Renowned football researcher Alberto Filter joins the podcast to discuss the significance of curvilinear sprinting in football training. He highlights that about 85% of sprints in football are curvilinear, stressing the need for specific training. Alberto introduces an innovative approach using the penalty box arc and recommends exercises like landmine and wall drills. He also emphasizes the importance of context in training by encouraging coaches to watch matches. Alberto's insights and training suggestions promise to be invaluable for coaches, trainers, and football enthusiasts.

Jonathan Weakley, a leading figure in the realm of Velocity-Based Training (VBT), discusses the intricacies and evolution of VBT, emphasizing its historical roots and the impact of modern technology. The three foundational tenets of VBT, the transformative power of feedback, real-time feedback's ability to improve performance by up to 8%, and various technologies used in VBT are also explored.

Matt featured on episode #459 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What are the benefits of microdosing How we can utilise those benefits effectively Using microdosing during fixture congestion Check out the full episode with Matt here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/how-to-implement-micro-dosing-strategies-in-team-sports/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

Jack Nayler, Head of Sports Science at Everton FC and with 10 years of experience at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Celtic and Everton, reflects on working with players at top football clubs. He emphasizes the importance of trusting players with an innate understanding of their bodies and the significance of communication and observation. Nayler also discusses the pressures faced by famous players and the role of ego in success. He explores the challenges faced by sports scientists at big clubs and the focus on winning games. Throughout, he highlights the dedication and professionalism of players like Ronaldo, Modric, and Ramos.

Nicol featured on episode #388 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - The value of screening athletes to understand injury risk What screens they perform at Irish Rugby The value these screens have on injury rates Check out the full episode with Nicol here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/what-injury-prevention-strategies-work/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of combat sports, specifically boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA), and the critical aspects of training and preparation that underpin these intense disciplines. Our expert panel includes Duncan French, from the UFC Performance Institute, Danny Wilson, Co-founder of Boxing Science, and Rhys Ingram, formerly of GB Taekwondo and currently with GB Cycling. They kick off the discussion by emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary teams in supporting athletes, including strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. The challenge lies in orchestrating these diverse experts to work cohesively for the benefit of the athlete. The panel explores various training philosophies, particularly when it comes to building strength and power in combat sports athletes. The focus here is on lower body impulse and trunk muscle mass as significant contributors to punching power. Training strategies include lower force, high-velocity movements, and max strength development. Assessments play a pivotal role in athlete profiling, with tests like countermovement jumps, drop jumps, isometric mid-thigh pulls, and peak plantar flexion tests providing insights into an athlete's ability to generate force quickly and efficiently. The conversation also delves into situational training, where athletes are exposed to unorthodox and challenging scenarios to prepare them mentally and physically for fights. This approach helps athletes develop mental toughness and resilience, crucial for success in combat sports. Finally, the experts address the complex issue of weight cutting and management. They stress the importance of distinguishing between chronic weight descent and acute weight cutting, offering valuable insights into the science and methodology behind effective weight management. The discussion touches on the significance of day-before weigh-ins and the duty of care toward athletes. This episode provides an in-depth look at the intricate world of combat sports training, profiling, situational training, and weight management, offering valuable insights for athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts alike. Main talking points: Utilising multidisciplinary team support. Focusing on lower body impulse for power. Which assessments to use to inform programming. How to build mental and physical resiliance Weight management and acute cutting. Day-before weigh-ins and athlete care

Experts in women's football discuss the relevance of menstrual cycle tracking in training and performance. They emphasize the need for tailored approaches and collaboration within the women's football community. Gender-neutral perspective on eccentric training and the importance of education in menstrual health are highlighted. Challenges faced by women footballers in game schedule and recovery are explored, along with training principles in women's football and the potential link between menstrual cycle and ACL injury risk.

Tim Parham, Head of Player Health at Adelaide Football Club, provides insights into the multifaceted approach to hamstring injury management and prevention. He shares strategies such as tailored training consistency, eccentric strength dosing, and individualized exercise selection. Tim discusses the challenge of finding the right balance between aggressive rehabilitation and cautious progression, emphasizing the importance of transparency, education, and collaboration with athletes. He also elaborates on the progression of high-intensity eccentric exercises and the importance of addressing individual needs and incorporating high-speed exposures into rehab sessions.

Dr. Chris Bishop, Associate Professor at Middlesex University, discusses the intricacies of asymmetries in sports performance. He emphasizes the need for context-aware analysis and highlights the limitations of relying solely on asymmetry metrics. Chris explores correlations, challenges with force plates, and selecting meaningful metrics for fatigue monitoring and injury rehab.

Sports performance expert Phil Scott discusses the use of anaerobic speed reserve to 'bucket' athletes based on their conditioning. He talks about the tests used to collect anaerobic speed reserve data and how to create thresholds within the data. Individualizing conditioning based on these 'buckets' is also discussed.