In this episode, David is joined by sports scientist at Dublin GAA and researcher at Technological University Dublin, Shane Malone. In this, the first of a two part episode, David & Shane discuss the role of the sports scientist in elite level sport.  Topics of conversation include: - What is the role of the sport scientist? - Deciding what metrics are important to collect - Effective data collection methods - Effective interpretation of data - GPS data collection - External and internal load monitoring - Effective presentation and communication of data to coaches and players. 

Synapse Performance Podcast

The Role of Sports Science: Effective data collection, interpretation & communication - Episode 133 - Shane Malone

In this episode, David & Mark answer questions submitted by listeners. These questions include: - What are common mistakes people make when interpreting research - How can you more effectively apply research with your clients and athletes? - How to deal with science deniers? - How to argue on social media? Full show-notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode132

Listener Q&A: Interpreting Research & Dealing with Science Deniers - Episode 131

In this episode, David is joined my Dr. Tommy Lundberg. Dr. Lundberg is a lecturer and researcher in the Karolinska Institute in the area of clinical physiology measures, in particular muscle physiology.  In this episode, David & Dr. Lundberg discuss: - The anthropometric and physiological differences between biological male and females. - Sporting performance differences between biological males and females - Testosterone suppression in transgender women and it's influence on physiological variables. - Transgender athletes in sport. Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode131 

Transgender Athletes: An Unfair Advantage? The Science and Evidence - Episode 131

In this episode David and Mark have an in-depth discussion on the topic of recovery and provide a wealth of practical advice. The pair discuss: - Training Load Management - Sleep - Psychological Stress - Nutrition and Supplements - Active, Passive and Novel Recovery Methods (Ice baths, heat, compression garments etc.) - The Role of Beliefs, Placebo & the Biopsychosocial Model in Recovery  Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode130

Everything You Need to Understand About Recovery - Episode 130 - David Nolan & Mark Germaine

In this episode, David is joined by Limerick senior football S&C coach Adrian O'Brien, performance nutritionist at Dublin GAA Mark Germaine, and S&C coach with Donegal senior football (2015-2020) Paul Fisher. The group discuss: - Designing and structuring a pre-season - What to focus on during lockdown - Reducing injury risk in GAA - Do GAA players really need to be big and strong? Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode129

Episode 129 - Paul Fisher, Adrian O'Brien & Mark Germaine: Navigating a Lockdown GAA Pre-Season and Do GAA Need to be Big and Strong?

In this episode of the podcast, David is joined by PhD researcher Tim Smithies.  Tim is a researcher based at the University of Limerick in the E-sports research lab and is completing a PhD in conjunction with the Irish Research Council and Logitech.  In this episode, the pair discuss:   - What is E-Sports? - What roles do S&C and sports science play in E-sports? - What is the future of sports science research in E-Sports? - What influence does E-Sports have on health and sleep?   Full show-notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode128

Episode 128 - Tim Smithies - The Role of Sports Science in E-Sports

In this episode, David is joined by Synapse Head of Nutrition, Mark Germaine.  David and Mark discuss whether they believe CBD supplementation is worthwhile for athletes and field some listener questions on the future trends in sports science and S&C, and reflect on 2020.  Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode127  

Episode 127 - Mark Germaine - CBD Supplementation and Listener Questions

In this episode, David is joined by founder and owner of The Fight Dietician, Jordan Sullivan.  Jordi has an Undergraduate Degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science and a Masters of Dietetic Studies. After completing his studies, Jordi moved to Canada, where he was exposed to an MMA scene that far exceeded that of Australia. He realised that it was only a matter of time until this enthusiasm towards the sport was mirrored back home in Australia and his dream of working in Combat Sports Nutrition could become a reality. Since then, Jordi has established himself as one of the leading Practitioners in Australia and New Zealand and has worked with the regions most successful athletes and teams. He is passionate about raising awareness of safe practices when it comes to making weight and using Nutrition as a tool for Performance, not just for weight loss. In this episode, David and Jordan discuss his experiences on the UFC Fight Island and where athletes go wrong when using sweating methods to cut weight. 

Episode 126 - Jordan Sullivan - Lessons from UFC Fight Island and Where Athletes Get it Wrong with Sweating When Cutting Weight

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Aoife Lane Dr Aoife Lane is Head of Department of Sport and Health Sciences at AIT and Founder of the Women’s Gaelic Players Association. Aoife completed the BSc in Sport and Exercise Science in University of Limerick before undertaking a Masters in Health Promotion in NUI Galway and a PhD in Physical Activity in Irish Women in WIT. Aoife has lectured in Physical Activity and Health, Research Methods, Statistics, Epidemiology, and GAA Coaching. Aoife was a member of the inaugural National GAA Health and Wellbeing group. In this episode, David and Aoife discuss the establishment on the GAA sports science working group and their goals and objectives.

Episode 125 - Dr Aoife Lane: The Future of Sports Science in Gaelic Games

Dr. Neil Welch completed his undergraduate degree in Sports Science and Physiology BSc (Hons) at the University of Leeds, specialising in his final year in Biomechanics. He then undertook his MSc in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Bolton alongside Strength and Conditioning roles within Winter sports including national Alpine skiing programmes and then international snowboard cross. Further roles with multiple sports with Locker27 and in gait analysis in London followed before his move to the Sports Surgery Clinic in 2013. He completed his PhD on the role of strength and explosive strength in rehabilitation and performance with Dublin City University in 2019. He has a special interest in this regard in the Biomechanics of cutting. He is the head of knee services within the SSC overseeing the flagship ACL review service. In this episode Neil discusses: - What is agility? - How do we train to improve agility? - How do we periodise agility and speed training? - How important is training deceleration? - How can we improve deceleration ability? Neil's researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Neil_Welch Neil's Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/agilitycoach/ Neil's twitter: https://twitter.com/nwconditioning

Episode 124 - Dr. Neil Welch - Speed, Acceleration and Deceleration for Field Based Sports

In this episode, David is joined by performance analyst, Brian Fitzpatrick. Brian Fitzpatrick’s expertise derives from over a decade of working many teams across a variety of sports and levels in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Brian has always been passionate about sport and whilst studying a Sports Science Degree in University, he completed his dissertation with the Welsh Rugby Union in 2014. This investigated the intervals between high intensity activities in tier 1 rugby internationals which led him to take an internship in Ireland working closely with many of Ireland’s biggest teams, including the Dublin Senior Hurlers. Brian then accepted a role with the London Irish Rugby Club as the Academy Analyst. During this time, Brian was part of the U18 premiership winning support staff in his first season, before being promoted to Academy Analyst and Administrator. The pair discuss: - What is performance analysis and how has it's role changed over the years - How to effectively integrate performance analysis into coaching and with other streams of sports science - How organisational structure can massively impact the effectiveness of data flow and efficiency in a team

Episode 123 - Brian Fitzpatrick - Performance Analysis and Effective Organisational Structure

In this episode of the Synapse Performance podcast, David is joined by Broderick Chavez. Bio from Broderick's website: "Broderick Chavez is the Evil Genius. He’s a renowned trainer based in the US and has trained champions, Olympians and IFBB Pros as well as hundreds of other athletes.  He is a sports performance expert, biologist, chemist, coffee connoisseur and an insomniac. Not only has Broderick worked in Sports Performance field 30 years, he’s competed at a national level in bodybuilding, powerlifting and strongman. He’s a critical thinker, lifter, speaker and thought provoker. Broderick is uncensored and controversial. Rather than trying to prove to you or anyone else that he is the singular outlet for truth, he hopes to stimulate thought, experiment and dialogue that will bring us all closer to the truth." In this episode, David and Broderick discuss performance enhancing drugs, the thought processes Broderick goes through when designing PED programs for his clients, and the methods used to avoid detection of drugs in tested sports.   

Episode 122 - Broderick Chavez - Performance Enhancing Drugs & Avoiding Drug Detection in Sport

In this episode, David is joined by the current director of the UKSCA, Rich Clarke.  Rich is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach having previously worked with Gloucester Rugby Club and The Bristol Academy of Sport before transitioning into teaching in higher education in 2013. He has led programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level before joining Birmingham City University to lead the Sport and Exercise Science Degree in 2019. He is currently studying for his PhD part time looking at performance and injury during agility manoeuvres. He continues to actively coach with the girls FA talent pathway and within other private environments. Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode121

Episode 121 - Rich Clarke - Addressing Criticisms of the UKSCA & the Future Goals of the Organisation

In this episode, David is joined by strength and conditioning coach Keir Wenham-Flatt.  Keir has worked with leading professional teams all around the world, predominantly in rugby.  Keir is an outspoken individual who highlights the reality of working in professional sport and has recently left professional sports coaching to pursue full-time his businesses, Rugby Strength Coach & Strength Coach Network. In this episode, David & Keir discuss the realities of working in professional sport, Keir's criticisms of the UKSCA, gaps in coach education and how S&C coaches can be more influential.    

Episode 120 - Keir Wenham-Flatt: Why S&C Is A Broken Industry, And What We Can Do To Fix It.

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Tom Maden-Wilkinson. Tom is an established researcher in Neuromuscular Physiology. He completed his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University examining the age related changes in skeletal muscle as part of the EU-funded myoage project. Upon completion in 2013, Tom moved to Loughborough University as a teaching fellow in Exercise Physiology, contributing to teaching across the undergraduate and postgraduate sports and exercise science programmes. During his time at Loughborough, Tom conducted research as part of the NCSEM and the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis as funded by Arthritis Research UK. He  joined the Academy for Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University in January 2017 as a Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Science, with his teaching focus in Exercise Physiology. In addition, Tom is an associate researcher of the Centre for Sports Engineering Research. Full show-notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode119

Episode 119 - Dr. Tom Maden-Wilkinson - Rate of Force Development: Deep Understanding and Nuances

The Synapse Performance Podcast brings you leading expert knowledge in areas of health, nutrition & performance. It's a must listen for any athlete or coach looking for pragmatic evidence-based information. Hosted by David Nolan