Pacey Performance Podcast

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Luke Fitzpatrick, Head of Data Science at VALD, discusses the role of data science in sports technology and the importance of data quality and security. He explains the process of generating normative data and how clients can get the most out of their data. Luke also shares interesting insights, such as the age at which adolescents experience the largest strength development and the average strength of NFL players compared to the general population. The data science team at VALD is focused on expanding their product suite and providing more valuable insights to clients. This episode is different to any that we have done over the last 10 years. New talking points: The role of a data scientist at Vald Data quality and security Accessing VALD testing data Managing huge amounts of data Visualizing normative data Making the most of your data

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Rehabilitation Coordinator at PSV Eindhoven, Nick van der Horst. Nick shares his journey from aspiring footballer to sports physiotherapist, where he now focuses on rehabilitation at PSV Eindhoven.  Nick advocates for preseason screenings that assess isometric strength, mobility, and contralateral limb function to identify individual risks. He also highlights the importance of iliopsoas mobility for hamstring flexibility and sprint performance. Tailored training strategies and post-game eccentric exercises also play a key role in preventing injuries. Nick emphasizes individualized approaches in both prevention and rehabilitation. Mini-dosing and eccentric training in fatigued states, along with structured recovery phases, help build resilience and reduce injury risk. He also stresses the importance of avoiding ineffective methods like cupping and dry needling in favor of mobility and flexibility work for better energy transfer during athletic performance. Nick stresses that personalized strategies, including eccentric exercises and load management, alongside strong communication with players, are key to reducing hamstring injuries in athletes. Main talking points: • Eccentric strength training crucial for injury prevention • Personalize load management to each athlete's needs • Conduct preseason screenings for hamstring injury risks • Focus on iliopsoas mobility for sprint performance • Tailor training strategies to individual player profiles • Use post-game eccentric exercises for recovery • Apply mini-dosing in fatigued states for injury prevention • Strengthen pelvic mobility for energy transfer efficiency.

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Johan Lahti discusses the complexities of assessing sprint technique in relation to hamstring injury risk. While technology has made sprint assessment more accessible, measuring its impact on injury risk remains challenging, and Johan questions whether it's always worth the effort. However, he emphasizes the importance of focusing on key aspects of technique, such as minimizing time under tension and analyzing movement patterns like overstriding or increased hip flexion, which can lead to hamstring issues. Johan highlights that sprint assessments should consider the entire movement cycle, as isolated 2D assessments may miss critical factors like pelvic movement. He notes that technique assessments do not always predict performance or injury risk accurately, stressing the need to address both movement patterns and physical strength. Strengthening key muscle groups, especially the glutes and hamstrings, is vital for maintaining sprint technique, particularly under fatigue, which can help reduce injury risk. He also discusses the rising prevalence of hamstring injuries due to increased high-speed sprinting in professional sports. He advocates for teaching sustainable sprint techniques to young athletes to develop overall athleticism and prevent future injuries. Force-velocity profiling is also mentioned as a valuable tool for identifying athletes' strengths and weaknesses in sprinting. While assessing sprint technique is valuable, it must be done holistically and integrated with strength training to minimize hamstring injury risk and improve performance. Main talking points: • Focus on key aspects of sprint technique • Minimize time under tension during sprinting • Analyze entire movement cycle for injury risk • Address overstriding and increased hip flexion • Assess sprint technique in a fatigued states • Teach sustainable sprint techniques to young athletes • Develop strength and movement variability early • Train sprint form to reduce hamstring strain • Incorporate sprint assessments with strength training

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Professor in Sport and Exercise Science, Charlie Pedlar delves into the importance of understanding the unique physiological responses of female athletes to optimize their health and sports performance. He highlights the progress made in recent years, particularly in recognizing the impact of menstrual cycles and iron deficiency on female athletes. Charlie explains that menstrual cycles, which were often overlooked in the past, play a crucial role in influencing athletic performance. Tracking these cycles can help athletes anticipate and manage the physiological changes that occur, allowing for more tailored training approaches. He emphasizes that iron deficiency is prevalent among female athletes due to menstrual blood loss and poor iron absorption, significantly affecting endurance and overall performance. The discussion also covers the challenges of linking individual symptoms to menstrual cycles, as hormonal fluctuations can produce a wide range of effects. Charlie advocates for individualized training plans that consider each athlete's unique cycle, rather than blanket recommendations, to maximize performance and recovery. He also addresses common misconceptions about female health, such as the oversimplification of training strategies and the potential negative impacts of hormonal contraception. He calls for more research focused on individual variations and the role of nutrition across the menstrual cycle, stressing the need for tailored approaches in both training and health management. The podcast underscores the critical need to integrate a deeper understanding of female physiology into sports performance strategies to enhance the health and success of female athletes. Main talking points: Track menstrual cycles to optimize training Address iron deficiency in female athletes Tailor training to individual menstrual cycles Recognize menstrual symptoms and adjust accordingly Focus on individualized strategies, not blanket recommendations Use tracking tools for accurate cycle predictions Educate athletes on menstrual cycle impact Avoid relying solely on hormonal contraception