AI and Making Smarter Training Decisions with Kedric Kwan
Aug 7, 2023
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Kedric Kwan, AI expert and founder of Reformance, joins the podcast to discuss AI in coaching and training. They explore topics such as the complexity of human behavior in coaching, the importance of communication and narrative in exercise selection, the impact of AI coaching, taking risks and trusting the training process, the importance of decision-making in AI systems, and individualizing training with emerging strategies.
Coaching involves managing trade-offs and understanding human behavior, not just objective principles.
Athlete perception and expectation greatly impact their response and progress in training.
Tailoring communication and program design is crucial in individualized coaching.
AI tools cannot fully replace human coaches due to their lack of empathy and subjective understanding.
Deep dives
Coaching as Economics vs Physics
The podcast episode explores the concept of coaching being more related to economics than physics. The speaker suggests that while physics is more objective and predictable, economics takes into account the complexities of human behavior and individual responses. Coaching, whether related to training or nutrition, involves managing trade-offs and understanding human nature. The role of the coach is to apply certain principles and evaluate how the individual responds, while also considering human action, incentives, and trade-offs. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding that coaching is not solely based on objective principles, but also on the individual's perception and buy-in.
The Role of Perception in Coaching
The conversation dives into the significance of athlete perception in coaching. The speaker highlights how an athlete's expectation and perception of training play a crucial role in their response and progress. The example of time to peak illustrates how different athletes may have different interpretations of what counts as an exposure or what stimulus is effective for them. The coach's ability to provide explanations and narratives that align with the athlete's perception can greatly impact buy-in and adherence. The speaker acknowledges that while concrete answers may be desired, the practicality and pragmatism of coaching sometimes outweigh the need for detailed scientific explanations.
The Importance of Individualizing Coaching
The conversation emphasizes the significance of individualized coaching and the challenges it presents. Each athlete has their own unique temperament, tendencies, and preferences, which impact their response to training. The coach's ability to tailor their communication, level of detail, and program design becomes crucial in managing trade-offs and ensuring adherence. The discussion touches on the role of emotional engagement, athlete perception, and the balance between pushing athletes and providing adequate recovery. The speaker suggests that app-based training, while it may expedite certain aspects of coaching, cannot fully replace the personalized decision-making and relationship-building that a human coach offers.
AI Coaching: Its Limitations and Challenges
The conversation explores the potential impact and limitations of AI-based coaching. While AI tools like chat GPD have gained attention, there are concerns about their ability to fully replace human coaches. The speakers highlight the complex nuances and subjective elements of coaching that go beyond what AI can currently comprehend. The value of coaching lies in the decision-making process, relationship building, and the ability to address individual needs and responses. The economic implications of app-based training are also discussed, as the cost-effectiveness of AI coaching might undermine the perceived value of individualized coaching. Coaches are encouraged to adapt, upskill, and provide an upper hand over AI systems to stay relevant in the market.
Importance of Human Connection in Coaching
The podcast episode discusses the importance of human connection in coaching and emphasizes that AI will never be able to achieve the same level of empathy and understanding as a human coach. The speaker highlights the role of empathy in coaching and argues that AI lacks the ability to truly understand and share in the suffering and hardship experienced by athletes. The human connection between a coach and an athlete is seen as a key factor in effective coaching and decision-making.
The Role of Trust and Decision-Making in Coaching
The podcast explores the role of trust and decision-making in coaching. The speaker shares a personal experience of feeling fear and uncertainty during a training session and how trust in the coaching process and program helped in making the right decision. It emphasizes the importance of trust in the advice and recommendations provided by a coach, as well as the need for coaches to continually build robust systems and make informed decisions based on emerging information and individual athlete needs.
The Limitations of AI in Coaching
The podcast delves into the limitations of AI in coaching. The speaker explains that while AI can assist in providing more robust information and patterns based on data, it lacks the ability to provide the same level of emotional connection and understanding as a human coach. The unique experiences and subjective feelings associated with training cannot be replicated by AI. The speaker argues that coaches play a vital role in understanding and interpreting information from AI systems, and that manual input and decision-making will always be necessary to ensure optimal coaching outcomes.
