What if one of the most powerful performance tools isn't a supplement, a training method, or new technology, but belief itself?

In this episode, S&C specialist Assoc Prof Vince Kelly explores the science behind the belief effect and how athlete expectations, coach communication, environment, and trust can meaningfully influence performance outcomes. From placebo and nocebo effects to coaching philosophy and practitioner credibility, this conversation unpacks why how an intervention is delivered can be just as important as the intervention itself.

Whether you're a coach, sport scientist, clinician, or athlete, this episode offers practical insights into building stronger coach athlete relationships, improving communication, and creating environments that maximize performance.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399926003946

Today’s speakers:

Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/

Assoc Prof Vince Kelly https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-kelly-6452a621/

Athletica U
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

Supporting young female athletes requires more than great training programs. It starts with understanding the unique physiological, psychological, and developmental changes they experience throughout puberty.

In this episode, Dr Julia Casadio shares her personal journey from aspiring Olympian to elite sport physiologist, and explains how those experiences inspired the creation of Her Strength. Together, we explore the challenges facing young female athletes, including body image, menstrual health, injury risk, nutrition, and the role coaches and parents play in creating positive sporting environments.

The conversation also covers practical strategies for supporting female athletes through puberty, recognizing early warning signs of low energy availability, and helping more girls stay healthy, confident, and involved in sport for the long term.

NEW COURSE with Dr Julia Casadio: Her Strength Coach Course
https://hiit-science.thinkific.com/courses/herstrength-coachcourse

Athletica U
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD

How do you build stronger, more powerful footballers when there is barely enough time to recover between matches?

In this episode, Nick Grantham shares how his approach to strength and conditioning has evolved after years working in elite Olympic sport and the English Premier League. The conversation explores why strength remains a cornerstone of elite football performance, how to individualize training across a congested season, and why chasing the "perfect" gym session may no longer be the answer.

Nick also explains the concept of nano dosing, using small but meaningful strength exposures throughout the week, while discussing minimum effective dose, player monitoring, injury mitigation, and balancing long term athletic development with match readiness.

Interested in learning more about the latest developments in endurance performance and sports science? Subscribe to the HIIT Science email list for updates on new research, courses, and educational opportunities.

Today’s speakers:

Dr Martin Buchheit https://martin-buchheit.net/

Nick Graham https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgranthamconsultancyltd/

Athletica U
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu7L8NU083obOOZnkl9qd1lxr5zfVKTkL&si=YkGXTSQsJcYBUPiD