Sprint Lab

Q&A #1

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000

After a break from recording over Christmas and early January, we are back!

Here we discuss: cross-country and aerobic training benefits & drawbacks, French contrast training in the weight room, and more.

Got a topic you want covered? Send us a DM via Instagram (@sprintscience or @arod_running)

"Success Breeds Motivation"

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we discuss the quote "Success Breeds Motivation". With the time of year in mind, motivation may be lacking in some. Popular social media influences is having certain effects on people but not necessarily breeding success, so we discuss a misconception related to motivation to hopefully help you continue to build.

P.S. Happy Christmas!

#SprintLab #sprintmotivation #sprinting #trackandfield #running

Keys to great coach - athlete relationships

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we look at what makes a great coach - athlete relationship. Looking at what sort of facets influence a great bond between coach and athlete can be so important for determining success, so we look at what sort of things you need to consider to maintain such a relationship.

Kieran also shines his own experiences as a coach himself on this, talking about the best athletes to work with from a coaches perspective.

#sprintlab #sprinting #athletics #trackandfield #coaching

How specific should we make the gym?

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 20:00:00 +0000

In episode 14, we talk about the weird and ridiculous side of chasing 'specificity' off-track...but also the benefits of tweaking training to meet certain useful demands.
What should you REALLY be doing outside of track work?

Unlucky stories

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Episode 13...unlucky for some. This week we share some unfortunate stories from our time in athletics, for your entertainment.
If you have any similar stories you want to submit, send us a DM at either @sprintscience or @arod_running for a chance to feature in a future episode!

Tendinopathies

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode Alex and Kieran discuss a very common injury in sport...dreaded tendinopathies.

We explore the best ways to avoid developing these, as well as the best things to do and importantly not do if you are unlucky enough to sustain one. We hope you take a lot out of this episode and get in touch with any questions. Enjoy!

#athletics #trackandfield #running #sprinting #tendinopathy #runninginjury

Recovery strategies

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk about recovery strategies - small and big.
What are the main pillars of recovery you should prioritise? What are the added 'extras' you can use to gain an edge?
Send Kieran and/or Alex a DM via Instagram if you have any follow-up questions you want us to discuss!

Weekly Periodisation

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Sprint Lab podcast, we talk about the best strategies to plan your weekly training to improve your speed. We go into detail about the sort of sessions to include, how many and how to keep training interesting to keep athletes motivated.

#sprintlab #sprinttraining #speedtraining #sprinting #trackandfield

Lifting and muscle fibres

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000

As sprinters, why do we bother with the gym? What adaptations come from being less 'specific'? What changes happen within muscle fibres after this type of training?
This episode covers a few different styles of programming, as well as some physiology and biomechanics chat. We hope you enjoy, and please drop us a message via Instagram if you want us to elaborate on anything further!

Global benefits of speed training

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In episode 8 of Sprint Lab, Kieran speaks about the benefit of speed training in a more general/global sense: for people in other sports, for people in other athletic events, and the average person.
What is the point of developing maximum speed over 40-60m if you only sprint for 10m in your sport? Why should I keep training like an athlete beyond my 20s? These topics (and more) are covered in the episode.

What if Bolt never celebrated?

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 19:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Alex uses his biomechanics knowledge to explore just how fast Usain Bolt could have run if he never celebrated through the line in the notorious 2008 Olympic final. It goes into some interesting detail looking at his form and 10m split times, compered to his other best races.

#100m #sprinting #usainbolt #whatif #olympics

Speed Reserve

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Sprint Lab we discuss the concept of building a speed reserve. This means looking at what you should consider prioritising in your training, particularly for longer sprint events like the 400m.

#sprintlab #speedtraining #speedreserve #trackandfield

Isometrics

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 22:00:00 +0000

In episode 5 we are talking all about isometrics. This includes what isometric contractions and exercises actually are, why we want to add them to our training and how best to do so.
As always, we hope you enjoy!

#sprinting #athletics #trackandfield #sportscience #strengthtraining

2023/24 Season review

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we talk through the critical points in our 2023/24 seasons: what went right, what went wrong, and what we can learn from it overall.
We discuss some training techniques and science in the second half of the pod too. Enjoy!

Plyometrics

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

How do we categorise plyometrics? What benefits are we looking for when programming them? How do we fit plyometrics into weekly training? How much is too much? We try to answer those questions in this week's episode.

Race models and efficiency

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Are you one of those sprinters who gets to 30m, 40m, or 50m very quickly...but fades quicker than everyone else? Or are you simply an athlete who wants to gain an insight into the race models of the 100m and 200m?
This episode explores the different aspects that contribute towards the efficiency of a sprint, and how to build your race properly from raw components of speed.

Periodisation & peaking

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the pilot episode of Sprint Lab, where we try to answer these questions:

What are the standard periodisation models in sprint training, and which one is 'best'?
How should you organise your training to avoid burnout, and achieve peak performance?
What should your priorities be when training for the sprint events?