How do we individualize athlete development in chaotic, high-contact sports like rugby and basketball? Dr. Carmen Colomer shares her science-backed system for unlocking performance 🔬🏉💥

On this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Paul & Carmen dive into practical strategies for maximising physical preparation in team sport athletes, drawing from Carmen’s deep experience across the NBA, NRL, A-League, Super Rugby, and her PhD on tactical complexity in Rugby Union.

🔥 What’s inside:

🧠 Applying complex systems thinking to tactical analysis
⚡ Using Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR) to individualize conditioning
🧬 Profiling muscle fibre typology through field-based surrogate tests
🍽️ Linking nutrition and fibre type to body comp & metabolic health
🎯 Building coach relationships and navigating elite men’s sport as a female practitioner
👶 Balancing PhD life, pro sport… and a toddler

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#TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #AthleticaAI #ASR #AnaerobicSpeedReserve #MuscleFibreType #SportsScience #ComplexSystems #RugbyLeague #RugbyUnion #NRL #TacticalAnalysis #TeamSportConditioning #NutritionStrategy #HighPerformance #WomenInSport #Physiology #PerformanceScience #CoachDevelopment #AthleteProfiling

Today’s speakers:

🎙️ Prof. Paul Laursen – https://www.paullaursen.com
🎙️ Dr. Carmen M. E. Colomer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-colomer/

References:
📄 A qualitative study exploring tactical performance determinants from the perspective of three Rugby World Cup coaches – https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231170842