The Human Kinetics Podcast

If you have recognized areas in your life, career, or sport that need to change, congratulations. You have made a crucial step toward behavior change. The next step is creating a strategy to set a path toward success. That is where goal setting enters the conversation. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and Sport Psychology Consultant Aaron Patterson discusses goal-setting strategies and type...

Foundational Yoga Flow was written by Collette Ouseley-Moynan as a collection of 90 poses segmented into three parts: Awaken, Deepen, and Soften. But this resource goes a step further as Texas-based photographer Weston Carls documented the journey across west Texas, capturing the beauty and energy of each pose. In this episode, Collette and Weston shared their experiences in the making of Foundati...

Strength Training used to be simple. People simply focused on lifting the heaviest weights possible to build strength. Trainers and co-authors of The Overload System for Strength, Christian Thibaudeau and Tom Sheppard, are getting back to the old-school training methods that have provided results for decades. In this episode, the duo discusses why those old-school methods still make sense today an...

Regardless the form of yoga you prefer, using props can supply you with a limitless variety of ways to customize your practice. In this episode, certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) Jenny Clise discusses yoga, yoga therapy, and the benefits of using yoga props. She explains that incorporating props can mean using a wall, chair, blocks, and anything within your imagination. The possibilities to expand...

Strength training can be intimidating. Walking into a gym and being unsure of what to do, how much to lift, and filtering through the constant barrage of fitness trends to determine fact from fiction can be daunting. Nike Global Trainer Betina Gozo has over a decade of experience training thousands of women, and has gone a step further in educating women on strength training with her book, Women's...

Ice hockey is said to be the fastest sport played on your feet. It is highly dependent on a number of physical qualities such as strength, speed, agility, endurance, and mobility. There are many nuances to playing the sport, and that makes training for hockey unique. In this episode, Boston Bruins head performance coach Kevin Neeld and Quinnipiac University director of athletic performance Brijesh...

The concept of periodization is not new. Precursors of periodized training date back more than 2,000 years ago. G. Gregory Haff is a world-leading expert on periodization, and has spent his career studying, researching, writing about, and teaching the importance of periodization. He compiled much of his life's work into the first resource of its kind, Scientific Foundations and Practical Applicati...

As Dr. Colleen Hacker explains, "The head and the heart are differentiators" when it comes to finding success in competition. Dr. Hacker, author of Achieving Excellence: Mastering Mindset for Peak Performance, has built an accomplished career working with some of the top athletes in the world in the areas of sport psychology and mental performance. In this episode, she explains what it means to be...

"Without energy, we are nothing and our ability to manipulate our breathing to control our mental and physical energy separates us from other life forms." Those are the words of Harvey Martin who has used his experience as a former pro baseball player to help others.  Martin's pro baseball career ended early as a result of anxiety and the yips. He has since dedicated his career to teaching others...

As coaches, we are leaders of the athletes who have entrusted us with maximizing their potential. Whether you are a strength coach or a sport coach, you have great influence on the athletes you lead. It is important to do so in ways that will support their efforts, build their confidence, and encourage them to be their best. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson discusses the imp...

Cortisol has likely come up in consultations with physicians, you've probably read or heard about it in the news, and content about it has filled your social media feeds. But what is the truth behind this hormone naturally produced in your body? Is it good? Is it bad? How can it impact your diet and body composition? All of these questions and more are discussed in this episode exploring cortisol....

Nutrition is a key component to the performance equation that can unlock the path to high-level success. Athletes are bombarded with advice from coaches, trainers, teammates, and social media. It can get confusing and seem overwhelming. As a former Division I athlete and current assistant athletics director and director of sports nutrition for Purdue University Athletics, Lauren Link knows the imp...

Much of training in sport and performance is focused on physical preparation, but mental performance can be just as important, and in some cases has a larger impact on overall performance success. In this episode, Mental Performance Consultant and professor Dr. Robert Schinke joined sport performance coach Aaron Patterson to discuss the importance and benefits of mental skills training. In the con...

What does it take to run a successful fitness business? It can seem overwhelming for some to jump into a management position in the fitness industry. Steven Trotter and Chris Stevenson are experts in the industry, and have built careers on successful fitness facility management, and consulting to help others do the same. In this episode, Steven and Chris discuss important areas to consider when ru...

In this solo episode, NSCA certified trainer and sport performance coach Aaron Patterson discusses anaerobic training. What is anaerobic training? What is the difference between anaerobic and aerobic training, and what population of individual or athlete should be utilizing anaerobic training? Aaron answers these questions and more in this episode. See links to additional resources on anaerobic tr...

Staying fit and healthy (mentally and physically) is important to avoid illness and disease, and for longevity. It can seem overwhelming at times. In this episode, John Graham, trainer and co-author of Metabolic Training, joined NSCA certified trainer and sport performance coach, Aaron Patterson, for a discussion on the Five Pillars of Health and Wellness.   John Graham, MS, ACSM, EP-C, CSCS*D, FN...

Dr. Jim Stoppani is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the science of training. He has written thousands of articles on exercise, nutrition, and health, was a co-author for the New York Times best seller, LL Cool J's Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle, as well as author of Stronger Arms & Upper Body, PrayFit, and Essentials of Sports Nutrition and Supplements. This was all after earning degre...

Power is crucial for all competitive sports. It is usually the primary goal of all athletes whether training to increase a vertical jump, increasing speed, or protecting the line of scrimmage in American football. Paul Comfort, PhD, has trained athletes with this goal in mind, researched ways to help them improve, and was the editor for NSCA's Developing Power, Second Edition. In this interview, P...

A strong core is vital and a necessity for elite-level athletes. Research has established a direct correlation between core strength, performance, and injury risk reduction. Dr. Jeff Willardson began focusing on various areas of strength and conditioning while a professor at Eastern Illinois University but became particularly interested in the benefits of training the core. In this interview, Dr....

Leslee Bender is a 40-year veteran in the fitness industry, and the 2020 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, and author of Vital Core Training. She is also the creator of the Bender Ball which she created after realizing the importance of core training. In this interview, Leslee explains the importance of implementing core movement training into your program, taking her first fitness class with Jan...

Based on personal experiences and those of her students, yoga teacher Niamh Daly let her passion for helping others guide her to research and explore the true benefits of yoga for menopause. What she found allowed her to step outside the box of the traditional yoga teachings and into the new world of teaching based on the needs of women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. In this interview,...

The science behind training will always play a large role in the success of both the athlete and coach, but soft skills are a big factor that aren't always given the attention they deserve. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Lee Boyce (also a co-author of Strength Training for All Body Types along with Melody Schoenfeld) discuss the importance of soft skills in training and co...

Ben Reuter realized early in his college athletic career that in order to keep pace with his teammates and competition, he needed to find ways to improve his endurance. After earning his master's degree from Old Dominion University and doctorate from Auburn University, he used his knowledge along with CSCS and ATC certifications to help others improve their performance. His most recent venture has...

Friday, August 23, 2024 What is "functional training?" Is it a trendy buzzword that we can ignore, or is there more to it? Trainer, licensed massage therapist, and author Kevin Carr discusses what functional training means and how it has been misinterpreted in the fitness industry. In this conversation, Kevin talks about his career progression, how to put together a complete workout, training gen...

Friday, August 16, 2024 Aches, pains, and sometimes the unfortunate injury are all associated with running, whether competitively or recreationally. Dr. Emmi Aguillard and Coach Jonathan Cane joined this episode to discuss their book, Run Healthy: The Runner's Guide to Injury Prevention and Treatment. They detail tips and strategies to get healthy and stay healthy in order to get the most out of y...