G. John Mullen

G. John Mullen received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California, where he served as a clinical research assistant investigating adolescent diabetes, lung adaptations to swimming, and swimming biomechanics. He has been featured in "Swimming World Magazine," "Swimmer Magazine," and the "International Society of Swim Coaches Journal." He is currently the strength and conditioning coach at Santa Clara Swim Club, owner of the Center of Optimal Restoration, the Swimming Science Research Review and creator of the Swimmer's Shoulder System.

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Do You Need a Probiotic Supplement?

March 19, 2013 | G. John Mullen

Contrary to what Erin Andrews' latest probiotic commercial would lead you to believe, there is nothing "cute" about your gut (i.e., your digestive system). Fortunately, the growing popularity of probiotic supplements (see STACK's article on the Best Probiotic Supplements) has focused...

Does Creatine Improve Swimming Performance?

March 15, 2013 | G. John Mullen

Creatine is a great way to get more out of your workout and build lean muscle. But is it appropriate for swimmers? Swimmers need immense muscular strength and endurance. Not much research has been conducted to date, so it's hard to...

3 Tips on Choosing the Best Post-Workout Creatine

March 13, 2013 | G. John Mullen

With creatine use increasing, it appears the anecdotal and experimental research is in agreement: creatine works. More important, research suggests that if it is used appropriately, creatine is safe in post-pubescent athletes (more research is necessary on adolescents). Previous articles (Athletic...

Overeating: Why We Do It and How to Stop

November 7, 2012 | G. John Mullen

Ever leave a meal feeling full to the point of discomfort, wondering why you ate so much? Well, what would happen if your plate never emptied? Would you be able to distinguish when you're full and then stop eating? Cornell...

Backstroke to Victory: Tips for Effective Technique

October 15, 2012 | G. John Mullen

Feel like a upside-down turtle every time you attempt a backstroke? Of the four competitive swimming strokes, it's the only one where you lie on your back and can't see the wall, which definitely adds a level of difficulty. (Design...

Olympic Breaststroke Techniques

September 27, 2012 | G. John Mullen

Traditionally, the breaststroke is the easiest but slowest stroke in the sport of swimming. But breaststroke form improvements are rapidly occurring, propelling faster times, most notably as when Japanese schoolboy Akihiro Yamaguchi broke the World Record in the 200-meter. Now, you...

Check Your Freestyle Swim Stroke: Correcting Form Mistakes

September 26, 2012 | G. John Mullen

Although many people can swim the common freestyle, poor stroke mechanics are probably limiting their potential success. It's essential to find the right balance between drag elimination and force production, unique to the sport of swimming. The streamline position produces...

How to Prevent Swimmer's Shoulder

August 31, 2012 | G. John Mullen

Too often, shoulder injuries slow, interrupt or end promising swimming careers. An estimated 80 percent of swimmers suffer from shoulder pain at some point in their careers (McMaster, 1993). However, there are ways swimmers can reduce their likelihood of falling...

Designing a Swim Training Program: the BTRE Protocol

August 22, 2012 | G. John Mullen

Swimming events in the Summer Olympics often inspire people to hit the pool for swim training. Unfortunately, most efforts to start (or resurrect) a swimming program fade within a few weeks, most commonly from either poor program design, little workout...