CircSci

CircSci is back with another episode...this one all about meathooks. Did you think people couldn't talk about meathooks for an hour? You thought wrong! Garrett (@garrettmovement) and I cover risk factors that come up with entering, exiting, and holding meathooks, how to program meathooks over the long run, what meathooks SHOULD look like and more.Did you ever wonder how much to train meathook at first? Total training volume in meathook will vary, but how do we know what too much is for our lil' obliques and smushed intercostals. What about the key technical ideas that make a meathook? Will all safe and efficient meathooks look the same? Listen to find out!

Have you ever wondered if you might benefit from structuring your training based on your hormonal/menstrual cycle? In this episode, we answer that questions with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple. We discuss what she found in her Ph.D research (and the broader literature) when it comes to hormonal cycle changes, performance and strength metrics, and injury rates. We also touch on how the hormonal cycle interacts with hypermobility, and what, if anything should change in response to that. Listen in to find out if you can (or should) adapt your training to reflect what the science says about cycle-based changes! Disclaimer: everyone's experience of the changes that occur during a hormonal/menstrual cycle is different, but regardless of what the literature says on strength and performance, how you feel is likely going to be quite individualized. Comments, questions, concerns? Email me at [email protected] Check out Lauren below: MASS (Monthly Applications in Strength Sport) Lauren's research @drlaurencs1 Upcoming opportunities to work with me: Straps & Rope Retreat Straps & Handstands Retreat L1 Aerial Straps Teacher & Performer Training Lauren Colenso-Semple Ph.D., CSCS Ph.D. Integrative Physiology (McMaster University), M.S. Exercise Science (University of South Florida), B.A. Psychology, Nutrition (State University of New York at Buffalo). Regularly publishes peer-reviewed articles in exercise science journals with a focus on female physiology and endocrinology, sex-based differences and mechanisms of muscle growth. Expert fitness professional with years of practical experience and certifications in strength & conditioning, sports nutrition, group fitness, and personal training

Who doesn’t need a circus podcast crossover?! Kerry is the host of The Expecting Aerialist, LA-based aerial silks coach, and more. We nerd out on weight training for pregnant people and about pelvic floor health for every human. There's a lot of good stuff in here with some references to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, recent research, and my experience as an aerial coach (and as someone who has worked with a pelvic floor physio!). But I am NOT coming at this episode from a place of being a human that can or will ever get pregnant. This is part one of our conversation. Find her @kerrywee1 As I say 3492 times in the episode, if you're considering having a kid(s) and want to continue training aerial, please consult with an OBGYN and/or pelvic floor physical therapist for individualized guidance.

Beth HCPC, MCSP, (in the US this would be kind of akin to DPT) and I discussed pain science and how it comes into play for professional and recreational circus artists and aerialists answering these questions below: Pain perception - how do you describe and define pain?  What is the bare minimum you think a circus artist, coach, and physio should know about pain (and how to assess it) as it relates to circus artists?  How do we know what is “okay” pain vs. bad pain?  What are patterns of pain among circus artists and aerialist? How does fear interact with pain in circus and aerial? When circus artists are experiencing pain, how can we expect that to impact performance and motor control?  What trends do you see in your practice among circus artists? Is there more pain masking, endurance coping, or avoidance coping?  What are the pros and cons of pain masking vs. distraction as analgesic? What are some methods for addressing pain? Sleep → how do we support sleep 

You'll just have to listen to this one for the full description but below are some key take-aways! Takeaways: Incorporating variability and creativity in circus training and teaching is essential for skill development AND personal expression. Pedagogical approaches should be rooted in beliefs about learning and should align with the values of the coach and the student. Creativity can be fostered in students through intentional scaffolding and opportunities for personal input. Variability and creativity are distinct concepts, with variability being a necessary prerequisite for creativity. Balancing risk and creativity is important, and coaches should consider the physical, psychological, and social risks involved of including variability and NOT including variability. Individual journeys in circus are valuable, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to training and performing. Adam's resources are here! And the Montreal Straps Lab early bird registration is here! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:16 Influence of Other Disciplines on Circus Training 11:09 Gymnastics' Influence on Circus Handstand Training 14:51 The Origins of Circus Technique 21:04 Challenging Traditional Handstand Coaching 25:16 The Importance of Task Orientation in Teaching Handstands 28:54 The Impact of Performative Risk Assessment on Teaching 33:58 Including Students in Risk Assessment 39:35 Challenging Preconceived Notions in Teaching Circus 45:23 The Blurry Line Between Risk and Safety in Circus 49:44 Letting Go of Strict Teaching Methods and Embracing Self-Expression 50:13 Constructing Skills with Safety and Creativity 51:33 Pedagogical Approaches and Beliefs about Learning 53:29 Incorporating Variability and Creativity in Teaching 55:39 Fostering Creativity in Students 57:10 Scaffolding Creativity in Teaching 59:52 Understanding Variability and Creativity 01:00:30 Different Definitions of Creativity 01:03:14 The Value System and Beliefs about Creativity 01:06:32 Balancing Risk and Creativity 01:09:49 Introducing Variability and Creativity from Day One 01:14:10 Expanding Variability in Straps and Other Apparatus 01:18:55 The Relationship Between Variability and Risk 01:25:46 The Influence of Social Media on Circus Culture 01:29:51 Using Social Media to Promote Counter-Cultural Messages 01:35:46 The Importance of Individual Journeys in Circus 01:43:44 Making Small Changes in Teaching