About Sottas.info: Sports Science for Australian Athletes
We started Sottas.info because we were tired of sports science coverage that either dumbed things down or hid behind paywalls. Australian coaches, athletes, and fans deserve better than that. So we built a blog where the science stays rigorous but the language stays plain.
Our Mission: Making Sports Science Accessible
Our editorial team translates complex athlete performance data into practical insights for Australian coaches, athletes, and fans. We ground our analysis in real-world examples, from the work done at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra to the athlete biological passport (ABP) used in anti-doping. We are not writing for labs. We are writing for the people on the track, in the pool, and on the bike.
Why we focus on blood markers and athlete monitoring
Blood markers tell a story that stopwatches cannot. Haemoglobin and ferritin, for example, shape how well an athlete moves oxygen around the body, and they shift with training load, altitude, and illness. Monitoring them properly is one of the most useful things a support team can do.
How we bridge the gap between lab data and training practice
Raw numbers are useless without context. We explain what a change in a marker actually means for a training week, and we show how platforms and protocols fit into real programs rather than theoretical ones.
Editorial Focus: Data, Altitude, and Athlete Monitoring
Our team covers blood markers, altitude training, and athlete monitoring with a critical eye. We discuss brands like Catapult and Firstbeat, and we analyse how Australian athletes use altitude camps at Falls Creek and Thredbo. We are happy to praise good tools and equally happy to point out where the evidence is thin.
Blood markers and the athlete biological passport explained
The ABP tracks an athlete’s biological profile over time, flagging unusual shifts rather than single readings. We break down how markers such as haemoglobin and ferritin are interpreted, and why longitudinal data beats one-off tests every time.
Altitude training methods for Australian conditions
Australia’s altitude options are limited but workable. Falls Creek and Thredbo give athletes live-high, train-low opportunities within reach of major cities, and we examine how squads schedule these blocks around competition calendars.
Wearable tech and athlete monitoring platforms
Catapult and Firstbeat are staples in Australian high-performance sport, and we compare what they measure, what they miss, and how to avoid drowning in dashboards. Useful categories we track include:
- GPS and load monitoring systems such as Catapult
- Heart rate variability and recovery tools such as Firstbeat
- Blood marker panels covering haemoglobin, ferritin, and more
Our Team Approach: Informed, Opinionated, Conversational
We are a small team of sports science nerds who have worked with national sporting organisations and private clinics. We write in first-person plural because every article is a team effort, and we always cite peer-reviewed research.
How we fact-check and source our articles
Every claim gets traced back to a study, a governing body document, or a named practitioner. If we cannot source it, we say so instead of pretending certainty.
Why we share our own opinions and biases
We think hiding your position is dishonest. When we favour a method or distrust a trend, we tell you why, so you can weigh our reasoning against your own experience.
FAQ
What is the athlete biological passport?
The ABP is a long-term monitoring approach that tracks an athlete’s blood and steroid profiles over time, flagging suspicious changes rather than relying on a single test result.
Why do blood markers like haemoglobin and ferritin matter?
Haemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood, while ferritin reflects iron stores. Both influence endurance performance, and both can shift with training, altitude exposure, and diet.
Is altitude training at Falls Creek or Thredbo worth it?
For many Australian endurance athletes, yes. These locations offer practical live-high, train-low conditions, though the response varies between individuals and needs careful monitoring.
Do Catapult and Firstbeat measure the same things?
No. Catapult focuses heavily on GPS and external load, while Firstbeat leans toward heart rate variability and recovery. Many programs use both.
We invite readers to challenge our views and join the conversation, because sports science evolves through debate. If something here sparks a question or a disagreement, tell us, and we will keep digging.