Synapse Performance Podcast

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Stephen Patterson.

 

Stephen joined St Marys University, Twickenham in 2009 and is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology. He graduated with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from Napier University, Edinburgh (2005) before completing an MSc in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise from Strathclyde University in Glasgow (2006). He then moved to Loughborough University where he completed his PhD specialising on the responses and adaptations to exercise with blood flow restriction.

 

Stephens’s research fits into two main themes of Health and Sports Performance with significant overlap between the two. His main research focuses on the following:

• Blood flow restriction training for rehabilitation and performance
• Ischemic Preconditioning
• Physiology of team sport

 

In this episode David & Stephen discuss:

 

Topic 1: Blood Flow Restriction Training

 

Q1. What is the theory behind blood flow restriction training? 

 

Q2. Is there a standardised / optimal "tightness" we should use/aim for when using occlusion training?

 

Q3. What are the underlying mechanisms that seem to explain the adaptations attributed to blood flow restriction training?

 

Q 4. What are the practical applications of BFR, who, how, and when should we potentially use BFR?

 

Topic 2: Ischemic Preconditioning

 

Q5. What is Ischemic Preconditioning?

 

Q6. What are the proposed benefits and underlying mechanisms?

 

Q7. How are the potential practical applications?

 

Full Shownotes at: www.hpascience.com/episode44

 

 

 

In this episode, David is Joined by Dr. Greg Lehman.

 

Greg is a physiotherapist, chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist treating musculoskeletal disorders within a biopsychosocial model.

 

Prior to his clinical career, Greg was fortunate enough to receive a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council MSc graduate scholarship that permitted him to be one of only two yearly students to train with Professor Stuart McGill in his Occupational Biomechanics Laboratory subsequently publishing more than 20 peer reviewed papers in the manual therapy and exercise biomechanics field. Greg was an assistant professor at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College teaching a graduate level course in Spine Biomechanics and Instrumentation as well conducting more than 20 research experiments while supervising more than 50 students. Greg has lectured on a number of topics on reconciling treatment biomechanics with pain science, running injuries, golf biomechanics, occupational low back injuries and therapeutic neuroscience. 

 

In this episode, David and Greg discuss:

 

Q1. What is pain? What is  the difference between pain & nocioception?. How do we process it? Why is it multi-dimensional? What factors influence our perception of pain?

 

Q2. What are the common misconceptions around pain and its sources? Why is pain poorly related to damage?

 

Q3. How do we go about determining the source of our pain and implementing a recovery strategy? 

 

Q4. How much of an impact does our posture have on pain?

 

Q5. What does the research say about myofascial release and performance?

 

 

For full show notes and links see:

www.hpascience.com/episode43

 

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Bobby Cheema.

 

Dr. Bobby Cheema is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Western Sydney University, and an Associate Researcher at the National Institute of Complementary Medicine.  He has 25 years of experience in exercise physiology and prescription, and is internationally recognized for the quality of his work. Bobby is also a former elite level ice-hockey player in his native Canada.

 

Dr. Cheema’s academic background consists of:

 

• PhD (Exercise Physiology), University of Sydney, Australia, 2006
• Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), 2009-present
• MSc (Exercise Physiology), University of Victoria, Canada, 2002
• Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Exercise Science), UBC, Canada, 1999

David & Bobby discuss:

 

Topic 1: NCD's

 

Q1. What is a non-communicable disease?

Q2. What is the current state of public health? What is the current level of Non-communicable diseases? 

 

Topic 2: Exercise / Exercise Physiologists 

 

Q3. Is the role exercise underestimated in the treatment and prevention of disease? Why? 

Q4. What role can the exercise physiologist play in disease prevention & management?

Q5. Is there a need for a global shift in our attitude towards healthcare?

 

Topic 3: Disease-Specific Focus, Exercise and Cancer

 

Q6. What does the current body of evidence say about exercise in cancer patients?

Q7. Is there a hesitancy about allowing cancer patients to engage in exercise?

Q8. What modalities of exercise appear to be most beneficial? 

 

Topic 4: The Importance of Muscle Mass

 

Q9. How important is the maintenance of muscle mass in disease treatment and prevention?

 

For full show notes see: www.hpascience.com/episode42

 

 

 

 

 

In this episode, David is joined by Kris Saunders Stowe, the founder of Wheely Good Fitness. The podcast is recorded live at the Fit4All national expo (organized by Cara) in Dublin, Ireland.

 

Wheely good fitness provides group exercise classes to those with disabilities, in particular wheelchair users.

 

Kris, who is a wheelchair user himself, set about trying to improve the choices for wheelchair users whilst also changing the attitude towards disability and fitness.

For many wheelchair users there are medical issues affecting their lives and creating challenges every day whilst also having to cope with the side effects of medications along with the emotional strain an individuals circumstances can bring. However, overall fitness plays a big part in how we feel, cope with and enjoy life whilst also enabling independence and social interaction. A study in 2010/11 showed that 63% of wheelchair users are not taking sufficient physical activity, increasing their risk of developing certain chronic diseases by nearly 60%.

In this episode, David & Kris Discuss:

  Q1. As a coach how do we adapt and approach exercise classes for wheelchair users of ranging abilities and function? What is unique about this style of exercise class?

 

Q2. Does a stereotype still exist in the general public and fitness industry around wheelchair users and what is "appropriate" for them? Are fitness centres skeptical/hesitant about hosting these classes?

 

Q3. Can wheelchair users often underestimate or are conditioned to believe they are not capable of engaging in exercise? How have these classes impacted on the lives of clients and their confidence? 

 

Q3. What advice should be given to (i) wheelchair users who want to get involved in exercise and don't think they are able to? (ii) fitness professionals who may want to get involved in running exercise for wheelchair users?

  

Full shownotes at: www.hpascience.com

 

In this episode, David is joined by Michael Goulden of Integra Training. 

 

Michael specialises in biomechanics (in particular exercise mechanics) and neuroscience, Michael builds programs that is specific to the clients body, anatomy, training experience and desired outcome.

 

His master’s degree is in Biomechanics (MSc) and is a Mastery Level Resistance Training Specialist (RTSm).

 

David & Michael discuss:

 

Topic 1: Anatomy 

 

Q1. How important is it for coaches / personal trainers to understand anatomy?

 

Q2. What level of anatomical variation is common between clients & what impact does this have on exercise selection and execution?

 

 

Topic 2: Biomechanics & Exercise execution

 

Q3. How does understanding biomechanics benefit a personal trainer?

 

Q4. What is the resistance profile & strength profile of an exercise?

 

Q5 How does one practically apply the knowledge of these profiles to exercise execution? How do we stimulate muscles through their full ROM? How do we customise machine set-up to an individual?

 

Q6. Why is feeling the muscle not always a good indicator of musle activation? 

 

Q7. Are the compound lifts enough to improve performance? What role do isolation exercises play in athlete development?

 

Topic 3: Muscular Priming &  Rehabilitation

 

Q8. How can isometrics be used to "prime" the neuromuscular system for strength training?

 

Q9. What is the best way to treat muscle tightness? 

 

Q10. As a practitioner, how does one deal with clients who want to "rush" or accelerate rehab quicker than possible

 

Full show notes: www.hpascience.com/episode40

In this episode, David is joined by the founder of Bayesian Bodybuilding, Menno Henselmans. 

 

Menno was once a high-level business consultant who specialized in advanced statistical data analysis. Menno then traded in his business life to chase his passion of coaching. 

In this episode David and Menno discuss;

 

Topic 1: Metabolic damage and reverse dieting   Q1. What are the thoughts behind the concept of metabolic damage?   Q2. What does the current body of evidence say about the concept of metabolic damage?    Q3. Does the concept of reverse dieting have any merit? Why?            Topic 2: The role of genetics   Q5. What impact do genetics have on the rate of progression in muscle and strength gains?   Q6. How do we know / predict our genetic potential?   Q7. Do genetics play a role in our ability to lose fat / fat distribution?   Topic 3: Business development   Q8. How important is following your passion to your success?    Q9. What should people consider before beginning an online fitness business?    For full show notes see: www.hpascience.com/episode39

This week David brings you a solo podcast addressing some of the common myths still believed by the general population. 

 

The aim of this podcast is to act as a review session for fitness professionals and an easily understood discussion around some common concerns we see the general population have. 

 

David addresses:

 

High Protein Diets: 

 

Are they detrimental to our health?

Are they damaging to the kidneys & liver?

Where do the myths come from?

What is the link between high protein diets & cancer?

 

Creatine:

 

Is it a safe supplement?

Is it a steroid-like compound?

Where do the myths around creatine come from?

 

Carbohydrates and Fat Loss?

 

What does the evidence say about carbohydrate elimination and fat loss?

Is there a metabolic advantage to low-carb high-fat diet?

 

All show notes and links available at: www.hpascience.com/episode38

 

 

In this episode, David is joined by Irish life-coach Sarah Doyle, creator of the Better Life Project. 

 

Sarah and her husband James are well known in the Irish health and fitness industry and spread positivity through evidence-based practice and the advocating of exercise. 

 

In this episode David & Sarah discuss:

 

Topic 1.  Body confidence and body image

 

Q1. What is the current situation in terms of confidence and body image? Is it a major problem in society presently? Is it something that just affects adolescents as stereotypically thought? 

 

Q2. What are the main reasons for people lacking confidence or having a poor opinion of themselves?

 

Q3. What role does social media play in the current level of poor confidence and body image? 

 

Topic 2. Public speaking & dealing with negativity.

 

Q4. What is the best way to become confident in public speaking?

 

Q5. How do we overcome a negative mindset? How do we develop a more positive outlook?

For full show-notes: www.hpascience.com/episode37

This week David is joined by Dominic Munnelly, a Dublin-based personal trainer who has successfully been working in the industry for over 20 years. Dominic has a degree in sports and exercise sciences and is co-owner of one of Irelands largest training facilities. 

 

In this episode David & Dominic discuss:

 

Topic 1: Crossfit

 

Q2. What common misconceptions of CrossFit people have?

 

Q3. As a coach how do you decide when someone is capable of progressing to Olympic lifts?

 

Q4. As a coach how to you deal with people who want to progress quicker than they are able to and neglect the basics?

 

Q5. What are most common negative aspects of CrossFit we see?

 

Q6. What advice would you give to someone who is considering opening their own facility?

 

Topic 2: Sports science and continued education

 

Q9. How valuable has a degree in sports science been?

 

Q10.How valuable continued and on-going learning?

 

Topic 3: Negative relationships with food

 

Q11. What are the most common mistakes people make in terms of their nutrition?

 

Q12. Is the food prep culture something we should encourage?

 

 Full show - notes: www.hpascience.com/episode36

 

 

This week David is joined by Steve Hall, founder and owner of Revive Stronger, a UK based online personal training business. Revive Stronger is one of the leading and fastest growing personal training companies in the UK. Steve is also the host of the successful "Macros, Bodybuilding & Powerlifting Podcast."

David and Steve discussed:

Topic 1: Online coaching as a business idea.

 

Q1. What attracted Steve yto working solely as an online coach rather than a traditional gym based PT.

 

Q3. What level of people respond best to online training? How important has client screening been to Steve?

 

Q4. What level of service can we give to our clients online? How do we keep the “personal” element in online PT?

 

Q5. What advice would Steve give to someone who wishes to begin an online coaching business? What in hindsight would you (Steve) say were the biggest mistakes you made when starting the business?

 

Q6. What are the best tools Steve would recommend for increasing efficiency in your personal training business?

 

Q7. How does Steve decide when it’s time to expand the business? What attributes does Steve look for in a prospective coach?

 

Q8. How difficult does Steve find it to delegate?  

 

Topic 2: Evidence-based practice.

 

Q9. What does evidence-based practice mean to Steve?

 

All show notes and links can be found at: www.hpascience.com/episode35