REGISTER FOR THE OPEN COMBINE (not the FCA one): https://aims.athleticrepublic.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
2011 Combines
REGISTER FOR THE OPEN COMBINE (not the FCA one): https://aims.athleticrepublic.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Weather & Schedule for Monday Jan 10
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Baseball Pre-season Training
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Are Some Athletes Just More Injury-Prone?
So the news broke yesterday that Greg Oden, the heralded former No. 1 draft pick of the Portland Trailblazers, will miss yet another season. Three years, three major surgeries. First, it was a cartilage injury that required microfracture surgery on his right knee. Last year, he sustained a fractured patella on his left knee. Now, unrelated to the patella, is a new injury to his left knee, also requiring microfracture surgery. This guy was supposed to be the next Kevin Durant, right? Wait, my bad….same draft. That's right…the Blazers PASSED on Durant to get Oden. That's another story. Anyway, Oden was to be a star, and now folks are calling him a bust.
Flip to football, and the same story seems to be playing out for the Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford. On Sunday, he just sustained his third shoulder injury in just 2 years. When he has played, he has shown signs of being a great NFL quarterback. But injuries seem to just get him.
Locally, the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team has its own "injury star." Michael Sanchez, a 6'8" power forward suffered yet another injury to his feet, this time another stress fracture.
We've seen this before. Looking through the past few years, names like Mark Prior, Sam Bowie, Eric Lindros, Yankees can't miss prospect from the 90's Brien Taylor, jump out----stars who have all of the potential but just can't seem to shake the injury bug. Just when you thought they were in the clear, something else comes up. Frustrating.
Then you have the list of folks who had their career cut short by major injuries (Bo Jackson & Gayle Sayers come to mind). These, while tragic and make you also want to ask the "what it coulda been" questions, are not what I want to talk about here. I am curious to know what makes some athletes more injury-prone than others. Let's go through a few reasons:
- TOUGHNESS: great starting point. Are some athletes just not tough enough to handle it? Yes & no. There is a mental aspect of toughness that needs to be addressed. Some folks can grit it out, while others think the most minor ouchie is cause to sit out. If you did a major MRI, x-ray, & bone scan of every professional athlete, not one of them would come back 100% normal. Sports cause wear & tear on the body, and damage will be done. Sometimes you can push through it; sometimes you simply can't go on any longer & have to stop. But there is the physical side of it as well.
- PHYSICAL STATE: genetically, we are all gifted differently. Some of us have the body composition to endure the rough demands of sport; some of us don't. Factor in things like joint flexibility, heredity, bone structure, muscle tightness and you have a wide range of diversity. Can just anyone
- PREPARATION: the way one trains & prepares can have a significant impact on injury rates. It's important to go through a regimen in anticipation of a season, both to correct imbalances caused by injuries and also to make the body stronger & faster. But I have seen training intended for performance actually cause injury. Could it be that some of the oft-injured folks mentioned above are in this category? Maybe. But the problem is that you almost always only find that out after the fact.
- EXTERNAL FACTORS: shoes, training surfaces, climate are all examples of things that can affect the way an athlete's body responds. Again, you won't know what's causing a problem until a problem presents itself.
Today's sport science allows us the use of new diagnostic tools like video analysis, strength & force output measurements, and testing methods. These tools can help us avoid injuries, or in the case of some of the athletes above, help identify things causing the injuries before they get too bad. It's amazing what we can detect nowadays in our training centers. I have been blessed with the opportunity to utilize tools like these to help athletes get over the issues.
I write all of this hopefully to stimulate some discussion. I also write to talk to the critical fan who quickly dismisses an athlete as just an "injury bust." It's not like they are doing this stuff on purpose. Sometimes it's out of their control.
Your turn.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Concussions
- What is a concussion? I will let smarter people than me answer that for you: HeadsUp
- Concussions are a part of any sport. Unfortunately this is true. Anytime you involve contact or collision in a sport or game, there is a risk of a head injury. Just as true: you can injure your head by slipping & falling on the ice....or in a car accident. The key is to do whatever you can to minimize the risk. We accomplish this in life by wearing helmets when riding bikes, or enacting rules to discourage helmet contact.
- Concussion testing for athletes is here to stay. And it's a good thing. This area has grown by leaps & bounds over the last 10 years. What is it? In a nutshell, it means establishing a return-to-play criteria for athletes, mostly after an athlete is suspected of sustaining a concussion. There are cognitive tests, balance tests & a check of physical signs & symptoms. If an athlete passes these and is cleared by a medical professional (in some states it's the law) then they can return to play. A relatively new area of testing is establishing baseline tests on an athlete to determine what is "normal" for the athlete so that if a concussion is sustained, the medical professional can go back & compare the "then & now."
- Focusing on football, aren't today's helmets enough protection? Yes & no. Today's helmet technology helps to absorb the high-impact forces better than ever. But here's where things get tricky, in my opinion. I believe that because the helmets are so good, they allow for some sort of "invincibility" mentality for players, resulting in techniques like leading with the head. Let's be clear here: I enjoy hard hitting football like a lot of people do. There is nothing to get a crowd going like a "great hit." But not when a player actually leads with his head as a weapon. The other aspect of this is improper helmet fitting. It's scary to see how easy the helmets are coming off these days, from the NFL all the way down to youth football. Again, my own opinion here, but I believe that there is not a strong enough push to make sure these helmets are on properly.
Taken from USA Today's "The Huddle"
NBC analyst Rodney Harrison, a former NFL safety who was penalized for illegal hits at several points in his career, said on the network's Football Night in America that the NFL has to do more than fine offenders if it really wants to change the big-hitting culture (Harrison speaks more in the video below):
"I've had plenty of hits like this and fining me $5 or $10 grand really didn't affect me. But I got to a point where they suspended me and I knew the effect on my teammates, the disappointment of me not being out there; not the $100,000 that got taken away from me, but the fact that I wasn't out there. That's what they are going to have to do if they want to change the nature of these hits. You have to suspend guys."
Rodney hits the nail on the head (pardon the pun). These guys can afford to pay fines. Start by suspending players like James Harrison, not only for his hit on Joshua Cribbs yesterday but also for his comments.
Video of hit
This will take a culture change. A culture change that encourages good, safe physical play, but also emphasizing that it's not OK to hit with your head.
Thoughts??
Monday, September 27, 2010
Running Form

Here's the best sprinter in the world exhibiting some great things: hands going "hip pocket to eye socket," torso straight, head still. I can hear you---"He's a straight-ahead sprinter; I'm a basketball player...this doesn't apply to me." I hear it all the time. Even moving 15 feet from point A to point B requires efficiency of movement.
Every athlete involved in the process of moving can benefit from a better running form.
Here's an example of bad trunk rotation moving up & down the basketball court:
Trunk rotating, arms going to cross mid-line......little things like this will lead to inefficient movement which will, in turn, lead to getting up & down the court slower.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Crazy Sale--50% off
Sign up for any of our athletic development programs before noon on October 1 and take 50% off!
Any program, monthly or year-round, is HALF-OFF!
So what does this look like? Examples: if you did our popular 22 visit program, it is on sale for $330 instead of $660. Or a 3-month unlimited visit membership is only $487.50, reg. $925.
Are you an overachiever & already thinking about Christmas gifts? Give the gift of speed! Just pay for it before Oct.1 & knock it out with this unbelievable deal!
This is pricing BEFORE any group discounts, so if you are thinking of team training this still applies.
Here's the fine print: this offer does not apply to any current/existing contract. So just for anything NEW. This is also not good for any nutritional or therapy plans. Just start the program before Jun 1, 2011. That's all there is in the fine print.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Dealing with the Heat
So what to do? Below are several links you can check out for tips & reference materials:
National Athletic Trainers' Association
Arkansasvarsity.com
Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association
Arkansas Activities Association
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PLEASE, be smart out there.
BJ Maack, ATC, LAT, CSCS
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Updates
Now, we shift our focus to pre-season basketball training, as well as the beginnings of off-season baseball & softball workouts. Do you have a training plan for the calendar year? Are you still "winging it?"
Those who have no plan are, in reality, planning to fail.
Come by & see us to get a plan started. We will get you on the right path so you can enter your season ready to DOMINATE!
Basketballers: it's time to get started on your jump training!!
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIPS:
Unlimited access to any of our training programs each month!
Come as many times as you want each week!
12 months $175 per month
6 months $250 per month
4 months $299 per month
3 months $325 per month
*Must commit to either paying in full for desired number of months or apply for monthly bank auto-draft
*Athletes in monthly training plans must still schedule their appointments ahead of time. No walk-in appointments are accepted.
Looking over the amazing list of athletes we have been blessed enough to work with, I am so very proud of the work these athletes have put in, as well as the work put in by our talented staff. The greatest training program in the world is nothing unless you have solid people implementing it, and I believe we have that here.
Congrats to the following ASPC athletes:
Travis Wood, pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
Dustin Mosley, pitcher, New York Yankees
Darren McFadden, running back, Oakland Raiders
Tyrell Johnson, safety, Minnesota Vikings
This summer, we have had 4 athletes preparing for college baseball, 2 for college softball, 3 for college soccer, 4 for college basketball, as well as several high school & junior highers getting ready.
MYOPLEX
We now carry Myoplex Recovery Shakes, by EAS. This is a great option to be taken after an exercise bout, in order to help the muscles prepare for the next workout.
Learn more about Myoplex here.
Our Price: $3.00
Remember, no matter your sport or fitness goals, we have all of the resources to help you get there. And your program is just that--your program.
One size does not fit all, it fits one.
BJ Maack, ATC, CSCS
Arkansas Sports Performance Center
A Proud Member of the Athletic Republic
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Nutritional Info
Carbohydrates are the most important source of energy for humans, especially athletes. Many athletes have misconceptions about carbohydrates and its role in optimal sports performance. Here are a few facts about carbohydrates:
• They are needed for recovery from exercise.
• They are needed to replace carbohydrate stores in the body (glycogen is the storage form of carbohydrates).
• Eating a variety of carbohydrate foods and timing carbohydrate intake are crucial for sports performance.
• They need to be present to break down fats.
• High intensity sports rely on carbohydrates and carbohydrate stores in the body.
• They are also the primary fuel for the nervous system which provides a mental edge.
Carbohydrates are macronutrients that should make up:
• 45%- 65% of daily calories for males and females over the age of 9.
This large range allows for the typical individual to maintain their energy levels for bodily functions. However, an athlete should consume carbohydrates at the higher range. Athletes can even consume up to 75% carbohydrate from their daily diet depending on exercise intensity and preparation for endurance events.
There are a variety of carbohydrates, each having beneficial effects. Carbohydrates are classified as either simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose) are the sugars found in things such as fruits, vegetables, milk products, honey, and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates include maltodextrin, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, fiber, and starch. Some foods high in complex carbohydrates are grains, legumes, yams, and potatoes. Consuming a variety of carbohydrate is beneficial for health and performance. Fruits and vegetables themselves provide a variety of carbohydrate, making them a beneficial source of carbohydrate while offering other health benefits.
What I want to really touch on is the importance of carbohydrates before and during exercise. The body stores carbohydrate as glycogen for readily available energy, therefore consuming carbohydrate before exercise is beneficial to top performance. Here are some good guidelines for consuming carbohydrate before exercise:
If you choose to consume carb. it 1 hour or less before a competition
2 calories per pound or 0.5g of carbohydrate per pound
If you choose to consume carb. 3-4 hours before a competition
8 calories per pound or 2 grams of carbohydrate per pound
Rule of Thumb:
When choosing meal size as pre-event fuel, allow time for proper digestion: 3-4 hours for large meal, 2-3 hours for a smaller meal, 1-2 hours for blended or liquid meal, and 1 hour for a snack.
Glycogen can provide only so much stored energy until the body relies on new intake of carbohydrate to maintain energy and to stay mentally sharp. Usually after an hour of exercise you should start consuming carbohydrate. Here is a good recommendation for providing energy during exercise:
For exercise lasting more than 1 hour:
26-30g (100-120 calories) of carbohydrate every 30 minutes
There are many way to obtain carbohydrates. For example, during exercise you can consume gels, bars, and fluids containing carbohydrates. You can also consume carbohydrate through foods like crackers, granola, fruit, and trail mix. Different carbohydrates absorb at different rates allowing for better absorption during exercise. Therefore, consume different carbohydrate foods or read the ingredients on your sports drink, gels, and other foods to make sure it offers more than one type of sugar. Choose foods that taste good, settle well, and do not make your stomach upset. Once you find the foods that work best for you before and during workouts, stick to them.
Individual carbohydrate needs are determined by examining weight, height, and activity level. This can be done by meeting with a sports nutritionist or a Registered Dietitian.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Speed/Athletic Testing Camps in Marion & West Memphis
Present
The 1st Annual East Arkansas Speed & Agility Camp
West Memphis High School Fieldhouse or Marion High School Fieldhouse
June 3rd 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM June 4th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Our 1 Day Camp Includes:
Teaching: Testing:
First-Step Acceleration 10/20/40 yard dash timing
Top-End Speed Pro Agility timing
Running Form L-Drill Timing
Agility & Change of Direction
Standing Broad Jump
Power Training Vertical Jump
Bench Press (max reps)
Lunch @ T-Shirt Included
$50.00
Pre-Register online: West Memphis Camp
Marion Camp
Or @ 8:00 AM the day of the camp
For Questions or Further Information Call:
870-739-8686
Fenter
Physical
Therapy, LLC
STRENGTHENING THE DELTA
Friday, May 7, 2010
Hydration for the Athlete
Hydration
“Why is hydration important for me?”
The more I talk with athletes, the more I realize how little they know about hydrating themselves properly. You drink when you are thirsty, when you work out, when trainers/coaches tell you to, and you usually drink what you see others drinking or what you are told to drink. But do you really know why it is so important? In this month’s review my goal is to make you, the athlete, a believer in hydrating yourself for health and better performance.
Having the right balance of fluids in your body is essential to prevent dehydration, overhydration, and overheating. It is also essential in order for your body’s metabolism to function at its best.
• Your body is made up of 55-60% water
• Around 70% of your muscles are made up of water, one of the reasons proper hydration is important for athletes.
Protein and carbohydrate concentration in muscles and electrolyte content in your body affect how much water you need. Since athletes should consume greater amounts of carbohydrate than non-athletes, maintain adequate protein needs, and work to keep their electrolytes in balance, fluids are crucial. This is because the greater these components are in your body and muscles, the more fluids you need to allow your body to function accordingly.
Dehydration can occur when fluids are not replaced when they are lost through excretion, sweat, and respiration. Failing to maintain water balance has many consequences including:
• cramps
• heat exhaustion
• heat stroke
• physiological changes that affect performance
Although not common, athletes can overhydrate. Overhydration leads to hyponatremia, when you have low sodium content in your body. This electrolyte balance is crucial for your nervous system and muscles to function and when the salt balance is diluted by water, water intoxication can take place.
Preventing dehydration and overhydration is critical to top athletic performance and can be prevented by knowing your individual hydration needs.
• Look at your urine color. If it is a very pale yellow color of lemonade, then you are hydrated.
• Weighing yourself before and after exercise can help you determine how much fluid you lose during activity. Replacing 16 ounces of fluid with every pound lost while exercising is a good rule of thumb.
• If you are exercising at high intensity for an hour or more, fluids + carbohydrate or fluids that include carbohydrates are recommended to hydrate and replace glycogen stores (these stores provide you the energy to perform).
• If consuming sports drinks or food during this intensity, be sure it contains some sodium.
A Sports Nutritionist can help you assess how much fluid you should consume and when, making this a more reliable way to plan hydration since everyone has individual needs.
So where do you go from here?
• Be aware of how much you drink.
• Figure out your sweat loss per hour and replace fluids during exercise.
• Sports drinks are great for intense activity lasting an hour or more.
• Eat your fluids. Fruits and vegetables are a source of fluid and they offer a host of other benefits.
If you would like to schedule a personal nutrition visit with Katie, call 501-539-3278 or email her: katie@arsportsperformance.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Combines on Saturday, May 1
Due to the anticipated rain in the forecast, we will now have both the FCA & the ASPC Open Combines at Verizon Arena, NOT at War Memorial Stadium. Please still plan on arriving (at Verizon Arena) at the regular check-in time you were assignedon Saturday, May 1 for check-in.
Come in through the Box Office Entrance--STREET LEVEL-- off Washington St. to check-in.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
2010 ASPC Open Combine
Arkansas Sports Performance Center is now accepting registration for the ASPC Open Football Combine. Held after the prestigious FCA Football Combine, the purpose is to showcase the athletic & physical testing abilities for football players currently in 8th-11th grades.
The same cutting-edge testing technology used at the FCA Combine & NFL Combines will be utilized, giving each athlete an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their skills.
WHEN: Saturday, May 1, 2010 2-5pm
WHERE: War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock
WHO CAN REGISTER: any football player, current grades 8th-11th, this is NOT invitation-only—anyone can register
COST: $50
FEATURES:
· 10/20/40 yard dash
· Pro Agility
· L-Drill
· Bench Press (max reps)
· Standing Broad Jump
· Vertical Jump
· Video & computer testing integration
· Online result access
· Official ASPC Combine gear
· College recruiting help
· Discounted combine prep drill teaching session (to be scheduled before the Combine)
There will be no walk-up registrations accepted that day. In order to take advantage of all of the testing technology, you MUST pre-register.
***Please note: by completing the registration process, you are electronically signing & agreeing to the official Open Combine Waiver & Release Forms. The full text of these are located at http://fcacombine.com/forms.asp
Click here to register!
Monday, February 8, 2010
ASPC Schedule for Tuesday Feb. 10
As of now, we will open at noon for our regular schedule, both for speed & strength training appointments and our AIM Workout Classes. (see here for info) Our normal operating hours will resume at that point.
For appointment information, please email us (info@arsportsperformance.com) or call us at 501.539.FAST (3278)
Thanks for understanding!
CLOSED ALL DAY MONDAY FEB 8
Once we see how the weather plays out, we will update here regarding tomorrow's schedule. Please be safe out there!
Morning Workouts cancelled, Feb. 8
Thursday, February 4, 2010
National Signing Day
NCAA Division One
Garrett Uekmann-- Arkansas-- LR Catholic
Braylon Mitchell-- Arkansas-- Heber Springs
Raheim Alford--- Arkansas State-- Warren
Kenny Rains--- Arkansas State-- Lake Hamilton
Michael Dyer--- Auburn--- LR Christian
Dakota Mosley--- Auburn-- LR Christian
Parker Mack--- Princeton-- Pulaski Academy
Shelby Cox--- Kansas-- Pulaski Academy (SWIMMING)
Spencer Neumann--- Central Arkansas-- Cabot
Antonio Harding--- Ark-Pine Bluff-- Warren
Blake James---- Georgia State-- LR Central
NCAA Division Two
Christian Rycraw--- Ouachita Baptist-- Bryant
Aaron Sprinkle-- Ouachita Baptist-- White Hall
Jesse Stone--- Arkansas Tech-- LR Christian
Will Walker--- Harding-- LR Central
Ryan Palenske--- Harding-- Heber Springs
Michael Ashcraft--- Henderson State-- Warren
Nathan Gay---- Ouachita Baptist---- LR Christian (SOCCER)
**still updating this list
Monday, February 1, 2010
2010 FCA & Open Football Combines
SATURDAY, MAY 1
WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM
LITTLE ROCK
Please note: there will be 2 different testing events on May 1: one is INVITATION-ONLY, reserved for athletes who will be seniors this coming fall, and another that is OPEN TO ANY ATHLETE who will be in the 8th-12th grade this fall.
The INVITATION-ONLY Combine will be just that---you have to be invited to attend. It is intended for rising seniors who have serious college potential. Nominations will be considered from high school coaches only (email me: bjmaack@arsportsperformance.com). There will be no fee to attend.
The OPEN COMBINE will accept any athlete 8th-12th grade, and there will be a fee. More information on how to register for this event is coming.
Just mark your calendars...LOTS of exciting information to come on this!
The most advanced athletic testing available will be used! This will be the same testing setup that was just used at the US Army Combine. Click here for more information.
Video results!
Test results available to college coaches!
Volunteers are needed!
Click here to volunteer
QUESTIONS: call BJ at 501-539-3278 or 501-351-7979
Sponsors
The 2010 FCA Combine is sponsored by:
Arkansas Sports Performance Center
Flex 360 Web Design
Friday, April 30
FCA Pigskin Pigout
The first great Tailgate Party of 2010!
6pm, Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock
Grant Teaff is the featured speaker at this great event!
Hear from Razorback coaches, fresh off spring practice about the 2010 season!!
Meet Hog players!
Great Silent Auction
Great BBQ
All proceeds benefit the Fellowship of Christian Athletes!
Call Robert Upshaw at 501-416-7096 for more information about the Pigout.


