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Shelley Harper

Shelley graduated from UC Berkeley in 2012 majoring in Integrative Biology and is currently applying to nursing school. She competed on the women’s swim team at Cal and contributed to three NCAA Championship team titles in her four years. Shelley’s interest in exercise physiology was sparked after discovering connections between the materials learned in her anatomy lab and her athletic endeavors. It is her goal to share this knowledge and inspire other athletes to make these connections to help them reach their personal goals. After finishing her swimming career in 2012, Shelley is now a triathlete utilizing her background in exercise physiology to aid this athletic transition.
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Recent Posts

Whey, Soy, or Casein Protein: Which is Best for Athletic Performance?

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 21, 2017 4:42:00 AM

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Topics: Nutrition, Performance Trends, Recovery

Muscle Fiber Types and Strength Training

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 17, 2017 8:32:00 AM

 

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Topics: Performance Trends

Peripheral Fatigue During Strength Training

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 17, 2017 8:02:00 AM

When elite athletes are faced with a tough workout or practice they often times have to dig deep and find the strength to finish it, no matter what it takes. It is not uncommon for athletes to experience this feeling on a semi-regular basis. But what is happening in these instances to make their muscles feel like they are about to give out? It’s the process of peripheral fatigue.

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Topics: Performance Trends, Recovery

The Importance of Inter-set Rest in Strength Training

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 16, 2017 9:20:00 AM

Strength training is shown to provide many benefits for elite athletes including, but not limited to: increased muscle endurance, hypertrophy and increased muscular strength. The specifics of a strength program are extremely important to monitor. In addition to the already well researched and stressed details of repetition in numbers and weight load, rest intervals can help you reach your specific strength training goals. 

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Topics: Performance Trends, Competition

The Physiology of Naps and the Impact on Athletic Performance

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 14, 2017 9:43:00 AM

Whether athletes incorporate naps into their daily routine or choose to opt for them when they're are overly exhausted, naps can have a profound affect on alertness and athletic performance. But when is the right time to nap and for how long? The answers to these questions depend on the individual, and the following will help athletes determine the perfect nap in terms of time and length that is best for them.

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Topics: Competition

Which Sports Drink is Best for Athlete Performance?

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 14, 2017 9:00:00 AM

Lemon-lime, Fruit Punch, Cool Blue, Pomegranate-Berry, Grape--the list goes on. Today, sports drinks come in endless flavors, dozens of brands, and various sizes-making it a task choosing which one. The sports drink industry continues to grow, providing many different options for the elite athlete. From the low or zero-calorie options to new brands growing in popularity, the market is larger than ever.

 

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Topics: Nutrition, Recovery

Plyometrics in Strength Training

Posted by Shelley Harper on Jul 5, 2017 10:30:00 AM

Explosive speed and power are major assets to athletes during competition. Adding plyometric exercises in your strength training program can enhance athletic performance and propel your athletes to the next level. Implementing plyometric exercises will improve contraction efficiency and increase explosiveness in an athlete's start and change of direction.

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Topics: Performance Trends

How to Reach your Athletic Goals in the Heat of Summer

Posted by Shelley Harper on May 1, 2017 3:30:00 PM



For athletes, there are many difficulties that go along with exercising in hot temperatures. Whether you are a football player, track athletic or a year-round swimmer, it is extremely important to consider the environment in which you train.

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Topics: Performance Trends, Sports Technology

Goal Setting for the New Year | BridgeAthletic

Posted by Shelley Harper on Dec 20, 2016 2:00:00 PM

January 1st inspires many athletes to dream big and set goals for the upcoming year. This symbolic “fresh start” gives many the opportunity to reflect on last year’s performance while looking toward the future. In this post, we explore the different types of goals and their effectiveness, as well as provide a few goal-setting tips to help you reach your full potential in the new year.

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Topics: Performance Trends