web02.fireside.fm Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:50:58 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Science for Sport Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Periodisation” https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/tags/periodisation Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100 Discover the Secrets Behind Elite Performance. Join us on the Science for Sport Podcast, where every episode dives into the cutting-edge world of sports science and the untold stories behind the best athletes and teams on the planet. Hosted by Richard Graves, we bring you exclusive insights from elite athletes, world-class coaches, and leading sports scientists who are shaping the future of global sport. This isn’t just another sports podcast—this is your backstage pass to: - The science powering record-breaking performances. - The trends, challenges, and breakthroughs redefining the game. - Mastering the balance of art and science in coaching. Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, physio, nutritionist, teacher, or just a passionate sports fan, this is your chance to learn from the pros and stay ahead of the curve. Tune in every Monday and uncover what it takes to make the best, better. en-gb episodic Behind the Scenes of Elite Performance – Unlocking the Science, Stories, and Strategies That Make the Best Even Better Science for Sport Discover the Secrets Behind Elite Performance. Join us on the Science for Sport Podcast, where every episode dives into the cutting-edge world of sports science and the untold stories behind the best athletes and teams on the planet. Hosted by Richard Graves, we bring you exclusive insights from elite athletes, world-class coaches, and leading sports scientists who are shaping the future of global sport. This isn’t just another sports podcast—this is your backstage pass to: - The science powering record-breaking performances. - The trends, challenges, and breakthroughs redefining the game. - Mastering the balance of art and science in coaching. Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, physio, nutritionist, teacher, or just a passionate sports fan, this is your chance to learn from the pros and stay ahead of the curve. Tune in every Monday and uncover what it takes to make the best, better. yes sport, science, sports, sports science, education, coach, coaching, athletes, performance, strength, conditioning, strength & conditioning, S&C, recovery, nutrition, entertainment Science for Sport contact@scienceforsport.com 313: Building Durability in Action Sports with Ryan Blake http://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/313 ce502224-dadf-49a8-b0c0-9c720be8ea55 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100 Science for Sport 313 Building Durability in Action Sports with Ryan Blake full Science for Sport Ryan Blake, founder of Extreme Sports Performance and performance consultant for British Water Ski and Wakeboard, joins Richard Graves to make the case for a completely different approach to athlete preparation in action sports. Drawing on over 20 years of experience across elite sport and education, Ryan explains why durability, not peak output, is the real target in disciplines defined by unpredictability, variable terrain, and repeated decision-making under fatigue. He walks through his Restore, Apply, Own framework, the role of technology in bridging the gap between training and competition, and why the explosive growth of the X Games League and Olympic action sports makes this one of the most exciting frontiers in performance science right now. 30:08 no What does it actually take to prepare an athlete for a sport where the environment itself is part of the challenge? In this week's episode, Richard Graves sits down with Ryan Blake, Performance Coach, Consultant, and founder of Extreme Sports Performance, to explore the fascinating and often overlooked world of action sports performance. Ryan brings a unique perspective to this conversation. A former action sports athlete himself whose career was cut short by a life-threatening injury, he has since spent over 20 years working across elite sport, academy systems, private education, and national governing bodies, before circling back to the world he started in. Today, he works as a performance consultant for British Water Ski and Wakeboard, Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London, and Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association. This isn't a conversation about conventional periodisation or standard gym metrics. Ryan challenges the assumptions baked into most traditional performance models and makes a compelling case for why action sports, think X Games, halfpipe snowboarding, freestyle skiing, demand an entirely different approach. One built not around chasing peaks, but around building repeatable, durable performance that holds up under fatigue, variable terrain, and real-world unpredictability. He talks through his Restore, Apply, Own framework in practical terms, explains why training in a fresh state but competing in a fatigued one is one of the most underappreciated problems in sport, and shares how he uses a blend of velocity-based training, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and athlete-specific education tools to close that gap. He also weighs in on the growing use of AI in competition judging, the rapid rise of the X Games League, and why the preparation systems in action sports simply haven't caught up with where the sport is heading. Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply someone with an interest in how elite performance is built at the fringes of mainstream sport, this is a conversation worth your time. In This Episode You Will Learn * Why traditional performance models fall short in action and adventure sports, and what needs to change * The difference between performance capacity and durability — and why durability is the more important target in action sports * How Ryan's Restore, Apply, Own framework structures athlete preparation from the ground up * Why training athletes in a fatigued state is just as important as having them fresh — and how to do it effectively * How to use a simple SWOT analysis to identify athlete needs and prioritise support when resources are limited * The role of technology in action sports performance, including VBT, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and AI in competition judging * Why strength training alone doesn't transfer to sport performance without progression through capacity, application, and environment * How the rapid growth of the X Games League and Olympic inclusion is creating both opportunity and a preparation gap in action sports * Practical first steps for coaches and athletes looking to engage with a more structured performance system in action sports About Ryan Blake Ryan Blake is a performance coach and consultant specialising in action and adventure sports. He founded Extreme Sports Performance in 2018 after a career that has taken him through elite academy systems, professional sport, private education, and national governing body consultancy. He holds accreditations from both the UKSCA and NSCA, holds an MSc in Maintenance and Enhancement of Elite Performance from the University of Portsmouth, and has worked with world champion athletes and Olympic medallists across disciplines including British Tennis, England Cricket, British Cycling, and now British Water Ski and Wakeboard. Alongside his consultancy work, Ryan serves as Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London and as Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association. His own background as an action sports athlete — and the life-threatening injury that ended that chapter — underpins his philosophy around risk, durability, and long-term performance. He is based in Guildford and can be found on Instagram at @extremesportsperformance or at extremesportsperformance.com. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries What does it actually take to prepare an athlete for a sport where the environment itself is part of the challenge? In this week's episode, Richard Graves sits down with Ryan Blake, Performance Coach, Consultant, and founder of Extreme Sports Performance, to explore the fascinating and often overlooked world of action sports performance.

Ryan brings a unique perspective to this conversation. A former action sports athlete himself whose career was cut short by a life-threatening injury, he has since spent over 20 years working across elite sport, academy systems, private education, and national governing bodies, before circling back to the world he started in. Today, he works as a performance consultant for British Water Ski and Wakeboard, Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London, and Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association.

This isn't a conversation about conventional periodisation or standard gym metrics. Ryan challenges the assumptions baked into most traditional performance models and makes a compelling case for why action sports, think X Games, halfpipe snowboarding, freestyle skiing, demand an entirely different approach. One built not around chasing peaks, but around building repeatable, durable performance that holds up under fatigue, variable terrain, and real-world unpredictability.
He talks through his Restore, Apply, Own framework in practical terms, explains why training in a fresh state but competing in a fatigued one is one of the most underappreciated problems in sport, and shares how he uses a blend of velocity-based training, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and athlete-specific education tools to close that gap. He also weighs in on the growing use of AI in competition judging, the rapid rise of the X Games League, and why the preparation systems in action sports simply haven't caught up with where the sport is heading.
Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply someone with an interest in how elite performance is built at the fringes of mainstream sport, this is a conversation worth your time.

In This Episode You Will Learn

  • Why traditional performance models fall short in action and adventure sports, and what needs to change
  • The difference between performance capacity and durability — and why durability is the more important target in action sports
  • How Ryan's Restore, Apply, Own framework structures athlete preparation from the ground up
  • Why training athletes in a fatigued state is just as important as having them fresh — and how to do it effectively
  • How to use a simple SWOT analysis to identify athlete needs and prioritise support when resources are limited
  • The role of technology in action sports performance, including VBT, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and AI in competition judging
  • Why strength training alone doesn't transfer to sport performance without progression through capacity, application, and environment
  • How the rapid growth of the X Games League and Olympic inclusion is creating both opportunity and a preparation gap in action sports
  • Practical first steps for coaches and athletes looking to engage with a more structured performance system in action sports

About Ryan Blake
Ryan Blake is a performance coach and consultant specialising in action and adventure sports. He founded Extreme Sports Performance in 2018 after a career that has taken him through elite academy systems, professional sport, private education, and national governing body consultancy. He holds accreditations from both the UKSCA and NSCA, holds an MSc in Maintenance and Enhancement of Elite Performance from the University of Portsmouth, and has worked with world champion athletes and Olympic medallists across disciplines including British Tennis, England Cricket, British Cycling, and now British Water Ski and Wakeboard.
Alongside his consultancy work, Ryan serves as Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London and as Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association. His own background as an action sports athlete — and the life-threatening injury that ended that chapter — underpins his philosophy around risk, durability, and long-term performance. He is based in Guildford and can be found on Instagram at @extremesportsperformance or at extremesportsperformance.com.

FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

]]> What does it actually take to prepare an athlete for a sport where the environment itself is part of the challenge? In this week's episode, Richard Graves sits down with Ryan Blake, Performance Coach, Consultant, and founder of Extreme Sports Performance, to explore the fascinating and often overlooked world of action sports performance.

Ryan brings a unique perspective to this conversation. A former action sports athlete himself whose career was cut short by a life-threatening injury, he has since spent over 20 years working across elite sport, academy systems, private education, and national governing bodies, before circling back to the world he started in. Today, he works as a performance consultant for British Water Ski and Wakeboard, Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London, and Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association.

This isn't a conversation about conventional periodisation or standard gym metrics. Ryan challenges the assumptions baked into most traditional performance models and makes a compelling case for why action sports, think X Games, halfpipe snowboarding, freestyle skiing, demand an entirely different approach. One built not around chasing peaks, but around building repeatable, durable performance that holds up under fatigue, variable terrain, and real-world unpredictability.
He talks through his Restore, Apply, Own framework in practical terms, explains why training in a fresh state but competing in a fatigued one is one of the most underappreciated problems in sport, and shares how he uses a blend of velocity-based training, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and athlete-specific education tools to close that gap. He also weighs in on the growing use of AI in competition judging, the rapid rise of the X Games League, and why the preparation systems in action sports simply haven't caught up with where the sport is heading.
Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply someone with an interest in how elite performance is built at the fringes of mainstream sport, this is a conversation worth your time.

In This Episode You Will Learn

  • Why traditional performance models fall short in action and adventure sports, and what needs to change
  • The difference between performance capacity and durability — and why durability is the more important target in action sports
  • How Ryan's Restore, Apply, Own framework structures athlete preparation from the ground up
  • Why training athletes in a fatigued state is just as important as having them fresh — and how to do it effectively
  • How to use a simple SWOT analysis to identify athlete needs and prioritise support when resources are limited
  • The role of technology in action sports performance, including VBT, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and AI in competition judging
  • Why strength training alone doesn't transfer to sport performance without progression through capacity, application, and environment
  • How the rapid growth of the X Games League and Olympic inclusion is creating both opportunity and a preparation gap in action sports
  • Practical first steps for coaches and athletes looking to engage with a more structured performance system in action sports

About Ryan Blake
Ryan Blake is a performance coach and consultant specialising in action and adventure sports. He founded Extreme Sports Performance in 2018 after a career that has taken him through elite academy systems, professional sport, private education, and national governing body consultancy. He holds accreditations from both the UKSCA and NSCA, holds an MSc in Maintenance and Enhancement of Elite Performance from the University of Portsmouth, and has worked with world champion athletes and Olympic medallists across disciplines including British Tennis, England Cricket, British Cycling, and now British Water Ski and Wakeboard.
Alongside his consultancy work, Ryan serves as Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London and as Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association. His own background as an action sports athlete — and the life-threatening injury that ended that chapter — underpins his philosophy around risk, durability, and long-term performance. He is based in Guildford and can be found on Instagram at @extremesportsperformance or at extremesportsperformance.com.

FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

]]> 284: Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge? http://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/284 5c906c5b-b9ad-4e50-bf43-4b0daf552014 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100 Science for Sport 284 Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge? full Science for Sport Richard Graves and performance coach Daniel Booth debate how clubs, national teams, and personal practitioners can align around “one athlete, one plan” without adding risk—covering communication, data sharing, contracts, and load management. Practical takeaways draw on football, rugby, Olympic sport, and case studies like Mahomes and LeBron to show what good collaboration looks like in practice. 32:14 no Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge? In this week’s episode, host Richard Graves sits down with Daniel Booth, a performance coach who’s worked inside elite teams (Watford FC, Ealing Trailfinders), across Olympic sprint programmes, and independently with top athletes, to unpack one of the hottest debates in high performance: Should athletes stick strictly to club schedules, or can personal trainers/physios/dietitians add an edge without adding risk? Drawing on experience from football, rugby, and Olympic sport, Daniel explains why tensions flare (mismatched philosophies, poor communication, asset ownership), what great collaboration looks like in the real world, and how high-performing organisations formalise outside support without losing control. What you’ll learn * The real source of conflict between club performance/medical staff and external coaches, and how cross-sport thinking challenges “that’s how we’ve always done it.” * A practical collaboration model: who shares what, when, and how (weekly data drops, post-match/flight recovery notes, and a single “central coordinator” to integrate inputs). * Risk vs. reward in load management: why living on the “edge” drives adaptation, and how to avoid double-loading athletes after intense sessions. * Contracts done right: how some teams formally write approved externals into player agreements and set clear, shared calendars. * International duty realities: why centralised models in rugby/cricket often outperform football’s fragmented approach, and what football can copy now. * Case studies that translate: lessons from LeBron/Mancias and Mahomes/Stroop—how season-long regen blocks and role clarity reduce noise and improve availability. * Social media pitfalls: why chasing a “brand” erodes trust, and how word-of-mouth and discretion still win in elite environments. About Daniel Booth Daniel Booth is a performance coach with 10+ years’ experience across elite football (Watford FC), rugby (including Ealing Trailfinders), and Olympic sprint programmes, as well as work with Warner Bros. Discovery. Now operating independently, he partners with clubs and national teams to deliver athlete-centred programming and is formally written into several Premiership rugby player contracts to act as the central performance coordinator, integrating club, country, and external inputs. Daniel’s approach blends cross-sport best practice, honest communication, and low-ego, data-led decision-making focused on availability and longevity. SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries, sports science, high performance, athlete monitoring, load management, player availability, injury prevention, return to play, strength and conditioning, S&C, periodisation, recovery strategies, regeneration, data sharing, GPS tracking, club vs personal coach, external practitioners, collaboration in sport, communication in teams, central contracts, football performance, premier league, rugby performance, olympic sport, player welfare, performance pathways, multidisciplinary teams, elite sport, coaching philosophy, programme design, case studies Mahomes LeBron Brady Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge?

In this week’s episode, host Richard Graves sits down with Daniel Booth, a performance coach who’s worked inside elite teams (Watford FC, Ealing Trailfinders), across Olympic sprint programmes, and independently with top athletes, to unpack one of the hottest debates in high performance:
Should athletes stick strictly to club schedules, or can personal trainers/physios/dietitians add an edge without adding risk?

Drawing on experience from football, rugby, and Olympic sport, Daniel explains why tensions flare (mismatched philosophies, poor communication, asset ownership), what great collaboration looks like in the real world, and how high-performing organisations formalise outside support without losing control.

What you’ll learn

  • The real source of conflict between club performance/medical staff and external coaches, and how cross-sport thinking challenges “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
  • A practical collaboration model: who shares what, when, and how (weekly data drops, post-match/flight recovery notes, and a single “central coordinator” to integrate inputs).
  • Risk vs. reward in load management: why living on the “edge” drives adaptation, and how to avoid double-loading athletes after intense sessions.
  • Contracts done right: how some teams formally write approved externals into player agreements and set clear, shared calendars.
  • International duty realities: why centralised models in rugby/cricket often outperform football’s fragmented approach, and what football can copy now.
  • Case studies that translate: lessons from LeBron/Mancias and Mahomes/Stroop—how season-long regen blocks and role clarity reduce noise and improve availability.
  • Social media pitfalls: why chasing a “brand” erodes trust, and how word-of-mouth and discretion still win in elite environments.

About Daniel Booth
Daniel Booth is a performance coach with 10+ years’ experience across elite football (Watford FC), rugby (including Ealing Trailfinders), and Olympic sprint programmes, as well as work with Warner Bros. Discovery. Now operating independently, he partners with clubs and national teams to deliver athlete-centred programming and is formally written into several Premiership rugby player contracts to act as the central performance coordinator, integrating club, country, and external inputs. Daniel’s approach blends cross-sport best practice, honest communication, and low-ego, data-led decision-making focused on availability and longevity.

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

  • ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
  • ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
  • ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
  • ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
  • ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
  • ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
  • ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
  • ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
]]> Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge?

In this week’s episode, host Richard Graves sits down with Daniel Booth, a performance coach who’s worked inside elite teams (Watford FC, Ealing Trailfinders), across Olympic sprint programmes, and independently with top athletes, to unpack one of the hottest debates in high performance:
Should athletes stick strictly to club schedules, or can personal trainers/physios/dietitians add an edge without adding risk?

Drawing on experience from football, rugby, and Olympic sport, Daniel explains why tensions flare (mismatched philosophies, poor communication, asset ownership), what great collaboration looks like in the real world, and how high-performing organisations formalise outside support without losing control.

What you’ll learn

  • The real source of conflict between club performance/medical staff and external coaches, and how cross-sport thinking challenges “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
  • A practical collaboration model: who shares what, when, and how (weekly data drops, post-match/flight recovery notes, and a single “central coordinator” to integrate inputs).
  • Risk vs. reward in load management: why living on the “edge” drives adaptation, and how to avoid double-loading athletes after intense sessions.
  • Contracts done right: how some teams formally write approved externals into player agreements and set clear, shared calendars.
  • International duty realities: why centralised models in rugby/cricket often outperform football’s fragmented approach, and what football can copy now.
  • Case studies that translate: lessons from LeBron/Mancias and Mahomes/Stroop—how season-long regen blocks and role clarity reduce noise and improve availability.
  • Social media pitfalls: why chasing a “brand” erodes trust, and how word-of-mouth and discretion still win in elite environments.

About Daniel Booth
Daniel Booth is a performance coach with 10+ years’ experience across elite football (Watford FC), rugby (including Ealing Trailfinders), and Olympic sprint programmes, as well as work with Warner Bros. Discovery. Now operating independently, he partners with clubs and national teams to deliver athlete-centred programming and is formally written into several Premiership rugby player contracts to act as the central performance coordinator, integrating club, country, and external inputs. Daniel’s approach blends cross-sport best practice, honest communication, and low-ego, data-led decision-making focused on availability and longevity.

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

  • ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
  • ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
  • ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
  • ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
  • ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
  • ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
  • ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
  • ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
]]> 271: Strength First: Why It Underpins Everything http://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/271 8091bbca-30fc-494f-a83f-207c20847db9 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100 Science for Sport 271 Strength First: Why It Underpins Everything full Science for Sport Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, shares insights from coaching across both rugby union and league. From building strength and robustness to managing return-to-play and player wellbeing, this episode dives deep into the science behind elite performance. 28:21 no In this week’s episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, a former professional rugby player turned strength and conditioning expert with experience across both rugby union and league. Matt shares his fascinating journey from the pitch to the performance department, offering valuable insights drawn from his time at Leicester Tigers and Catalan Dragons. With a career that’s spanned both codes of rugby, Matt dives into the key physical demands of each sport and how training must adapt to meet them. He also lifts the lid on what really goes into building strength, power, and robustness across a long and gruelling season. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The real physical differences between rugby union and rugby league – and why it’s not just “the same shaped ball” * How to build meaningful preseason plans that lay the foundation for success * Why strength underpins everything, and how it connects to power and injury prevention * The importance of athlete conversations over just relying on data * How Matt handles return-to-play protocols and balances performance with player wellbeing Whether you're a coach in pro sport or working at grassroots level, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways and thought-provoking reflections on what it really takes to keep athletes performing at their best. About Matt Parr Matt Parr is the Head of Athletic Performance at Leicester Tigers and a former professional prop whose rugby career saw him represent clubs such as Sale Sharks, Saracens, London Irish, and Leicester. After transitioning from player to coach, Matt began his performance career at the Tigers in 2015, later becoming Lead S&C coach in 2020. In 2022, he took on the Head of Performance role at Catalan Dragons in rugby league, before returning to Leicester in mid‑2024 to bring his cross-code expertise back to the Tigers setup . With an MSc in strength and conditioning and a reputation for strategic planning, leadership, and performance optimisation. Matt combines top-level playing experience and science-backed coaching to help elite athletes perform and stay on the field. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research 🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005) Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g) Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast) sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries In this week’s episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, a former professional rugby player turned strength and conditioning expert with experience across both rugby union and league.
Matt shares his fascinating journey from the pitch to the performance department, offering valuable insights drawn from his time at Leicester Tigers and Catalan Dragons. With a career that’s spanned both codes of rugby, Matt dives into the key physical demands of each sport and how training must adapt to meet them. He also lifts the lid on what really goes into building strength, power, and robustness across a long and gruelling season.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • The real physical differences between rugby union and rugby league – and why it’s not just “the same shaped ball”
  • How to build meaningful preseason plans that lay the foundation for success
  • Why strength underpins everything, and how it connects to power and injury prevention
  • The importance of athlete conversations over just relying on data
  • How Matt handles return-to-play protocols and balances performance with player wellbeing

Whether you're a coach in pro sport or working at grassroots level, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways and thought-provoking reflections on what it really takes to keep athletes performing at their best.

About Matt Parr
Matt Parr is the Head of Athletic Performance at Leicester Tigers and a former professional prop whose rugby career saw him represent clubs such as Sale Sharks, Saracens, London Irish, and Leicester. After transitioning from player to coach, Matt began his performance career at the Tigers in 2015, later becoming Lead S&C coach in 2020. In 2022, he took on the Head of Performance role at Catalan Dragons in rugby league, before returning to Leicester in mid‑2024 to bring his cross-code expertise back to the Tigers setup . With an MSc in strength and conditioning and a reputation for strategic planning, leadership, and performance optimisation. Matt combines top-level playing experience and science-backed coaching to help elite athletes perform and stay on the field.

FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform

]]> In this week’s episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, a former professional rugby player turned strength and conditioning expert with experience across both rugby union and league.
Matt shares his fascinating journey from the pitch to the performance department, offering valuable insights drawn from his time at Leicester Tigers and Catalan Dragons. With a career that’s spanned both codes of rugby, Matt dives into the key physical demands of each sport and how training must adapt to meet them. He also lifts the lid on what really goes into building strength, power, and robustness across a long and gruelling season.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • The real physical differences between rugby union and rugby league – and why it’s not just “the same shaped ball”
  • How to build meaningful preseason plans that lay the foundation for success
  • Why strength underpins everything, and how it connects to power and injury prevention
  • The importance of athlete conversations over just relying on data
  • How Matt handles return-to-play protocols and balances performance with player wellbeing

Whether you're a coach in pro sport or working at grassroots level, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways and thought-provoking reflections on what it really takes to keep athletes performing at their best.

About Matt Parr
Matt Parr is the Head of Athletic Performance at Leicester Tigers and a former professional prop whose rugby career saw him represent clubs such as Sale Sharks, Saracens, London Irish, and Leicester. After transitioning from player to coach, Matt began his performance career at the Tigers in 2015, later becoming Lead S&C coach in 2020. In 2022, he took on the Head of Performance role at Catalan Dragons in rugby league, before returning to Leicester in mid‑2024 to bring his cross-code expertise back to the Tigers setup . With an MSc in strength and conditioning and a reputation for strategic planning, leadership, and performance optimisation. Matt combines top-level playing experience and science-backed coaching to help elite athletes perform and stay on the field.

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]]> 122: Minimising The Interference Effect: How To Stop Aerobic Training From Killing Your Strength Gains http://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/122 9fb322d7-5279-4bb9-b288-5ee591299c04 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 02:00:00 +0100 Science for Sport 122 Minimising The Interference Effect: How To Stop Aerobic Training From Killing Your Strength Gains full Science for Sport Come with us as we delve into the mysterious and exciting world of sports science… This entertaining podcast explores: • The science behind the world’s best athletes. • Current issues and events in the world of sport. • How to master the art and science of coaching. Every Monday, Matt Solomon chats with various experts to uncover the science and secrets behind what makes the best athletes in the world so damn good at what they do. They’ll also dive into global issues and events effecting the world of sport, such as COVID-19 and gene doping. Though anyone is welcome to join us on this journey, this podcast is primarily for: • S&C coaches/sports scientists • Physiotherapists • Nutritionists/Dieticians • Physical education teachers • Sports enthusiasts • Knowledge-seeking athletes If you’re any of the above, we challenge you to listen to an episode and not fall in love with this laugh-out-loud, brain-swelling podcast. 29:17 no In episode 122, Theo Pickles, Strength & Conditioning Coach at TeamNL, joins us. Specifically Theo will be looking at: Importance of the Interference Effect How to combine strength and endurance training for optimum results What other sports can learn from Rowing and Swimming periodisation About Theo "Theo has been working in elite sport for over 15 years in a wide variety of sports including para-athletics, rugby, AFL, cricket, swimming, rowing and basketball. As a strength and conditioning coach he has travelled the world, starting in Australia to Bangladesh, the UK, Belgium and for the last 13 years in the Netherlands. At the TeamNL he has contributed to 15 Olympic medals in that time and is now the Athletic Performance Manager of the Orange Lions Academy Basketball Team where he combines mulitpile roles of strength and conditioning coach, sports scientist and performance manager. " Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/theopickles ASCA L1: https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/level-01-international-course-dates/netherlands-asca-level-1-s-c-coach-accreditation-course-november-2022 ASCA L2: https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/associate-l2-international-course-dates/netherlands-asca-associate-l2-s-c-coach-accreditation-course-september-october-2022 FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode122 Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More Improve Your Athletes' Performance Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research 🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005) Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g) Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast) sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries In episode 122, Theo Pickles, Strength & Conditioning Coach at TeamNL, joins us.

Specifically Theo will be looking at:

  • Importance of the Interference Effect
  • How to combine strength and endurance training for optimum results
  • What other sports can learn from Rowing and Swimming periodisation

About Theo

"Theo has been working in elite sport for over 15 years in a wide variety of sports including para-athletics, rugby, AFL, cricket, swimming, rowing and basketball. As a strength and conditioning coach he has travelled the world, starting in Australia to Bangladesh, the UK, Belgium and for the last 13 years in the Netherlands. At the TeamNL he has contributed to 15 Olympic medals in that time and is now the Athletic Performance Manager of the Orange Lions Academy Basketball Team where he combines mulitpile roles of strength and conditioning coach, sports scientist and performance manager. "

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/theopickles

ASCA L1: https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/level-01-international-course-dates/netherlands-asca-level-1-s-c-coach-accreditation-course-november-2022

ASCA L2: https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/associate-l2-international-course-dates/netherlands-asca-associate-l2-s-c-coach-accreditation-course-september-october-2022

FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode122

Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform

]]> In episode 122, Theo Pickles, Strength & Conditioning Coach at TeamNL, joins us.

Specifically Theo will be looking at:

  • Importance of the Interference Effect
  • How to combine strength and endurance training for optimum results
  • What other sports can learn from Rowing and Swimming periodisation

About Theo

"Theo has been working in elite sport for over 15 years in a wide variety of sports including para-athletics, rugby, AFL, cricket, swimming, rowing and basketball. As a strength and conditioning coach he has travelled the world, starting in Australia to Bangladesh, the UK, Belgium and for the last 13 years in the Netherlands. At the TeamNL he has contributed to 15 Olympic medals in that time and is now the Athletic Performance Manager of the Orange Lions Academy Basketball Team where he combines mulitpile roles of strength and conditioning coach, sports scientist and performance manager. "

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/theopickles

ASCA L1: https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/level-01-international-course-dates/netherlands-asca-level-1-s-c-coach-accreditation-course-november-2022

ASCA L2: https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/associate-l2-international-course-dates/netherlands-asca-associate-l2-s-c-coach-accreditation-course-september-october-2022

FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode122

Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform

]]> 60: Crafting World Champion Performance In Combat Sport http://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/60 b72b128e-e16d-45b2-8870-e93f73dfa643 Mon, 24 May 2021 05:00:00 +0100 Science for Sport 60 Crafting World Champion Performance In Combat Sport full Science for Sport Come with us as we delve into the mysterious and exciting world of sports science… This entertaining podcast explores: • The science behind the world’s best athletes. • Current issues and events in the world of sport. • How to master the art and science of coaching. Every Monday, Matt Solomon chats with various experts to uncover the science and secrets behind what makes the best athletes in the world so damn good at what they do. They’ll also dive into global issues and events effecting the world of sport, such as COVID-19 and gene doping. Though anyone is welcome to join us on this journey, this podcast is primarily for: • S&C coaches/sports scientists • Physiotherapists • Nutritionists/Dieticians • Physical education teachers • Sports enthusiasts • Knowledge-seeking athletes If you’re any of the above, we challenge you to listen to an episode and not fall in love with this laugh-out-loud, brain-swelling podcast. 19:30 yes In episode 60 Jorden Bres, Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Dutch Olympic Team, joins us. Specifically Jorden will be looking at: S&C programming towards a World Championship Assessing progress Tapering to competition Body composition considerations About Jorden "Jorden trains or has trained multiple european, world and Olympic medalists like european, world and Olympic champion in gymnastics Epke Zonderland, world champion in jud Noel van 't End, multiple european champion in judo Henk Grol, european and world champion in speed skating Jutta Leerdam and many more." Instagram: @JordenBres Twitter: @JordenBres Website: https://www.jordenbres.nl/ FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: http://bit.ly/sfspodcast_ep60 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research 🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005) Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA) Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g) Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast) 🙏🏽 Thank you to our sponsors We'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this amazing podcast. FLEX by GymAware Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below. https://bit.ly/FLEX-gymaware Hawkin Dynamics To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts. https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries In episode 60 Jorden Bres, Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Dutch Olympic Team, joins us.

Specifically Jorden will be looking at:

  • S&C programming towards a World Championship
  • Assessing progress
  • Tapering to competition
  • Body composition considerations

About Jorden

"Jorden trains or has trained multiple european, world and Olympic medalists like european, world and Olympic champion in gymnastics Epke Zonderland, world champion in jud Noel van 't End, multiple european champion in judo Henk Grol, european and world champion in speed skating Jutta Leerdam and many more."

Instagram: @JordenBres
Twitter: @JordenBres
Website: https://www.jordenbres.nl/

FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: http://bit.ly/sfspodcast_ep60

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform

🙏🏽 Thank you to our sponsors

We'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this amazing podcast.

FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

https://bit.ly/FLEX-gymaware

Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

]]> In episode 60 Jorden Bres, Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Dutch Olympic Team, joins us.

Specifically Jorden will be looking at:

  • S&C programming towards a World Championship
  • Assessing progress
  • Tapering to competition
  • Body composition considerations

About Jorden

"Jorden trains or has trained multiple european, world and Olympic medalists like european, world and Olympic champion in gymnastics Epke Zonderland, world champion in jud Noel van 't End, multiple european champion in judo Henk Grol, european and world champion in speed skating Jutta Leerdam and many more."

Instagram: @JordenBres
Twitter: @JordenBres
Website: https://www.jordenbres.nl/

FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: http://bit.ly/sfspodcast_ep60

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform

🙏🏽 Thank you to our sponsors

We'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this amazing podcast.

FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

https://bit.ly/FLEX-gymaware

Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

]]>