What makes one athlete more efficient than another?

In this episode, we speak with Graham Stark, sports scientist at Firstbeat, about the concept of movement efficiencyand why it plays a crucial role in athletic performance.

Movement efficiency refers to how much activity an athlete can produce relative to the energy cost of that activity. Two athletes might run at the same speed, but their bodies can respond very differently depending on cardiovascular fitness, biomechanics, and physiological factors.

In this conversation we explore:

• What movement efficiency means in sports science

• The relationship between heart rate, energy expenditure, and performance

• Why some athletes perform better while using less energy

• How coaches can improve movement patterns and conditioning

• Why efficiency development is especially important in young athletes

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or sports science enthusiast, this episode provides practical insights into how improving efficiency can lead to better performance and reduced fatigue.