SPKN’s Six Pillars of Sports Leadership
Well-Being
& Performance
Communication & Team Culture
Skill & Coach Development
Nutrition
& PEDs
Sport Science
& Technology
Welcome to SPKN Sport Knowledge Center
Your central hub for verified sport knowledge.
As a nonprofit, SPKN provides sport leaders with knowledge and tools necessary to fully develop today’s athletes—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Stay up to date on the latest sport science and coaching methods designed to enhance your skills and make a confident impact on your athletes’ performance, well-being, and health.
From recent interviews to new research, stay up on the latest from the world of sport. As the hub of sport knowledge and practice, we make sure you have the resources to push sport forward.
New Releases
All our research is curated and peer-reviewed giving you access to an unmatched library of information all in one place.
Latest Research
What Is “Zone 2 Training”?: Experts’ Viewpoint on Definition, Training Methods, and Expected Adaptations
Endurance athletes and coaches have long debated the most effective training intensities for maximizing performance. Recently, Zone 2 training has gained attention as a foundational component of endurance programs, yet definitions and implementation strategies vary. While many propose that Zone 2 training should comprise a significant portion of an athlete’s total training volume, there is…
Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map
As athletes continuously push their physical limits, effective recovery strategies are essential for maintaining performance and reducing injury risk. Among various recovery techniques, dry needling has gained popularity for its potential to relieve muscle pain and stiffness. Despite its widespread use, questions remain about its overall effectiveness, particularly in enhancing athletic performance beyond pain management.…
Diet, risk of disordered eating and running-related injury in adult distance runners: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Distance running is a popular and accessible form of exercise, offering significant physical and mental health benefits. However, the risk of running-related injuries (RRIs) remains a persistent concern for both competitive and recreational runners. While factors such as training load, biomechanics, and prior injuries are well-documented contributors to injury risk, the role of diet and…
Explore all SPKN’s original series. We cover everything from socio-cultural issues to gripping coach stories. Communication and Team Culture, Sport Psychology, Social Issues & Ethics, Sort Science & Tech, and more…Enjoy all our incredibly informative interviews. These series provide a framework for building the next generation of sport practice while inspiring a better future in sport through knowledge.
Original Series
All our research is curated and peer-reviewed giving you access to an unmatched library of information all in one place.
Latest Articles
Failing Forward: Why Losing in Sports Leads to Growth
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris saw thousands of athletes leave without a medal—almost 10,000 to be exact. While it’s easy to focus on the winners, the reality is that most athletes experience defeat. Sports, from youth leagues to the professional level, are designed this way. There’s typically one champion, leaving the rest to…
Bend, Don’t Break: The Role of Psychological Flexibility in Sports
Psychological flexibility, a key construct in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), refers to an individual’s ability to remain open to experiences, adapt to changing situations, and persist in behaviors aligned with long-term values despite momentary discomfort (Hayes et al., 2006). Researchers have emphasized its role in well-being, emotional regulation, and performance adaptation (Kashdan & Rottenberg,…
Finding Flow in Sports: How to Get “In the Zone”
Have you ever watched an athlete and thought, “Wow, they’re unstoppable right now”? That’s what psychologists call flow—a state where athletes feel completely immersed in their performance, everything clicks, and they perform at their absolute best. This article breaks down what flow is, why it matters in sports, and how athletes can tap into it…
SPKN: Elevating Sport Leadership
The Role of SPKN in Advancing Coaching Education As the landscape of youth sports evolves, the demand for well-trained, well-rounded coaches has never been greater. The Sports Professional Knowledge Network (SPKN) is at the forefront of this movement, offering comprehensive educational resources designed to elevate coaching standards. SPKN’s mission is to equip coaches with the…
Social Issues
& Ethics