The Speed Lab Podcast

In this episode of The Speed Lab Podcast, Les and Danny dive deep into the lessons from the NFL Combine, athlete rehab, and the balance between art and science in coaching. They share behind-the-scenes insights on calf strain rehab, the role of connective tissue, the challenges of interdisciplinary work, and how to create individualized plans inside a team environment. Episode Timestamps 0:00 – 4:30 | Crash course beginnings, chaos, and lessons learned 4:30 – 11:00 | Solving problems in human performance & staying curious 15:30 – 17:15 | Quadrants as a blueprint for sprint mechanics 26:30 – 33:00 | Inside calf strain rehab: long-duration isometrics, recovery, and daily oversight 35:00 – 37:15 | Connective tissue vs. muscle dominance — why strains happen 41:00 – 43:30 | Why rest and separation of health/performance fails athletes 53:30 – 55:30 | The paradox of concentric vs. eccentric force 58:30 – 1:04:00 | Foot mechanics, posterior tibialis, and performance impact 1:10:30 – 1:13:30 | Leadership lessons: range of motion, reliability, and profiling 1:16:40 – 1:19:45 | Individualization within team programming 1:26:15 – 1:29:45 | NFL complexity and building continuity of care 1:33:00 – End | The future of performance, human connection, and relationshipsInterested in learning more about the Universal Speed Rating? Click here to schedule a short call with our team.

Dive into the fascinating world of the stretch shortening cycle and the often-overlooked role of pre-tension in sprinting. Discover how faster sprinters generate higher braking forces and why eccentric strength is critical for elite performance. Explore case studies revealing breakthroughs in athlete training and development. Learn about innovative training methods that can enhance ground contact efficiency and tendon health. Uncover practical insights from force plate metrics that reveal the mechanics of speed.

In this discussion, Ken Clark, a kinesiology professor and sprint biomechanics expert, delves into the intricacies of speed development. He explores the mechanics behind acceleration and top speed, highlighting the vital roles of vertical and horizontal forces. Ken shares insights on how elite sprinters differ in their ground striking through his two-mass model theory. Topics like the surprising relationship between foot speed and ground speed and the importance of muscle-tendon interactions during braking provide listeners with valuable training takeaways for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Stuart McMillan, Co-founder and CEO of ALTIS, is a leading authority on speed and strength in sports. He delves into evolving coaching philosophies, emphasizing the importance of individual athlete variability and complex systems. Stuart discusses the significance of leadership and purposeful structures in team dynamics. He shares insights on reflexive eccentrics and their impact on performance, the value of learning from outlier athletes, and the integration of complexity science in training. Plus, he highlights the upcoming Grand Cayman Team Speed Event, promising rich discussions and practical insights.