Training Science Podcast
Your hosts of the Training Science Podcast, Martin Buchheit and Paul Laursen, take a weekly deep dive into the real world application of training science in the trenches.
Episodes
Building Better Players and Better Performance Systems With Mattia Modonutti and Dr Martin Buchheit
Developing a footballer is about more than preparing them for the next match. It means understanding what that individual player needs to keep training, developing, and ultimately reach their potential.Mattia Modonutti joins us to share his approach to player development and performance within elite football. Rather than treating performance as a collection of separate disciplines and datasets, Ma
Rethinking the Determinants of Endurance Performance With Yannick Sondermann, Dr Lars Schwalm and Prof Paul Laursen
For decades, VO2 max, movement economy, and fractional utilization of VO2max have been widely presented as three key determinants of endurance performance. But how strong is the evidence for that third piece?Yannick Sondermann and Dr Lars Schwalm join us this week to challenge some long standing assumptions around fractional utilization and explore whether it truly deserves the weight it has been
From VHS Tapes to GPS, Metabolic and Mechanical Power With Dr Ted Polglaze and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 fi
Top Episode Replay: The Science Behind the Norwegian Method: Insights with Brad Culp & Prof Paul Laursen
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
The Science of Cold Water and Extreme Endurance With Dr Jørgen Melau and Prof Paul Laursen
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,
AI, Wearables, and the Future of Athlete Data With Mollie Brewer and Prof Paul Laursen
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 fund
What It Takes to Perform in HYROX With Dr Ludwig Rappelt and Prof Paul Laursen
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
From Silos to Performance Centred Practice With Katie Slattery, Jamie Stanley and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 shar
How Ethiopia's Elite Runners Actually Train With Palo Galko and Prof Paul Laursen
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 conve
From Unpaid Intern to the Champions League With Daniel Caraça and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 hel
How Belief Shapes Performance With Assoc Prof Vince Kelly and Prof Paul Laursen
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 coach
Supporting Female Athletes Through Puberty and Performance With Dr Julia Casadio and Prof Paul Laursen
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. Toge
Nano Dosing Strength in Elite Football With Nick Grantham and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 tra
Top Episode Replay: The Sprint Training Evolution - With Jonas Dodoo & Dr Martin Buchheit
⚡ 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 perf
The Physiology First Approach to Endurance Training With Dr Gabriele Gallo and Prof Paul Laursen
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
Lactate Reimagined: From Fuel to Signal With Dr Aitor Viribay Morales and Prof Paul Laursen
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,
Can Running Marathons Help You Age Better? Insights from Multi Marathoners with Leo Lundy and Prof Paul Laursen
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
What Elite Football Teams Get Right About Speed, Power, and Performance with Christian Clarup and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 environ
Nutrition Myths, Fasted Training, and Individual Responses with Dr Jeff Rothschild and Prof Paul Laursen
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, a
Top Episode Replay: Desolving the Fat Mystery – Are Carbs History? - With Dr Phil Maffetone, Prof Tim Noakes & Prof Paul Laursen
🥑 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 bo
The Norwegian Method Applied: From Threshold Training to Muscular Status, with Dr Marius Bakken and Prof Paul Laursen
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 musc
We Built the HIIT Science Taxonomy on Logic. Now We Have the Data. With Dr Martin Buchheit and Prof Paul Laursen
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 neuromu
From Screening to Reality What Asymmetry Really Tells Us with Dr Chris Bishop and Dr Martin Buchheit
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
The Future of Training with Breathing Data with Arnar Larusson and Prof Paul Laursen
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 en
Building a Global High Performance Career with Jon Bartlett and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 pr
Top Episode Replay: Strength or Not to Strength? Load or Not to Load? Monitor or Not to Monitor? A Worldwide Football Master Class - With Dr Darren Burgess and Martin Buchheit
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
How Math, Power Data, and Aerodynamics Changed Racing Strategy with Ryan Cooper & Prof Paul Laursen
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
You’re Training Hard—But Moving Poorly: The Missing Layer of Performance with Lawrence van Lingen & Prof Paul Laursen
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 efficienc
The Science of Cycling: Marginal Gains, Talent ID, and What Actually Drives Performance with Dr David Bailey & Prof Paul Laursen
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 performan
The Physiology of Consistency: Why Stable Sleep and HRV Predict Health and Performance, with Dr Greg Grosicki & Prof Paul Laursen
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 metaboli
Masters Athlete Training: Strength, Recovery, and Longevity with Prof Peter Reaburn & Prof Paul Laursen
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 es
Top Episode Replay: Go Hard to Go Fast - New Age Sprint Training - With Prof. Dr. JB Morin & Dr Martin Buchheit
TOP EPISODE REPLAYProfiling 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,
Does Zone 1 Build a Stronger Heart Than HIIT? New MRI Data with Dr Guido Claessen & Prof Paul Laursen
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 matter
Fatigue, Durability, and Muscle Damage in Ultra Running with Prof Guillaume Millet and Prof Paul Laursen
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 exe
Episode 200 🎉 Eccentric Training, Muscle Soreness, and What Actually Drives Adaptation with Prof Ken Nosaka, Prof Paul Laursen & Dr Martin Buchheit
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
Respectful Disagreement in Sports Nutrition: What the Evidence Really Says With Dr Andrew Koutnik and Prof Paul Laursen
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
The Physio Who Built a System From Pitch Side Rehab to Research and Leadership With François Fourhet and Dr Martin Buchheit
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 w
Your Kid Is Not “Behind” The Data Every Parent and Coach Needs With Prof Arne Güllich and Prof Paul Laursen
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
The Mental Taper: The Biggest Mistake Athletes Make with Dr. Scott Frey and Dr. Martin Buchheit
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 rar
Lactate Testing, Zone 2, and Metabolic Flexibility with Stephan Nüsser and Prof Paul Laursen
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 use
Sports Science 3.0: The Next Chapter
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
Low-Frequency Fatigue Made Practical: Easy Neuromuscular Monitoring for Top Clubs With João Ribeiro and Dr. Martin Buchheit
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
Why Every Athlete Needs Strength Training: Newton’s Laws, Endurance & Performance with Prof Anthony Turner and Prof Paul Laursen
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 move
AI Agents, HRV Readiness & the Next Era of Training: A Deep Dive with Dr. Andrea Zignoli & Prof Paul Laursen
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 o
The Stimulated Mind: Unlocking Peak Brain and Body Performance with Dr. Tommy Wood and Prof. Paul Laursen
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 n
Unlocking Buy-In: Inside Elite Player Motivation with Dr. Benjamin Rosenblatt & Dr. Martin Buchheit
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 trans
What Every Coach Should Know About NEUROmuscular Fatigue - with Michael Gerhardy & Prof Paul Laursen
🚴♂️💥 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
From Slopes to the Track: What Formula One and Olympic Skiing Teach Us About Coaching and Performance - With Dr Pete McKnight and Dr Martin Buchheit
🏎️💪 FITNESS, FOCUS & FORMULA ONE: The ART of PERFORMANCE 🚀From the ski slopes of France to the F1 paddock, Dr Pete McKnight’s coaching journey has been anything but ordinary 🌍In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin and Pete unpack decades of lessons from Olympic sport to motorsport:🏋️♂️ Why “getting fitter” doesn’t always mean better performance 🧠 Emotional control: the invisi
From Resilience to Results in High Performance - with Rachel Neylan & Prof Paul Laursen
🚴♀️ RESILIENCE TO RESULTS IN HIGH PERFORMANCE 💥From the operating theatre to the Olympic start line: Rachel Neylan shows what TRUE high performance looks like 👏In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul sits down with Olympian, physiotherapist, and coach Rachel Neylan to explore how elite sport principles can reshape how we train, recover, and even perform in high-stakes professions l
How Much Training Is Enough & Why Heart Rate Still Matters - With Dr Ibrahim Akubat and Dr Martin Buchheit
❤️🔥 HEART RATE, TRAINING ZONES & LOAD: Measuring what really matters in performance 📊It’s time to bring HEART RATE back into the conversation ❤️In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Dr ‘Martin Buchheit sits down with Dr Ibrahim Akubat to unpack the real science behind HR, training zones/load, and dose-response adaptation, and why these principles still matter in modern coaching.💓 T
How Athletes With Type 1 Diabetes Can Win the Performance Game - With Dr Sam Scott & Prof Paul Laursen
💉🏃♂️ EXERCISE, GLUCOSE & PERFORMANCE — RETHINKING DIABETES MANAGEMENT ⚡What happens when sports science meets blood sugar science? 🤔Dr. Sam Scott joins Paul Laursen to unpack how exercise, nutrition, and technology collide in the quest to help athletes, and everyday people, to thrive with diabetes. 📈 The real challenge of blood glucose management for type 1 athletes 📊 Why continuous glucose m
Spreadsheets to Systems: The Evolution of Coaching - With Dr Nick Poulos & Dr Martin Buchheit
🏉💬 PERFORMANCE, PRESSURE & PURPOSE IN SPORTAfter two decades across rugby, AFL, and Olympic programs, Nick Poulos joins Martin Buchheit to reflect on what it really takes to sustain a career in high-performance sport and what comes next when the constant grind finally stops.⚡ Sustaining energy, passion, and balance in elite sport careers 📊 From Excel spreadsheets to advanced monitoring systems
Crank Length, Aerodynamics & Cycling Myths Busted - With Prof Jim Martin & Prof Paul Laursen
🚴♂️ CYCLING SCIENCE UNLOCKED. Crank length, cadence & single-leg secrets 🔑⚡From mediocre road racer to world-leading cycling performance scientist! Prof. Jim Martin has spent a career merging engineering and exercise science to crack the code on performance 🚀In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul & Jim dive into:⚙️ Crank length, cadence & aerodynamics 🦵 The surprising p
Women Are STRONG; Across EVERY Phase of Their Cycle! - With Dr. Madison Taylor & Prof Paul Laursen
🏃♀️ TRAINING with the MENSTRUAL CYCLE: What the SCIENCE really says 🧬✨Dr. Madison Taylor breaks down the latest research on how the menstrual cycle affects women athletes, and why INDIVIDUALIZED tracking is the game-changer 🗓️💡In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul & Madison dive into:📊 Why performance variables often don’t change much across menstrual phases 🩸 How symptom trac
The Sprint Training Evolution - With Jonas Dodoo & Dr Martin Buchheit
⚡ 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 perf
Top Episode Replay: "Sometimes, When Training for Ultra Marathons, I Do Not Eat at All" - With Kilian Jornet and Paul Laursen
Top Episode Replay:Motivation comes from LOVING 💖TRAINING & PURSUING PROGRESS goals - rather than chasing placings, competitions or anything like that.Kilian Jornet wants you to understand that you need to be focused 🥰 on the PROCESS 🔁 itself, especially at the start of any lofty goal. At the beginning of anything physical you will make FAST PROGRESS. But after that, to stay consistent with tr
Triple Win in Sports?! Athlete Health, Performance & Legacy - With Dr David T. Martin & Prof Paul Laursen
🎿🔬 COOLING STRATEGIES, TALENT ID & THE FUTURE OF SPORTS SCIENCE ⚡From ski slopes to the NBA, Dr. David T. Martin has spent a career at the cutting edge of performance science — blending PASSION with INNOVATION to change how athletes train, recover, and thrive 🏅In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul sits down with David to explore:❄️ Game-changing COOLING strategies to optimize p
The Coach as Race Engineer: Trust, Science, and the Long Game — with Dan Lorang and Prof Paul Laursen
🤝🏃♂️ THE ART OF COACHING: TRUST, SCIENCE & LONG-TERM SUCCESS ⚡From athlete to world-class coach — Dan Lorang shares how passion, science, and human connection shape performance in endurance sports.Inside this episode:🔄 Dan’s journey from athlete to coach🤝 Trust as the foundation of every successful coach–athlete relationship📈 Why time and belief matter in performanceWhether you’re a coach, at
Keto-Adapted, Carb-Smart: What Actually Helps on Race Day - with Dr Matthew Carpenter & Prof Paul Laursen
🥓🔬 KETOGENIC ADAPTATION, CARBS & PERFORMANCE — WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS ⚡Prof Paul Laursen talks with Dr Matthew Carpenter about what changes (and what doesn’t) when endurance athletes go low-carb and stay there. We get into insulin’s rapid drop, the early-week training dip, the liver’s “small glucose pool,” and why a simple pre-start carb hit can still move the needle, even when you’re fat-adapt
ZONE 2 SHOWDOWN - with Dr Kristi Storoschuk & Prof Paul Laursen
🥑 FASTING, FUEL & FITNESS — MYTHS, METRICS & INTENSITY 🚴♀️🔥From plant science 🌱 to performance science 🧬 — Kristi Storoshchuk has taken a unique path to uncover what really drives health & performance.In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul and Kristi cut through the noise on nutrition and training:⏳ Fasting facts vs. fiction — human data vs. rodent hype🥩 High-carb vs. l
Using ASR, Complex Systems & Fibre Typing to Elevate Team Sport Performance – With Dr. Carmen Colomer & Prof. Paul Laursen
How do we individualize athlete development in chaotic, high-contact sports like rugby and basketball? Dr. Carmen Colomer shares her science-backed system for unlocking performance 🔬🏉💥On this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Paul & Carmen dive into practical strategies for maximising physical preparation in team sport athletes, drawing from Carmen’s deep experience across the NBA, NRL,
From Breath Science to Peak Running Performance — With Dr Eric Harbour & Prof Paul Laursen
BREATH TO PERFORM – SCIENCE‑BACKED TOOLS FOR FASTER RUNNING Dr Eric Harbour didn’t start with pace — he started with RESPIRATORY LIMITERS In this lung‑expanding episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul & Eric translate cutting‑edge breathing research into everyday coaching gold: When your LUNGS, not your LEGS, hit the wall — spotting respiratory choke‑points Nasal vs. mouth breathing — w
Top Episode Replay: CARBS, FATS, SALTS & BRAINS - with Professor Tim Noakes and Paul Laursen
Top Episode Replay What is the MINIMAL amount of carbs 🍬 that you NEED for ENDURANCE?! WHAT IF taking >= 60g of carbs per hour COMPLETELY STOPS your liver GLUCOSE production 😱?Prof. Tim Noakes wants you to understand that for long endurance efforts you simply do NOT NEED❌ massive amounts of EXOGENOUS carbohydrates. There is a minimal amount of carbs that you need to continuously SUPPLEMENT ever
From Theoretical Physics to Sports Performance - With Dr Stefano Andriolo & Prof Paul Laursen
🧠 PHYSICS meets PERFORMANCE – AI, DATA & the FUTURE of SPORTS SCIENCE 🔬⚡Stefano Andriolo didn’t start in the gym — he started in STRING THEORY 📈💥In this mind-bending episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul & Stefano dive deep into the intersection of physics, data science, and elite performance:💡 From THEORETICAL PHYSICS to real-world ENDURANCE performance 📊 DFA Alpha 1 & ventila
Top Episode Replay: Why Are the Norwegians Dominating Triathlon? Asking Questions & Systematically Looking For Answers with Olav Aleksander Bu
Top Episode ReplayFrom a technology nerd, sailor and entrepreneur, to coaching the world’s fastest triathletes and chasing sub 7 hours for the Ironman distance - that’s just the start of our next guest’s bio!In this episode, we hear from leading Norwegian coach, Olav Aleksander Bu. Olav goes into great detail into his unique personal upbringing and background in technology, farming, sport and entr
Top Episode Replay: The Basics You NEED to Know About HIIT
Top Episode Replay:Designing HIIT workouts isn’t just about the session you put down on paper.You need to first know the important basics of WHY you are doing them, and this relates critically to the CONTEXT! The impact of TIME ⏱️, INTENSITY 🔥 or HOW OFTEN 🖩, you do them is often ignored or forgotten, and these factors need to be implemented in line with CONTEXT (see Episode 1).But can’t you just
Moderate Training for No One, HIIT for Everyone?! - With Dr Juan Murías & Dr Martin Buchheit
🧬 TRAINING INTENSITY, VO2 MAX & THE ART OF ADAPTATION ⚡💡From tennis coach to top researcher, Juan Murías brings a unique lens to the science of exercise 🚴♂️📈In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin & Juan dive deep into the mechanics of VO2 max, training intensity, and the real-world implications of sports science:🎾 A personal journey from the court to the lab 🔥 Why moderat
More Reasons Why Norwegians Dominate in Endurance Sports - With Prof Thomas Losnegard & Prof Paul Laursen
Thomas Losnegard from Olympiatoppen reveals why a small country can produce massive results in elite sport 🏔️🥇On this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul & Thomas explore the secret ingredients behind Norway’s dominance in winter sports:🤝 A culture of COLLABORATION & knowledge exchange 🧠 Athlete MINDSET, perceived exertion & pacing strategies 📊 Data-led EVOLUTION in cross-cou
Desolving the Fat Mystery – Are Carbs History? - With Dr Phil Maffetone, Prof Tim Noakes & Prof Paul Laursen
🥑 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 bo
Modernize Your Strength Programmes Through Motorized Resistance - With Dr Ola Eriksrud & Dr Martin Buchheit
💥 RETHINKING REHAB & PERFORMANCE with Motorized Resistance 🚀From physio frustrations to PERFORMANCE tech! Ola Eriksrud walks us through the evolution of 1080 Motion and why it’s CHANGING the game in both training and rehab 🧠💪In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin @mart1buch and Ola explore how isokinetics, motorized resistance, and smarter load & velocity control are resha
Data, Testing Context & Long-Term Collaboration in Football Performance - With Carlos Del Barrio & Dr Martin Buchheit
⚽ SPORTS SCIENCE in ELITE FOOTBALL – Building TRUST with DATA 📊🔥Carlos Del Barrio of Atlético Madrid isn’t just crunching numbers — he’s building RELATIONSHIPS that drive performance 🚀In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin @mart1buch & Carlos explore what REALLY matters in sports science:💡 Internships, passion, and the winding road to a dream job 🤝 Trust, communication, and co
Top Episode Replay: Treat the Football Fitness Problem, Not the Symptom - With Raymond Verheijen & Dr Martin Buchheit
TOP EPISODE REPLAY:What is the MEANING & ROLE of RUNNING 🏃♀️ in FOOTBALL?! Raymond Verheijen wants you to understand that you need to FIRST build a basic outline of the CORE factors that make the game of football happen - and RUNNING is just a symptom ✅ of EVERYTHING else you do in football.In the 99th episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin and Raymon discuss:⭕ Football FITNESS and h
Smart Training Is Not Tech-Driven - With Dr Mladen Jovanović & Dr Martin Buchheit
⚙️ METHODOLOGY OVER TECH – Smart TRAINING with Limited RESOURCES 💡🔥Mladen Jovanović @physical_prep says you DON’T need all the bells and whistles to coach like a PRO. It’s about applying the RIGHT methodology, not just following the latest gadget 💪📊In the latest episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin @mart1buch and Mladen dive into what it takes to deliver elite-level prep—no matter your
Old and New Training Science, but Mostly New for Women! - With Dr Tony Boutagy & Prof Paul Laursen
💪 TRAINING SCIENCE, NUTRITION & FEMALE ATHLETE HEALTH 👩🔬🧬Dr Tony Boutagy brings DECADES of experience to the mic – from triathlon dreams to coaching elite athletes, and now, helping women thrive through ALL stages of life 💥In this episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul and Tony go deep on how to optimize training, nutrition, and mindset – especially for women navigating complex physiol
SALT + WATER = LONG Ride Without Problems - with Sean Sakinofsky & Prof Paul Laursen
🔥 KETO & FASTED RIDING = PERFORMANCE CLARITY? 🧠💪Sean Sekonofsky @sean_sako didn’t just change his fuel—he changed his life. From fatigue and fibromyalgia to nearly 100,000 km in the saddle 🚴♂️, his journey into a ketogenic, fasted lifestyle is as bold as it is controversial.In this week’s Training Science Podcast, Paul and Sean go deep on: 🚫 "Super fuel" myths — carbs might not be t
Top Episode Replay: Alistair Brownlee - His Training and Science Application Philosophy
Top Episode Replay 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, Triathlete extraordinair Alistair Brownlee 🏆. As a 15-year old, Alistair Brownlee got a physiology book from his father 📖. Influence from that book and his coaches helped Alistair go on to become one of the greatest triathletes in recent years.Yet he is modest as they come and attests much of his success to the “boring”💤 parts of training - training lot
PART 2: Workout Reserve and the Future of AI Coaching - with Dr Andrea Zignoli & Prof. Paul Laursen
💥 Dr. Andrea Zignoli wants you to understand that Workout Reserve is not just another performance metric—it’s a breakthrough in how we track and interpret what athletes can actually do in real time.In Part 2 of this deep-dive on the Training Science Podcast, Andrea and Paul explore why traditional models like W′ fall short, and how Workout Reserve offers a more flexible, mechanical (not physiologi
PART 1: Modelling First: Building Smarter Endurance Training - with Dr Andrea Zignoli & Prof. Paul Laursen
💥 AI in COACHING & TRAINING – Revolutionizing Performance 🚀Dr. Andrea Zignoli wants you to understand that before AI can be useful in coaching and training, modelling must come first.In Episode 157 of The Training Science Podcast, Andrea returns to unpack how models like Critical Power, Banister TRIMP, and HRV response curves provide the structure AI needs to make smart, adaptable decisions. T
Microdosing, Rehab, Neuropriming, Neurocognitive Training and More! – With Bram Swinnen & Dr. Martin Buchheit
🏋️♂️ REHAB. PERFORMANCE. NEUROCOGNITION. 🧠⚡Bram Swinnen @xxx knows that training isn’t just about movement—it’s about QUALITY, INTENSITY & ADAPTATION 🔥!In the latest episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin @mart1buch & Bram dive into:🔬 Why ECCENTRIC TRAINING is a POWERFUL base for performance; 📊 The role of VELOCITY LOSS THRESHOLDS in training & rehab; 🧠 How NEUROCOGNITIVE TRA
HYROX Solved?! The HYBRID Athlete Puzzles Becomes Clearer?! - with Dr Dan Plews & Dr Martin Buchheit
🏋️♂️ STRENGTH ⚡ ENDURANCE 🏃♂️—FINDING THE BALANCE!Training for HYROX and hybrid sports? Dr Dan Plews wants you to understand that you CAN become TOO STRONG or TOO ENDURANCE-FOCUSED. The key? OPTIMIZING your training mix 🔥!In the latest episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin @mart1buch & Dan @theplews dive into: ⚖️ The ART of balancing STRENGTH & ENDURANCE for peak performance;
