Training Science Podcast

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 ra...

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...

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...

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

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 tran...

🚴‍♂️💥 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 neuromu...

🏎️💪 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: th...

🚴‍♀️ 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 professi...

❤️‍🔥 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...

💉🏃‍♂️ 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...

🏉💬 PERFORMANCE, PRESSURE & PURPOSE IN SPORT After 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...

🚴‍♂️ 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 su...

🏃‍♀️ 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 sy...

⚡ 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 me...

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 wi...

🎿🔬 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 opt...

🤝🏃‍♂️ 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 performance Whether you’re...

🥓🔬 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-a...

🥑 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...

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,...

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...

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...