UKSCA Coach Considerations

In this closing keynote, Dr Martin Buchheit maps a path from “sports science 2.0” (measure everything) to “3.0” (measure what matters, then act). He frames training around dose–response, across four quadrants: load vs response, neuromuscular vs metabolic. Expect frank takes on GPS limits, why heart rate still matters, and practical, scalable monitoring. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA...

At UKSCA 2025, Chair Andy Boyd hosted a lively panel with Prof. Ben Jones, Dr Martin Buchheit, Prof. Sophia Nimphius, and Prof. Paul Comfort, exploring where tech genuinely improves coaching versus when fundamentals should lead. Themes included data governance (GDPR), league-wide standards, internal load, and turning efficiency into better decisions on the floor. This podcast was recorded live at...

In his session, Strength & Conditioning coach and UKSCA-accredited lecturer Edward Baker drew on his extensive high-performance experience in boxing and MMA to explore how technology is transforming athlete preparation. From instrumented mouthguards and force plates to hydration, heart-rate recovery and spar data, he challenged coaches to move beyond “how much punishment can they take?” to “how re...

At UKSCA 2025, Benjamin Young (British Gymnastics / UKSI) unpacked how a decentralised programme, huge training volumes and limited elite research shape S&C in gymnastics. He reframed performance from “world-class jumping” to “world-class landing,” prioritising availability, hamstring balance and monster plantar-flexor strength to absorb 8–10× BW forces. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA...

Dr Phil Scott (ECB Pathways / Physical Preparation) presented on the concept of humanising innovation — how to embed new ideas and technologies within athlete groups, centred on principles like understanding, empathy, communication, feedback, and individualisation. He also shared candid lessons from successes and failures in cricket. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference. S...

Dr Sophia Nimphius challenges the conventional obsession with measuring strength through snapshots, urging us to remember strength as a process of durability, robustness, and adaptation — not just outputs like “two × body weight” or isometric tests. She critiques how women’s normative data are often benchmarked to lowered expectations and advocates for raising the bar. This podcast was recorded li...

In his UKSCA 2025 presentation, Professor Ben Jones (Leeds Beckett University) explored the rapid rise of sports technology—forecasting a $60 billion industry by 2030—and challenged practitioners to reflect on why we adopt tech, not just that we do. He shared real-world successes and failures (e.g. GPS, instrumented mouthguards) to probe risk, reward and adoption. This podcast was recorded live at...

At UKSCA 2025, Cillian Reardon (formerly Head of Athletic Performance at Glasgow Warriors, now at Gloucester) shared how the Warriors’ 2024 URC win came not through magic, but through disciplined thinking: building systems, standardising operations, aligning goals, and treating performance as goal achievement. He challenged us: are we firefighting or building the engine? This podcast was recorded...

Dr Dario Cazzola shared a compelling vision for “invisible monitoring” — using computer vision and physics-informed machine learning to track joint-level forces from video, enabling real-time, low-burden performance analysis. He discussed the trade-offs of validity, actionability, and adoption, and illustrated a prototype using iPad slow-motion video for squad sprint profiling. This podcast was re...

At UKSCA 2025, Damian Harper explored how deceleration (braking) is a critical but underappreciated element in athletic development — from its biomechanical demands to links with injury risk, and innovations in testing and training. He argues for more focus on braking technique, strength qualities, and tailored interventions. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference. Supportin...

Dr Paul Comfort — Professor of Strength & Conditioning at the University of Salford and co-editor of Performance Assessment in Strength and Conditioning — delivered a sharp, practical tour of force-plate testing. He unpacked IMTP posture/straps, CMJ onset thresholds and “net vs gross” force, and why jump height comes from relative net propulsive impulse, not power. This podcast was recorded live a...

Paudie Roche unpacks two decades of long-term athlete development (LTAD) across Munster Rugby and Arsenal, stressing clear end goals, evidence-and-experience-based practice, and non-negotiables like multidisciplinary buy-in, planned progressions/regressions, and psychosocial care. He contrasts male/female maturation, highlights character and intent, and shares real-world pathways from academy to f...

Richard Pruett explored how strength & conditioning coaches must evolve beyond technical expertise to master emotional intelligence and athlete-centred communication. He illustrated how meaningful change happens when we speak not just with our athletes, but to them — applying models of self-reflection, curiosity and group management to performance settings. This podcast was recorded live at the UK...

At the UKSCA Annual Conference 2025, panel guests explored how talent pathways have shifted post-COVID — from earlier debuts to better growth-and-maturation practice, smarter load management, and the importance of coach/parent education and NGB–club alignment. Hosted by Andy Boyd (UKSCA Chair), the discussion spotlighted recruitment, IDPs and building resilient young athletes. This podcast was rec...

At the UKSCA 2024 conference, Clive Brewer delivered a compelling presentation on how to maximise athletic performance through tailored strength and conditioning programs. Drawing from his experience working with professional athletes in environments like Major League Baseball and the NFL, Brewer emphasises the importance of understanding each athlete's unique requirements, including injury preven...

In his UKSCA 2024 presentation, Ulrik Sandstrom provided a deep dive into the neurological aspects of injury prevention and rehabilitation. Drawing on decades of experience, Ulrik explaines how the nervous system controls muscles and how disturbances in this system can lead to injury, even in elite athletes. He used compelling case studies, such as Michael Owen's infamous MCL injury, to illustrate...

Dr. Jonathan Hughes' presentation at the UKSCA 2024 annual conference highlighted the significance of eccentric training in high-performance sports. Drawing on his experience across team sports like rugby, hockey, and individual athletes in cycling, Hughes emphasises how eccentric training helps with multi-directional decelerations and complex movements. While not a new concept, its benefits, espe...

Dr. Emma Ross's presentation at the UKSCA 2024 conference focused on a vital question: is the growth of women's sport built on sand or stone? As participation, media coverage, and revenue in women's sport surge, Dr. Ross warns that this progress risks collapse if we don’t adequately support the female athletes at its core. Drawing on over a decade of research and experience, Dr. Ross explains the...

Phil Moreland’s presentation at the UKSCA 2024 Conference took the audience through a fascinating journey, beginning with his time in Olympic sports and progressing to his current role in the Australian Air Force, where he focuses on occupational readiness. He highlights the importance of tailoring strength and conditioning to meet the unique demands of different professions, from military roles t...

Brent Callaway’s presentation at the UKSCA 2024 conference offered an in-depth look into the world of NFL Combine preparation and athlete development. With over 20 years of experience, Brent shares how EXOS, a leader in performance coaching, creates a structured yet adaptable environment for athletes. His discussion covers essential performance metrics such as force plate data, body composition, a...

Dr. Jamie Tallent’s presentation at the UKSCA 2024 conference explored how micro-dosing and high-frequency training can significantly impact performance in elite athletes. Drawing on his extensive experience with organisations like the Royal Ballet, Dr. Tallent discusses how these training methods can be used to manage high workloads without sacrificing performance. By splitting traditional streng...

In his presentation at the UKSCA 2024 annual conference, Prof JB Morin provided an in-depth look at the advancements in sprint mechanics and speed training over the last decade. He discusses the critical role of force-velocity profiling in identifying athletes’ unique strengths and weaknesses. This approach allows for more tailored training programs, helping athletes maximise their speed potential...

The UKSCA 2024 Conference roundtable, hosted by Rob Ahmun, brought together Clive Brewer, Debby Sargent, and David Lansini—three figures instrumental in shaping the field of Strength & Conditioning. The discussion centers on the evolution of S&C and the increasing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Brewer reflected on his experience across the UK and US, emphasising the value of networ...

Shaun McLaren’s presentation at the UKSCA 2024 conference explored the increasing importance of data in S&C. He discusses how we are on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution, where AI and data are becoming integral to the profession. He highlighted that by 2030, data literacy will be critical across industries. McLaren emphasises that modern S&C coaches need to move beyond traditional meth...

Dr Amy Arundale, a renowned physiotherapist and researcher, presented at the UKSCA 2024 Annual Conference, focusing on 20 years of advancements in ACL injury prevention and rehabilitation. With experience working with the Brooklyn Nets and now at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Centre, Amy shares valuable insights on how eccentric training enhances cerebellar activity, improving motor control, and...