Context is everything! Join Dr. Will and Dr. Matt in this episode of the Performance Advantage Podcast as they map out the future role of AI in sports. There is a pivotal difference between AI-generated training plans and AI coaching. While AI might consistently churn out generic training schedules, it cannot replicate the nuanced planning and adaptations a human coach can offer based on an athlete's ever-changing needs and circumstances. Athletes' reliance on AI's automated adjustments is a challenge, considering that there is currently no feature for in-depth discussion or contextual assessment from a machine.

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With a thrilling array of metrics at our disposal—heart rate, power meters, HRV, braking analysis, sleep patterns, and an arsenal of wearable tech like running watches—the consensus was clear: while the abundance of data might seem overwhelming, its value lies in contextualization.

In our conversation, we unveiled the power of data as a guiding compass for performance optimization. Ultimately, we concluded that there's no such thing as an excess of data; rather, it's the interpretation and application that define its significance. Join us on this enlightening journey through the intersection of sports and data science and analytics, where the right data, in the right context, becomes the game-changer you need.

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In this episode, we delve deep into the world of interval training, uncovering the science and strategy behind the two most effective interval workouts for endurance athletes. Whether you're a runner, cyclist, triathlete, or mountain biker, these sessions are the secret sauce to elevating your performance.

First, we'll explore the mechanics of interval training - how it works, why it's effective, and the physiological changes it triggers in your body. I'll break down complex scientific concepts into easy-to-understand nuggets, ensuring you know not just the 'how,' but the 'why' behind these workouts.

Then, we'll dive into the two key workouts. You'll learn how to integrate them into your training regimen, tailor them to your specific endurance sport, and adjust them to your current fitness level. These aren't just generic sessions; they're adaptable, scalable, and proven to yield results.

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As an endurance athlete, it's easy to get caught up in the mentality that more is always better. However, there's a fine line between pushing yourself to your limits and overtraining. Burnout and overtraining can have similar symptoms, such as fatigue, decreased performance, and lack of motivation. The difference lies in the cause - burnout is often a result of psychological and emotional stress, while overtraining is caused by physical stress from excessive training. It's important to listen to your body and recognize the signs of burnout or overtraining to prevent long-term negative effects on your performance and overall health. Remember, rest and recovery are just as important as training to achieve your endurance goals.

Join us today as we delve into the essential elements of conquering the challenging bike course at the upcoming Ironman World Championships in Nice, France. We share some of the science, our personal insights, and practical tips on pacing, equipment choices, and various strategic considerations that can make all the difference on race day.

Episode Highlights:

Whether you're an experienced triathlete seeking to improve your Ironman performance or a first-timer preparing for the challenge of a lifetime, we hope our experiences and insights will help you optimize your preparation and performance on the bike course at the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France.

Keywords: Ironman World Championships, Nice France, bike course, pacing, equipment choices, running off a downhill, aerodynamics, fueling, hydration, cooling, descending skills, triathlon, sports science, performance optimization, tactical strategies.

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REAL useful science! Our Sports Science Masterclass gives you the 'here's how you do it' evidence-backed information. This course was originally conceived of to upskill top international coaches, but is digestible for any athlete who wants to use to science to be their best . Enrol now and receive a FREE power meter course (Value $299)

⁠⁠⁠https://link.performanceadvantagepodcast.com/course⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr Matt on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://link.mtbphd.com/instagram⁠⁠⁠

Follow Dr Will on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://link.drwillo.com/instagram⁠

There's so much going on in MTB - and plenty of bro science. With so many equipment and setup options, and multitude of factors affecting performance in races, how is it possible to figure out what's best for you? Think of it this way: you could have the perfect bike for the course and your best ever fitness, but over-pacing in the first 30s of your race could throw it all away! Are hardtails faster? Can you beat someone simply because you have different tires? Will your suspension setup make you brake differently? We've been doing some races and trying new things, and have found wildly different results. Matt and Will are 1:1 in the local series despite different approaches in training and execution of races. We explore what makes one rider faster than the other in this episode across a number of factors, and have science to back a lot of it up - just what you need to get faster in your next race, whether XC, DH or Enduro.

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Support the show by leaving a review and sharing an episode! Every review helps us bring sports science to the people!

REAL useful science! Our Sports Science Masterclass gives you the 'here's how you do it' evidence-backed information. This course was originally conceived of to upskill top international coaches, but is digestible for any athlete who wants to use to science to be their best . Enrol now and receive a FREE power meter course (Value $299)

⁠⁠https://link.performanceadvantagepodcast.com/course⁠⁠

Follow Dr Matt on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://link.mtbphd.com/instagram⁠⁠

Follow Dr Will on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://link.drwillo.com/instagram

We dive into the controversial world of doping in sports with guest Jack Kelly from How They Train. Together, we explore the science, ethics, and motivations behind performance-enhancing substances while discussing the challenges faced by anti-doping agencies.

Gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding doping, the physiological effects of performance-enhancing drugs, and the ethical dilemmas they pose. Jack Kelly shares exclusive stories and insights, making for a captivating and educational listening experience.

Don't miss this compelling episode, where science, ethics, and sports collide in a thought-provoking exploration of the doping phenomenon. Tune in and join the conversation!

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Support the show by leaving a review and sharing an episode! Every review helps us bring sports science to the people!

REAL useful science! Our Sports Science Masterclass gives you the 'here's how you do it' evidence-backed information. This course was originally conceived of to upskill top international coaches, but is digestible for any athlete who wants to use to science to be their best . Enrol now and receive a FREE power meter course (Value $299)

⁠https://link.performanceadvantagepodcast.com/course⁠

Follow Dr Matt on Instagram: ⁠https://link.mtbphd.com/instagram⁠

Follow Dr Will on Instagram: ⁠https://link.drwillo.com/instagram

Discover the power of the run-walk marathon method in this exciting episode of The Performance Advantage Podcast, hosted by sports scientists Dr Will and Dr Matt. Learn how Dr Will achieved an incredible 2:37 marathon finish using this innovative technique and how it can transform your own performance. We break down the mechanics and benefits of the run-walk approach, discussing pacing, mental strategies, and individual adaptations.

Whether you're an experienced marathoner or a first-time runner, tune in to unlock the secrets of the run-walk method and take your endurance to the next level.

For everything run-walk, check out www.drwilloconnor.com/blog

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Support the show by leaving a review and sharing an episode! Every review helps us bring sports science to the people!

REAL useful science! Our Sports Science Masterclass gives you the 'here's how you do it' evidence-backed information. This course was originally conceived of to upskill top international coaches, but is digestible for any athlete who wants to use to science to be their best . Enrol now and receive a FREE power meter course (Value $299)

⁠https://link.performanceadvantagepodcast.com/course⁠

Follow Dr Matt on Instagram: ⁠https://link.mtbphd.com/instagram⁠

Follow Dr Will on Instagram: ⁠https://link.drwillo.com/instagram

With race season fast approaching, we're slipping out of the base phase and into the build phase. Or are we? I mean, is base training even important these days? Or is it more important to do intervals? Some athlete do base training all year - but does that mean that's right for you? In this episode, we discuss who needs base training and wahy, and unlock some of the limiting factors and benefits of the base phase. Base training - or the popular Zone 2 training - isn't for everyone all the time, so dig into this episode to find out more! And as you transition out of base, watch out for these pitfalls that will derail your season!

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Support the show by leaving a review and sharing an episode! Every review helps us bring sports science to the people!

REAL useful science! Our Sports Science Masterclass gives you the 'here's how you do it' evidence-backed information. This course was originally conceived of to upskill top international coaches, but is digestible for any athlete who wants to use to science to be their best . Enrol now and receive a FREE power meter course (Value $299)

⁠https://link.performanceadvantagepodcast.com/course⁠

Follow Dr Matt on Instagram: ⁠https://link.mtbphd.com/instagram⁠

Follow Dr Will on Instagram: ⁠https://link.drwillo.com/instagram

How are we still facing doping issues in 2023? Over a year from the Paris 2024 Olympics, doping is still making headlines. Most recently, Kenyan Athletics has been overwhelmed with doping sanctions. However, the Kenyan doping crisis is a unique situation and a far cry from the systematic doping of the Russian Olympic Federation as portrayed in the movie Icarus. 

Listen in as we attempt to dissect the sports doping landscape using our inside knowledge and sports science experience.

Here are those links we mentioned: 

Kenyan doping cases: https://www.adak.or.ke/reasoned-decisions/

Matt's enduro doping article: https://www.mtbphd.com/post/2018/11/27/do-drugs-work-in-enduro/ 

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Support the show by leaving a review and sharing an episode! Every review helps us bring sports science to the people!

No more basic info! Our Sports Science Masterclass gives you the 'here's how you do it' evidence-backed information. This course was originally conceived of to upskill top international coaches, but is digestible for any athlete who wants to use to science to be their best . Enrol now and receive a FREE power meter course (Value $299)

https://link.performanceadvantagepodcast.com/course

Follow Dr Matt on Instagram: https://link.mtbphd.com/instagram

Follow Dr Will on Instagram: https://link.drwillo.com/instagram