Landing Mechanics in AFL By Frankie Devitt – iNSPIRE’s Sport Scientist In the sport of AFL and many other high-intensity sports, injuries can present themselves in many situations. In 2018 there were 39 new injuries cases recorded within clubs every season, which resulted in 164 matches missed per club, per season (2018, AFL Injury Report).…
Overcoming Performance Anxiety with Neural Muscle Activation By Frankie Devitt – iNSPIRE Sports Scientist Every athlete knows what it’s like to be nervous before a race or competition, but not every athlete knows how to best manage those anxious symptoms. There are some great mental techniques out there, some of which are included in…
Returning from Injury: 4 steps to make your return easier By Kathryn Mellon – iNSPIRE Psychologist We’ve all heard about or experienced significant injuries. A lot of people talk about the physical preparation that is required when returning from injury. The goals and plans you set for yourself over the season suddenly go out…
What is Pre-Competition Anxiety? By Kathryn Mellon – iNSPIRE Psychologist The moment you have been training, preparing for and dreamed about has finally arrived. You are physically prepared and ready for this moment, but there are doubts in the back of your mind. Your heart might be racing, and you feel butterflies in your…
Psychology By Kathryn Mellon – iNSPIRE Psychologist Depression, anxiety and people with voices in their heads – that’s what most people associate with when they think of psychology or needing to go and speak with a psychologist. Despite society working towards removing the stigma around mental health, there is still a lot of assumed knowledge…
When, Why and How to Reflect By Kathryn Mellon – iNSPIRE Psychologist Sometimes no matter how hard you train and prepare for competition; it just doesn’t come together on the day. You fall off the beam, miss more tackles than you made, or you just couldn’t make your mark on the game. It feels like…
Exercise and Mood: The Impact Physical Activity has on our Mood By Kathryn Mellon, iNSPIRE Psychologist Have you ever had the worst day ever where nothing goes right? You fight with your friends, you understood nothing in class and your mum is giving you a hard time about keeping your room clean. The last…
How Confidence Differs From Life and Sport By Kathryn Mellon, iNSPIRE Psychologist Confidence – It’s a funny thing. You could be the most popular kid in school, outgoing, full of energy and always making people laugh. But step on that gymnastic floor, climb up onto the 3m springboard or hit the court or field and…
Combat Competition Nerves By Kathryn Mellon – iNSPIRE Psychologist You’re standing behind the beam, the free throw line or the penalty spot. The moment you have been training for, preparing for and dreamed about has finally arrived. You are physically prepared and ready for this moment, but there are doubts in the back of your…