head back to the training ground, we take a look at what methods the pros have been using to train during lockdown, how they are being monitored by the clubs and whether we should believe some of the impressive stats we’ve seen on social media.
SSA blog: Behind closed doors
The impact Covid-19 has had on sport is unprecedented. Events and fixtures have been cancelled or postponed across the globe causing a knock-on effect throughout sport in terms of scheduling, athlete preparation and business. As the world’s biggest sport, football has been at the centre of the postponement saga.
SSA blog: The performance potential of esports
The continued rise of esports has only been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Restrictions to movement, social interaction and of course live sport have motivated many to get their competitive fix via the gaming world. Competitive gaming is far from new with tournaments being held as long ago as 1972 at Stanford University. However, the development of faster more reliable internet connections, improved computer processing power and increased game development budgets and production quality have allowed for rapid expansion over the past decade
SSA Blog: Covid-19 - How we have become like elite athletes
The current health pandemic has focused many minds on protecting themselves, their families, their neighbours and for those serving in government, their country. At an individual level, everyone has been called to play their part. The advice issued here in the UK, as with much of the world centres around social distancing in order to “flatten the curve”. It is hoped this will reduce the speed of viral spread so our health system is able to protect those most vulnerable.
SSA Blog: Wash your hands young man
Handshaking hit the Premier League headlines this weekend. A number of managers told the media that players have been instructed to stop shaking hands in light of continued concern about coronavirus.
SSA Blog: Clutch Performance
2019’s summer of cricket will live long in the memory of many England and maybe a few Australian and New Zealand fans. The World Cup, for the first time, was decided via a super over while incredible innings from Ben Stokes and Steve Smith saw the Ashes swing one way then the other over the course of 5 test series.
SSA Blog: Neck on the line
It’s been another disappointing weekend for Ferrari in the Formula 1 Driver and Constructor Championships. After such a promising showing in pre-season testing in Barcelona, they returned to the Spanish track and failed to gain a podium place. Sebastian Vettel is now under considerable pressure. His failure to challenge Mercedes and the early promise shown by new teammate Charles Leclerc has meant an increased focus on the former world champion.
SSA Blog: Marathon Music Session
In October 2019, Eluid Kipchoge will attempt to break one of the great barriers in men’s athletics, the two-hour marathon. Supported by INEOS, Kipchoge plans to better his time of 2:00:25 set during the Nike Breaking 2.0 project in May 2017.
SSA Blog: Warm Weather Training
This weekend sees the Premier League make way for the 5th round of the Emirates FA Cup. Only 7 Premier League teams have reached this stage leaving a number of clubs with the opportunity for a winter training camp.
SSA Blog: New Year’s resolutions
The proven benefits of an active lifestyle are many and varied. Those who maintain an active lifestyle continually report physical, mental and emotional advantages compared with matched groups of less active individuals. Conversely links between sedentary lifestyles and illness are overwhelming with obesity and diabetes now at the heart of public health messaging.
SSA Blog: Peter's podcast - the change in football nutrition
A quick glance at the podcast charts sees ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ firmly inside the top 10 (at the time of writing the podcast is 3rd in the Apple Podcasts Top Chart in the UK). In the show Crouchy is refreshingly honest about his time as a Premier League and international player. In a number of episodes, Crouch describes the contrasting levels of professionalism at the beginning and end of his playing career. Sport science is often the basis for that contrast. Every element of a footballer’s life has improved; training, tactics, diet, recovery, travel, the list goes on…
SSA Blog: Federer's dark secret
Even the most disciplined athlete might be forgiven for reaching for a chocolate egg or two at this time of year. Whatever your preference, it is hard to avoid the plethora of treats available over Easter. But is this such a bad thing? Could athletes actually see some benefit from indulging in a little chocolate over the Easter holiday?
SSA Blog: The diet of a champion
Midway through last season, a different spotlight was shone on Hamilton after he announced his decision to follow a vegan diet. Many questioned the wisdom of this lifestyle change at such a time, but any criticism was soon overshadowed by his imperious form following the mid-season break, which saw him storm to the driver’s crown with two races remaining.
SSA Blog: The performance benefits of beer
Beer companies have a long history of sports sponsorship. Beer remains a fixture within the top ten spending categories across the sponsorship industry. Major deals exist across high profile sporting properties such as the Football, Basketball and Rugby World Cups, which are synonymous with hospitality and fan engagement programmes.