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.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E115: Performance Analysis at the World Cup - Data, Decisions & Marginal Gains
2w ago01:08:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Experts in Sport, we explore the hidden world behind World Cup success — performance analysis. From data and video to real-time decision-making, discover how analysts and coaches use cutting-edge technology to gain a competitive edge when margins are razor-thin.Host Martin Foster is joined by Brad Pryjmachuk (Hudl) and Donald Barron (Loughborough University) to unpack how teams prepare for major tournaments, adapt under pressure, and translate complex data into winning strategies. They discuss everything from analysing opponents and managing player performance in extreme conditions, to the psychology of penalties and the evolving role of AI in sport.05:01 What Performance Analysis Looks Like at a World Cup11:31 Pre-Tournament Prep vs In-Tournament Adaptation14:41 Data Overload & Decision-Making20:31 Individual Players & Tactical Game Plans26:31 Technology & Evolution of the Analyst Role30:31 Penalties, Psychology & Marginal Gains42:00 Tactical Trends at This World Cup57:11 Future of Performance Analysis 01:04:31 Predictions
Transcribe →E114: The FIFA 2026 World Cup - A Challenging Environment and How Players should Prepare for it
3w ago01:04:07Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? In this episode, host Martin Foster is joined by experts Dr Lee Taylor, Dr Chris Esh, Professor Christa Janse van Rensburg, and Dr Valérie Bougault to break down the science behind competing across extreme heat, altitude, long-haul travel, and challenging environments. From heat acclimation and recovery strategies to jet lag and air quality, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how teams prepare for football’s biggest stage.2026 World Cup 3:46Heat Preparation 5:45Travel and Sleep 19:51Altitude 29:11Air Quality 40:07Working together 49:21Who is going to win? 54:35
Transcribe →E113: Building the Global Game - FIFA, Football Development, the World Cup, and the Future of Football.
Jun 1001:04:03Tap 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
May 2701:00:54Tap 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
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