UKSCA Coach Considerations

In this closing keynote, Dr Martin Buchheit maps a path from “sports science 2.0” (measure everything) to “3.0” (measure what matters, then act). He frames training around dose–response, across four quadrants: load vs response, neuromuscular vs metabolic. Expect frank takes on GPS limits, why heart rate still matters, and practical, scalable monitoring. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

At UKSCA 2025, Chair Andy Boyd hosted a lively panel with Prof. Ben Jones, Dr Martin Buchheit, Prof. Sophia Nimphius, and Prof. Paul Comfort, exploring where tech genuinely improves coaching versus when fundamentals should lead. Themes included data governance (GDPR), league-wide standards, internal load, and turning efficiency into better decisions on the floor. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

In his session, Strength & Conditioning coach and UKSCA-accredited lecturer Edward Baker drew on his extensive high-performance experience in boxing and MMA to explore how technology is transforming athlete preparation. From instrumented mouthguards and force plates to hydration, heart-rate recovery and spar data, he challenged coaches to move beyond “how much punishment can they take?” to “how ready are they?” This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

At UKSCA 2025, Benjamin Young (British Gymnastics / UKSI) unpacked how a decentralised programme, huge training volumes and limited elite research shape S&C in gymnastics. He reframed performance from “world-class jumping” to “world-class landing,” prioritising availability, hamstring balance and monster plantar-flexor strength to absorb 8–10× BW forces. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

Dr Phil Scott (ECB Pathways / Physical Preparation) presented on the concept of humanising innovation — how to embed new ideas and technologies within athlete groups, centred on principles like understanding, empathy, communication, feedback, and individualisation. He also shared candid lessons from successes and failures in cricket. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

Dr Sophia Nimphius challenges the conventional obsession with measuring strength through snapshots, urging us to remember strength as a process of durability, robustness, and adaptation — not just outputs like “two × body weight” or isometric tests. She critiques how women’s normative data are often benchmarked to lowered expectations and advocates for raising the bar. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

In his UKSCA 2025 presentation, Professor Ben Jones (Leeds Beckett University) explored the rapid rise of sports technology—forecasting a $60 billion industry by 2030—and challenged practitioners to reflect on why we adopt tech, not just that we do. He shared real-world successes and failures (e.g. GPS, instrumented mouthguards) to probe risk, reward and adoption. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

At UKSCA 2025, Cillian Reardon (formerly Head of Athletic Performance at Glasgow Warriors, now at Gloucester) shared how the Warriors’ 2024 URC win came not through magic, but through disciplined thinking: building systems, standardising operations, aligning goals, and treating performance as goal achievement. He challenged us: are we firefighting or building the engine? This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

Dr Dario Cazzola shared a compelling vision for “invisible monitoring” — using computer vision and physics-informed machine learning to track joint-level forces from video, enabling real-time, low-burden performance analysis. He discussed the trade-offs of validity, actionability, and adoption, and illustrated a prototype using iPad slow-motion video for squad sprint profiling. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.

At UKSCA 2025, Damian Harper explored how deceleration (braking) is a critical but underappreciated element in athletic development — from its biomechanical demands to links with injury risk, and innovations in testing and training. He argues for more focus on braking technique, strength qualities, and tailored interventions. This podcast was recorded live at the UKSCA Annual Conference.

Supporting materials and the full video presentation are available on

the UKSCA website. Visit www.uksca.org.uk for more details.