We Do Performance - A Sport Science Podcast

About We Do Performance - A Sport Science Podcast

Join Dr Andrew Usher and Dr John Babraj as they dive into research reviews, sports science concepts, chat with featured guests, and introduce you to the exciting world of high performance and sports science.

Publisher

andrew-usher

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Feb 2025

Latest episode

27 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Aug 2025

   We Do Performance - Episode 5 (Vo2Max)

   Host John and guest Andrew explore VO2 Max testing, discussing its methods, interpretation, and true value for athletes in this interview.

2. 

   22 May 2025

   We Do Performance - Episode 4 -(Ed Lea)

   In this episode of the We Do Performance podcast, Ed Lee, a seasoned performance coach at Harlequins, shares his journey in rugby and the evolution of strength and conditioning practices. He discusses the importance of individualized training, the role of acceleration in athlete performance, and the psychological benefits of sprint training. Ed emphasizes the need for freshness over fitness in training schedules and how sprinting can serve as both a training tool and a screening method for athletes. The conversation highlights the challenges and realities of training elite athletes and the continuous adaptation required in coaching methods. In this conversation, Ed and the team delve into the complexities of physiological limiters in athletic performance, focusing on the distinctions between central and peripheral limitations. They explore the use of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) as a tool for understanding muscle function and performance metrics. The discussion highlights the importance of data-driven insights in training, particularly in rugby, where conditioning strategies must adapt to the demands of the sport. The conversation also touches on the significance of scrum and mauling in conditioning, the art of pushing athletic limits, and the need for a comprehensive understanding of conditioning to enhance overall performance. Keywords rugby, performance coaching, strength and conditioning, athlete training, acceleration training, sports science, team sports, training adaptation, psychological benefits, individualized training, physiological limiters, central limitations, peripheral limitations, NIRS, athletic training, performance improvement, scrum conditioning, mauling, data-driven insights, conditioning strategies

3. 

   28 Mar 2025

   We Do Performance - Episode 3 ( Bill Smart)

   In this episode Andrew is joined by Strength and Conditioning and Performance coach Bill Smart. Bill has worked in numerous sports, from BMX, Cycling to MMA, and has been responsible for the strength and conditioning of UFC athletes such as Israel Adesanya. In this chat, we discuss everything from how to elicit the energy system demands of sport, to the use of Train Red NIRS to profile athletes and much more. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bill Smart and His Background 03:13 The Evolution of Strength and Conditioning in Combat Sports 06:02 The Unique Attributes of BMX Athletes 09:02 Training Methodologies for Elite Athletes 11:58 The Importance of Needs Analysis in Performance Training 14:56 The Role of Experience in Strength and Conditioning 17:55 Insights from Personal Combat Sports Experience 20:49 The Intersection of Skill and Strength in Combat Sports 23:25 Conditioning Strategies for Boxing and Combat Sports 25:58 The Role of Elasticity and Power Generation in Fighting 29:14 Conclusion and Future Directions in Strength and Conditioning 33:28 Elasticity and Shock Absorption in Combat Sports 36:46 Understanding Fatigue and Recovery in Athletes 38:48 The Role of Psychology in Performance 40:30 Mental Toughness and Pressure Testing 43:19 Identifying and Addressing Performance Issues 49:13 The Importance of Observations in Competition 53:53 Utilizing NIRS Technology in Training 01:02:42 Exploring Athletic Profiles and Training Differences 01:04:42 Understanding Muscle Oxygenation and Endurance 01:06:35 Hypertrophy's Impact on Athletic Performance 01:08:35 The Role of Training Methods in Energy Systems 01:10:30 Striking Techniques and Force Measurement 01:23:43 Concluding Thoughts on Performance and Research

4. 

   5 Mar 2025

   We Do Performance - Episode 2 (NIRS)

   In this episode John and I discuss NIRS ( Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy ) and how to use them to measure muscle oxygenation. We dive into the pro's an con's of a couple of brands, and tips on how to set them up, where to place them and some best practices on how to use them. For those interested in acquiring a Train Red sensor, the my affiliate code will give you 10 percent off. train.red/THEANDREWUSHER Or simply use the code THEANDREWUSHER and the checkout.

5. 

   6 Feb 2025

   We Do Performance - Episode 1

   Join Dr John Babraj and Dr Andrew Usher as they dive into the world of high performance and sport science. In this episode they delve into mitochondria, along with Sprint Interval Training, their research into mitochondrial adaptations, NIRS and what ramifications mitochondrial adaptations have for sport and exercise.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings