Podcast
Experts in Sport
Hosted by Loughborough University · EN
Experts in Sport: The Loughborough University Sportcast, a podcast which brings together sporting excellence and academic knowledge. Hosted by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E113: Building the Global Game - FIFA, Football Development, the World Cup, and the Future of Football.
1w ago01:04:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Experts in Sport, we explore the global role of FIFA as the world builds towards the FIFA World Cup. Host Martin Foster is joined by FIFA high-performance specialists Richard Allen and former international footballer Philippe Senderos, the discussion goes beyond the tournament itself to examine how football is developed worldwide—from grassroots talent pathways to global policy, investment, and opportunity. Blending personal insight with expert analysis, the episode offers a unique look at how the World Cup shapes the game on and off the pitch.What does a World Cup feel like? 5:54Philippe's highlights 13:14What has changed? 20:39FIFA's role 23:18Development worldwide 28:01This World Cup 49:33Who's going to win? 55:56
Transcribe →E112: Inside the Enhanced Games: What Really Happened In Vegas
3w ago01:00:54Tap to summarizeThis episode of Experts in Sport dives into the controversial launch of the Enhanced Games. Host Martin Foster is joined by Dr Alex Thurston and Dr Mat Dowling, speaking live from Las Vegas, the discussion explores what really happened at sport’s most debated new event—unpacking performance, ethics, athlete welfare, and whether this represents the future of sport or simply a bold marketing experiment.Enhanced Games in reality 2:02Views of the games 16:59Transparency and preparation 41:07Market value 47:51The future 53:39
Transcribe →E111: From Pitch to Planet - Sustainability in Sport
May 1300:55:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore how climate change is already reshaping sport-from extreme heat disrupting elite competitions to flooded grassroots pitches across the UK.Host Martin Foster is joined by Elliot Brown, Sustainability Manager at Loughborough University, and Jess Silva, co‑founder of Carbon Jacked, to unpack both the challenges and the opportunities facing the sports industry.From decarbonising Olympic‑standard facilities to launching innovative initiatives like the Climate Cup and even turning litter picking into a competitive sport, this conversation shows how creativity, communication and leadership can drive real change.It’s an honest conversation about where sport is falling short-but also a powerful look at how it can inspire millions to act. The message is simple: sustainability doesn’t have to be boring, and everyone-from elite athletes to grassroots clubs-has a role to play.Find out more about the Climate Cup: https://carbonjacked.com/theclimatecupSport and Climate Change 7:06Loughborough uni and sustainability 15:22Carbon Jacked 25:31The Climate Cup 32:08Getting involved 45:56
Transcribe →E110: Half a Century of Sport Science - Reflections from Loughborough Pioneers
Apr 1501:00:24Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by Professors Wendy Brown and Stuart Biddle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Loughborough University.Recording from Australia, the guests reflect on their early careers at Loughborough, the evolution of sport and exercise science, and the lasting impact of the “Loughborough family” across research, teaching and practice worldwide. The conversation spans women’s physiology, physical activity and public health, psychology, applied practice, and the changing pathways for students and researchers over the past five decades.This episode offers a rich, personal perspective on how Loughborough helped shape global sport science-past, present and future-as the university marks 50 years of excellence in sport, exercise and health.Intros 0:00At Loughborough 6:47Wendy in Australia 17:29Stuart's evolution 31:04Quickfire 41:19Setting goals 52:09Fitness testing children 54:04Advice 56:44
Transcribe →E109: The Power of Events - Bidding, Impact & Long‑Term Legacy
Apr 201:01:43Tap to summarizeJoin Experts in Sport as Mega Event Advisor Richard Watton (UK Sport) and Dr. Verity Postlethwaite (Loughborough University) talk to host Martin Foster and unpack why cities host major, mega and giga sporting events. From bidding processes and global collaboration to economic impact, social legacy and the future of event delivery, this episode reveals how well‑planned events can shape communities for decades.
Transcribe →E108: Measuring the True Value of Sport - Social Return on Investment Explained
Mar 1801:05:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Experts in Sport, Professors Paul Downward, Larissa Davies and Simon Shibli speak with host Martin Foster, unpacking the real value of sport and physical activity beyond pounds and pence. From wellbeing gains to NHS savings, community cohesion to volunteering, the panel explores how Social Return on Investment (SROI) evidence is reshaping policy, funding, and local decision‑making across the UK.Measuring SROI 3:55Negative impacts 21:52Wider health value 26:18Examples in communities 35:59Quantifying data 49:09The future 57:08
Transcribe →E107: Effort Over Everything - MyZone Founder Dave Wright on Entrepreneurship in Fitness
Mar 401:23:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Experts in Sport, host Martin Foster sits down with fitness industry innovator and MyZone founder, Dave Wright. From growing up in the Australian bush to building global businesses, Dave shares the extraordinary, winding path that led him to become one of the sector’s most influential entrepreneurs.He opens up about the origins of MyZone, the challenges and failures behind early prototypes, and the bold decisions that helped the company grow to a valuation of over $100 millionThe start 1:26MyZone 15:53Failures 36:00The purpose of MyZone 41:14Journey as an entrepreneur 53:09Stepping back 1:01:56Background reading 1:10:56For future entrepreneurs 1:16:44
Transcribe →E106: From Bushy Park to a Global Phenomenon - How parkrun Became the World’s Biggest Health Movement
Feb 401:05:40Tap to summarizeThis episode features an in‑depth conversation with Paul Sinton‑Hewitt, founder of parkrun, the world’s largest free physical activity initiative. We trace parkrun’s evolution from a small local time trial to a global public health phenomenon spanning more than 20 countries. Paul discusses community building, volunteer mobilisation, international expansion, social prescribing, and the role of parkrun in driving long‑term health and wellbeing outcomes.Intro 0:00The start 3:14The growth 9:55The evolution 22:15Mission 29:03Going international 30:16Volunteering 37:14Most memorable 45:09Different directions 47:52Social prescription 54:27Lessons learnt and the future 59:46
Transcribe →E105: Wearables and Healthcare - Inside the NHS 10-Year-Plan
Jan 2100:53:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Experts in Sport podcast Dr James Sanders joins host Martin Foster to explore the NHS 10‑Year Plan and the growing role of digital health tools. Together, we unpack how wearables could support prevention, personalise care, and empower individuals to take control of their wellbeing.Learn more about CLiMB: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/climb/ NHS 10 year plan 2:09Wearables 11:58Improvements in health 19:01Weightloss drugs 26:44Whats next? 30:53The research 40:26
Transcribe →E104: Unlock Your Marathon Potential - Inside Loughborough Sport’s Physiology Lab
Jan 700:43:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Experts in Sport, we go behind the scenes at Loughborough Sport’s world-class Physiology Lab with Rhona Pearce, Physiology Lead. Discover how cutting-edge testing can transform your marathon preparation, from VO₂ max and lactate thresholds to personalised pacing strategies. Whether you’re chasing a PB or tackling your first 26.2 miles, learn why understanding your physiology is the ultimate game-changer. Learn more about Loughborough Sport's physiology testing: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/support-services/physiology/physiology-assessments/ Intro 0:00Marathon training plan 1:47Training to distance 4:25Doing better 10:05Physiological perspective 14:54Wearables 21:24Physiology testing 24:18Understanding the data 30:36Physiology lab at Loughborough Sport 37:01
Transcribe →