Today’s guest is Dustin Oranchuk, Ph.D. Dustin is a sport scientist focused on sprinting biomechanics, speed development, and force production. Known for blending research with practical coaching insight, his work explores how isometrics, elasticity, and coordination shape high-performance sprinting and athletic movement.

Isometric training is one of the “original” forms of strength training, and in the modern day has become one of the most popular areas of discussion and training methodology. Although the practice has exploded, it often lacks an understanding of physiology of adaptation with various methods.

In this episode, Dustin explores the evolving world of isometric training, including the origins of isometrics. We discuss differences between pushing and holding contractions, tendon and neural adaptations, and modern applications in performance, rehab, and longevity. The conversation also dives into eccentric quasi-isometrics (EQIs), motivation and measurement challenges, and how coaches can intelligently integrate isometrics alongside plyometrics and traditional strength work.

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Timestamps

0:11 – Strength Training Beginnings

5:38 – Evolution of Isometric Training

8:38 – Modern Applications of Isometrics

9:52 – Neural vs. Morphological Adaptations

15:45 – The Importance of Long Holds

19:42 – Combining Isometrics and Plyometrics

39:22 – Exploring Eccentric Quasi-Isometrics

47:10 – Periodization and Isometric Training

1:05:48 – Future Research Directions

1:13:00 – Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Quotes from Dustin Oranchuk

"We can predict performance fairly well from a test where we're actually not moving at all."

"I think the main evolution is getting a little bit less towards building peak strength for barbell purposes and a little bit more universal utility for rehabilitation and longevity."

"Using isometrics at a variety of different muscle lengths and different contraction durations to try and rehab after a pectare or a quadriceps strain or something like that."

"The general or the more popular goal with the longer muscle length movements, or lack thereof, would be morphological adaptations."

"Instead of matching a position, you're just trying to get the most sort of bang for your buck out of the isometrics as far as causing hypertrophy, or being able to target tendon rehabilitation, or build work capacity, or some other sort of little bit more morphological adaptation."

"Tendons tend to need a certain threshold of intensity to get noticeable or meaningful adaptations. I think it's probably somewhere around 70 % of MBIC or max isometric contraction of a pushing ISO."

"It's okay for our SNC work to not look obviously like anything we do on the field."

"You can create a really good weight room environment where there's camaraderie and there's competitiveness without any objective measurements."

"Pushing into a rack is almost always going to be able to be done at a higher intensity than holding something."

About Dustin Oranchuk

Dustin Oranchuk, PhD, is a sport scientist specializing in speed development, biomechanics, and force production in sprinting and jumping. He holds a doctorate in sport science and has worked extensively with elite athletes across track and field, team sports, and high-performance environments. Dustin is widely known for his research-informed yet practical approach to sprint mechanics, isometric training, and elastic performance, bridging laboratory insights with real-world coaching application. Through consulting, research, and education, he helps coaches and athletes better understand how force, stiffness, and coordination influence maximal speed and performance.