When was your last anatomy lesson? The heart is an extraordinary muscle that pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste. This process happens through a series of rhythmic contractions and relaxations known as the cardiac cycle. Understanding how the heart beats in a single cycle can help you appreciate how this vital organ keeps you alive. Phases of the cardiac cycle The cardiac cycle consists of two main phases: systole and diastole. These terms...

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recently updated their guidelines on 'Eligibility and Disqualification Recommendations for Competitive Athletes with Cardiovascular Abnormalities'. With respect to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a matter obviously close to my own heart and the single most common cause of sudden death in young competitive athletes in the United States, the new disqualification/eligibility guidelines do not differ that much...

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   ...

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...