🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/prediction-of-133488112 🏋️‍♀️

Are you using standardized weights in CrossFit? What if you could predict each athlete's maximum load for the thruster based on their clean and jerk? How can personalized training models transform your coaching? In this episode, Alejandro Oliver shares groundbreaking insights on how to individualize CrossFit workouts for optimal performance and safety.

Alejandro Oliver-López is a coach, researcher, and professor at the European University of Madrid, focusing on optimizing CrossFit training through data-driven approaches. He is in the final stages of his Doctoral Thesis, aiming to shift CrossFit training towards a more evidence-based, individualized model rather than generic group fitness classes.

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Original research paper(s):

Oliver-López A, Brandt T, Schmidt A, Sabido R. Prediction of thruster maximum load using clean and jerk one-repetition maximum: influence of gender and experience in CrossFit athletes. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness. 2025 Mar 25.

https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/sports-med-physical-fitness/article.php?cod=R40Y9999N00A25032505

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🔹 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alejandro-Oliver-Lopez

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mental-skills-132950735 🏋️‍♀️

Are you struggling to foster a high-performing culture in your weightlifting team? How can you help athletes navigate the mental pressures of competition? What role does effective communication play in athlete-coach relationships?

Tom Smalley is the Founder of Struggle into Strength Performance, LLC, and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. With a Master's in Exercise and Sports Science, Tom specializes in bridging the gap between mental and physical fitness. He has extensive experience working with athletes across various levels and sports, focusing on enhancing performance through emotional regulation and effective communication.

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🖼️ Weightlifting research infographics:

https://evidencestrong.com

🎙️ Check out Tom's "Smalls Talk" Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/61GlKOBnVCjYmzvSa3QfqY?si=1d1f16f9953f40de&nd=1&dlsi=f38df4bd7f684cb2

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/making-weight-129803266 🏋️‍♀️

Are you a coach struggling to understand the psychological impact of weight cutting on athletes? What happens to body image during weight loss? Can a gradual weight loss strategy improve well-being? Join Izzy Tremonte as she shares her research on the psychological nuances of weight cutting in powerlifting and how to help athletes maintain their mental health through this challenging process.

Izzy Tremonte is a PhD student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. With over 5 years of experience as a powerlifter, she combines her personal insights with academic research to explore the psychological aspects of body image and well-being in athletes. Her work aims to bridge the gap between physical performance and mental health, particularly in weight class sports.

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Original research paper:

Tremonte IL, Mack DE, Wilson PM, Sabiston CM. Making the cut: Investigating body image and well-being among female powerlifters. Performance Enhancement & Health. 2025 Jun 1;13(2):100333.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211266925000167

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🖼️ Weightlifting research infographics:

https://evidencestrong.com

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🔹 https://www.instagram.com/strongerwithit

🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-tremonte-a804aa179

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/upper-body-tests-131112445 🏋️‍♀️

Are you leveraging upper body strength in your weightlifting training? What if a simple push-up test could unlock performance gains? Discover how explosive push-up tests correlate with weightlifting success and why they matter for your athletes. Can you identify hidden talent in younger lifters using this method?

Lena Danner is a sports scientist from Salzburg (Austria), working as an athletic coach at a youth soccer academy. She is passionate about weightlifting, CrossFit, skiing, and all things outdoors, especially in the breathtaking mountains of Austria. Lena's research focuses on the relationship between explosive upper body tests and weightlifting performance, bringing a fresh perspective to strength training protocols.

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Original thesis:

Danner L. Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs zwischen explosiven Push-up-Tests und der Ausstoßleistung im Gewichtheben. 2023.

https://eplus.uni-salzburg.at/download/pdf/10095394.pdf

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🖼️ Weightlifting research infographics:

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🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-danner-041305238

🔹 https://www.instagram.com/lenski._

🔹 https://www.instagram.com/lenadanner_coach

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/is-cold-water-it-129403267 🏋️‍♀️

Are you relying on cold water immersion for muscle recovery? What does the latest research say about its effects on muscle growth? Could using ice baths actually hinder your performance? In this episode, Milan Betz dives into the science behind cold water immersion and its impact on muscle recovery, revealing surprising findings that challenge popular beliefs.

Milan Betz is a PhD candidate at the Department of Human Biology, with the M3-research group led by Prof. Luc van Loon. His research focuses on exercise, nutrition, and muscle physiology, specifically on skeletal muscle microvascular structure and function and its role in training adaptations and the anabolic response to nutrition in both young and older populations.

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Original research paper(s):

Betz MW, Fuchs CJ, Chedd F, Monsegue AP, Hendriks FK, van Kranenburg JM, Goessens J, Houben AJ, Verdijk LB, van Loon LJ, Snijders T. Post-Exercise Cooling Lowers Skeletal Muscle Microvascular Perfusion and Blunts Amino Acid Incorporation into Muscle Tissue in Active Young Adults. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2025 Jan 17.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40249909/

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https://evidencestrong.com

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/creating-athlete-129317718 🏋️‍♀️

Are you aware of how to optimize your female athletes' performance and health? How can understanding female physiology dramatically reduce injury rates? What role does nutrition play in a young athlete's wellbeing?

Sharon Kearney is the Netball Smart Programme Manager for Netball New Zealand, focusing on reducing injuries in netballers and promoting female athlete health and wellbeing. She has been pivotal in developing educational frameworks that empower young female athletes with knowledge about their physiology, injury prevention, and smart training practices. Sharon holds a Master’s in Physiotherapy specializing in ACL injury prevention and has worked extensively in both community and high-performance settings.

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🔹 https://netballsmart.co.nz

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-does-using-129305953 🏋️‍♀️

Are you maximizing your weightlifting performance? Ever wondered how lifting straps can alter muscle activation? Are you aware of the potential 40% increase in muscle activation when using straps? In this episode, we discuss groundbreaking research that reveals how straps can significantly impact your training outcomes.

Francesco Travascio, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami and directs the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab. He specializes in orthopaedics, sports medicine, and biomechanics, contributing over 20 years of expertise to the field. Francesco is also a passionate weightlifter and competes as a Master Athlete.

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Original research paper(s):

Lemus SA, Volz M, Chen CB, Mann BJ, Travascio F. The use of lifting straps during snatch alters muscle activation patterns. International journal of sports science & coaching. 2025 Feb;20(1):264-74.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/17479541241296023

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🔹 https://x.com/Biomech_UM

🔹 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Francesco-Travascio

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/are-mobile-apps-129080622 🏋️‍♀️

Are you relying on smartphone apps for barbell velocity tracking? Do you know which app delivers the most accurate measurements? What can coaches learn from the latest research on velocity-based training technologies?

Alex Renner is a competitive powerlifter and researcher based in Austria, holding the highest Austrian Total and being a FISU World Champion. His expertise lies in strength training and velocity-based training, as he studies at the University of Vienna. His recent research investigates the accuracy of smartphone apps for measuring barbell velocity in powerlifting exercises.

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Original research paper(s):

Renner A, Mitter B, Baca A. Concurrent validity of novel smartphone-based apps monitoring barbell velocity in powerlifting exercises. PloS one. 2024 Nov 19;19(11):e0313919.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0313919

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🖼️ Weightlifting research infographics:

https://evidencestrong.com

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🔹 https://www.instagram.com/alex.renner.lifting

🔹 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Renner-5

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/testing-types-of-129072606 🏋️‍♀️

Are you measuring the right strength qualities for your athletes? What metrics actually translate to performance? How can you ensure your testing is both effective and relevant? In this episode, Mary Geneau dives into the intricacies of strength measurement, revealing five distinct domains of strength and why many common tests may not accurately reflect what you think they do. Get ready to rethink how you assess strength!

Mary Geneau is a strength and conditioning coach and performance analyst at the Canadian Sport Institute - Pacific. She serves as the IST Lead for the Volleyball Canada women's indoor program and has over a decade of experience in strength and conditioning and data analytics. With a PhD from La Trobe University, her research focuses on lower body strength diagnostics using force platforms and the application of wearable technology for athlete monitoring. She has worked with various Canadian National teams across multiple sports, enhancing athletes’ performance while minimizing injury risk.

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Original research paper(s):

Geneau MC, Gastin PB, Robertson S, James LP. Classification of lower body strength qualities: A data-driven approach. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. 2025 Feb 9:17479541251314131.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17479541251314131

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https://evidencestrong.com

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🔹 https://x.com/mcgeneau

🔹 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mary-Claire-Geneau

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.

🏋️‍♀️ Extended version of this interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/stretch-or-not-128323680 🏋️‍♀️

Should lifters stretch or not? Is range of motion influencing strength performance? Are mobile powerlifters stronger? Dr Alyssa-Joy Spence explains the results of two studies measuring mobility in powerlifters in relation to the powerlifting performance. We talk about stretching, range of motion, strength, and differences between female and male lifters.

Alyssa-Joy is a lecturer and researcher in sport and exercise science at Auckland University of Technology. She is also a powerlifting coach at The Strength Athlete.

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Original research papers:

Spence AJ, Helms ER, McGuigan MR. Range of motion is not reduced in National-level New Zealand female powerlifters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2021 Oct 1;35(10):2737-41.

https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2021/10000/range_of_motion_is_not_reduced_in_national_level.11.aspx

Spence AJ, Helms ER, Sousa CA, McGuigan MR. Range of motion predicts performance in national-level New Zealand male powerlifters. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2023 Jan 1;37(1):123-8.

https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/abstract/2023/01000/range_of_motion_predicts_performance_in.17.aspx

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Weightlifting research infographics:

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Follow Alyssa-Joy Spence:

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All the content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, nutritional, coaching, or financial advice, nor does it substitute for advice from your health care professional/provider. Any actions you will take, changes you will make to your nutrition, training or health care, are on your own responsibility and not mine.