Marc Lewis, Director of Sports Science at the Houston Texans, discusses athlete fatigue management, load monitoring, and recovery optimization. He explains fatigue monitoring techniques, the importance of robust monitoring protocols, and the role of sleep and nutrition in recovery. Additionally, he explores various recovery modalities, such as cold water immersion, to manage fatigue in American football.

Matt Cuthbert, Women’s Physical Performance Coach at The Football Association, discusses the concept of microdosing in resistance training. He explores its benefits, such as pre-session performance enhancement and load management. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between coaches and individualizing training for optimal adaptation.

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast sees engaging in a fascinating conversation with Kurt Hester, Head of Sports Performance for Football at Tulane University. This episode delves deep into the ever-evolving world of athletic development, offering valuable takeaways for coaches. Kurt emphasizes the importance of adaptation in training, steering away from rigid approaches and instead focusing on the individual needs of athletes. He challenges the prevalent obsession with strength numbers and highlights the significance of a more comprehensive athlete-centered approach to preparation. Drawing from his expertise, Kurt shares his innovative incorporation of sports science, particularly the transformative impact of breathing techniques on performance. By embracing this aspect of training, he explains how it optimizes recovery, enhances focus, and prepares athletes for the rigors of their sport. Throughout the episode, the discussion revolves around striking a balance between data-driven methodologies and intuitive coaching. Kurt advocates for coaches to spend time observing athletes in action, creating a meaningful correlation between data and on-field performance. If you are a coach seeking new insights to elevate your athletes' performance or a sports enthusiast curious about the future of American football training, this episode is a must-listen. Main talking points: Reassessing our obsession with strength Impact of absolute strength on output Challenging conventional conditioning approaches Kurt's biggest frustrations with strength and conditioning The biggest thing he has added to his programme in the last 12 months The biggest thing he has removed from his programme in the last 12 months Breathing techniques to enhance athletic performance Balancing sports science and observation

Join Rob on this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast as he delves into the world of game speed training with Dan Grange and Daniel Tobin, both of Gloucester Rugby. Discover their revolutionary approach to game speed training and the challenges they face in achieving optimal transfer from training to gameplay. Dan and Dan share their philosophy, focusing on creating key principles that encompass different strategies rather than getting lost in a sea of training options. They emphasize the importance of effective communication with coaches, ensuring a common understanding of training objectives and encouraging collaboration where needed. Explore the core of their gamespeed methodology which includes four key change direction strategies: the split step or shuffle step, the lane change, the zigzag, and the cut to a curve. Dan Grange reveals how they tailor these strategies to suit different players based on their physical qualities and positions on the field. They stress the significance of technical evaluation through targeted Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), tracking individual and team improvements over time. The conversation delves deeper into the transfer aspect, acknowledging that measuring the success of game-speed training can be messy. They both emphasise the need to rely on educated opinions to gauge the impact on the team's system and identify areas that require further attention. They acknowledge the importance of personalized feedback to players, using video clips and one-on-one conversations to enhance their decision-making and execution during games. Dan and Dan's dedication to adding value to players shines through, as they continuously seek new technologies and approaches to further enhance game-speed training. "Using collaboration and smart data collection to enhance the transfer of training" is a captivating podcast that offers a rare glimpse into the world of rugby performance training. Gain deeper insights into how game-speed training can revolutionize player performance and elevate team success. Whether you're a coach, player, or sports enthusiast, this podcast is a must-listen for those seeking to unlock their full potential and gain a competitive edge on the field. Tune in and be inspired by the innovative strategies and dedication to excellence shared by Dan and Dan, as they navigate the fascinating world of training transfer and gamespeed. Main talking points: Importance of specific game speed training Focus on key movement strategies Analyzing technical improvements with KPIs Navigating messy transfer of training Collaborating effectively with coaches Adding value to players through feedback Technology limitations in game speed analysis Honest reviews for progress and improvement.

On this week's episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Human Performance Coach at Rude Rock Strength, Danny Foley. Danny is on this episode to discuss all things fascia and a fascia based approach to performance training and rehabilitation. In the first half of this episode we get to grips with what fascia actually is and how we can assess an athlete's fascia quality. Despite this being really difficult, Danny explains his subjective assessments and how other coaches can develop their own assessments. Then we start to unpack what a fascia based approach actually is and how its different to a traditional training approach. In the second half of the episode we dive deeper into what a fascia based training approach is and how it can be specifically used in certain rehabilitations. Given how important the feet as within this approach, we get Danny's take on foot training specifically. This is an incredibly thought-provoking episode and we would love any feedback off the back of it. Enjoy. Main talking points: Danny's story Understanding fascia Assessing and measuring fascial quality Fascia based training approach How does this differ to a traditional training approach Using this approach to run faster and jump higher Using the fascia based approach during RTP Training the foot and ankle

Tony featured on episode #450 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What is the purpose of an "activation" session What do we think/hope they are doing What are they actually doing? Check out the full episode with Tony here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/activation-sessions-and-asymmetries-are-they-really-that-important/ 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.

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Professor at the University of Saint-Étienne, JB Morin joins Rob to chat about navigating scientific research and how we can use research intelligently to inform practice.  In the first half of this episode we delve into how to read a research paper properly. How can we systematically go through a paper, understand the content and pick the potential red flags which may highlight as to why you may question the conclusions drawn by the author. The publication process is definitely not flawless and without its faults and readers need to be aware of this. JB talks through these flaws and how readers can fully understand them and improve the critique of research. In the second half of the episode, JB gives his opinion on the "publish or perish" bias that leads to poor and sometimes not very original research. We finish off the episode with a discussion around using research in practice and how coaches and sports scientists should (or shouldn't) use research to inform practice. Reading, understanding and deciphering research is one of the most important tools within our profession. JB, a researcher for over 20 years can help you develop that skill. Give it a listen! Main talking points -  How to read a research paper "Red flags" within each section of a paper The over and under reliance on academic literature The importance for practitioners to maintain a research thread throughout their careers Is the PhD the new MSc? Dirty little secrets of the publication process

Robin featured on episode #334 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What it was like working alongside José How thoughts on training load monitoring Robin's switch towards subjective data to provide useful insights to the manager Check out the full episode with Nathan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-334-robin-thorpe/ 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.

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast sees Rob speaking to Manager of Sport Sciences at the New South Wales Institute of Sport, Alex Natera, Head of Strength and Conditioning at the Singapore Sport Institute, Danny Lum and now Head of Academy Physical Performance at Manchester City FC, Matt Taberner.  These three guys are true experts in this area, not only from a applied perspective but also an academic one. In the first part of this episode we discuss the process of creating isometric strength training exercises that overload a particular position that is specific to a sport. We then transition into a discussion around quasi-isometrics, what they are and how we can use them from a performance perspective but also a rehabilitation one. We then finish off the first part of this episode discussing the use of isometric testing and training with and without technology. Within this, Matt discusses how he would programme isometrics and keep a track on intensity without the use of force plates. In the second half of the episode we kick off with Danny who takes us through some of his applied work and research, delving into some of the improvements he has seen using isometric strength training. We then tap into Alex's experience of working with youth athletes to discuss the use of isometrics in this population. Matt then gives his opinion on use isometrics with female athletes and how it could be part of the antidote to injury prevention. We then finish off with some discussion around fitting isometric testing into a testing and monitoring system. This episode is one of a kind. Three experts in one area all on a call at the same time. If you're into isometrics, this is for you! Main talking points -  How to create sport specific isometric exercises Using isometrics with youth athletes Isometrics and return to play How to assess isometrics with and without force plates Quasi-isometrics and their part in performance enhancement Isometrics as part of the ACL antidote

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast features Head of Athletic Performance at the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby, Nick Lumley. This episode is all about maximising training transfer and understanding what best transfers based on an intelligent use of testing and a good understanding of data. In the first half of the episode we chat through Nick's philosophy when it comes to building strong, powerful rugby players capable of performing at the highest level. He talks about his use of non-technically demanding exercises like the leg press over the squat and how he has changed the way he programmes. Nick also details how he makes alterations to his programme for the bigger guys in the squad. In the second half of the episode we dive into training transfer. Nick explains what data he collects on a regular basis and how he manipulates that data to understand which exercises do and don't transfer to the qualities he and the coaches want to see on the field. Performance in which exercises predict speed? If you want to understand what maximises training transfer and how to use data to do that, check out this excellent episode with Nick Lumley. Main talking points: Nick's philosophy and how he builds beasts Use of non-technically demanding exercises like a leg press Moulding a programme around adaptations rather than exercise selection Considerations for larger players Collecting data to inform decisions on exercise selection Using statistics to understand training transfer