Training Science Podcast

We have more athlete tracking data than ever before. But are we actually measuring what matters? Dr Ted Polglaze joins the podcast to reflect on more than three decades in sports science, from manually tracking athletes on VHS tapes to the arrival of GPS and today's increasingly sophisticated approaches to measuring movement and load. His career has spanned multiple Olympic campaigns, elite field hockey, water polo, rowing, and other high performance environments. The conversation dives into metabolic and mechanical power, why speed and distance alone cannot capture the true demands of team sports, and the importance of acceleration, direction, movement orientation, and what Ted calls "erraticness." Ted and Martin also discuss one element that has increasingly disappeared from modern tracking analysis: time. From the limitations of current models to where athlete tracking could go next, this episode is a reminder that better technology does not automatically mean better understanding. Interested in learning more about the latest developments in endurance performance and sports science? Subscribe to the HIIT Science email list for updates on new research, courses, and educational opportunities. Today's Speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-buchheit-6a355828/?locale=fr Dr Ted Polglaze: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-polglaze-oly-23b6a81b3/

Top Episode Replay: HEAT🔥 training is ESTABLISHED, EASY ✅ and FOR EVERYONE! Get on it NOW! Brad Culp wants you to understand that HEAT training is not a FAD, and that PREPARING for your ENVIRONMENT is ESSENTIAL to your performance. Norwegians can do it, so can you! Plus, training is cheap🤑! In the 139th episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul and Brad discuss: 🔎 the FULL SCOPE of the “NORWEGIAN” method; 🥑 why FAT metabolism, volume AND intensity are all ESSENTIAL for endurance; 🇳🇴 how to BUILD a strong sense of “PURPOSE” around high-performance across all ages and sports - like in NORWAY! _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof. Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Brad Culp https://twitter.com/bbculp _____________________ References: Brad’s Norwegian Methods book: https://www.amazon.com/Norwegian-Method-Groundbreaking-Endurance-Performance/dp/B0CTYHG1ZV?dplnkId=ab116467-05b9-4879-b431-50bdef7a5e20 _____________________

What actually happens to the body when an athlete enters dangerously cold water? Dr Jørgen Melau brings more than 20 years of experience as Safety Director and Chief of the Medical and Safety Team at the Norseman Extreme Triathlon, alongside a background in helicopter search and rescue and research into cold water swimming. In this episode, Jørgen breaks down the physiology of cold water immersion, from the initial cold shock response to the loss of muscle function that can occur within minutes. He also explores hypothermia, swimming induced pulmonary edema, the surprising temperature drop athletes can experience after leaving the water, and why cold water can place significant stress on the heart. The conversation also looks at whether athletes can truly acclimatize to cold, how to prepare for extreme events like Norseman, and what more than a decade of research at one of the world's toughest triathlons is teaching us about making endurance sport safer. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Jørgen Melau https://www.melau.no/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmelau/ https://jorgenmelau.substack.com/

Athletes have access to more data than ever before. But more data does not automatically lead to better decisions. In this episode, Mollie Brewer explores the intersection of sports science, artificial intelligence, wearable technology, and human computer interaction. Drawing on her experience in professional cycling and her current research in computer science, Mollie explains why getting the fundamentals of athlete data right matters before we can unlock the potential of AI. The conversation explores data literacy, training load and intensity management, the risks of chasing metrics, and how interface design can influence athlete behaviour. Mollie also discusses how AI could help bring together previously siloed information while preserving the human expertise, judgement, and athlete feedback needed to interpret it effectively. Interested in learning more about the latest developments in endurance performance and sports science? Subscribe to the HIIT Science email list for updates on new research, courses, and educational opportunities. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Mollie Brewer https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollie-brewer-21a230aa/

HYROX is exploding in popularity, but the science behind what actually drives performance is only beginning to catch up. Dr Ludwig Rappelt joins the podcast to unpack new research examining the demands of HYROX and how performance has evolved across its first seven seasons. With running accounting for nearly half of total race time, endurance provides the foundation, but the data suggests strength based stations can play an outsized role in separating stronger performances from weaker ones. The conversation explores the balance between strength and endurance, potential thresholds for VO2 max and maximal strength, where athletes may still have untapped performance gains, and how HYROX specific training could evolve as the sport and its research base continue to mature. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Ludwig Rappelt https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludwig-rappelt-b5239b18a/ Resources: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1847569/full

What happens when you stop looking at performance through the lens of individual disciplines and start putting performance itself at the centre? Katie Slattery and Jamie Stanley unpack their Performance Centred Practice framework, developed from years of experience across the Australian high performance system. They explore how coaches, sport scientists, practitioners, and athletes can build a shared understanding of what performance actually requires, then connect those demands directly to training and decision making. The conversation covers shared mental models, productive disagreement within interdisciplinary teams, improving performance meetings, defining training quality beyond simple physical metrics, and creating better feedback loops between what happens in training and what ultimately matters in competition. Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Katie Slattery https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Katie.Slattery Jamie Stanley https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-stanley-a5a7265b/ Athletica U https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

What can AI reveal about the training habits of the world's best distance runners? In this episode, we dive into groundbreaking new research that combines artificial intelligence with one of the most unique datasets ever collected from elite Ethiopian marathon and half marathon runners. From uncovering hidden training patterns to understanding why context matters more than raw data, this conversation explores how AI can enhance sports science without replacing human expertise. We also discuss the future of AI in endurance coaching, why large language models are powerful tools rather than true intelligence, and how practitioners can use these technologies to ask better questions and uncover better answers. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Palo Galko https://www.linkedin.com/in/palo-galko-6b06a96/

Breaking into elite football isn't always a straight path. For Daniel Caraça, it meant years of unpaid internships, balancing university with part time jobs, and never losing sight of the bigger goal. In this episode, Daniel shares his remarkable journey from studying sports science in the UK and volunteering across Scottish football to earning his first professional role with Pafos FC and helping the club compete in the UEFA Champions League. Along the way, he reflects on resilience, networking, continuous learning, and why attitude often opens more doors than experience alone. Whether you're an aspiring practitioner or already working in high performance sport, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons on building a career from the ground up. Want to hear about future courses, podcasts, and exclusive offers? Join our email list to stay up to date and receive access to subscriber only announcements and limited time discounts. Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Daniel Caraça https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcara%C3%A7a/ Athletica U https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

What if one of the most powerful performance tools isn't a supplement, a training method, or new technology, but belief itself? In this episode, S&C specialist Assoc Prof Vince Kelly explores the science behind the belief effect and how athlete expectations, coach communication, environment, and trust can meaningfully influence performance outcomes. From placebo and nocebo effects to coaching philosophy and practitioner credibility, this conversation unpacks why how an intervention is delivered can be just as important as the intervention itself. Whether you're a coach, sport scientist, clinician, or athlete, this episode offers practical insights into building stronger coach athlete relationships, improving communication, and creating environments that maximize performance. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399926003946 Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Assoc Prof Vince Kelly https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-kelly-6452a621/ Athletica U https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

Supporting young female athletes requires more than great training programs. It starts with understanding the unique physiological, psychological, and developmental changes they experience throughout puberty. In this episode, Dr Julia Casadio shares her personal journey from aspiring Olympian to elite sport physiologist, and explains how those experiences inspired the creation of Her Strength. Together, we explore the challenges facing young female athletes, including body image, menstrual health, injury risk, nutrition, and the role coaches and parents play in creating positive sporting environments. The conversation also covers practical strategies for supporting female athletes through puberty, recognizing early warning signs of low energy availability, and helping more girls stay healthy, confident, and involved in sport for the long term. NEW COURSE with Dr Julia Casadio: Her Strength Coach Course https://hiit-science.thinkific.com/courses/herstrength-coachcourse Athletica U https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

How do you build stronger, more powerful footballers when there is barely enough time to recover between matches? In this episode, Nick Grantham shares how his approach to strength and conditioning has evolved after years working in elite Olympic sport and the English Premier League. The conversation explores why strength remains a cornerstone of elite football performance, how to individualize training across a congested season, and why chasing the "perfect" gym session may no longer be the answer. Nick also explains the concept of nano dosing, using small but meaningful strength exposures throughout the week, while discussing minimum effective dose, player monitoring, injury mitigation, and balancing long term athletic development with match readiness. Interested in learning more about the latest developments in endurance performance and sports science? Subscribe to the HIIT Science email list for updates on new research, courses, and educational opportunities. Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Nick Graham https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgranthamconsultancyltd/ Athletica U https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

⚡ EVOLVING COACHING for MODERN ATHLETES: INSIGHTS with JONAS DODOO 🏃‍♂️🔥 From sprinting mechanics to AI-driven analysis, Jonas Dodoo is helping redefine what effective coaching looks like in today’s game ⚽💨 In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin sits down with Jonas to unpack how coaches can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape: 🧠 Balancing physical preparation with mental performance 🩺Context matters for injury history & subjective responses 🤖 How AI can enhance analysis and unlock new insights 🤝 Trust & buy-in: the cornerstones of effective coaching — #TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #Coaching #AthletePerformance #Rehabilitation #SportsScience #SprintTraining #InjuryPrevention #Football #AthleteDevelopment #AIinSports #PerformanceAnalysis #Trust #CoachAthleteRelationship #TrainingMethods _____________________ Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Jonas Dodoo https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-tawiah-dodoo-14b38920/

Training isn't just about replicating race demands. It's about understanding the physiology that drives performance. In this episode, Dr Gabriele Gallo, founder of Knowledge is Watts, joins us to explore the concept of a physiology first approach to endurance training. Together, we discuss why successful coaching goes beyond chasing power numbers, how low and high intensity training work together over different timeframes, and why durability may be one of the most important frontiers in endurance performance. The conversation also explores fatigue resistance, carbohydrate availability, muscle damage, central fatigue, and how emerging technologies and AI may help coaches better understand the complex relationship between physiology and performance. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports scientist, this episode offers practical insights into building long term endurance through smarter training principles rather than simply copying race demands. Interested in learning more about the latest developments in endurance performance and sports science? Subscribe to the HIIT Science email list for updates on new research, courses, and educational opportunities. https://www.knowledgeiswatt.com/ https://knowledgeiswatt.substack.com/ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Gabriele Gallo https://x.com/knowledgeiswatt Athletica U https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

For decades, lactate was viewed as a waste product associated with fatigue and declining performance. Today, a growing body of research paints a very different picture. In this episode, sports scientist and researcher Aitor Viribay Morales explores the evolving science of lactate, from its role as a critical fuel source to its emerging importance as a signaling molecule that influences performance, recovery, and adaptation. The conversation dives into the lactate shuttle theory, the relationship between lactate and endurance performance, the interaction between lactate and the nervous system, and the growing interest in exogenous lactate as a potential tool for athletes. Aitor also shares insights from his work in exercise metabolism and sports nutrition, highlighting how our understanding of lactate continues to evolve beyond traditional models of fatigue. Whether you're a coach, athlete, researcher, or endurance enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the most misunderstood molecules in sports science. Interested in learning more about the latest developments in endurance performance and sports science? Subscribe to the HIIT Science email list for updates on new research, courses, and educational opportunities. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Aitor Viribay Morales: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aitor-viribay-598336155 https://glut4science.com/

What happens when you study people who have spent decades consistently running marathons? In this episode, we sit down with researcher and multi marathoner Leo Lundy to explore what endurance athletes can teach us about healthy aging, longevity, and lifelong performance. Drawing from his PhD research on multi marathoners around the world, Leo shares insights into cardiovascular fitness, VO₂ max, all cause mortality, cognitive performance, mental health, and the long term effects of sustained endurance training. The conversation examines why regular physical activity may help slow age-related decline, how motivation evolves across the lifespan, and what separates successful aging from simply getting older. Leo also discusses important vulnerabilities within endurance communities, including injury risk, painkiller use, mental health challenges, and the importance of ongoing health screening. Whether you're an athlete, coach, practitioner, or simply interested in extending your healthspan, this episode offers a fascinating look at what decades of consistent movement can teach us about living and aging well. Interested in learning more from leading experts in endurance performance and healthy aging? Join the HIIT Science email list for the latest research, podcast episodes, and educational opportunities. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Leo Lundy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-lundy-5509501a2/ https://multimarathon.research.st/

What does it take to build a high performance culture inside elite European football? In this episode, Martin sits down with Christian Clarup to discuss his journey from academy football in Denmark to leadership roles at FC Midtjylland, Sparta Prague, the Danish National Team, and the Bundesliga. Christian shares lessons learned from working across different countries, cultures, and football environments, including title winning campaigns, Champions League football, and the realities of operating inside some of Europe's most demanding clubs. The conversation explores how speed, power, and intensity shape his performance philosophy, why efficient training matters more than longer sessions, and how strength training, monitoring, and athlete buy in can support performance without creating unnecessary fatigue. They also discuss leadership, staff stability, building performance departments, managing change within clubs, and the personal realities of working in elite football while balancing family life and long term career development. Whether you're a performance practitioner, coach, sports scientist, or simply interested in what happens behind the scenes at the highest levels of football, this episode offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of building successful performance environments. Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Christian Clarup https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-clarup-5891a685/

What should endurance athletes actually eat before training? Does fasted training improve adaptation? And why do some athletes thrive on high carbohydrate intake while others perform better with less? In this episode, Dr Jeff Rothschild joins the podcast to unpack the complexity behind endurance nutrition, recovery, and training adaptation. Drawing from his work as a sports dietitian, researcher, and performance analyst, Jeff shares insights from years of research exploring carbohydrate practices, fasted training, substrate utilization, and individual variability in athlete response. The conversation explores why high intensity sessions may not require fasted training to stimulate adaptation, how recovery responses differ dramatically between athletes, and why generalized nutrition guidelines often fail to capture individual needs. Jeff also discusses the growing role of data science, machine learning, and longitudinal athlete monitoring in understanding recovery and fueling strategies, along with the practical realities of applying nutrition science in elite sport. This episode offers a balanced and highly practical discussion on endurance nutrition, helping athletes and coaches better understand how to fuel training without getting lost in dogma or extremes. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Jeff Rothschild https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rothschild-phd-016170146/ https://www.eatsleep.fit/

🥑 RETHINKING NUTRITION in ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE 💥🧠 Tim Noakes & Phil Maffetone aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo — especially when it comes to CARBS, FAT, and FUELING the brain 🧬 In this thought-provoking episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul, Tim & Phil dig into what REALLY fuels performance: 🔥 How FAT OXIDATION supports endurance when carbs run low 🧠 Why the BRAIN—not the body—often decides your limits 📉 The trouble with INSULIN and sugar addiction in modern diets — #TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #TimNoakes #PhilMaffetone #SportsNutrition #LowCarbHighFat #FatAdaptation #EndurancePerformance #GlucosePools #CarbohydrateDebate #FuelingTheBrain #InsulinResistance #SugarAddiction #MetabolicHealth #AthletePerformance #BrainPower #NutritionRevolution #ChallengingBeliefs #PerformanceFueling #EnergySystems _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof. Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr. Phil Maffetone https://philmaffetone.com/ Prof. Tim Noakes https://x.com/LoreofRunning1

What if endurance performance is not so much about VO2max, lactate threshold, or running economy… but more about the muscular system itself? In this episode, Dr Marius Bakken shares the thinking behind his latest book The Norwegian Method Applied and the decades of experimentation that shaped his approach to endurance training. From double threshold training and lactate controlled intensity to muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, this conversation explores performance through a very different lens. The discussion unpacks why sub-threshold training became foundational within the Norwegian system, how muscular state may influence performance and fatigue more than most athletes realize, and why recovery is often misunderstood in modern endurance training. Marius also reflects on his experiences training in Kenya, his observations of elite African runners, and how balancing training load may matter more than any other factor. This episode challenges conventional thinking around endurance performance and opens up a broader discussion about what truly limits adaptation, recovery, and race day performance. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Marius Bakken https://www.mariusbakken.com/ The Norwegian Method Applied Book: http://geni.us/norwegianmethod

What really happens to your neuromuscular system after different types of HIIT — and how do we know? This episode does something we've been building toward for years: puts real data behind the HIIT Science taxonomy. Using low-frequency fatigue measurements from Myocene technology, Martin Buchheit tested the taxonomy on himself — mapping how different interval types load and recover the neuromuscular system in ways we previously could only infer. The conversation covers why some sessions crush your legs for 48 hours while others don't, why neuromuscular RPE tracks fatigue better than most coaches expect, and why the distinction between load and response still gets muddled in practice. The episode closes with a second topic: how change of direction changes everything in HIIT prescription — and why acceleration and deceleration capacity need to drive individualization in team sport training. In this episode: Why HIIT has always been about more than metabolic zones Low-frequency fatigue as an objective window into neuromuscular recovery Concentric vs. eccentric load — why cycling and running recover so differently Neuromuscular RPE: cheap, practical, and surprisingly valid Rethinking COD-based interval prescription for team sport athletes Martin Buchheit's New Course For those interested in going deeper, Martin’s updated course on Load and Response Monitoring in Elite Football is now available inside the HIIT Science course library. It builds on the same ideas discussed here, focusing on how to better connect training load with athlete response using practical frameworks and real world examples Early access is currently available for a limited time. You can subscribe to the HIIT Science email list to receive details and access to the discount https://hiit-science.thinkific.com/courses/monitoring-load-and-response?ck_subscriber_id=4050821192&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Its%20finally%20here:%20Martin%20Buchheits%20New%20Course%20%F0%9F%8E%89%20-%2021641648

Are asymmetries something we should actually be fixing… or just better understanding? Dr Chris Bishop is an Associate Professor of Strength and Conditioning and one of the leading researchers in interlimb asymmetry, bringing years of work across performance, rehab, and applied sport science. In this conversation, Chris breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in sports performance. From how asymmetries are calculated to whether they even matter, this episode challenges common practices in screening, rehab, and training decisions. He explores why asymmetry data is often noisy, how context changes everything, and why chasing symmetry alone may not lead to better performance or reduced injury risk. Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit: https://martin-buchheit.net/ Dr Chris Bishop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bishop-a2462b35/

What if you could bring lab level physiology into every training session? Arnar Larusson is the founder of Tymewear and is working to make breathing data accessible outside the lab, giving athletes real time insight into how their body is actually responding to training. Coming from a background in mechanical engineering and prosthetics, Arnar saw the gap between what we can measure in controlled environments and what athletes can access in the real world. This conversation explores how ventilation and breathing patterns reveal intensity, efficiency, and stress in ways that heart rate and power alone cannot. From identifying ventilatory thresholds to understanding fatigue and durability, this episode looks at how breathing data could reshape how we train and measure performance. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Arnar Larusson https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnar-larusson-58872a2b/ Tymewear: www.tymewear.com

What does it take to build a career across the highest levels of sport and keep evolving along the way? Jon Bartlett has worked across football AFL the NBA and Olympic cycling building a career shaped by curiosity adaptability and a constant drive to learn. Rather than staying in one system Jon chose to explore different sports and environments to understand how high performance actually works in practice From hands on roles with athletes to leading global development systems and now working in performance technology his journey shows how transferable thinking leadership and problem solving can be across completely different contexts. This episode dives into what he learned at each stage how his role evolved over time and why stepping outside your comfort zone is often the biggest catalyst for growth. Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit: https://martin-buchheit.net/ Jon Bartlett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bartlett-8284503a/

We all “love” 😍 STRENGTH & gym training 🏋🏻 to a certain degree - but that does not mean that you CANNOT develop SPEED & STRENGTH without it! Dr Darren Burgess want you to understand that WHOLE sport CULTURES ⚽ 🏀 🏈 have been developed over decades without having very much strength or speed specific training AT ALL. Many footballers in Europe for example barely do any gym work. Obviously that does not mean it is useless, but it is important to understand that apparently you can get good at the sport WITHOUT it. In the 72nd episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin and Darren discuss how: 🏛️ various sports “cultures” can be a downside or upside if you are a multidisciplinary professional; 🏋️ player specific loads are important, but you need to remember ALL the other types of load a player (and staff too!) experience - it is a whole wellbeing model; 🕛 chronic load for adaption, rehab or simply helping players to improve needs to be balanced and maintained for certain durations, but without “peaks” and “valleys”. _____________________ 👉 REMEMBER: 🏆 The Football Performance Bundle™!🏆 ✅ IN-DEPTH & SPECIFIC HIIT details & workouts for FOOTBALL ✅ ALL the secrets about the MYSTERIOUS ANAEROBIC zone, and how to use it in FOOTBALL ✅ Our CLASSIC & BEST-SELLING HIIT SCIENCE course that contains ALL the information you will ever need for ANYTHING high-intensity 🚀 GO TO OUR BIO NOW OR https://hiit-science.thinkific.com/bundles/football-performance-bundle 🚀 _____________________ Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Dr Darren Burgess https://au.linkedin.com/in/darren-burgess-a1580628 _____________________

What if you could predict your race before you even start? In this episode, Ryan Cooper shares the story behind one of endurance sport’s most influential tools, Best Bike Split. With a background in electrical engineering and aerospace, Ryan saw early on that the same physics used in aviation could be applied to cycling and triathlon performance. We dive into how power meters and modeling unlocked a new way to race, why normalized power became a game changer for long course athletes, and how smart pacing can make or break your entire performance. From early prototypes during the Tour de France to real world validation at world championship races, this episode is a behind the scenes look at how data, physics, and practical application came together to change the way athletes approach race day. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Ryan Cooper https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-f-cooper/

What if your biggest performance limiter isn’t your fitness, but your nervous system? In this episode, Lawrence van Lingen shares a radically different lens on endurance performance, one that shifts the focus from traditional training metrics to fascia, breath, and vagal tone. Drawing from years of work with elite athletes like Andi Böcherer and Jan Frodeno, Lawrence explains how movement efficiency, recovery, and performance breakthroughs often come from restoring internal balance rather than pushing harder. We explore why breathing mechanics and nervous system health are foundational to performance, how simple practices like walking and crawling-like movements can create massive changes, and why many athletes struggle not from lack of effort but from an inability to absorb training. This conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a new way to approach performance, recovery, and long term health. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Lawrence van Lingen https://www.lawrencevanlingen.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@LawrencevanLingen

What actually drives performance in professional cycling, and how much of it is science versus experience? In this episode, Dr David Bailey joins us to unpack over two decades of work across Olympic sport and WorldTour cycling. From talent identification and training philosophy to nutrition, heat, altitude, and the evolving role of data, David shares what really matters when building high performance athletes. We dive into the concept of marginal gains and why most people misunderstand it, how teams prioritize what actually moves the needle, and why talent and training still outweigh everything else. The conversation also explores real world applications of AI, individualized nutrition strategies, and the complex mix of physiology, psychology, and race strategy that ultimately decides who wins. ___________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr David Bailey https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bailey-77111640/

What can heart rate variability actually tell us about training, recovery, and long term health, and where do most people still get it wrong? In this episode, Dr Greg Grosicki joins us to unpack the science and practical value of HRV, from what it really measures to why context matters so much when interpreting it. We explore how exercise intensity, sleep, alcohol, sickness, hydration, and metabolic health can all shape HRV, and why a single daily score often tells only part of the story. We also dive into Greg’s new work on HRV CV, a promising way to understand the stability of recovery over time, and discuss how wearables at scale are changing the kinds of questions sports science can answer. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Greg Grosicki https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorygrosicki/ Greg’s new paper: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpheart.00738.2025?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org

What actually changes as we age as athletes, and how should training evolve if we want to keep performing while protecting long term health? In this episode, Professor Peter Reaburn joins us to explore the science and real world practice of training as a masters athlete. Drawing on decades of research and personal experience as an endurance athlete, Peter explains why resistance training becomes essential with age, how recovery changes, and why training the same way you did in your twenties no longer works. We discuss muscle loss, polarized training, protein intake, and the importance of balancing performance with longevity. The conversation also dives into heart health considerations for aging endurance athletes and why listening to your body may be the most important skill masters athletes can develop. Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Prof Peter Reaburn https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-reaburn-8a498b12/

TOP EPISODE REPLAY Profiling and training SPEED🏎️ individually might be 30% (!!!) of any SPRINTING performance - get ON IT! Prof. Dr. JB Morin would like you to consider that if you do not cover, train or assess the WHOLE SPECTRUM of what your athletes can or cannot do, then you are likely leaving BIG 💥💨 gains on the table. Does 30% matter to you? In the 115th episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin and JB discuss: 📖 the Force-Velocity relationship in SPRINTING; ✅ training SPECIFIC for individual SPEED profiles; ❤️ SPRINT specific resistance training. _____________________ Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Prof. Dr. JB Morin _____________________

Does high intensity training really build the strongest heart, or is it time in Zone 1 and Zone 2 that truly drives cardiac adaptation? In this episode, Dr Guido Claessen joins us to unpack a landmark longitudinal MRI study on endurance athletes that challenges common assumptions about HIIT and heart remodeling. They explore what actually builds the “athletic heart,” why low intensity volume matters more than most think, and what this means for polarized training. They also tackle the harder questions lifelong athletes worry about including atrial fibrillation, coronary plaque, myocarditis, and how much endurance sport might be too much. ________________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr Guido Claessen https://www.linkedin.com/in/guido-claessen-936a18a9/

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/

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Prof Paul Laursen is joined by Stephan Nüsser, performance physiologist and founder of a performance diagnostics lab in Germany, for a deep and practical discussion on lactate testing and endurance performance. Drawing from decades of applied work with cyclists, endurance athletes, and motocross professionals, Stephan explains how lactate can be used to individualize training, define true Zone 2 intensity, and guide long-term athlete development. The conversation explores why lactate is often misunderstood, how production and clearance reflect underlying metabolism, and why longer step protocols can provide clearer insight than fixed threshold formulas. They also discuss carb-optimized nutrition, metabolic flexibility, and why training and fueling should be viewed as a single integrated system rather than separate decisions. References: https://sndc.de/ _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Stephan Nüsser: https://www.instagram.com/sndcde/ _____________________

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 episode of the Training Science Podcast, Dr. Martin Buchheit is joined by João Ribeiro, Head of Performance, to explore how elite football clubs monitor neuromuscular load and fatigue in real-world conditions. Building on their previous discussion around injury prevention and microcycle design, this conversation shifts focus to the response side of the monitoring equation—how athletes adapt to training and competition. João explains how his department integrates GPS data, wellness metrics, creatine kinase (CK), and low-frequency neuromuscular fatigue testing using Myocene to support daily decision-making, particularly during congested fixture periods. They discuss why passive, objective measures are essential when players cannot reliably perform maximal tests, how data is interpreted at the individual athlete level, and how monitoring is used to inform training availability rather than game selection. The episode also highlights feasibility, staff and coach alignment, and player buy-in as critical factors for successfully implementing advanced monitoring systems in applied football environments. References Myocene: https://www.myocene.com/ Today’s speakers Dr. Martin Buchheit: https://martin-buchheit.net/ João Ribeiro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo%C3%A3o-ribeiro-86997955

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Prof Paul Laursen sits down with Professor Anthony Turner to unpack the fundamental laws that underpin performance in every sport, from explosive team games to marathon running and cycling. Instead of debating opinions or trends, Anthony brings everything back to first principles: Newton’s laws of motion, impulse, force, and the biomechanics of movement. Using endurance running as the main example, the conversation explores why strength training is just as essential as VO₂max and threshold for performance and economy. Ant explains how maximum strength and rate of force development shape running economy, ground contact time, stretch-shortening cycle efficiency, and ultimately time to exhaustion. They then extend these concepts to running, cycling, and long-term robustness. Listeners will also learn how to progress strength logically: from movement quality and symmetry, to heavy lifting, to power work and plyometrics, all while staying healthy and reducing injury risk. Whether you coach team sports, work with endurance athletes, or train yourself, this episode will change the way you think about strength training, biomechanics, and sport performance. Perfect for anyone interested in strength and conditioning, running economy, endurance performance, injury prevention, and applied sport science. References: https://thefitnessformula.training/ _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Prof Anthony Turner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-turner-62073788/ _____________________

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Prof. Paul Laursen sits down with Athletica’s AI modeling lead, Dr. Andrea Zignoli, to break down how artificial intelligence is transforming endurance training. Fresh off publishing three major SPSR papers, Andrea explains the evolution of AI systems inside Athletica — from agent-based modeling, to AI-assisted HRV readiness monitoring, to the use of sentiment as a new internal load signal. Paul and Andrea explore how structured “AI agent” architectures and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems allow large language models to move beyond basic chatbot behavior and become powerful tools for interpreting training data, detecting patterns, and supporting smarter athlete decision-making. They also look ahead at “Sport Science 3.0,” a future where coaching remains deeply human but is amplified by AI that can read files, interpret readiness, understand emotional states, and contextualize performance. Whether you're a coach, athlete, sport scientist, or tech-minded performance professional, this episode offers a clear look at how AI is already shaping modern training — and what’s coming next. References: https://tiscourse.vercel.app/about https://sportperfsci.com/the-computational-paths-of-knowledge-in-ai-coaching/ https://sportperfsci.com/sports-science-3-0-series-ai-assisted-hrv-monitoring-enhancing-training-load-response-and-decision-making/ https://sportperfsci.com/signatures-of-fatigue-transformer-based-sentiment-analysis-for-internal-load-monitoring/ _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr. Andrea Zignoli: https://andreazignoli.github.io/ _____________________

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, host Dr. Paul Laursen sits down with neuroscientist and performance expert Dr. Tommy Wood to explore the science behind The Stimulated Mind, Tommy’s groundbreaking approach to optimizing brain health and cognitive performance. They dive into the key pillars of a thriving brain: environment, nutrition, metabolic health, sleep, and exercise. From the neonatal ICU to Formula 1 racing, Dr. Wood connects how our environment, movement, and mindset shape cognitive longevity and peak performance. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or simply striving to think and feel better, this conversation will help you unlock the full potential of your mind and body. References: Substack: https://www.betterbrain.fitness/ The Stimulated Mind by Dr. Tommy Wood: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/751292/the-stimulated-mind-by-dr-tommy-wood/ _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood/ _____________________

In this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Dr. Martin Buchheit sits down with performance coach and founder of 292Performance, Dr. Benjamin Rosenblatt, formerly the Head of Strength & Conditioning for the England national football team. Together, they explore the real engine behind athlete development: motivation, buy-in, and meaningful relationships. Ben shares the story behind his transition from leading England’s physical performance program to building a high-impact, athlete-centered company that now supports elite performers across Europe. The conversation dives into his evidence-based methods for driving player engagement, the role of autonomy and competition in training, and how to manage different personalities, from mavericks to rising talent. Whether you work in elite football, academy settings, physical preparation, or high-performance environments, this episode offers practical frameworks, coaching wisdom, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Perfect for coaches, sport scientists, physiotherapists, and anyone interested in performance coaching, athlete motivation, high-performance team culture, and player development. _____________________ Today’s speakers: Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/ Dr Benjamin Rosenblatt https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-benjamin-rosenblatt-03342514/ _____________________

🚴‍♂️💥 NEUROMUSCULAR FATIGUE, CONCURRENT TRAINING & PERFORMANCE: WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN ADAPTATION ⚡ Ever wondered how strength and endurance training compete inside the body? Prof Paul Laursen sits down with Michael Gerhardy to break down the neuromuscular science behind fatigue, recovery, and real-world performance: straight from Michael’s PhD research. Inside this episode: 🧠 How neuromuscular variables reveal the hidden cost of training fatigue 🏋️‍♂️ The sequence of endurance and strength sessions, and why ORDER matters for adaptation ⚡ Finding the sweet spot of HIGH vs LOW neuromuscular demand for athlete performance — #TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #NeuromuscularFatigue #ConcurrentTraining #TrainingLoad #PerformanceMonitoring #StrengthTraining #EnduranceTraining #SportsScience #Recovery #AthletePerformance #ExerciseScience #FatigueManagement #TrainingAdaptations #Coaching #ResearchToPractice _____________________ Today’s speakers: Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Michael Gerhardy https://runupperformance.com.au/ _____________________