Training Science Podcast

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Prof. Paul Laursen sits down with Athletica’s AI modeling lead, Dr. Andrea Zignoli, to break down how artificial intelligence is transforming endurance training. Fresh off publishing three major SPSR papers, Andrea explains the evolution of AI systems inside Athletica — from agent-based modeling, to AI-assisted HRV readiness monitoring, to the use of sentiment as a new internal load signal.Paul and Andrea explore how structured “AI agent” architectures and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems allow large language models to move beyond basic chatbot behavior and become powerful tools for interpreting training data, detecting patterns, and supporting smarter athlete decision-making. They also look ahead at “Sport Science 3.0,” a future where coaching remains deeply human but is amplified by AI that can read files, interpret readiness, understand emotional states, and contextualize performance.Whether you're a coach, athlete, sport scientist, or tech-minded performance professional, this episode offers a clear look at how AI is already shaping modern training — and what’s coming next.References:https://tiscourse.vercel.app/abouthttps://sportperfsci.com/the-computational-paths-of-knowledge-in-ai-coaching/https://sportperfsci.com/sports-science-3-0-series-ai-assisted-hrv-monitoring-enhancing-training-load-response-and-decision-making/https://sportperfsci.com/signatures-of-fatigue-transformer-based-sentiment-analysis-for-internal-load-monitoring/_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen  https://www.paullaursen.com/   Dr. Andrea Zignoli: https://andreazignoli.github.io/ _____________________ 

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, host Dr. Paul Laursen sits down with neuroscientist and performance expert Dr. Tommy Wood to explore the science behind The Stimulated Mind, Tommy’s groundbreaking approach to optimizing brain health and cognitive performance.They dive into the key pillars of a thriving brain: environment, nutrition, metabolic health, sleep, and exercise. From the neonatal ICU to Formula 1 racing, Dr. Wood connects how our environment, movement, and mindset shape cognitive longevity and peak performance. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or simply striving to think and feel better, this conversation will help you unlock the full potential of your mind and body.References:Substack: https://www.betterbrain.fitness/The Stimulated Mind by Dr. Tommy Wood: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751292/the-stimulated-mind-by-dr-tommy-wood/_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen  https://www.paullaursen.com/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood/_____________________ 

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Dr. Martin Buchheit sits down with performance coach and founder of 292Performance, Dr. Benjamin Rosenblatt, formerly the Head of Strength & Conditioning for the England national football team. Together, they explore the real engine behind athlete development: motivation, buy-in, and meaningful relationships.Ben shares the story behind his transition from leading England’s physical performance program to building a high-impact, athlete-centered company that now supports elite performers across Europe. The conversation dives into his evidence-based methods for driving player engagement, the role of autonomy and competition in training, and how to manage different personalities, from mavericks to rising talent.Whether you work in elite football, academy settings, physical preparation, or high-performance environments, this episode offers practical frameworks, coaching wisdom, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.Perfect for coaches, sport scientists, physiotherapists, and anyone interested in performance coaching, athlete motivation, high-performance team culture, and player development._____________________ Today’s speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/    Dr Benjamin Rosenblatt https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-benjamin-rosenblatt-03342514/_____________________ 

🚴‍♂️💥 NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE, CONCURRENT TRAINING & PERFORMANCE: WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN ADAPTATION ⚡Ever wondered how strength and endurance training compete inside the body? Prof Paul Laursen sits down with Michael Gerhardy to break down the neuromuscular science behind fatigue, recovery, and real-world performance: straight from Michael’s PhD research.Inside this episode: 🧠 How neuromuscular variables reveal the hidden cost of training fatigue 🏋️‍♂️ The sequence of endurance and strength sessions, and why ORDER matters for adaptation ⚡ Finding the sweet spot of HIGH vs LOW neuromuscular demand for athlete performance— #TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #NeuromuscularFatigue #ConcurrentTraining #TrainingLoad #PerformanceMonitoring #StrengthTraining #EnduranceTraining #SportsScience #Recovery #AthletePerformance #ExerciseScience #FatigueManagement #TrainingAdaptations #Coaching #ResearchToPractice_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen  https://www.paullaursen.com/   Michael Gerhardy https://runupperformance.com.au/ _____________________ 

🏎️💪 FITNESS, FOCUS & FORMULA ONE: The ART of PERFORMANCE 🚀From the ski slopes of France to the F1 paddock, Dr Pete McKnight’s coaching journey has been anything but ordinary 🌍In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin and Pete unpack decades of lessons from Olympic sport to motorsport:🏋️‍♂️ Why “getting fitter” doesn’t always mean better performance 🧠 Emotional control: the invisible skill that separates the greats from the good 🏎️ Inside the training demands of Formula One drivers—#TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #StrengthAndConditioning #FormulaOne #PerformanceScience #EliteSport #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #EmotionalControl #HighPerformanceTeams #SportsScience #MindsetMatters #MotorsportFitness #Resilience #LeadershipInSport #PerformanceOptimization_____________________ Today’s speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/    Dr Pete McKnight https://www.linkedin.com/in/petemcknight/ _____________________ 

Rachel Neylan, an Olympian and physiotherapist, dives deep into high performance, blending elite sports principles into various fields. She shares her journey from physiotherapy to cycling, emphasizing resilience as a crucial element for success. Neylan discusses the importance of a balanced approach between data and human connection, likening surgeons to athletes who require optimal fueling and ergonomics. She also explores how neuroscience can enhance athletic performance and the role of technology, like AI and wearables, in maximizing results.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Ibrahim Akubat, a sports science researcher specializing in training load and heart-rate monitoring, joins Dr. Martin Buchheit, an expert in exercise physiology. They delve into the importance of heart rate in training, revealing that even a minimal dose of around 30 minutes a week can yield significant benefits. The duo explores the evolution of heart rate metrics, the relevance of TRIMP, and how to personalize training for better performance. They also weigh the trade-offs between time-in-zone and traditional metrics, making it clear that heart rate is still key in modern coaching.

💉🏃‍♂️ EXERCISE, GLUCOSE & PERFORMANCE — RETHINKING DIABETES MANAGEMENT ⚡What happens when sports science meets blood sugar science? 🤔Dr. Sam Scott joins Paul Laursen to unpack how exercise, nutrition, and technology collide in the quest to help athletes, and everyday people, to thrive with diabetes. 📈 The real challenge of blood glucose management for type 1 athletes 📊 Why continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are changing the game 🥩 Carb strategies & fat oxidation: tailoring nutrition to the individual 🤖 How AI and tools like EnhanceD simplify complex diabetes data—#TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #DiabetesManagement #Type1Diabetes #SportsScience #ExercisePhysiology #ContinuousGlucoseMonitor #AIinHealth #BloodGlucoseControl #CarbohydrateStrategies #AthleteHealth #PerformanceScience #MetabolicHealth #NutritionScience #EnhanceD #FatOxidation #EnduranceAthletes #TechInSport_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul LaursenDr Sam Scott  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-scott-phd-620a97a2/ _____________________ References:Sam’s IG:https://www.instagram.com/sam__scott_/ Enhanced-D:https://www.enhance-d.com/ Sam’s Book:https://www.amazon.com/Empowered-Science-Exercise-Type-Diabetes/dp/1068431717_____________________ 

🏉💬 PERFORMANCE, PRESSURE & PURPOSE IN SPORTAfter two decades across rugby, AFL, and Olympic programs, Nick Poulos joins Martin Buchheit to reflect on what it really takes to sustain a career in high-performance sport and what comes next when the constant grind finally stops.⚡ Sustaining energy, passion, and balance in elite sport careers 📊 From Excel spreadsheets to advanced monitoring systems 💥 The real-world lessons from complex training and post-activation potentiation (PAP) 🤝 Transitioning skills from high-performance sport into the corporate world— #TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #SportsScience #PerformanceLeadership #Coaching #HighPerformance #SportTechnology #AthleteMonitoring #ComplexTraining #CareerTransition #Leadership #PAP #StrengthAndConditioning #PerformanceCulture #AFL #Rugby #SportsPhysiology #TeamCulture #CoachDevelopment_____________________ Today’s speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/  Dr Nick Poulos https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-poulos-phd/ 

🚴‍♂️ CYCLING SCIENCE UNLOCKED. Crank length, cadence & single-leg secrets 🔑⚡From mediocre road racer to world-leading cycling performance scientist! Prof. Jim Martin has spent a career merging engineering and exercise science to crack the code on performance 🚀In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul & Jim dive into:⚙️ Crank length, cadence & aerodynamics 🦵 The surprising power of SINGLE-LEG training for muscle adaptation & efficiency 📉 Debunking chainrings & pulling up on the pedals 🧠 Why trusting your spinal cord might be the best coaching cue you’ll ever use—#TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #CyclingScience #PerformanceOptimization #CyclingEfficiency #CrankLength #SingleLegTraining #VO2max #LactateThreshold #Aerodynamics #EnduranceTraining #Triathlon #ExerciseScience #CyclingMyths #PerformanceCoaching #CyclingLife #SportsScience_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof. Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/   Prof. Jim Martin https://profiles.faculty.utah.edu/u0238089 _____________________ References:Crank length video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z73unkrBuY Crank length science:https://journals.physiology.org/doi/epdf/10.1152/japplphysiol.01247.2010 _____________________