Training Science Podcast What Every Coach Should Know About NEUROmuscular Fatigue - with Michael Gerhardy & Prof Paul Laursen
Nov 7, 2025
Michael Gerhardy, an exercise scientist and PhD researcher, joins Prof Paul Laursen to explore the complexities of neuromuscular fatigue. They delve into how strength and endurance training compete within the body, discussing the critical importance of session order for optimal adaptation. Michael shares insights from his research, revealing that high neuromuscular demand can hinder performance, while low demand fosters improvement. They propose practical methods for monitoring fatigue using innovative tools, with future ambitions for real-time adjustments in training.
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Neuromuscular Fatigue Drives Interference
- High neuromuscular demand in running sessions drives interference with strength adaptations.
- Michael Gerhardy's PhD framed neuromuscular fatigue as the key driver behind concurrent-training interference.
Don't Do Sprints Before Strength
- Avoid scheduling high-intensity sprint sessions immediately before quality strength sessions.
- Do schedule lower-neuromuscular HIIT if you want to preserve strength adaptations.
Sprints Change How Athletes Run
- Sprint-based HIIT (Type 5) produces clear changes in running kinematics indicating neuromuscular fatigue.
- Changes include increased ground contact time and reduced stiffness, flight time and stride length.