Professor Mark De Set Croix has published over 100 articles and presented at over 100 conferences across the globe. He works predominantly in football, identifying injury risk via screening and implementing prevention programmes. A key focus of his work is to help coaches develop their understanding of prevention strategies. After undertaking his teacher training degree he knew he had an interest both in children’s sport and physical activity and a growing interest in science. He completed a PhD exploring how children’s muscle strength changes with growth and maturation and is now using that knowledge to explore how to reduce injury risk in youth sport. This has provided him with opportunities to work with some of the world’s leading football clubs. Mark has just led an Erasmus+ European-funded project with partners in Spain and the Czech Republic to explore the knowledge and understanding of grass root coaches in terms of youth injury prevention. He has also obtained funding from FIFA, UEFA and the English FA to explore injury risk in female youth football, and works with organisations such as the England and Wales Cricket Board, Athletic Club Bilbao Football Club and Bristol City Football Club. In this episode Mark discusses: The many factors that should be considered in an injury risk reduction program. The importance of Training Quality as well as Training Age. Why Coach Education programs need to be more accessible for grassroots coaches. Is asymmetry as detrimental as people suggest? What does neuromuscular control really mean? Are kids affected by fatigue the same way as adults? Is there any truth to the concept of "Windows of Trainability"? You can keep up to date with Mark's research via the University of Gloucestershire Repository, his Research Gate page here, as well as via his Twitter account: @destecroixmark . Get your discounted early bird ticket to LTAD Network Conference here! The 2022 Conference runs from 9-10th July at Hartpury University with a selection of world class speakers! Don’t miss out! Get more details and secure your place here! To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

This episode is a recording of the LTAD Chat on Speed Development, hosted by Joe Eisenmann with guests Tony Holler and John Garrish. Tony Holler is the track coach at Plainfield North High School outside of Chicago, Illinois. Tony retired from teaching chemistry after 38 years in the classroom and has 40 years of coaching experience in American Football, Basketball and Track & Field. Tony is member of Illinois Track & Field Hall of Fame and Co-director of Track Football Consortium along with Chris Korfist. Tony created the revolutionary "Feed the cats" in 19999 and plans to publish his first book in 2022. John Garrish is the Director of Athletic Development & Performance at North Broward Prep School in Florida, and also serves as the Director of Athletic Performance for the Florida Rugby Union 7s. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wagner College, where he participated in Track & Field, and a Masters in Kinesiology & Exercise Science from the University of North Texas where he was also an intern with the Strength & Conditioning Program. In this chat they cover: The phases of speed. Testing and evaluation of speed. Teaching and coaching the biomechanics of acceleration and maximal velocity sprinting. The role of strength training and plyometrics in speed development. Programming for speed development. Get your discounted early bird ticket to LTAD Network Conference here! The 2022 Conference runs from 9-10th July at Hartpury University with a selection of world class speakers! Don’t miss out! Get more details and secure your place here! To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

In this episode, the LTAD Network Podcast takes a slightly different turn as I invite James Bakerto give a preview of the upcoming 2022 LTAD Network Conference, taking place on July 9-10th at Hartpury University.  In this episode we cover:  The benefits of Live events vs Online events. What audience the LTAD Network Conference is designed for. An overview of some of the Keynote Speakers, Topics and why they were selected. Why we aim for an equal balance of both Theory and Practical delivery. The daily schedule for the Conference. An opportunity to win a Free Ticket to the 2022 Conference.  Get your discounted early bird ticket to LTAD Network Conference here! The 2022 Conference runs from 9-10th July at Hartpury University with a selection of world class speakers! Don’t miss out! Get more details and secure your place here! To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

Aimee Ellen O'Keeffe is a Performance Nutritionist at Manchester United Women's team and owner of Committed Nutrition Ltd, her own private nutrition coaching company. Aimee is passionate about the female athlete, particularly breaking down barriers to fuelling and changing attitudes towards carbohydrates. Aimee has carried out a lot of research since starting in her role at Manchester United, analysing areas such as MD-1 carbohydrate intake, injury nutrition, half time carbohydrate intake to name a few. In this episode Aimee discusses: How working with a young female footballer with a stress fracture lead to her doing a Masters in Nutrition. Relative Energy Deficit Syndrome or "REDS". How underfuelling nutritionally can result in compromised bone health and stress fractures. What a day in the life of a full-time nutritionist in a pro football club looks like. The difference between disorder eating and an eating disorder. How nutrition can affect the menstrual cycle and why this matters. How social media can influence young female athletes to underfuel. You can keep up to date with Aimee's work via Instagram: @committednutrition2020 and Twitter: @Aimeellen1 . Get your discounted early bird ticket to LTAD Network Conference here! The 2022 Conference runs from 9-10th July at Hartpury University with a selection of world class speakers! Don’t miss out! Get more details and secure your place here! To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

Dr Liz Durden-Myers is a physical education researcher and teacher educator with over 15 years' experience within education across the primary, secondary and higher education sectors. She is currently a Senior Lecturer In Physical Education at the University of Gloucestershire & Bath Spa University, Managing Director & Co-Founder at PE Scholar & Scholary and Past Chair of the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA). Liz is a qualified teacher and holds a PhD in Physical Literacy, a MA in Education, a MSc in Psychology and a BA (Hons) in Physical Education with QTS. Her research fields include Education, Physical Education, Philosophy, Health, Sport and Wellbeing. She has specific expertise in Physical Literacy, Teaching Pedagogy, Curriculum Design and Teacher Professional Development. Liz is an international speaker, passionate educator and physical activity advocate who champions the value of physical activity for life, for health, wellbeing and human flourishing. In this episode she discusses: The concept of human flourishing and the key principles. The relationship between Physical Activity and our Environment. What exactly is "Physical Literacy". How do we assess Physical Literacy? What is success in Physical Education? Are current/future generations of teachers equipped to deliver PE effectively? Why PE should stand for "Positive Experiences" not "Public Embarrassment". Get your discounted early bird ticket to LTAD Network Conference here! The 2022 Conference runs from 9-10th July at Hartpury University with a selection of world class speakers! Don’t miss out! Get more details and secure your place here! To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

Dan Howells is a high performance coach, with a career spanning over 15 years of work in elite sport, both in the UK and the USA. Dan is a certified Strength & Conditioning coach and has worked with: Olympic and Paralympic Programmes, US and GB Ski Team, English Institute of Sport, Wasps Rugby Club, England Rugby 7s, Team GB Rugby 7s (2016 and 2020 Olympics) and Houston Astros MLB Club. As well as focusing on creating impact and success within performance sport organisations, Dan is passionate about creating real world learning opportunities for developing coaches and practitioners. Coaching coaches is something he is heavily invested in. In this episode Dan discusses: His career in Premiership Rugby, the HSBS 7's World Series, the Olympics and Major League Baseball. How Collaborate Sports was born out of his own adaptability during covid. How Collaborate Sports is helping practitioners gain exposure to real world scenarios. The difference between Coaching vs Facilitating and Negligence vs Mistakes.  Why mentoring can help speed up the time reaching successful resolutions. Why mentoring should be a deliberate decision to raise awareness of developmental gaps. What good mentoring should look/feel like. To learn more about Dan's work with Collaborate Sports you can check out his accounts on Twitter: @howellsdan , Instagram:  @collaborate_sports and the website www.collaboratesports.com .  Get your discounted early bird ticket to LTAD Network Conference here! The 2022 Conference runs from 9-10th July at Hartpury University with a selection of world class speakers! Don’t miss out! Get more details and secure your place here! To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

Ashley Jones is a rugby strength and conditioning coach who has worked at the highest levels of the game for the last 30 years across 4 continents. He was involved with the physical preparation of the Crusaders (Super XV competition), New Zealand All Blacks, Australian Wallabies, Panasonic Rugby in Japan, Edinburgh Rugby in Scotland and the Samoan Rugby Union, prior to joining the Houston Saber cats. He was awarded the NSCA's Professional Coach of the Year in 2016. Ashley holds his CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) since 1988. He is also a columnist at www.elitefts.com and is a sought after speaker and writer for organisations around the world. In this episode Ashley discuss: - how he accidentally ended up playing rugby union instead of rugby league. - A formative interaction with a team captain. - How he went from teaching to coaching. - How his coaching career developed and took him around the world. - What traits he’s noticed in great coaches and athletes in the teams he’s coached. - His approach to athletic development. To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

Dr Sean Cumming is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Bath, as well as a consultant for the Premier League, Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association and Bath Rugby.  In this podcast Sean discusses: The differences between Growth, Maturation, PHV PWV. How these differ between males and females. The effect maturation has on physical attributes like speed, strength and power. The difference between Biobanding and Relative Age. How Biobanding is being used in different organisations. You can follow Sean's work via his Research Gateway profile page. Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.

Dan Noble is the Director of Hockey at Upper Canada College and Former Director of Athlete Performance & Development at The Hill Academy. He is also the Director of Performance at Oshawa Generals and Halifax Thunderbirds as well as the owner of Noble Sports & Performance. He is an Athletic Development Coach, Speaker & Consultant who works with athletes and organizations from the minor, international & professional level. In this episode Dan discusses: His time at the Hill Academy. How volunteering frequently lead to working with the Chinese National Women’s Hockey Team. Why connecting with the person within the athlete is vital. Working with the Canadian Women’s team in lockdown for 600+ days in the lead up to their Gold Medal at the Winter Olympics. Why collaboration with the athlete is important. You can keep up to date with Dan via Instagram: @coachnoble45 and Twitter: @coachnoble45. To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .

David Johnson is an Academy Sports Scientist at West Ham United and previously Academy S&C coach at AFC Bournemouth. He is a PhD candidate at the University of Bath investigating Training Load in Academy Footballers. He holds an MRes in Health and Wellbeing at The University of Bath and a BSc Exercise and Sports Science graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University. In this episode David discusses: How his MRes research investigated the time lost to injuries during the period of 88-95% Predicted Adult Height. How this set the stage for a PhD investigating this issue in greater detail. Identifying the issue of increased injury rates in periods of growth and presenting back to the multi-disciplinary team. Why the overall training load including activities outside of the primary sporting context are important to understand the variety in training load. His intervention seeking to reduce the impact of Growth Related Injuries and the massive 76% reduction they achieved. Why a greater strength training stimulus may be necessary during periods before Growth Related Injuries present. The concept of the "Activity Ladder" and some of the training modification made for players with Growth Related Injuries. You can keep up to date with David's work via his Research Gate profile, as well as his Twitter account: @david_johnson11 . To learn more about the LTAD Network check out www.ltadnetwork.com or follow on Instagram: @ltadnetwork or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltadnetwork . You can keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our www.athleticevolution.co.uk , Instagram: @athleticevouk and Twitter: @athleticevouk .