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    <fireside:genDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 12:11:47 -0500</fireside:genDate>
    <generator>Fireside (https://fireside.fm)</generator>
    <title>Science for Sport Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Wearable Technology”</title>
    <link>https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/tags/wearable%20technology</link>
    <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
    <description>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.</description>
    <language>en-gb</language>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>Behind the Scenes of Elite Performance – Unlocking the Science, Stories, and Strategies That Make the Best Even Better</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Science for Sport</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>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.</itunes:summary>
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    <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:keywords>sport, science, sports, sports science, education, coach, coaching, athletes, performance, strength, conditioning, strength &amp; conditioning, S&amp;C, recovery, nutrition, entertainment</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Science for Sport</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>contact@scienceforsport.com</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
<itunes:category text="Education"/>
<itunes:category text="Sports"/>
<itunes:category text="Science"/>
<item>
  <title>320: The Challenges of Modern Collegiate Sport</title>
  <link>https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/320</link>
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  <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
  <author>Science for Sport</author>
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  <itunes:episode>320</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>The Challenges of Modern Collegiate Sport</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Science for Sport</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Richard Graves is joined by Heather Farmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at UNLV, to discuss how sport science has developed within collegiate sport and how UNLV has built a human-first, data-informed performance model. Heather explains why data should support decision-making rather than replace practitioner judgement, how to build coach and athlete buy-in, and why the lack of female athlete data remains a major challenge. The episode also covers wearable technology, AI, return to play, the transfer portal, and the importance of strong communication across the whole high-performance team.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>32:19</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/cover.jpg?v=3"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Heather Farmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Heather has been part of the UNLV athletics staff since 2016, first joining as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning before moving into sport science and later being promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Science in 2024.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Heather shares how UNLV has built a sport science model from the ground up, why data should inform rather than dictate decisions, and how practitioners can create real buy-in across coaches, athletes, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and psychology.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;The conversation explores the realities of working in collegiate sport, from the impact of the transfer portal to the challenge of supporting athletes when timeframes are shorter and rosters are constantly changing. Heather also discusses the importance of female athlete data, the risks of over-relying on wearable technology, and why return-to-play decisions must go beyond timelines and basic fitness markers.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Throughout the episode, Heather brings the conversation back to one core principle: sport science is still about people. Data matters, technology matters, and AI may help practitioners work more efficiently, but the human side of performance remains central to everything.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In this episode you will learn&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How Heather transitioned from collegiate soccer player to strength and conditioning coach, and then into sport science&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why UNLV built its sport science model around being “human first”&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How to use data as an input rather than treating it as the final answer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why coach buy-in is easier when practitioners build trust and show value over time&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The challenges of applying male-dominated performance data to female athletes&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How the transfer portal has changed long-term athlete development in collegiate sport&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why wearable technology can support performance but also create “analysis paralysis”&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How UNLV approaches return to play using performance outputs, not just timelines&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why AI can support information gathering and efficiency, but cannot replace human judgement&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The importance of speaking the language of other disciplines in a high-performance team&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Heather Farmer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Heather Farmer is the Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at UNLV. She has been with UNLV since 2016, initially working in strength and conditioning before moving into sport science leadership. Her work focuses on integrating data-informed approaches across the high-performance team while keeping the individual athlete at the centre of the process.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Before her career in performance, Heather played soccer at the University of North Alabama, where time spent rehabbing from injury and working in the weight room helped shape her interest in high-performance sport. She later worked across multiple sports as a graduate assistant at Lindenwood University before joining UNLV.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;At UNLV, Heather has helped grow sport science into a foundational part of the athletics department, working closely with coaches, athletes and interdisciplinary support staff to create a model that fits the needs of the university, rather than copying what works elsewhere.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SIGN UP NOW:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;​ Learn Quicker &amp;amp; More Effectively&lt;br&gt;
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery&lt;br&gt;
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In&lt;br&gt;
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese&lt;br&gt;
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More&lt;br&gt;
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance&lt;br&gt;
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes&lt;br&gt;
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp;amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&amp;C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Heather Farmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.</p>

<p>Heather has been part of the UNLV athletics staff since 2016, first joining as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning before moving into sport science and later being promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Science in 2024.</p>

<p>In this episode, Heather shares how UNLV has built a sport science model from the ground up, why data should inform rather than dictate decisions, and how practitioners can create real buy-in across coaches, athletes, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and psychology.</p>

<p>The conversation explores the realities of working in collegiate sport, from the impact of the transfer portal to the challenge of supporting athletes when timeframes are shorter and rosters are constantly changing. Heather also discusses the importance of female athlete data, the risks of over-relying on wearable technology, and why return-to-play decisions must go beyond timelines and basic fitness markers.</p>

<p>Throughout the episode, Heather brings the conversation back to one core principle: sport science is still about people. Data matters, technology matters, and AI may help practitioners work more efficiently, but the human side of performance remains central to everything.</p>

<p><strong>In this episode you will learn</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>How Heather transitioned from collegiate soccer player to strength and conditioning coach, and then into sport science</li>
<li>Why UNLV built its sport science model around being “human first”</li>
<li>How to use data as an input rather than treating it as the final answer</li>
<li>Why coach buy-in is easier when practitioners build trust and show value over time</li>
<li>The challenges of applying male-dominated performance data to female athletes</li>
<li>How the transfer portal has changed long-term athlete development in collegiate sport</li>
<li>Why wearable technology can support performance but also create “analysis paralysis”</li>
<li>How UNLV approaches return to play using performance outputs, not just timelines</li>
<li>Why AI can support information gathering and efficiency, but cannot replace human judgement</li>
<li>The importance of speaking the language of other disciplines in a high-performance team</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>About Heather Farmer</strong><br>
Heather Farmer is the Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at UNLV. She has been with UNLV since 2016, initially working in strength and conditioning before moving into sport science leadership. Her work focuses on integrating data-informed approaches across the high-performance team while keeping the individual athlete at the centre of the process.</p>

<p>Before her career in performance, Heather played soccer at the University of North Alabama, where time spent rehabbing from injury and working in the weight room helped shape her interest in high-performance sport. She later worked across multiple sports as a graduate assistant at Lindenwood University before joining UNLV.</p>

<p>At UNLV, Heather has helped grow sport science into a foundational part of the athletics department, working closely with coaches, athletes and interdisciplinary support staff to create a model that fits the needs of the university, rather than copying what works elsewhere.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

<p>​ Learn Quicker &amp; More Effectively<br>
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery<br>
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In<br>
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese<br>
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More<br>
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance<br>
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes<br>
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Heather Farmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.</p>

<p>Heather has been part of the UNLV athletics staff since 2016, first joining as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning before moving into sport science and later being promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Science in 2024.</p>

<p>In this episode, Heather shares how UNLV has built a sport science model from the ground up, why data should inform rather than dictate decisions, and how practitioners can create real buy-in across coaches, athletes, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and psychology.</p>

<p>The conversation explores the realities of working in collegiate sport, from the impact of the transfer portal to the challenge of supporting athletes when timeframes are shorter and rosters are constantly changing. Heather also discusses the importance of female athlete data, the risks of over-relying on wearable technology, and why return-to-play decisions must go beyond timelines and basic fitness markers.</p>

<p>Throughout the episode, Heather brings the conversation back to one core principle: sport science is still about people. Data matters, technology matters, and AI may help practitioners work more efficiently, but the human side of performance remains central to everything.</p>

<p><strong>In this episode you will learn</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>How Heather transitioned from collegiate soccer player to strength and conditioning coach, and then into sport science</li>
<li>Why UNLV built its sport science model around being “human first”</li>
<li>How to use data as an input rather than treating it as the final answer</li>
<li>Why coach buy-in is easier when practitioners build trust and show value over time</li>
<li>The challenges of applying male-dominated performance data to female athletes</li>
<li>How the transfer portal has changed long-term athlete development in collegiate sport</li>
<li>Why wearable technology can support performance but also create “analysis paralysis”</li>
<li>How UNLV approaches return to play using performance outputs, not just timelines</li>
<li>Why AI can support information gathering and efficiency, but cannot replace human judgement</li>
<li>The importance of speaking the language of other disciplines in a high-performance team</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>About Heather Farmer</strong><br>
Heather Farmer is the Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at UNLV. She has been with UNLV since 2016, initially working in strength and conditioning before moving into sport science leadership. Her work focuses on integrating data-informed approaches across the high-performance team while keeping the individual athlete at the centre of the process.</p>

<p>Before her career in performance, Heather played soccer at the University of North Alabama, where time spent rehabbing from injury and working in the weight room helped shape her interest in high-performance sport. She later worked across multiple sports as a graduate assistant at Lindenwood University before joining UNLV.</p>

<p>At UNLV, Heather has helped grow sport science into a foundational part of the athletics department, working closely with coaches, athletes and interdisciplinary support staff to create a model that fits the needs of the university, rather than copying what works elsewhere.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

<p>​ Learn Quicker &amp; More Effectively<br>
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery<br>
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In<br>
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese<br>
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More<br>
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance<br>
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes<br>
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>314: Player Load, Practice Periodisation, and the Art of Keeping It Simple with Jackson Polk</title>
  <link>https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/314</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7dfea048-d0dc-4085-9838-6d018ca795d1</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
  <author>Science for Sport</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/7dfea048-d0dc-4085-9838-6d018ca795d1.mp3" length="42347256" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episode>314</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>Player Load, Practice Periodisation, and the Art of Keeping It Simple with Jackson Polk</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Science for Sport</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Jackson Polk, Director of Sports Science at USC Trojans football, joins Richard Graves to discuss how he built a sports science programme from the ground up using data analytics, GPS monitoring, and the art of genuine conversation. Jackson shares his unorthodox path from student videographer at Oklahoma to leading sports science at one of college football's biggest programmes, and offers a frank, grounded perspective on everything from Catapult metrics and force plate testing to the real limitations of AI in applied sport.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>29:24</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/cover.jpg?v=3"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;Richard Graves is joined by Jackson Polk, Director of Sports Science at the University of Southern California (USC), for a conversation that covers the full spectrum of what it actually means to do this job well, from wrangling a thousand Catapult metrics down to the handful that matter, to the perhaps surprising conclusion that conversation might be your most powerful tool.&lt;br&gt;
Jackson's path into sports science isn't the conventional one. He started as a student videographer with Oklahoma football, found himself drawn to the patterns hiding in data, and taught himself enough statistics and analytics to make coaches stop and listen. That curiosity eventually took him from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, where he's spent the past four years building USC football's sports science programme from the ground up.&lt;br&gt;
What makes this episode stand out is Jackson's willingness to be honest about uncertainty, about AI, about his own mistakes, and about the limits of any single metric or method. He's equally at home referencing Principal Component Analysis and the TV show Veep, and that breadth of thinking is what makes him worth listening to. Whether you work in elite sport, study sports science, or just want to understand what goes into keeping a college football roster performing at its best, there's plenty here to take away.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In This Episode You Will Learn&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why reducing Catapult's thousand-plus metrics down to a focused few, Player Load, sprint volume, and repeat sprint exposures, actually produces better decisions than trying to monitor everything&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How Jackson uses principal component analysis to build confidence in the data he's presenting to coaches and athletes&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The "iceberg" model of athlete monitoring: what data can tell you, and what only a direct conversation will uncover&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why practice periodisation and load management have been one of USC's biggest organisational wins, and how PlayerLoad underpins that planning&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How force plates (via VALD/ForceDecks) and velocity-based training tools like Perch complement GPS data to reveal readiness on any given day&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The case for teaching college athletes sound recovery habits early, so they're not spending their rookie contracts figuring out what works&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How Jackson thinks about AI in sports science: where it's useful, where to be cautious, and why it's only as good as the data it's trained on&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why communication, not technology, is the cornerstone of an effective sports science operation, and how to make data digestible for coaches under pressure&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The value of building a culture where experimentation and failure are treated as learning, not liability&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Lessons from Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke on separating process from outcome, applied directly to sports science decision-making&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Jackson Polk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Jackson Polk is the Director of Sports Science for USC Trojans football, a role he was elevated to in 2024 after serving as Assistant Director from 2022–23. He joined the USC support staff in March 2022, bringing with him an unconventional background that blends mathematics, data science, and a deep passion for American football.&lt;br&gt;
His journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he spent four seasons as a student videographer before becoming a volunteer performance analyst. While at OU, he co-founded the Oklahoma Sports and Data Analytics Club, which went on to win the Pro Football Focus Analytics Blitz contest. He completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Oklahoma in 2021 and subsequently pursued a master's in data science and analytics.&lt;br&gt;
At USC, Jackson has been responsible for building the football programme's sports science infrastructure, integrating GPS monitoring, force plate testing, and load management into daily practice planning. He holds an MBA alongside his analytical credentials, and his work sits at the intersection of data science and high-performance sport.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SIGN UP NOW:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;​ Learn Quicker &amp;amp; More Effectively&lt;br&gt;
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery&lt;br&gt;
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In&lt;br&gt;
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese&lt;br&gt;
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More&lt;br&gt;
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance&lt;br&gt;
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes&lt;br&gt;
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp;amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&amp;C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Richard Graves is joined by Jackson Polk, Director of Sports Science at the University of Southern California (USC), for a conversation that covers the full spectrum of what it actually means to do this job well, from wrangling a thousand Catapult metrics down to the handful that matter, to the perhaps surprising conclusion that conversation might be your most powerful tool.<br>
Jackson's path into sports science isn't the conventional one. He started as a student videographer with Oklahoma football, found himself drawn to the patterns hiding in data, and taught himself enough statistics and analytics to make coaches stop and listen. That curiosity eventually took him from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, where he's spent the past four years building USC football's sports science programme from the ground up.<br>
What makes this episode stand out is Jackson's willingness to be honest about uncertainty, about AI, about his own mistakes, and about the limits of any single metric or method. He's equally at home referencing Principal Component Analysis and the TV show Veep, and that breadth of thinking is what makes him worth listening to. Whether you work in elite sport, study sports science, or just want to understand what goes into keeping a college football roster performing at its best, there's plenty here to take away.</p>

<p><strong>In This Episode You Will Learn</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>Why reducing Catapult's thousand-plus metrics down to a focused few, Player Load, sprint volume, and repeat sprint exposures, actually produces better decisions than trying to monitor everything</li>
<li>How Jackson uses principal component analysis to build confidence in the data he's presenting to coaches and athletes</li>
<li>The "iceberg" model of athlete monitoring: what data can tell you, and what only a direct conversation will uncover</li>
<li>Why practice periodisation and load management have been one of USC's biggest organisational wins, and how PlayerLoad underpins that planning</li>
<li>How force plates (via VALD/ForceDecks) and velocity-based training tools like Perch complement GPS data to reveal readiness on any given day</li>
<li>The case for teaching college athletes sound recovery habits early, so they're not spending their rookie contracts figuring out what works</li>
<li>How Jackson thinks about AI in sports science: where it's useful, where to be cautious, and why it's only as good as the data it's trained on</li>
<li>Why communication, not technology, is the cornerstone of an effective sports science operation, and how to make data digestible for coaches under pressure</li>
<li>The value of building a culture where experimentation and failure are treated as learning, not liability</li>
<li>Lessons from Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke on separating process from outcome, applied directly to sports science decision-making</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>About Jackson Polk</strong><br>
Jackson Polk is the Director of Sports Science for USC Trojans football, a role he was elevated to in 2024 after serving as Assistant Director from 2022–23. He joined the USC support staff in March 2022, bringing with him an unconventional background that blends mathematics, data science, and a deep passion for American football.<br>
His journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he spent four seasons as a student videographer before becoming a volunteer performance analyst. While at OU, he co-founded the Oklahoma Sports and Data Analytics Club, which went on to win the Pro Football Focus Analytics Blitz contest. He completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Oklahoma in 2021 and subsequently pursued a master's in data science and analytics.<br>
At USC, Jackson has been responsible for building the football programme's sports science infrastructure, integrating GPS monitoring, force plate testing, and load management into daily practice planning. He holds an MBA alongside his analytical credentials, and his work sits at the intersection of data science and high-performance sport.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

<p>​ Learn Quicker &amp; More Effectively<br>
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery<br>
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In<br>
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese<br>
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More<br>
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance<br>
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes<br>
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Richard Graves is joined by Jackson Polk, Director of Sports Science at the University of Southern California (USC), for a conversation that covers the full spectrum of what it actually means to do this job well, from wrangling a thousand Catapult metrics down to the handful that matter, to the perhaps surprising conclusion that conversation might be your most powerful tool.<br>
Jackson's path into sports science isn't the conventional one. He started as a student videographer with Oklahoma football, found himself drawn to the patterns hiding in data, and taught himself enough statistics and analytics to make coaches stop and listen. That curiosity eventually took him from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, where he's spent the past four years building USC football's sports science programme from the ground up.<br>
What makes this episode stand out is Jackson's willingness to be honest about uncertainty, about AI, about his own mistakes, and about the limits of any single metric or method. He's equally at home referencing Principal Component Analysis and the TV show Veep, and that breadth of thinking is what makes him worth listening to. Whether you work in elite sport, study sports science, or just want to understand what goes into keeping a college football roster performing at its best, there's plenty here to take away.</p>

<p><strong>In This Episode You Will Learn</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>Why reducing Catapult's thousand-plus metrics down to a focused few, Player Load, sprint volume, and repeat sprint exposures, actually produces better decisions than trying to monitor everything</li>
<li>How Jackson uses principal component analysis to build confidence in the data he's presenting to coaches and athletes</li>
<li>The "iceberg" model of athlete monitoring: what data can tell you, and what only a direct conversation will uncover</li>
<li>Why practice periodisation and load management have been one of USC's biggest organisational wins, and how PlayerLoad underpins that planning</li>
<li>How force plates (via VALD/ForceDecks) and velocity-based training tools like Perch complement GPS data to reveal readiness on any given day</li>
<li>The case for teaching college athletes sound recovery habits early, so they're not spending their rookie contracts figuring out what works</li>
<li>How Jackson thinks about AI in sports science: where it's useful, where to be cautious, and why it's only as good as the data it's trained on</li>
<li>Why communication, not technology, is the cornerstone of an effective sports science operation, and how to make data digestible for coaches under pressure</li>
<li>The value of building a culture where experimentation and failure are treated as learning, not liability</li>
<li>Lessons from Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke on separating process from outcome, applied directly to sports science decision-making</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>About Jackson Polk</strong><br>
Jackson Polk is the Director of Sports Science for USC Trojans football, a role he was elevated to in 2024 after serving as Assistant Director from 2022–23. He joined the USC support staff in March 2022, bringing with him an unconventional background that blends mathematics, data science, and a deep passion for American football.<br>
His journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he spent four seasons as a student videographer before becoming a volunteer performance analyst. While at OU, he co-founded the Oklahoma Sports and Data Analytics Club, which went on to win the Pro Football Focus Analytics Blitz contest. He completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Oklahoma in 2021 and subsequently pursued a master's in data science and analytics.<br>
At USC, Jackson has been responsible for building the football programme's sports science infrastructure, integrating GPS monitoring, force plate testing, and load management into daily practice planning. He holds an MBA alongside his analytical credentials, and his work sits at the intersection of data science and high-performance sport.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

<p>​ Learn Quicker &amp; More Effectively<br>
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery<br>
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In<br>
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese<br>
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More<br>
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance<br>
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes<br>
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>272: Inside Catapult: Global Trends, Common Pitfalls &amp; the Future of Sports Science</title>
  <link>https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/272</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">30e3bc0b-3432-4adb-818f-3f58e0f870ad</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
  <author>Science for Sport</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/30e3bc0b-3432-4adb-818f-3f58e0f870ad.mp3" length="41626276" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episode>272</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>Inside Catapult: Global Trends, Common Pitfalls &amp; the Future of Sports Science</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Science for Sport</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Catapult’s VP of Customer Success, Chris Polley, joins the show to share global trends, common pitfalls, and real-world insights from working with 4,400+ elite teams. Discover how the world’s best apply sports science tech to gain a competitive edge.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>43:21</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/cover.jpg?v=3"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Chris Polley, Vice President of Customer Success at Catapult, for a deep-dive into the world of elite sports performance monitoring. With over 55 sports scientists working across 16 countries, Chris shares what he and his team are seeing across top-tier teams in more than 40 sports worldwide.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Listeners will learn:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The global trends shaping the future of sports science, including data integration and AI&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why the best teams often do the basics exceptionally well&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Common mistakes when adopting performance tech – and how to avoid them&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How Catapult’s wearable and video technologies are being used to save time and unlock deeper insights&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;What really makes a great sports scientist in today’s high-performance environment&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Chris also shares practical advice for aspiring practitioners, highlighting the importance of communication, cultural fit, and the ability to simplify complex data to drive better decision-making.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Whether you're working in pro sport or just entering the field, this episode is packed with wisdom from someone who’s helped scale one of the most widely used performance platforms in the world.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Chris Polley&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Chris Polley is Catapult’s Vice President of Customer Success, formerly Senior Director of Sport Science, based in Victoria, Australia. Over the past 11 years at Catapult, Chris has played a pivotal role in scaling the team from its start-up beginnings to a global fixture, now supporting over 4,400 teams across 128 countries. He leads a diverse squad of approximately 55 sports scientists across 16 nations, delivering post-sales support, global training, analytics best practice, and insights-driven performance strategies. With a strong academic grounding, including published research on activity profiling in elite lacrosse and rugby forwards, Chris brings both scientific rigour and real-world expertise to Catapult’s wearable and video technology suite&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SIGN UP NOW:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;​ Learn Quicker &amp;amp; More Effectively&lt;br&gt;
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery&lt;br&gt;
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In&lt;br&gt;
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese&lt;br&gt;
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More&lt;br&gt;
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance&lt;br&gt;
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes&lt;br&gt;
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp;amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research &lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&amp;C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries, sports data, data analytics, data analysis</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Chris Polley, Vice President of Customer Success at Catapult, for a deep-dive into the world of elite sports performance monitoring. With over 55 sports scientists working across 16 countries, Chris shares what he and his team are seeing across top-tier teams in more than 40 sports worldwide.</p>

<p>Listeners will learn:</p>

<ul>
<li>The global trends shaping the future of sports science, including data integration and AI</li>
<li>Why the best teams often do the basics exceptionally well</li>
<li>Common mistakes when adopting performance tech – and how to avoid them</li>
<li>How Catapult’s wearable and video technologies are being used to save time and unlock deeper insights</li>
<li>What really makes a great sports scientist in today’s high-performance environment</li>
</ul>

<p>Chris also shares practical advice for aspiring practitioners, highlighting the importance of communication, cultural fit, and the ability to simplify complex data to drive better decision-making.</p>

<p>Whether you're working in pro sport or just entering the field, this episode is packed with wisdom from someone who’s helped scale one of the most widely used performance platforms in the world.</p>

<p><strong>About Chris Polley</strong><br>
Chris Polley is Catapult’s Vice President of Customer Success, formerly Senior Director of Sport Science, based in Victoria, Australia. Over the past 11 years at Catapult, Chris has played a pivotal role in scaling the team from its start-up beginnings to a global fixture, now supporting over 4,400 teams across 128 countries. He leads a diverse squad of approximately 55 sports scientists across 16 nations, delivering post-sales support, global training, analytics best practice, and insights-driven performance strategies. With a strong academic grounding, including published research on activity profiling in elite lacrosse and rugby forwards, Chris brings both scientific rigour and real-world expertise to Catapult’s wearable and video technology suite</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

<p>​ Learn Quicker &amp; More Effectively<br>
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery<br>
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In<br>
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese<br>
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More<br>
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance<br>
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes<br>
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Chris Polley, Vice President of Customer Success at Catapult, for a deep-dive into the world of elite sports performance monitoring. With over 55 sports scientists working across 16 countries, Chris shares what he and his team are seeing across top-tier teams in more than 40 sports worldwide.</p>

<p>Listeners will learn:</p>

<ul>
<li>The global trends shaping the future of sports science, including data integration and AI</li>
<li>Why the best teams often do the basics exceptionally well</li>
<li>Common mistakes when adopting performance tech – and how to avoid them</li>
<li>How Catapult’s wearable and video technologies are being used to save time and unlock deeper insights</li>
<li>What really makes a great sports scientist in today’s high-performance environment</li>
</ul>

<p>Chris also shares practical advice for aspiring practitioners, highlighting the importance of communication, cultural fit, and the ability to simplify complex data to drive better decision-making.</p>

<p>Whether you're working in pro sport or just entering the field, this episode is packed with wisdom from someone who’s helped scale one of the most widely used performance platforms in the world.</p>

<p><strong>About Chris Polley</strong><br>
Chris Polley is Catapult’s Vice President of Customer Success, formerly Senior Director of Sport Science, based in Victoria, Australia. Over the past 11 years at Catapult, Chris has played a pivotal role in scaling the team from its start-up beginnings to a global fixture, now supporting over 4,400 teams across 128 countries. He leads a diverse squad of approximately 55 sports scientists across 16 nations, delivering post-sales support, global training, analytics best practice, and insights-driven performance strategies. With a strong academic grounding, including published research on activity profiling in elite lacrosse and rugby forwards, Chris brings both scientific rigour and real-world expertise to Catapult’s wearable and video technology suite</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

<p>​ Learn Quicker &amp; More Effectively<br>
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery<br>
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In<br>
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese<br>
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More<br>
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance<br>
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes<br>
​ Save Yourself The Stress &amp; Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>264: Catapult's Vector 8: The Future of Athlete Monitoring Unveiled</title>
  <link>https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/264</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e8f61c79-86c3-4811-9d8f-5f8f2d0988ce</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate>
  <author>Science for Sport</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/e8f61c79-86c3-4811-9d8f-5f8f2d0988ce.mp3" length="39928944" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episode>264</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>Catapult's Vector 8: The Future of Athlete Monitoring Unveiled</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Science for Sport</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>In this episode of the Science for Sport podcast, we chat with Jacques Groenewald, Vice President of Engineering at Catapult, about the revolutionary Vector 8 system. Discover how this cutting-edge technology is set to transform athlete monitoring and performance optimisation, enabling real-time data analysis and enhancing decision-making for coaches and athletes alike.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>41:35</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/cover.jpg?v=3"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;Join us this week on the Science for Sport podcast as we dive into an exciting conversation with Jacques Groenewald, the Vice President of Engineering at Catapult. In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking Vector 8 system, a revolutionary product that is set to transform athlete monitoring and performance optimisation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Jacques shares his journey from electronics to sports technology, revealing the years of research and development that culminated in the creation of Vector 8. Discover how this innovative system enhances real-time data collection, enabling coaches and athletes to make informed decisions on the fly. With its user-friendly design and powerful capabilities, Vector 8 promises to streamline workflows and improve efficiency for elite teams.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;We discuss the unique features that set Vector 8 apart from previous technologies, including its ability to handle up to 120 athletes simultaneously and its advanced AI integration for deeper insights. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports enthusiast, this episode will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how Vector 8 is poised to redefine the future of sports performance.&lt;br&gt;
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the technology that is not just changing the game but revolutionising how we understand and enhance athletic performance. Tune in to find out why Vector 8 is the must-have tool for elite teams around the world!&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Jacques Groenewald&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
Jacques Groenewald is the Vice President of Engineering at Catapult, where he plays a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge sports technology. With nearly two decades of experience in product development, Jacques has a rich background that spans electronics, big data, and sports technology. His journey began with a passion for electronics, leading him to work in various sectors, including semiconductors and industrial applications. Jacques's expertise in product management and engineering has been instrumental in the creation of Catapult's game changing Vector 8 system, which is set to redefine athlete monitoring and performance optimisation. His commitment to enhancing the user experience and simplifying complex data processes reflects his belief that technology should empower athletes and coaches alike. Jacques's innovative mindset and dedication to pushing the boundaries of sports science make him a key figure in the evolution of athlete performance technology.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SIGN UP NOW:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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

&lt;h3&gt;🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&amp;amp;ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Google Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Spotify&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Stitcher&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>sports science, sport science, strength and conditioning, S&amp;C, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries, data, analytics, sports data, sport analysis, catapult, athlete monitoring</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Join us this week on the Science for Sport podcast as we dive into an exciting conversation with Jacques Groenewald, the Vice President of Engineering at Catapult. In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking Vector 8 system, a revolutionary product that is set to transform athlete monitoring and performance optimisation.</p>

<p>Jacques shares his journey from electronics to sports technology, revealing the years of research and development that culminated in the creation of Vector 8. Discover how this innovative system enhances real-time data collection, enabling coaches and athletes to make informed decisions on the fly. With its user-friendly design and powerful capabilities, Vector 8 promises to streamline workflows and improve efficiency for elite teams.</p>

<p>We discuss the unique features that set Vector 8 apart from previous technologies, including its ability to handle up to 120 athletes simultaneously and its advanced AI integration for deeper insights. </p>

<p>Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports enthusiast, this episode will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how Vector 8 is poised to redefine the future of sports performance.<br>
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the technology that is not just changing the game but revolutionising how we understand and enhance athletic performance. Tune in to find out why Vector 8 is the must-have tool for elite teams around the world!</p>

<p><strong>About Jacques Groenewald</strong><br>
Jacques Groenewald is the Vice President of Engineering at Catapult, where he plays a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge sports technology. With nearly two decades of experience in product development, Jacques has a rich background that spans electronics, big data, and sports technology. His journey began with a passion for electronics, leading him to work in various sectors, including semiconductors and industrial applications. Jacques's expertise in product management and engineering has been instrumental in the creation of Catapult's game changing Vector 8 system, which is set to redefine athlete monitoring and performance optimisation. His commitment to enhancing the user experience and simplifying complex data processes reflects his belief that technology should empower athletes and coaches alike. Jacques's innovative mindset and dedication to pushing the boundaries of sports science make him a key figure in the evolution of athlete performance technology.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

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

<h3>🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform</h3>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Apple Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&amp;ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Google Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spotify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Stitcher</a></li>
</ul>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Join us this week on the Science for Sport podcast as we dive into an exciting conversation with Jacques Groenewald, the Vice President of Engineering at Catapult. In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking Vector 8 system, a revolutionary product that is set to transform athlete monitoring and performance optimisation.</p>

<p>Jacques shares his journey from electronics to sports technology, revealing the years of research and development that culminated in the creation of Vector 8. Discover how this innovative system enhances real-time data collection, enabling coaches and athletes to make informed decisions on the fly. With its user-friendly design and powerful capabilities, Vector 8 promises to streamline workflows and improve efficiency for elite teams.</p>

<p>We discuss the unique features that set Vector 8 apart from previous technologies, including its ability to handle up to 120 athletes simultaneously and its advanced AI integration for deeper insights. </p>

<p>Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports enthusiast, this episode will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how Vector 8 is poised to redefine the future of sports performance.<br>
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the technology that is not just changing the game but revolutionising how we understand and enhance athletic performance. Tune in to find out why Vector 8 is the must-have tool for elite teams around the world!</p>

<p><strong>About Jacques Groenewald</strong><br>
Jacques Groenewald is the Vice President of Engineering at Catapult, where he plays a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge sports technology. With nearly two decades of experience in product development, Jacques has a rich background that spans electronics, big data, and sports technology. His journey began with a passion for electronics, leading him to work in various sectors, including semiconductors and industrial applications. Jacques's expertise in product management and engineering has been instrumental in the creation of Catapult's game changing Vector 8 system, which is set to redefine athlete monitoring and performance optimisation. His commitment to enhancing the user experience and simplifying complex data processes reflects his belief that technology should empower athletes and coaches alike. Jacques's innovative mindset and dedication to pushing the boundaries of sports science make him a key figure in the evolution of athlete performance technology.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

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

<h3>🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform</h3>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Apple Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&amp;ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Google Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spotify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Stitcher</a></li>
</ul>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>252: How to Maximise Athlete Performance &amp; Recovery</title>
  <link>https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/252</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0354f7a-6b3f-4aaf-ba92-c3b9cdc8daca</guid>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  <author>Science for Sport</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/f0354f7a-6b3f-4aaf-ba92-c3b9cdc8daca.mp3" length="28187635" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episode>252</itunes:episode>
  <itunes:title>How to Maximise Athlete Performance &amp; Recovery</itunes:title>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Science for Sport</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>From winning the Heineken Cup with Leinster Rugby to shaping the future of athlete recovery and performance data, Dr Peter Tierney shares key insights from his diverse career. Discover the biggest mistakes in replicating success, the science behind tailored recovery strategies, and how wearable tech is transforming sport.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>29:21</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/ed3f06f4-af55-41d4-87cf-0e484d2d9fef/cover.jpg?v=3"/>
  <description>&lt;p&gt;This week we are unlocking the Secrets of Elite Performance with Dr Peter Tierney! From the high-pressure world of professional rugby and football to cutting-edge performance apparel, Dr Peter Tierney has seen it all. In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes to win at the highest level, exploring the critical lessons from his time with Leinster Rugby’s Heineken Cup-winning squad, the evolving science of athlete recovery, and the power of data in shaping the future of sports performance.&lt;br&gt;
Discover:&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The biggest mistakes teams make when trying to replicate success&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Why recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all approach – and how to get it right&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;How wearable tech is changing the game (for better or worse!)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;What elite coaches like Stuart Lancaster do differently&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;

&lt;p&gt;If you're serious about maximising performance, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply straight away. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports science enthusiast – you don't want to miss this one! &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;** About Dr Peter Tierney**&lt;br&gt;
Dr Peter Tierney is a highly experienced sports scientist and performance coach with over a decade of experience working across multiple sports, including rugby, football, and athletics. He has held key roles with Leinster Rugby, contributing to their Heineken Cup success, and has worked in industry innovation, focusing on performance apparel. Dr Tierney specialises in athlete recovery, data-driven performance strategies, and applying cutting-edge sports science to optimise results. He actively shares insights on social media and contributes to advancing the field through research and applied practice.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SIGN UP NOW:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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

&lt;h3&gt;🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform&lt;/h3&gt;

&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Apple Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&amp;amp;ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Google Podcasts&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Spotify&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"&gt;Stitcher&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>strength and conditioning, performance, athlete, sport, exercise, nutrition, injury, injuries,  sports science, athlete recovery, performance coaching, wearable technology, elite performance, sports analytics, rugby performance, football training, strength and conditioning, Peter Tierney, Leinster Rugby, Stuart Lancaster, sports data, fitness optimisation, recovery strategies, sports science podcast, sports performance, sports technology, athlete wellness, professional sports training, coaching insights, high-performance sport, injury prevention, training intensity, recovery techniques, sports innovation, performance apparel, sports coaching, sports nutrition, elite athlete training</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>This week we are unlocking the Secrets of Elite Performance with Dr Peter Tierney! From the high-pressure world of professional rugby and football to cutting-edge performance apparel, Dr Peter Tierney has seen it all. In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes to win at the highest level, exploring the critical lessons from his time with Leinster Rugby’s Heineken Cup-winning squad, the evolving science of athlete recovery, and the power of data in shaping the future of sports performance.<br>
Discover:</p>

<ul>
<li>The biggest mistakes teams make when trying to replicate success</li>
<li>Why recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all approach – and how to get it right</li>
<li>How wearable tech is changing the game (for better or worse!)</li>
<li>What elite coaches like Stuart Lancaster do differently</li>
</ul>

<p>If you're serious about maximising performance, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply straight away. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports science enthusiast – you don't want to miss this one! </p>

<p>** About Dr Peter Tierney**<br>
Dr Peter Tierney is a highly experienced sports scientist and performance coach with over a decade of experience working across multiple sports, including rugby, football, and athletics. He has held key roles with Leinster Rugby, contributing to their Heineken Cup success, and has worked in industry innovation, focusing on performance apparel. Dr Tierney specialises in athlete recovery, data-driven performance strategies, and applying cutting-edge sports science to optimise results. He actively shares insights on social media and contributes to advancing the field through research and applied practice.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

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

<h3>🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform</h3>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Apple Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&amp;ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Google Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spotify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Stitcher</a></li>
</ul>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>This week we are unlocking the Secrets of Elite Performance with Dr Peter Tierney! From the high-pressure world of professional rugby and football to cutting-edge performance apparel, Dr Peter Tierney has seen it all. In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes to win at the highest level, exploring the critical lessons from his time with Leinster Rugby’s Heineken Cup-winning squad, the evolving science of athlete recovery, and the power of data in shaping the future of sports performance.<br>
Discover:</p>

<ul>
<li>The biggest mistakes teams make when trying to replicate success</li>
<li>Why recovery isn't a one-size-fits-all approach – and how to get it right</li>
<li>How wearable tech is changing the game (for better or worse!)</li>
<li>What elite coaches like Stuart Lancaster do differently</li>
</ul>

<p>If you're serious about maximising performance, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply straight away. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or sports science enthusiast – you don't want to miss this one! </p>

<p>** About Dr Peter Tierney**<br>
Dr Peter Tierney is a highly experienced sports scientist and performance coach with over a decade of experience working across multiple sports, including rugby, football, and athletics. He has held key roles with Leinster Rugby, contributing to their Heineken Cup success, and has worked in industry innovation, focusing on performance apparel. Dr Tierney specialises in athlete recovery, data-driven performance strategies, and applying cutting-edge sports science to optimise results. He actively shares insights on social media and contributes to advancing the field through research and applied practice.</p>

<p><strong>FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL</strong></p>

<p><strong>SIGN UP NOW:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241</a></p>

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

<h3>🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform</h3>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast/id1506431005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Apple Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5maXJlc2lkZS5mbS9zY2llbmNlZm9yc3BvcnQvcnNz?sa=X&amp;ved=0CAIQ4aUDahcKEwj43vyLxbrrAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Google Podcasts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5DZlm3bNyPQd1QknUxCWTz?si=yHWOt3LORfeGgp7i31ey8g" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spotify</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/science-for-sport-podcast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Stitcher</a></li>
</ul>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
  </channel>
</rss>
