In this episode Andrew is joined by Strength and Conditioning and Performance coach Bill Smart. Bill has worked in numerous sports, from BMX, Cycling to MMA, and has been responsible for the strength and conditioning of UFC athletes such as Israel Adesanya.

In this chat, we discuss everything from how to elicit the energy system demands of sport, to the use of Train Red NIRS to profile athletes and much more.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bill Smart and His Background

03:13 The Evolution of Strength and Conditioning in Combat Sports

06:02 The Unique Attributes of BMX Athletes

09:02 Training Methodologies for Elite Athletes

11:58 The Importance of Needs Analysis in Performance Training

14:56 The Role of Experience in Strength and Conditioning

17:55 Insights from Personal Combat Sports Experience

20:49 The Intersection of Skill and Strength in Combat Sports

23:25 Conditioning Strategies for Boxing and Combat Sports

25:58 The Role of Elasticity and Power Generation in Fighting

29:14 Conclusion and Future Directions in Strength and Conditioning

33:28 Elasticity and Shock Absorption in Combat Sports

36:46 Understanding Fatigue and Recovery in Athletes

38:48 The Role of Psychology in Performance

40:30 Mental Toughness and Pressure Testing

43:19 Identifying and Addressing Performance Issues

49:13 The Importance of Observations in Competition

53:53 Utilizing NIRS Technology in Training

01:02:42 Exploring Athletic Profiles and Training Differences

01:04:42 Understanding Muscle Oxygenation and Endurance

01:06:35 Hypertrophy's Impact on Athletic Performance

01:08:35 The Role of Training Methods in Energy Systems

01:10:30 Striking Techniques and Force Measurement

01:23:43 Concluding Thoughts on Performance and Research

In this episode John and I discuss NIRS ( Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy ) and how to use them to measure muscle oxygenation. We dive into the pro's an con's of a couple of brands, and tips on how to set them up, where to place them and some best practices on how to use them.

For those interested in acquiring a Train Red sensor, the my affiliate code will give you 10 percent off.

train.red/THEANDREWUSHER

Or simply use the code THEANDREWUSHER and the checkout.

Join Dr John Babraj and Dr Andrew Usher as they dive into the world of high performance and sport science. In this episode they delve into mitochondria, along with Sprint Interval Training, their research into mitochondrial adaptations, NIRS and what ramifications mitochondrial adaptations have for sport and exercise.