Science for Sport Podcast

Science for Sport
  • 4.7 (32)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Discover the Secrets Behind Elite Performance. Join us on the Science for Sport Podcast, where every episode dives into the cutting-edge world of sports science and the untold stories behind the best athletes and teams on the planet. Hosted by Richard Graves, we bring you exclusive insights from elite athletes, world-class coaches, and leading sports scientists who are shaping the future of global sport. This isn’t just another sports podcast—this is your backstage pass to: - The science powering record-breaking performances. - The trends, challenges, and breakthroughs redefining the game. - Mastering the balance of art and science in coaching. Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, physio, nutritionist, teacher, or just a passionate sports fan, this is your chance to learn from the pros and stay ahead of the curve. Tune in every Monday and uncover what it takes to make the best, better.

  1. 3d ago

    Why Athletes Keep Breaking Down

    This week, Richard Graves is joined by Dave Emsley, physiotherapist and movement specialist at The Body Mechanics, for a practical conversation on why successful rehabilitation needs to look beyond the site of pain. Dave explains how the body adapts around injury, why a scan or strength test is only one part of the picture, and what practitioners can learn by observing how an athlete actually moves. From hamstring tears and persistent knee pain to golf swings, fast bowling and return-to-play decisions, this episode explores the relationship between biomechanics, motor patterns and long-term performance. The discussion also unpacks “adaptive potential”: the body’s remarkable ability to find a way to keep performing when something is not working as it should. But that capacity is not unlimited. For practitioners, the challenge is recognising when an athlete’s compensations are taking them closer to the gutter and helping them restore better options before another area of the system breaks down. In this episode you will learn Why pain should be treated as information, rather than simply the problem to remove How movement compensations can shift load elsewhere in the kinetic chain Where scans, strength testing and force-plate data fit within a complete assessment Why data should help confirm a clinical decision, rather than make it in isolation The difference between quantitative testing and the qualitative assessment of movement What “adaptive potential” means for injury risk, performance and longevity Why athletes with the same diagnosis may need very different rehabilitation plans When technical changes are worth making—and when practitioners should protect an athlete’s existing strengths Why return-to-play should account for the athlete’s actual performance demands, not just symptom resolution How practitioners can use movement quality to guide more individualised rehabilitation About Dave Emsley Dave Emsley is a physiotherapist and movement specialist at The Body Mechanics. With a background in sports science and physiotherapy, he works with athletes across a range of sports, including golf and football, and consults with Premier League footballers. His work focuses on biomechanical assessment, movement patterns, rehabilitation and helping people return to performance with a better understanding of how their body moves. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

  2. Aug 10

    Growth, Maturation and Athletic Development in Tennis

    Tennis players need far more than clean technique and a strong forehand. They need to be fast, powerful, durable and able to recover well enough to perform across an unpredictable, year-round competitive schedule. This week, Richard Graves is joined by Joshua Dragone, Head of Athletic Development at Dukes Meadows Tennis Academy, to explore what effective physical development looks like in tennis. Joshua explains why tennis S&C demands a different approach: players may be travelling, competing, dealing with limited gym access or adjusting plans after every match. He shares how he identifies the key physical qualities to target, creates structure without becoming rigid, and helps young players build the recovery, hydration and fuelling habits that support long-term development. The conversation also looks at maturation, the influence of social media on junior training, and why parents, tennis coaches and athletic development coaches need to be aligned around the individual athlete. In this episode you will learn Why tennis requires athletes to develop speed, power, change of direction, robustness and energy-system capacity at the same time. How to plan physical preparation around an unpredictable tournament schedule. How to identify the one or two physical priorities that matter most for an individual player. Why growth and maturation should shape expectations and programming in junior tennis. How to use training windows effectively when players are travelling and competing. The role of sleep, hydration and fuelling in availability, recovery and performance. Why junior tennis players are often under-fuelled — and how practitioners and parents can help. How consistent warm-up and recovery routines reduce friction on competition days. How to respond constructively when players want to copy professional athletes’ social-media training. Why alignment between player, parent, tennis coach and S&C coach is essential. About Joshua Dragone Joshua Dragone is the Head of Athletic Development at Dukes Meadows Tennis Academy in West London. He joined the academy in 2021 as a Senior Athletic Development Coach and moved into his current role in 2022. With more than a decade of coaching experience across sports including rugby, football and tennis, Joshua now specialises in helping junior tennis players become faster, stronger and more robust through developmentally appropriate, athlete-centred programming. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

  3. Aug 3

    Why Energy Management Is the Next Big Performance Tool

    How much of an athlete’s performance is shaped by the materials they wear and use? This week, Richard Graves is joined by Dr Sarah Karmel, Chief Science Officer at RHEON Labs, to explore how dynamic materials are changing the way sport thinks about protection, comfort and performance. Sarah explains the science behind RHEON’s non-Newtonian polymer technology: materials that remain soft and flexible at rest, but stiffen to manage energy when exposed to force. From NFL helmet components designed to address both linear and rotational impacts, to sports bras that provide support without unnecessary compression, this is material science with practical implications for athletes. The conversation also looks at vibration damping in tennis and padel rackets, the role of apparel in supporting movement, and why the next step in sports equipment may be creating products that adapt to the athlete, rather than asking the athlete to adapt to the product. In this episode you will learn How dynamic polymers respond differently at rest and under force. Why managing both linear and rotational impacts matters in athlete protection. Why repetitive lower-energy impacts are receiving greater attention in contact sport. How sports bra design can influence comfort, movement and the running experience for female athletes. How dynamic materials can reduce vibration in rackets without removing the feel athletes need. The potential role of responsive compression apparel in muscle support and tendon loading. Why energy management is the common thread linking helmets, apparel and sporting equipment. How material innovation could make sports equipment more individualised and athlete-centred. About Dr Sarah Karmel Dr Sarah Karmel is Chief Science Officer at RHEON Labs, where she leads the development of advanced elastomeric materials for sport, protection and performance applications. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and previously held the Blavatnik Fellowship at the University of Cambridge. Her work focuses on translating polymer and material science into practical technologies that improve how athletes are protected, supported and able to perform. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

  4. Jul 27

    Frontal Plane Fundamentals with Dr Matthew Ibrahim

    Richard Graves welcomes Dr Matthew Ibrahim back to the Science for Sport podcast to discuss how sports science, strength and conditioning, athlete monitoring and wellness can be brought together within one integrated performance model. Matthew explains how he is applying this approach in his new role as Assistant Athletic Director of Health, Performance and Wellness at Malden Catholic. Rather than collecting data simply because the technology is available, his focus is on asking better questions, identifying the measures that genuinely inform decisions and presenting information in a way that athletes, coaches, parents and support staff can understand. The conversation explores the difference between returning an athlete to play and returning them to performance. Matthew discusses how force plates, isometric strength testing, sprint timing, velocity-based training and subjective wellness measures can contribute to a criteria-based process, while emphasising that every test must have a clear purpose. Matthew also introduces his new Science for Sport course, Frontal Plane Fundamentals: Lower Body Training. He explains why lateral strength and movement are often underdeveloped, the importance of the adductors in athletic performance and how simple lateral squat and lunge progressions can be incorporated into a training programme. In this episode you will learn How to connect sports science, strength and conditioning, education and wellness within one performance model Why collecting more data does not necessarily produce better decisions How to identify the performance tests and monitoring measures that matter most The difference between return to play and criteria-based return to performance How practitioners can prepare athletes for sudden increases in training and competition load Why frontal-plane strength is important for running, cutting, skating and changing direction How lateral squats and lunges can develop the adductors and improve athletic movement Why relationships, trust and communication are essential when building athlete buy-in About Matthew Ibrahim Dr Matthew Ibrahim is the Assistant Athletic Director of Health, Performance and Wellness at Malden Catholic in Massachusetts. He has more than 15 years of experience across strength and conditioning, human performance, education and sports rehabilitation. Matthew holds a PhD in Human and Sport Performance and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is also the author of Train Like a Pro: Programming to Develop Your Inner Athlete and is currently working on a second Human Kinetics book focused on strength-based health, performance and wellness for young people. His work centres on making performance science understandable and useful, helping athletes develop the physical skills, confidence and habits needed to perform in sport and beyond.

  5. Jul 20

    The Five Qualities of Speed Development

    Speed in American football is about far more than running a fast 40-yard dash. It is the ability to create space, close space, accelerate, decelerate, change direction and repeatedly produce high-speed actions under the demands of the game. This week, Richard Graves is joined by Matt Gebert, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Ole Miss Football, to explore how speed is developed within an elite college football programme. Matt explains how Ole Miss structures speed training across the week, from acceleration and change of direction to maximum velocity, curved sprinting and conditioning. He also breaks down how the physical demands change between position groups and why offensive linemen, linebackers, running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs require different training priorities. The conversation explores the five key qualities Matt uses to assess speed development and how tools including Catapult GPS and the 1080 Sprint can help coaches understand an athlete’s strengths, weaknesses and potential performance limiters. However, collecting more data does not automatically lead to better decisions. Matt explains why sports science technology must be accurate, efficient and actionable, particularly when working with a squad of around 120 athletes within strict time restrictions. Richard and Matt also discuss the balance between pushing athletes hard and protecting player availability, the value of wellness monitoring, the importance of sleep and why technology should help practitioners ask better questions rather than replace coaching judgement. Matt also reflects on how his coaching philosophy has changed during more than a decade in college football, including moving away from one-size-fits-all programming and learning to coach athletes differently, both physically and psychologically. In this episode you will learn Why speed in team sport is ultimately about creating and closing space How Ole Miss structures acceleration, maximum velocity, change of direction and conditioning work Why different football positions require different speed and strength qualities The five physical qualities Matt assesses within speed development How Catapult GPS and the 1080 Sprint are used to profile athletes Why maximum velocity is particularly important for wide receivers and defensive backs How to identify and improve an athlete’s performance limiters The difference between using sports technology and practising sports science The three questions Matt asks before introducing new technology How external and internal training loads can inform programme decisions Why wellness questionnaires can start important conversations with athletes The relationship between training load, recovery and player availability Why sleep may be the most overlooked performance metric How Matt’s approach to individualising training and communication has evolved Why acceleration should be a priority for young athletes in almost every sport About Matt Gebert Matt Gebert is a Strength and Conditioning Coach with Ole Miss Football, where he leads speed development work within the programme’s performance team. Matt has worked in college football for approximately 13 years and is currently completing a PhD focused on speed development. His work covers linear speed, multidirectional movement, acceleration, maximum velocity, deceleration, curved sprinting and conditioning for team-sport athletes. Alongside his coaching and research, Matt regularly shares practical information about speed development and the use of sports science within high-performance environments. He is also preparing a forthcoming book focused on speed development for team-sport athletes. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

  6. Jul 13

    Blood Flow Restriction at the World Cup

    In this episode of the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves welcomes back Dr Warren Bradley, Co-Founder and Head of Elite Performance at Hytro, to explore how blood flow restriction is being used at the highest level of sport. With the biggest World Cup in history placing huge demands on players, staff, travel logistics, recovery windows and match preparation, Warren explains where BFR now fits inside elite performance environments. This conversation goes beyond the basic idea of BFR as a recovery tool. Warren breaks down how it can be used to support circulation, tissue preparation, injury risk reduction, return-to-play, long-haul travel strategies and squad-wide recovery workflows. He also discusses the challenge every practitioner will recognise: how to balance research, data, individualisation and real-world practicality when time is limited and performance outcomes matter. For coaches, sports scientists, physios and performance staff working in elite sport, this episode gives a clear look at how BFR is being applied in tournament football and why the next stage of recovery science may be less about collecting more data, and more about using meaningful interventions consistently. In this episode you will learn What blood flow restriction is and why its application has changed in elite sport How BFR can be used for recovery, tissue priming, warm-ups and travel support Why long-haul travel creates a major performance challenge during tournament football How teams are adapting BFR protocols to fit real-world environments, including pools, the sea, flights and pitch-based warm-ups Where BFR can help bridge the gap between low-grade injury and return-to-pla Why Warren believes circulation is becoming a major focus in modern recovery science How elite teams balance scientific precision with practical use across a full squad Why highly specific numbers can sometimes become a barrier to implementation How BFR protocols can be individualised without overcomplicating delivery What Warren would study if he had unlimited access to World Cup players, wearables and performance data About Dr Warren Bradley Dr Warren Bradley is Co-Founder and Head of Elite Performance at Hytro, a company specialising in wearable blood flow restriction technology for performance, recovery and rehabilitation. A sports scientist by trade, Warren has spent more than a decade working in professional sport, including Premier League football and international rugby. He completed a PhD in exercise physiology and has focused much of his work on making blood flow restriction safer, more practical and more accessible for athletes and practitioners. Through Hytro, Warren works with elite teams and athletes across world sport, helping them apply BFR in realistic performance environments — from training grounds and recovery rooms to tournament travel, warm-ups and matchday preparation. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

  7. Jul 6

    Building Nutrition Systems in Elite Sport

    Richard Graves welcomes Dr James Morehen back to the Science for Sport podcast for a practical conversation on what it really takes to work in elite performance nutrition. James reflects on his journey from Liverpool John Moores University to rugby league, England football, Premiership rugby, international rugby, and his current work with England Rugby. But this episode is less about the polished version of elite sport, and more about the details that actually make performance environments work. From gaining experience as a student, to building a trusted network, to solving problems on tour before they affect the athletes, James gives a clear view of the craft behind applied performance nutrition. He explains why degrees matter, but why they are only part of the picture, and why students and early-career practitioners need to get into clubs, support research, present to athletes, make mistakes, and learn from them. James also shares examples from inside elite sport, including heat strategies, travel logistics, hydration planning, making weight for combat athletes, and the hidden operational details that can decide whether a practitioner is adding real value or simply reacting under pressure. This is a valuable episode for sports nutritionists, sports scientists, S&C coaches, performance directors, students, and anyone interested in the reality of working behind the scenes in high-performance sport. In this episode you will learn Why academic knowledge is essential, but not enough on its own How students can build meaningful experience while still at university Why volunteering, research participation, and applied placements can separate candidates in a crowded field What James looks for when interviewing or mentoring young practitioners How to build a professional network that genuinely improves your practice Why elite sport often comes down to simple details done exceptionally well How practitioners use networks to check, challenge, and improve strategies What travel, heat, hydration, and logistics look like inside international rugby Why mentorship matters at every stage of a practitioner’s career How James is now helping clubs and practitioners develop better nutrition systems About Dr James Morehen Dr James Morehen is a performance nutritionist working at the highest level of elite sport. He is currently Lead Performance Nutritionist for England Rugby and has supported athletes and teams across rugby league, England football pathways, Premiership rugby, international rugby, and professional boxing. James completed his undergraduate, master’s and PhD studies at Liverpool John Moores University, where his interest in applied physiology and performance nutrition developed through his work in rugby league. Alongside his work in elite environments, James is the founder of the Performance Nutrition Network and is passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of practitioners. His work focuses not only on evidence-based nutrition, but on the practical systems, communication, logistics, and problem-solving needed to support athletes in real performance environments. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

  8. Jun 29

    Creatine’s Next Chapter with Steve Jennings

    This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves welcomes back Steve Jennings for part two of one of the most fascinating stories in sports nutrition. Earlier this year, Steve joined us to tell the story of how creatine first entered the world of elite sport ahead of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. In this follow-up conversation, Richard and Steve look at where creatine goes next. For decades, creatine has been viewed primarily as a strength, power and high-intensity performance supplement. But Steve believes the next phase of creatine will move far beyond the gym, the track and the changing room. In this episode, Steve discusses the emerging research around creatine, cognition, fatigue, brain function, sleep deprivation, concussion, ageing, women’s health, shift work and everyday human performance. He also explains why education is now critical, particularly for youth athletes, parents, schools and practitioners who need to understand creatine in the right context. The conversation also explores the future of creatine as an ingredient technology, with Steve outlining how new forms of creatine could be used in functional foods, gummies, drinks and other products designed for wider health and performance benefits. This is a conversation about sport, science, innovation and the changing role of creatine in human performance. In this episode you will learn How creatine moved from elite sport into mainstream performance nutrition Why Steve believes the biggest future breakthroughs may come outside traditional sports performance The potential role of creatine in cognition, fatigue, brain function and sleep deprivation Why education is so important when discussing creatine with youth athletes and parents How practitioners can better frame creatine use in the right context Why Steve believes three grams per day can be enough for many users How creatine needs may change across the lifespan Why creatine is becoming a major topic in women’s health, ageing and longevity The challenges of creating liquid-stable and food-based creatine products How ingredient technology could shape the next generation of creatine products About Steve Jennings Steve Jennings is one of the most influential figures in the history of sports nutrition. A former professional racing cyclist, Steve founded Maxim Sports Nutrition in the early 1990s and played a key role in introducing creatine supplementation to elite sport ahead of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. Over the last three decades, Steve has built, launched and developed nutrition brands across performance sport, active lifestyle and human health. Today, through Jenerise, he is focused on the next chapter of creatine: helping expand its role beyond traditional strength and power performance into cognition, vitality, healthspan and everyday human performance. Steve brings a rare combination of lived sporting experience, commercial innovation and deep understanding of how science can be translated into practical, real-world use. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

See All (332)

4.7
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Discover the Secrets Behind Elite Performance. Join us on the Science for Sport Podcast, where every episode dives into the cutting-edge world of sports science and the untold stories behind the best athletes and teams on the planet. Hosted by Richard Graves, we bring you exclusive insights from elite athletes, world-class coaches, and leading sports scientists who are shaping the future of global sport. This isn’t just another sports podcast—this is your backstage pass to: - The science powering record-breaking performances. - The trends, challenges, and breakthroughs redefining the game. - Mastering the balance of art and science in coaching. Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, physio, nutritionist, teacher, or just a passionate sports fan, this is your chance to learn from the pros and stay ahead of the curve. Tune in every Monday and uncover what it takes to make the best, better.

Information

  • Creator
    Science for Sport
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    332
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Science for Sport
  • Show Website
    Science for Sport Podcast

You Might Also Like