Podcast
Training Science Podcast
Hosted by Paul Laursen & Martin Buchheit · EN
Your hosts of the Training Science Podcast, Martin Buchheit and Paul Laursen, take a weekly deep dive into the real world application of training science in the trenches.
19episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Top Episode Replay: Desolving the Fat Mystery – Are Carbs History? - With Dr Phil Maffetone, Prof Tim Noakes & Prof Paul Laursen
May 2201:25:56Summary ready🥑 RETHINKING NUTRITION in ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE 💥🧠Tim Noakes & Phil Maffetone aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo — especially when it comes to CARBS, FAT, and FUELING the brain 🧬In this thought-provoking episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul, Tim & Phil dig into what REALLY fuels performance:🔥 How FAT OXIDATION supports endurance when carbs run low 🧠 Why the BRAIN—not the body—often decides your limits 📉 The trouble with INSULIN and sugar addiction in modern diets—#TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #TimNoakes #PhilMaffetone #SportsNutrition #LowCarbHighFat #FatAdaptation #EndurancePerformance #GlucosePools #CarbohydrateDebate #FuelingTheBrain #InsulinResistance #SugarAddiction #MetabolicHealth #AthletePerformance #BrainPower #NutritionRevolution #ChallengingBeliefs #PerformanceFueling #EnergySystems_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof. Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr. Phil Maffetone https://philmaffetone.com/ Prof. Tim Noakes https://x.com/LoreofRunning1
SummaryThe Norwegian Method Applied: From Threshold Training to Muscular Status, with Dr Marius Bakken and Prof Paul Laursen
May 1500:58:19Summary readyWhat if endurance performance is not so much about VO2max, lactate threshold, or running economy… but more about the muscular system itself?In this episode, Dr Marius Bakken shares the thinking behind his latest book The Norwegian Method Applied and the decades of experimentation that shaped his approach to endurance training. From double threshold training and lactate controlled intensity to muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, this conversation explores performance through a very different lens.The discussion unpacks why sub-threshold training became foundational within the Norwegian system, how muscular state may influence performance and fatigue more than most athletes realize, and why recovery is often misunderstood in modern endurance training.Marius also reflects on his experiences training in Kenya, his observations of elite African runners, and how balancing training load may matter more than any other factor.This episode challenges conventional thinking around endurance performance and opens up a broader discussion about what truly limits adaptation, recovery, and race day performance.Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/Dr Marius Bakken https://www.mariusbakken.com/The Norwegian Method Applied Book: http://geni.us/norwegianmethod
SummaryWe Built the HIIT Science Taxonomy on Logic. Now We Have the Data. With Dr Martin Buchheit and Prof Paul Laursen
May 801:15:53Summary readyWhat really happens to your neuromuscular system after different types of HIIT — and how do we know?This episode does something we've been building toward for years: puts real data behind the HIIT Science taxonomy. Using low-frequency fatigue measurements from Myocene technology, Martin Buchheit tested the taxonomy on himself — mapping how different interval types load and recover the neuromuscular system in ways we previously could only infer.The conversation covers why some sessions crush your legs for 48 hours while others don't, why neuromuscular RPE tracks fatigue better than most coaches expect, and why the distinction between load and response still gets muddled in practice.The episode closes with a second topic: how change of direction changes everything in HIIT prescription — and why acceleration and deceleration capacity need to drive individualization in team sport training.In this episode:Why HIIT has always been about more than metabolic zonesLow-frequency fatigue as an objective window into neuromuscular recoveryConcentric vs. eccentric load — why cycling and running recover so differentlyNeuromuscular RPE: cheap, practical, and surprisingly validRethinking COD-based interval prescription for team sport athletesMartin Buchheit's New Course For those interested in going deeper, Martin’s updated course on Load and Response Monitoring in Elite Football is now available inside the HIIT Science course library.It builds on the same ideas discussed here, focusing on how to better connect training load with athlete response using practical frameworks and real world examplesEarly access is currently available for a limited time. You can subscribe to the HIIT Science email list to receive details and access to the discounthttps://hiit-science.thinkific.com/courses/monitoring-load-and-response?ck_subscriber_id=4050821192&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Its%20finally%20here:%20Martin%20Buchheits%20New%20Course%20%F0%9F%8E%89%20-%2021641648
SummaryFrom Screening to Reality What Asymmetry Really Tells Us with Dr Chris Bishop and Dr Martin Buchheit
May 101:15:09Tap to summarizeAre asymmetries something we should actually be fixing… or just better understanding? Dr Chris Bishop is an Associate Professor of Strength and Conditioning and one of the leading researchers in interlimb asymmetry, bringing years of work across performance, rehab, and applied sport science.In this conversation, Chris breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in sports performance. From how asymmetries are calculated to whether they even matter, this episode challenges common practices in screening, rehab, and training decisions. He explores why asymmetry data is often noisy, how context changes everything, and why chasing symmetry alone may not lead to better performance or reduced injury risk.Today’s speakers:Dr Martin Buchheit: https://martin-buchheit.net/ Dr Chris Bishop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bishop-a2462b35/
Transcribe →The Future of Training with Breathing Data with Arnar Larusson and Prof Paul Laursen
Apr 2400:57:03Tap to summarizeWhat if you could bring lab level physiology into every training session?Arnar Larusson is the founder of Tymewear and is working to make breathing data accessible outside the lab, giving athletes real time insight into how their body is actually responding to training.Coming from a background in mechanical engineering and prosthetics, Arnar saw the gap between what we can measure in controlled environments and what athletes can access in the real world.This conversation explores how ventilation and breathing patterns reveal intensity, efficiency, and stress in ways that heart rate and power alone cannot.From identifying ventilatory thresholds to understanding fatigue and durability, this episode looks at how breathing data could reshape how we train and measure performance.Today’s speakers:Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/Arnar Larusson https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnar-larusson-58872a2b/ Tymewear: www.tymewear.com
Transcribe →Using ASR, Complex Systems & Fibre Typing to Elevate Team Sport Performance – With Dr. Carmen Colomer & Prof. Paul Laursen
Aug 1, 2025Tap to summarizeHow do we individualize athlete development in chaotic, high-contact sports like rugby and basketball? Dr. Carmen Colomer shares her science-backed system for unlocking performance 🔬🏉💥On this episode of the Training Science Podcast, Paul & Carmen dive into practical strategies for maximising physical preparation in team sport athletes, drawing from Carmen’s deep experience across the NBA, NRL, A-League, Super Rugby, and her PhD on tactical complexity in Rugby Union.🔥 What’s inside:🧠 Applying complex systems thinking to tactical analysis ⚡ Using Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR) to individualize conditioning 🧬 Profiling muscle fibre typology through field-based surrogate tests 🍽️ Linking nutrition and fibre type to body comp & metabolic health 🎯 Building coach relationships and navigating elite men’s sport as a female practitioner 👶 Balancing PhD life, pro sport… and a toddler—#TrainingSciencePodcast #HIITScience #AthleticaAI #ASR #AnaerobicSpeedReserve #MuscleFibreType #SportsScience #ComplexSystems #RugbyLeague #RugbyUnion #NRL #TacticalAnalysis #TeamSportConditioning #NutritionStrategy #HighPerformance #WomenInSport #Physiology #PerformanceScience #CoachDevelopment #AthleteProfilingToday’s speakers:🎙️ Prof. Paul Laursen – https://www.paullaursen.com🎙️ Dr. Carmen M. E. Colomer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-colomer/References: 📄 A qualitative study exploring tactical performance determinants from the perspective of three Rugby World Cup coaches – https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541231170842
Transcribe →Microdosing, Rehab, Neuropriming, Neurocognitive Training and More! – With Bram Swinnen & Dr. Martin Buchheit
Mar 21, 2025Tap to summarize🏋️♂️ REHAB. PERFORMANCE. NEUROCOGNITION. 🧠⚡Bram Swinnen @xxx knows that training isn’t just about movement—it’s about QUALITY, INTENSITY & ADAPTATION 🔥!In the latest episode of The Training Science Podcast, Martin @mart1buch & Bram dive into:🔬 Why ECCENTRIC TRAINING is a POWERFUL base for performance; 📊 The role of VELOCITY LOSS THRESHOLDS in training & rehab; 🧠 How NEUROCOGNITIVE TRAINING can enhance decision-making; ⚖️ The impact of MICRODOSING & load management on athlete progression!
Transcribe →FINALLY: The Ultimate Way to Maximise Your HIIT Intervals - With Ingvill Odden & Prof. Paul Laursen
Nov 1, 2024Tap to summarizeYou NEED MORE ⏰ TIME! More TIME BREATHING really hard 🌬️!Ingvill Odden wants you to understand that YES✅, we can say with more certainty now that the more time you spend at VO2max, or at least the higher percentage of VO2max you are at during your HIIT, the greater your performance outcomes will be. Plus, if you are struggling, start with SHORTER HIIT - like we have always been highlighting here at HIIT Science ;)!In the 136th episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul and Ingvill discuss:🚲 how and why the AMOUNT of VO2max used during your HIIT matters;⏳ how to OPTIMISE your interval DURATION and INTENSITY choices;🥑 the significance of FAT oxidation & low-intensity training volume for HIIT GAINS!_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof. Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Ingvill Odden https://www.inn.no/english/find-an-employee/ingvill-odden.html _____________________ References:Ingvill’s RG:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ingvill-Odden Ingvill’s X:https://x.com/ingvillodden More time at VO2max study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39385317/ Shorter intervals study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39435498/ Fat oxidation matters for HIIT:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27900134/
Transcribe →The 5 NEW HIIT INSIGHTS That Could Change The Way You Train - with Dr. Rune Talsnes and Paul Laursen
Sep 7, 2023Tap to summarizeHIIT is not necessarily going to work for EVERYONE 🤯 - especially if you are already training quite a bit!Rune wants you to understand that a lot of HIIT studies and data points have lacked a “load” matched comparison; thus it is uncertain whether HIIT’s effects are down to simply “training with higher load” (or something, because often “total work” or time has been used for matching - but that ain’t enough!). It goes so far that it may be that some individuals might ONLY need a couple of WEEKS during their tapering phase to get enough high level HIIT in.In the 78th episode of The Training Science Podcast, Paul and Rune discuss:⛷️ EVERYTHING that is current cutting-edge in cross-country skiing;🤔 How HIIT is unlikely to be the “be all and end all” workout type (Yes, we are STILL HIIT SCIENCE! 😂);😎 What to do with “underperformance” and/or overtraining?_____________________ Today’s speakers:Prof. Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/ Dr. Rune Talsnes https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rune-Talsnes _____________________ References:Rune’s twitter:https://twitter.com/RuneTalsnes Load increases with HIIT or not:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34611057/ Training with cross-country skiing:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35130512/Return from underperformance:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36699686/
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