Training Science Podcast

We sit down with Prof Guillaume Millet to get clear on what fatigue actually is, why durability became the new buzzword, and what really limits performance in ultra endurance events. We dig into central vs peripheral fatigue, why muscle damage matters so much in trail and mountain running, and how shock weekends can build the resilience you cannot fake on race day. We also talk heat, perceived exertion, field monitoring tools, and his new Zero to 100 project taking sedentary adults to a 100k mountain race in 18 months.References:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22323647/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39405022/https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00692.2025?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen  https://www.paullaursen.com/   Prof Guillaume Millet https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinesiologui/

Episode 200 marks a major milestone for us, and we celebrate it with someone who played a foundational role in our journey. Professor Ken Nosaka joins us to reflect on how eccentric training research shaped modern training practice and brought our paths together.We revisit the early ECU years, then dive deep into what Ken’s research has taught us about muscle soreness, muscle damage, the repeated bout effect, and how adaptation really works. This episode blends history, science, and real world coaching insights that still shape how we train today.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Andrew Koutnik to unpack one of the most discussed sports science reviews in recent years. Drawing on more than 100 years of research and a series of tightly controlled trials, we examine evidence that challenges the long-held belief that more carbohydrates automatically lead to better performance.We explore why muscle glycogen and carbohydrate oxidation do not consistently predict performance, how athletes can sustain high-intensity and endurance output with much lower carbohydrate intake, and why protecting brain energy may be a key limiter during exercise.The conversation also examines why some highly trained athletes still show markers of poor metabolic health, what this means for current fueling guidelines, and why context matters when translating science into real-world practice._____________________ References:https://academic.oup.com/edrv/advance-article/doi/10.1210/endrev/bnaf038/8432248?login=false_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen  https://www.paullaursen.com/   Dr Andrew Koutnik https://www.instagram.com/andrewkoutnikphd/

In this episode, we sit down with François Fourhet to trace a career that has moved from hands on clinical practice to global performance environments, research leadership, and now consulting and teaching.François shares the three major chapters of his journey: early years as a sports physio in Reims, nearly a decade in Doha within Aspire and Aspetar, then his Swiss chapter at Hôpital de la Tour where he helped build a research driven physiotherapy department and later led it. Along the way, they unpack what it really takes to make interdisciplinary performance support work, how François shifted into research without losing the practical thread, and why dissemination matters as much as publishing.The conversation also gets tactical: ankle return to play, why isokinetic testing is misunderstood, how curve based analysis changes decision making, and the story behind Ankle Go, the free tool designed to help clinicians make smarter calls after ankle injury. If you work in rehab, performance, or team leadership, this episode is packed with ideas you can use immediately.Today’s speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/François Fourhet https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran%C3%A7ois-fourchet-43b7b868/

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Arne Güllich to unpack one of the most talked about sports science papers in years, recently published in Science. Drawing from data on more than 30,000 high performers across sport, music, chess, and science, the conversation challenges the belief that early dominance and early specialization are the keys to elite success.Arne breaks down the now viral performance trajectory figure, explores why most world class adults were not standout juniors, and explains what truly separates those who peak at the highest level from those who plateau. The discussion moves from theory to practice as Paul reflects on his role as a parent of a 15 year old swimmer, asking the questions many parents and coaches are quietly wrestling with.This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in youth sport, talent development, or long term athlete health and performance.References:https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt7790_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen  https://www.paullaursen.com/   Prof Arne Güllich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arne-g%C3%BCllich-4438a7376/_____________________ 

In this episode, Dr. Martin Buchheit is joined by Dr. Scott Frey, a neuroscientist and founder of Cerebral Performance, to explore how brain science can improve athletic performance. The conversation focuses on central fatigue and why cognitive load can meaningfully reduce physical output, decision making quality, and error recovery in sport.Scott explains why athletes often taper the body but rarely taper the brain, and shares practical ways to reduce mental load in the lead up to competition. They also discuss how cognitive testing, mood and motivation ratings, and HRV can be combined to monitor central fatigue, plus how cognitive training can be integrated into gym work or interval sessions to build fatigue resistance when it matters most.____________________________Today’s speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/Dr. Scott Frey https://cerebralperformance.com/

Stephan Nüsser, a performance physiologist and founder of SNDC in Germany, dives into the world of lactate testing and endurance training. He reveals how lactate can personalize training, defines true Zone 2 intensity, and discusses its physiological implications. Stephan emphasizes integrating carb-optimized nutrition with metabolic flexibility for optimal performance. He also shares insights on interval training, the critical role of lactate as a fuel and signaling molecule, and practical applications for athletes looking to boost their endurance and training outcomes.

In this end of year catch up, Prof Paul Laursen and Dr. Martin Buchheit reflect on the biggest lessons, debates, and breakthroughs from the past 12 months in training science. They share updates from the front lines of rehab and high performance work, unpack what is changing fast in sports science 3.0, and discuss how AI and better monitoring frameworks are reshaping how athletes and coaches make decisions. The episode wraps with their most downloaded podcast highlights of the year and a look ahead at what 2026 may bring.

In this engaging discussion, João Ribeiro, Head of Performance at SC Braga, shares insights into elite football's neuromuscular load monitoring. He explains how his team combines GPS data, wellness metrics, and low-frequency fatigue testing with Myocene to make informed decisions during busy fixture periods. A unique focus is placed on passive objective testing's reliability compared to maximal tests. João also highlights the importance of player communication and adaptability in implementing these advanced systems for optimal performance and injury prevention.

Anthony Turner, a strength and conditioning coach and biomechanics expert, joins Prof Paul Laursen to explore the critical role of strength training in athletic performance. They discuss how Newton's laws of motion impact endurance sports, emphasizing that strength is as vital as VO₂max for running economy and performance. Turner highlights the connection between maximum strength, impulse, and running efficiency, advocating for a structured strength progression. The conversation also covers how strength training enhances tissue resilience and reduces injury risk, making it essential for athletes across various sports.