The OMNIA Performance Podcast Understanding The INTERFERENCE EFFECT - With Dr Phil Price
Dec 18, 2025
Dr. Phil Price, an exercise scientist and authority on concurrent training, dives deep into the interference effect that can challenge hybrid athletes. He reviews the pivotal 1980 study by Robert Hickson and critiques its methodologies. The discussion highlights how training history affects outcomes and offers practical programming advice, urging athletes to prioritize sessions strategically. Phil also clarifies the complex AMPK-mTOR signaling and emphasizes the importance of measuring progress relative to hybrid goals, while addressing nutrition and recovery for optimal performance.
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Origin Story Of The Interference Effect
- Robert Hickson combined heavy lifting with hard running and noticed his lifting worsened after six weeks.
- That original 1980 study coined the interference idea by showing the combined group plateaued versus single-modality groups.
Interference Is More About Programming Than Modality
- The Hickson study showed interference but likely overstated it due to excessive combined volume.
- Modern research suggests volume, modality, intensity and programming quality drive outcomes more than a simple endurance-versus-strength switch.
Key Sessions Deserve Priority And Recovery
- Research on concurrent training remains limited and context-dependent, so many rules are based on few studies.
- Treat key sessions as high-value and schedule recovery time around them to protect adaptation.