Metric Fixation with Dr. Mal McHugh

Mar 24, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mal McHugh, a legend in sports science, to dive deep into the world of metrics and performance. We're talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of measuring athletes – from force plates to jump profiles. Dr. McHugh breaks down why not all metrics are created equal, and how teams can actually use data to prevent injuries and understand player performance. We'll explore everything from how young hockey players should tie their skates to the complex world of tracking an athlete's physical decline. Trust me, you'll walk away with a whole new perspective on sports science and how data can (and can't) tell the full story of an athlete's potential.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Skate lacing for young players.

02:00 Meet Dr. Mal McHugh, sports medicine researcher and Director of Research at NISMAT.

04:30 Problems with the current hyper-focus on metrics without proper context.

06:00 What is the importance of defining problems and validation?

14:45 How to simplify complex systems (and stop measuring “trees” without understanding the “forest”).

29:15 Counter movement jumps and force plate analysis.

41:45 The importance of impulse and rate of force development in assessing athletes' performance.

48:00 Addressing specific injuries and preventing recurrent injuries.

01:03:00 How to use metrics to assess athletes' physical attributes, effort, stress, and recovery.

RESOURCES + LINKS

Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -

The High Performance Hockey Masterclass

Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov

Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov

Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast

Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast

Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/

Check out Anthony’s Books

Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions

The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players