Listen time - 29mins

In this episode, Alan shares his stumbles and mistakes as a strength and conditioning coach. He discusses a hamstring strain injury and the lessons he learned from it. He reflects on the importance of preparing the nervous system and understanding that not all speed is equal. He also talks about programming mistakes, including a focus on linear periodization and force generation rather than force application. Alan shares his experience of trying to influence a program and the importance of choosing the right battles. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of continuous learning and adapting in the field of strength and conditioning.

Lessons from the episode:

• Prepare the nervous system for high exertion and high-intensity running to prevent injuries.
• Not all speed is equal; consider the positions and movements that can lead to injury.
• Avoid focusing solely on force generation in the gym; prioritize force application in specific movement tasks.
• Choose your battles wisely when trying to influence a program; consider the relationships and dynamics within the team.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are essential in the field of strength and conditioning.

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Dan

Listen Time: 33mins

In this conversation, I welcome Andrew Usher to discuss the importance of understanding oxygen utilization in sports performance. We challenge the traditional focus on VO2 max as a measure of aerobic capacity and highlight the significance of muscle extraction and utilisation of oxygen. We dig into the benefits of extracting oxygen quickly and efficiently and it being more important than the volume of oxygen consumed. Andrew shares his research findings on the impact of supermaximal training on mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization. We also discuss the implications of these findings for injury recovery and team sports performance.

Takeaways

• VO2 max is not the sole determinant of aerobic capacity; muscle extraction and utilization of oxygen are equally important.
• The ability to extract oxygen quickly and efficiently is crucial for sports performance.
• Supermaximal training can significantly improve mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization.
• Understanding oxygen utilization can have implications for injury recovery and team sports performance.

If this episode challenged you to rethink conditioning work in any way, consider checking out the "Clarity in Conditioning" mentorship we have just launched. Visit www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships

As always, don't hesitate to reach out and hope you are enjoying the show!

Dan

Listen Time 28mins

Richard Husseiny shares his journey from the UK Sports Institute to working with Chinese diving teams in this Performance Strategies and Stumbles podcast episode. He reflects on the cultural differences, initial mistakes, and the importance of building relationships over making immediate impacts. Richard discusses the pressures of performance, the challenges of communication in a new environment, and the significance of self-awareness and personal fulfilment in coaching. He emphasises the need to overcome imposter syndrome and the importance of work-life balance, ultimately advocating for a collaborative coaching and career development approach.

Some key talking points we cover:

• Transitioning to a new environment can reveal unexpected challenges.
• Cultural differences can significantly impact communication and collaboration.
• Building relationships is more important than making immediate impacts.
• Self-imposed pressure can hinder performance and decision-making.
• Imposter syndrome is common among coaches and practitioners.
• It's important to ask questions and seek clarity in your role.

If you enjoyed the podcast, do like and share on your networks, and if you'd like to see more about the Group Mentorship work we do at Collaborate Sports, please visit www.collaboratesports.com

Tune in again next week!

Dan