Catching a wave really is a big thrill! Did you know that big-wave surfers get such an adrenalin rush that they maintain high, prolonged heart rates (90 percent of maximum based on treadmill tests) for periods greater than any other sports people. A rate of more than 180 beats per minute for three hours has been recorded in a professional big-wave surfer. Not surprisingly, surfers can be exhausted for a week after battling the waves. The psychological component of heart rate gets little a...

If you are not familiar with the local athletics circuit, you will no doubt be gobsmacked to hear that, in this day and age, women don't get to run the same distances as men in cross-country running races sanctioned by the sport's governing bodies, here in Australia and overseas. This is an issue very close to my heart ... Read more here in an article I wrote for Athletics Exclusive, It's Time Males and Females Run the Same Distances   ...

As we are on the brink of summer and a new triathlon season, the topic of open water swimming is timely. While one of the biggest mental hurdles for newcomers to triathlon is tackling the swim leg, even experienced athletes can be caught by surprise in the open water. Athlete fatalities at multisport events are actually not common when you take into account overall participation numbers. When they do occur, they receive considerable media attention. The open water swim has gained reputation...

OET, The English language test for healthcare professionals  @ The InterContinental Melbourne, The Rialto There were some thought provoking presentations today on language assessment for health professional contexts by distinguished keynote from the UK, Dr Jonathon Silverman and others. The sessions today really put test material writing, development and assessment under the microscope. It was a privilege to hear Prof Lesleyanne Hawthorne's very latest breakdown of healthcare...

What an exciting day at the inaugural Australian Sports Technologies Showcase & Executive Luncheon, here in Canberra! Plenty of innovation happening on the sports tech scene in Australia. Here are some of the highlights. Heatwave, a 3D thermography system that offers a portable solution for diagnosing and potentially managing muscle/tendon/bone inflammation in athletes. State-of-the-art Altitude Training Systems that can be designed for the home. Safe Mate wrist band, a smart gadget...