Pacey Performance Podcast

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Marc Lewis, Director of Sports Science at the Houston Texans delves into the intricate realm of athlete fatigue management, load monitoring and recovery optimisation. Marc offers a comprehensive overview of fatigue monitoring techniques. From analyzing performance metrics like jump height to decoding the significance of fatigue patterns, Lewis guides listeners through the nuances of assessing and interpreting athlete fatigue levels. He introduces the concept of "non-functional overreaching," highlighting the importance of recognizing when athletes are unable to adapt strategies to achieve performance goals, indicating a significant level of fatigue. Listeners gain valuable knowledge on establishing robust monitoring protocols. Lewis discusses the importance of understanding coefficients of variation and effect sizes, emphasizing the need to differentiate between measurement errors and genuine performance changes. The conversation also explores the optimal timi

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast sees Rob speak to Women’s Physical Performance Coach at The Football Association, Matt Cuthbert to explore the world of microdosing in resistance training. Microdosing, a concept borrowed from pharmacology, involves prescribing small, individualized doses of resistance training to athletes. Cuthbert, a leading researcher in this area, sheds light on how this approach can optimize performance and manage athlete fatigue effectively, especially in the high-stakes world of international football. The podcast delves into the nuts and bolts of microdosing, discussing the potential benefits of individualization and tailored training for athletes of various skill levels and playing positions. Cuthbert also highlights the crucial role of collaboration between strength and conditioning coaches and technical coaches to ensure seamless integration into team training. Listeners will gain valuable insights into Cuthbert's research and experiences, making this episode a must-lis

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast sees engaging in a fascinating conversation with Kurt Hester, Head of Sports Performance for Football at Tulane University. This episode delves deep into the ever-evolving world of athletic development, offering valuable takeaways for coaches. Kurt emphasizes the importance of adaptation in training, steering away from rigid approaches and instead focusing on the individual needs of athletes. He challenges the prevalent obsession with strength numbers and highlights the significance of a more comprehensive athlete-centered approach to preparation. Drawing from his expertise, Kurt shares his innovative incorporation of sports science, particularly the transformative impact of breathing techniques on performance. By embracing this aspect of training, he explains how it optimizes recovery, enhances focus, and prepares athletes for the rigors of their sport. Throughout the episode, the discussion revolves around striking a balance between data-driven methodologies and

Join Rob on this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast as he delves into the world of game speed training with Dan Grange and Daniel Tobin, both of Gloucester Rugby. Discover their revolutionary approach to game speed training and the challenges they face in achieving optimal transfer from training to gameplay. Dan and Dan share their philosophy, focusing on creating key principles that encompass different strategies rather than getting lost in a sea of training options. They emphasize the importance of effective communication with coaches, ensuring a common understanding of training objectives and encouraging collaboration where needed. Explore the core of their gamespeed methodology which includes four key change direction strategies: the split step or shuffle step, the lane change, the zigzag, and the cut to a curve. Dan Grange reveals how they tailor these strategies to suit different players based on their physical qualities and positions on the field. They stress the significance of technical evaluat

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

Tony featured on episode #450 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What is the purpose of an "activation" session What do we think/hope they are doing What are they actually doing? Check out the full episode with Tony here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/activation-sessions-and-asymmetries-are-they-really-that-important/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Professor at the University of Saint-Étienne, JB Morin joins Rob to chat about navigating scientific research and how we can use research intelligently to inform practice.  In the first half of this episode we delve into how to read a research paper properly. How can we systematically go through a paper, understand the content and pick the potential red flags which may highlight as to why you may question the conclusions drawn by the author. The publication process is definitely not flawless and without its faults and readers need to be aware of this. JB talks through these flaws and how readers can fully understand them and improve the critique of research. In the second half of the episode, JB gives his opinion on the "publish or perish" bias that leads to poor and sometimes not very original research. We finish off the episode with a discussion around using research in practice and how coaches and sports scientists should (or shouldn't) use research to inform pra

Robin featured on episode #334 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What it was like working alongside José How thoughts on training load monitoring Robin's switch towards subjective data to provide useful insights to the manager Check out the full episode with Nathan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-334-robin-thorpe/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast sees Rob speaking to Manager of Sport Sciences at the New South Wales Institute of Sport, Alex Natera, Head of Strength and Conditioning at the Singapore Sport Institute, Danny Lum and now Head of Academy Physical Performance at Manchester City FC, Matt Taberner.  These three guys are true experts in this area, not only from a applied perspective but also an academic one. In the first part of this episode we discuss the process of creating isometric strength training exercises that overload a particular position that is specific to a sport. We then transition into a discussion around quasi-isometrics, what they are and how we can use them from a performance perspective but also a rehabilitation one. We then finish off the first part of this episode discussing the use of isometric testing and training with and without technology. Within this, Matt discusses how he would programme isometrics and keep a track on intensity without the use of force plates. In the secon

This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast features Head of Athletic Performance at the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby, Nick Lumley. This episode is all about maximising training transfer and understanding what best transfers based on an intelligent use of testing and a good understanding of data. In the first half of the episode we chat through Nick's philosophy when it comes to building strong, powerful rugby players capable of performing at the highest level. He talks about his use of non-technically demanding exercises like the leg press over the squat and how he has changed the way he programmes. Nick also details how he makes alterations to his programme for the bigger guys in the squad. In the second half of the episode we dive into training transfer. Nick explains what data he collects on a regular basis and how he manipulates that data to understand which exercises do and don't transfer to the qualities he and the coaches want to see on the field. Performance in which exercises predict sp

Athol featured on episode #448 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What footwear features may increase the risk of injury and why? How do we mitigate injury risk on artificial surfaces? How do we safely transition athletes between surfaces? Check out the full episode with Nathan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/understanding-the-impact-of-athlete-footwear-selection-on-performance-and-injury-risk/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Former Head of Performance at Aston Villa and Rangers FC, Jordan Milsom. Jordan comes on and gives one of the most candid interviews we have had on the podcast. As Fitness Coach at Liverpool and two Head of Performance roles in the Premier League and Scottish Premier League, Jordan has a wealth of experience that he brings to this episode. In the first half of the episode we discuss his time at Liverpook at a Strength and Rehab Fitness Coach and he he developed the knoweldge required to rehab some of the most valuable assets in sport. We then went onto discuss his interactions with staff that were brought in by the manager and how he dealt with that as a club member of staff. In the second half of the episode he describes the role reversal as he became the "manager's guy" as he stepped up to a Head of Performance role at Rangers FC. Was he prepared to make that jump? How did he deal with club staff now that he was a "manager's guy"? And did he des

Nathan featured on episode #418 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What is it about the split squat that means it gets so much hype in this philosophy? Is it worth the hype? What is better exercise to get the same results? Check out the full episode with Nathan here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/a-critique-of-the-knees-over-toes-phenomenon-and-maximising-cross-training-prescription/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Leigh Egger and Stijn Vandenbroucke. Stijn is Head of Medical and Performance amd Leigh is Head of Performance, both at Feryenoord Rotterdam. Main talking points - Innovative ways to structure a performance department Managing up the chain Developing strategies to reduce injury rates Utilising consultants effectively Individualising training Developing a culture of "athletes" not "footballers" Feyenoord had an incredible season being crowned Champions of the Eredivisie, the top league in the Netherlands. So this episode is all about what makes a performance department successful and how they go about contributing to success on the pitch. In the first part of this episode we discuss the structure of the department that Stijn and the hierachy at Feyenoord have put in place. We then talk about how that structure has led to the streamlining of processes and increased clarity in how things run day to day. Leigh gives his thoughts on how this structure

This week on the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Professor of Biomechanics, Tony Blazevich. Today it's all about topics that have generated a lot of discussion in recent years and putting them through a scientific and objective lens. The first half of the episode is all about activation sessions. We have all watched Premier League games on the TV and seen the players walking around with elastic bands around their knees or ankles, or them lying on the floor doing single leg bridges. So what does "activation" or sometimes called "pre-activation" actually do? Does it doing anything? Does it do what we think it does? We dive deep into this topic with Tony. In the second half of the episode we chat about asymmetries. We chat about the magic 10% rule where if an athlete is 10% and its a problem. Where did that 10% rule actually come from and do we need to be worried about asymmetries? We also chat about how these are actually measured and interchangeability of data from different methods. Then we fini

Patrick featured on episode #305 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where he discussed - What GPS companies can do to help their users Operationalising GPS data What's next for GPS Check out the full episode with Patrick here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/pacey-performance-podcast-305-patrick-ward/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

This week's Pacey Performance Podcast is all about data visualisation and communication. Eva Murray, Lead Evangelist at Snowflake, Julian Haigh, Director of Sport Science at Inter Miami and Adam Sheehan, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Munster Rugby are our guests today. We are all dealing with more data in aour daily lives whether that be from fitness trackers to smart meters in our homes to track our electricity usage. But those working in pro sport are collecting hundreds of thousands of rows of data each day and are expected to communicate that back to coaches. But how can we best do that? That's what the next hour is all about. In the first half of this episode we focus on the first step in this process which is asking the right question. If we're not asking the right question, how can we come up with the right answer? We then dive into the experiences of Eva, Adam and Julian who each explain their experiences, good and bad when it comes to delivering messages using data to coaches. In the second half

Jack, Perry and Matt featured on episode #441 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where they discussed - How we alter training during periods of intense growth Monitoring growth and maturation Using growth and maturation data effectively Check out the full episode with Jack, Perry and Matt here - How the best football academies in the world develop their players This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Podiatrist & Research Scientist at Aspetar, Athol Thomson. Athol is on the podcast to speak about the impact of athlete footwear on performance and injury risk but also about playing surface and how that affects injury risk. But not only that, he is hear to give recommendations for what practitioners can do to reduce these risks. In the first half of the episode Athol discusses what impact footwear can have on injuries from a global perspective. He then dives into the detail when it comes to footwear that is made for soft ground, hard ground and artificial ground. This leads to him discussing rotational forces and why its important to consider these forces when advising on footwear. In the second half of the episode he discusses if we can mitigate some of the unresearched (but well discussed) issues when transitioning between different surfaces. And can practitioners get a better, more detailed idea about the playing surface prior to his

Chris, Dave and Des featured on episode #400 of the Pacey Performance Podcast. This #bitesize episode takes a great clip from that episode where they discussed - What makes a CV stand out from the crowd? How long should a CV and cover letter be? What should and shouldn't be in a CV and cover letter? Check out the full episode with Chris, Des and Dave here - https://www.sportsmith.co/listen/getting-and-keeping-a-strength-and-conditioning-role/ This episode is supported by RockDaisy, the only FREE AMS on the market. AMS Lite features reporting capabilities, questionnaires and forms, alerts and communication, data sharing, data visualisation and calendar views.