When we used to think about sports science we would think about the sports sciences: fields like biomechanics and exercise physiology. Now, more often than note, the term sports science is shorthand for data collection and analysis. On this week's GAINcast we look at how coaches can go back to the roots and get the most from science in sport.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/04/gaincast-episode-240-the-sports-sciences/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• GAIN 2022 will take place from June 14 to 18 in Houston Texas. You can learn more about GAIN 2022 and send in your application on the GAIN website.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more. A HMMR membership is also included with GAIN 2022 registration.
• Click here to read the tweet that inspired this episode.
• Sports science has been a topic of past GAINcasts such as GAINcast 27: Sports Science and GAINcast 11: Coaching Art and Science. Vern has also written about it in blog posts like What is sports science? and Sport science in perspective.
• We've also explored the topic with leading sports scientists on more episodes, such as David Martin, Peter Vint, Esa Peltola, Betty Atwater, and Tony Strudwick.
• For more sports science resources, view the HMMR Media sports science hub. One highlight is our video lesson from Peter Weyand about understand and evaluating sports science.

Becoming the best is about getting the most out of yourself as a coach and as a person. It's about learning. On this week's GAINcast we explore the nuances of learning and some overlooked methods to learn and improve.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/03/gaincast-episode-239-on-learning/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• GAIN 2022 will take place from June 14 to 18 in Houston Texas. You can learn more about GAIN 2022 and send in your application on the GAIN website.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more. A HMMR membership is also included with GAIN 2022 registration.
• Learning was also the topic on GAINcast 116: Learning to learn and GAINcast 181: Reading, learning, and living.
• Vern has written about learning in a many articles as well, including My learning milestones and Learning – Continuous Personal & Professional Development.

Where do you start when training athletic development for a new sport or athlete? Vern Gambetta's athletic development paradigm gives coaches a 4-pronged analytic tool to make sure you develop a plan that fits the sport, position, and athlete. On this week's GAINcast he breaks down all four elements with examples from his experience working in a variety of sports at the highest level.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/03/gaincast-episode-238-athletic-development-paradigm/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• GAIN 2022 will take place from June 14 to 18 in Houston Texas. You can learn more about GAIN 2022 and send in your application on the GAIN website.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more. A HMMR membership is also included with GAIN 2022 registration.
• Vern has written before on how sport specific training is a must and where to start. We also discussed analyzing sport demands in more detail back on GAINcast 17.
• Our new article also looks at the concept of "similar is not the same" and how that is both good and bad for training. Our most recent HMMR Classroom Video Lesson 31 looks in detail at advanced specific strength concepts as well.

All throwing events are different. But more importantly all athletes are different. When we devise training we have to remember we're coaching people, not machines. This is central to the philosophy of throws coach Debbie Strange. On this week's GAINcast she joins us to discuss her coaching philosophy, the unique demands of the javelin throw, training plan design, and more.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/02/gaincast-episode-237-coach-the-person-with-debbie-strange/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• GAIN 2022 will take place from June 14 to 18 in Houston Texas. You can learn more about GAIN 2022 and send in your application on the GAIN website.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more. A HMMR membership is also included with GAIN 2022 registration.
• More content about throwing technique and training can be found on the HMMR Media throws archive page.
• For a bit more about Strange's current activities, you can read this recent article from Locker Room.
• We've had New Zealand coaches featured on this site, including head New Zealand throws coach Dale Stevenson on HMMR Podcast 61 and HMMR Podcast 121, as well as Angus Ross who supports the throwers on GAINcast 83.
• We've also had javelin coach Mike Barber on GAINcast 175, European javelin champion Steve Backley on GAINcast 156 and Olympic medalist Goldie Sayers on GAINcast 106.

The world of motor learning is often populated by complex jargon and impenetrable concepts. But at its root it is about something simple: learning to move. Professor Rob Gray is one of the world's best in translating these concepts into terms we all can use. On this week's podcast he joins us to help coaches understand non-linear pedagogy, constraints-led approach, repetition in training, feedback, and more.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/02/gaincast-episode-236-learning-to-move-with-rob-gray/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• GAIN 2022 will take place from June 14 to 18 in Houston Texas. You can learn more about GAIN 2022 and send in your application on the GAIN website.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more. A HMMR membership is also included with GAIN 2022 registration.
• Check out all of HMMR Media's motor learning resources, including an interview with Rob Gray on approaches to motor learning, as well as in depth materials on applied motor learning.
• You can pick up a copy of Gray's book How We Learn to Move: A Revolution in the Way We Coach & Practice Sports Skills on Amazon. We highly recommend it and it was listed as one of Vern's top books of 2021.
• You can learn more from Gray on his podcast, website, and on Twitter (@ShakeyWaits).

It's been almost 3 years since GAIN last took place in person. But in 2022 that will change. GAIN is back! On this episode of the GAINcast we're happy to formally announce the full details of GAIN 2022 and open up applications for participants. We hope to see you there.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/01/gaincast-episode-235-its-gain-time/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• GAIN 2022 will take place from June 14 to 18 in Houston Texas. You can learn more about GAIN 2022 and send in your application on the GAIN website.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more. A HMMR membership is also included with GAIN 2022 registration.
• Nearly all GAIN faculty members have previously been on GAINcast. Check out our GAINcast Archives for those episode.

We’re kicking off the year with our annual combined episode of the GAINcast and HMMR Podcast to discuss the state of training for sports. A lot has changed over the past year, so we sit down to discuss some of the biggest issues facing sports, the hot topics on our mind, and what we’re looking forward to in 2022.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/01/gaincast-episode-234-new-years-special/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• Our monthly GAIN Master Class Series features speakers from all aspects of performance. Sign up and learn more here.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more.
• We recorded similar episodes to kick off 2021 (GAINcast 206), 2019 (GAINcast 150), 2018 (GAINcast 98), and 2017 (GAINcast 46).
• You can learn more about leg circuits in the HMMR Classroom Video Lesson 13: Leg circuits. The upcoming GAIN Master Class event on January 27th will also focus on the topic.
• We discussed Nick's progressions and the 1x20 method in more detail on GAINcast 209.
• The aerodynamics of throwing were also discussed on GAINcast 229 with Kevin McGill.

Vern is a notorious reader and he's only gaining steam with age. This year he had 151 books on this week's podcast he shares some key takeaways from his 17 favorite books of the year.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2022/01/gaincast-episode-233-top-books-of-2021-gain/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• Our monthly GAIN Master Class Series features speakers from all aspects of performance. Sign up and learn more here.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more.
• Read more about Vern's 2021 reading recommendations . You can also see Vern's list from 2020 and from 2019. Craig Pickering also writes about his favorite books each year. His latest list for 2021 was posted last week.

The best sports scientists bridge the gap between theory and practice. They bring coaching experience to the table and help help solve the real problems athletes are facing. This describes Esa Peltola. His diverse experiences in coaching, physiology, talent identification, and sports science helped him drive athletes to the next level, including coaching the first Australian to break 10 seconds in the 100 meters. On this week's GAINcast he shares his journey.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/12/gaincast-episode-232-science-at-the-track-with-esa-peltola/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• Our monthly GAIN Master Class Series features speakers from all aspects of performance. Sign up and learn more here.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more.
• Craig Pickering has written a great series to help coaches understand and evaluate sports science: understanding science for coaches, what makes for good research, critical elements for effective sports science, and becoming an better consumer of sports science. 
• In our HMMR Classroom, members can learn form Professor Peter Weyand about sorting sports science in a digital era.
• For more on the golden era of Australian Institute of Sport, GAINcast 219 with David Martin provides a great look at the work done during that time. GAINcast 227 also had on guest Dean Benton, who took a lot of influence from Peltola.

As we enter the final month in the year, it's a good time to look back and share some of our recent thoughts about training and coaching. On this week's GAINcast we cover a wide variety of topics including coaching and athlete specialization, finding a process, tips on organization, athleticism, sprint technique, and more.

For more information on this topic, read the complete show notes at: https://www.hmmrmedia.com/2021/12/gaincast-episode-231-training-talk/

The following links were referenced in the podcast or provide some additional reading material on the topic:

• Our monthly GAIN Master Class Series features speakers from all aspects of performance. Sign up and learn more here.
• The GAINcast is also sponsored by HMMR Media. Join HMMR Media to get access to a vast library of online training resources, video, articles, podcasts, and more.
• For a bit more on the specialist vs generalist debate, listen to GAINcast Episode 161 with David Epstein, author of the book Range. Another book discussed on this episode was The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer.