Experts in Sport

In this episodeof the Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by former British No.1 and Wimbledon champion Jayant Mistry, Professor Vicky Tolfrey, and Dr Thomas Rietveld to explore how athlete experience, research and technology have driven the sport's evolution. From custom-built chairs and performance science to Wimbledon and the future of the game, discover how innovation continues to shape wheelchair tennis. 01:00 Wimbledon reflections and how the sport has evolved 05:00 Jayant Mistry's journey from local courts to Wimbledon champion 08:50 Vicky Tolfrey's introduction to parasport research 13:45 How Thomas Reitveld became a wheelchair tennis researcher 16:45 The evolution of wheelchair tennis chairs 21:00 Science meets sport: Optimising wheelchair performance 27:20 Customised chairs, technology and performance gains 32:20 Turning athlete ideas into research questions 36:40 Court surfaces, Wimbledon grass and equipment regulations 38:30 Accessibility, participation and getting started in wheelchair tennis 44:20 Emerging research: surfaces, sensors and performance analysis 46:20 Classification debates and inclusivity in wheelchair tennis 53:50 The future of wheelchair tennis over the next decade

Recorded in the week before England's World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, host Martin Foster is joined by Dr Johan Rewilak (Loughborough University) and Ambar Ferra (Houston Dynamo) to discuss the 2026 FIFA World Cup from the heart of the host nation. From packed fan festivals and record attendances to ticket prices, the Messi effect and the future of soccer in the USA, they explore whether this tournament can create a lasting legacy for fans, clubs and communities. Plus, their World Cup predictions before the knockout stage drama unfolded.

In 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 Cup 11:31 Pre-Tournament Prep vs In-Tournament Adaptation 14:41 Data Overload & Decision-Making 20:31 Individual Players & Tactical Game Plans 26:31 Technology & Evolution of the Analyst Role 30:31 Penalties, Psychology & Marginal Gains 42:00 Tactical Trends at This World Cup 57:11 Future of Performance Analysis 01:04:31 Predictions

What 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 3:46 Heat Preparation 5:45 Travel and Sleep 19:51 Altitude 29:11 Air Quality 40:07 Working together 49:21 Who is going to win? 54:35

In 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? 5:54 Philippe's highlights 13:14 What has changed? 20:39 FIFA's role 23:18 Development worldwide 28:01 This World Cup 49:33 Who's going to win? 55:56

This 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 2:02 Views of the games 16:59 Transparency and preparation 41:07 Market value 47:51 The future 53:39

In 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/theclimatecup Sport and Climate Change 7:06 Loughborough uni and sustainability 15:22 Carbon Jacked 25:31 The Climate Cup 32:08 Getting involved 45:56

In 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 0:00 At Loughborough 6:47 Wendy in Australia 17:29 Stuart's evolution 31:04 Quickfire 41:19 Setting goals 52:09 Fitness testing children 54:04 Advice 56:44

Join 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.

In 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 3:55 Negative impacts 21:52 Wider health value 26:18 Examples in communities 35:59 Quantifying data 49:09 The future 57:08

In 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 million The start 1:26 MyZone 15:53 Failures 36:00 The purpose of MyZone 41:14 Journey as an entrepreneur 53:09 Stepping back 1:01:56 Background reading 1:10:56 For future entrepreneurs 1:16:44

This 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 0:00 The start 3:14 The growth 9:55 The evolution 22:15 Mission 29:03 Going international 30:16 Volunteering 37:14 Most memorable 45:09 Different directions 47:52 Social prescription 54:27 Lessons learnt and the future 59:46

In this episode of the Experts in Sport podcast Dr James Sanders joins host Martin Foster to explore the NHS 10‑Year Plan and the growing role of digital health tools. Together, we unpack how wearables could support prevention, personalise care, and empower individuals to take control of their wellbeing. Learn more about CLiMB: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/climb/ NHS 10 year plan 2:09 Wearables 11:58 Improvements in health 19:01 Weightloss drugs 26:44 Whats next? 30:53 The research 40:26

In this episode of Experts in Sport, we go behind the scenes at Loughborough Sport’s world-class Physiology Lab with Rhona Pearce, Physiology Lead. Discover how cutting-edge testing can transform your marathon preparation, from VO₂ max and lactate thresholds to personalised pacing strategies. Whether you’re chasing a PB or tackling your first 26.2 miles, learn why understanding your physiology is the ultimate game-changer. Learn more about Loughborough Sport's physiology testing: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/support-services/physiology/physiology-assessments/ Intro 0:00 Marathon training plan 1:47 Training to distance 4:25 Doing better 10:05 Physiological perspective 14:54 Wearables 21:24 Physiology testing 24:18 Understanding the data 30:36 Physiology lab at Loughborough Sport 37:01

In this episode we take a look back at some of our hightlights from 2025 including big milestones and a fantastic summer of women's sport. Thank you for all your support this year, lets hope next year is even bigger and better! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Experts in Sport team! #loughborough #university #loughboroughuniversity #education #student #Expertsinsport #podcast #experts #sport #research #expertsinhealth #fitness

In this episode Martin talks to Professor Stacy Clemes and Dr. Grant Charlesworth-Jones to explore the pressing health challenges facing the UK workforce. From rising rates of long-term illness and sedentary lifestyles to the overlooked health crisis among truck drivers, the conversation dives deep into the systemic issues and potential solutions. Drawing on over a decade of research, the guests share insights into the SHIFT programme—Structured Health Intervention for Transport—and discuss how employers, policymakers, and individuals can take proactive steps to improve wellbeing, productivity, and safety across the nation Learn more about the SHIFT programme here: https://www.ncsem-em.org.uk/research/optimising-health-wellbeing/impact/the-shift-study/ State of the nation 2:01 GP health 7:18 Driver health 14:48 SHIFT 17:54 The issue with truck driving 33:41 What are we doing about it? 35:52 Driving better health 44:30 Changes 47:35 Future research 54:19 Further information 57:10 #loughborough #university #loughboroughuniversity #education #student #Expertsinsport #podcast #experts #sport #research #expertsinhealth #fitness #history

Lord Sebastian Coe joins the Experts in Sport podcast for a wide-ranging conversation tracing his journey from Loughborough student-athlete to one of the most influential figures in global sport. In this compelling episode, he reflects on the lessons learned from his legendary athletics career, shares untold stories and the immense pressure behind delivering London 2012, and offers his vision for the future of athletics in an increasingly complex world. With candid advice for the next generation of sports leaders, this is a rare and inspiring insight into the mind of a true sporting icon. Arriving at Loughborugh 1:06 Chancellor 11:16 Life after athletics 16:10 London 2012 23:33 Spirit of 2012 37:08 Navigating challenges 41:55 Opportunity in athletics 49:13 #loughborough #university #loughborough university #education #student #Expertsinsport #podcast #experts #sport #research #expertsinhealth #fitness #history #sebcoe

In this episode of Experts in Sport, we discuss Where History Begins-Loughborough's Journey Through Sport. Learn about Loughborough's early beginnings in Sport and how we grew into the number 1 university in the world for sport! Where did history begin?: 1:46 Where are we now?: 5:11 The World Wars: 8:28 Military connections: 10:49 Sport Performance: 12:22 Sport education and research: 20:00 Best in the world: 24:53 Olympics and Paralympics: 28:18 The future: 35:04 #loughborough #university #loughborough university #education #student #Expertsinsport #podcast #experts #sport #research #expertsinhealth #fitness #history #100

Every athlete faces performance challenges, but could the answers lie in their data? In this episode, we explore how data-driven innovation is uncovering hidden performance patterns and offering deeper insights into what happens beyond training hours. We also discuss where technology still has room to grow, as we continue unlocking new ways to help athletes get the very best out of themselves. In this episode Dr Samantha Rowland discusses athelte driven data with Liverpool John Moores University's Dr Kelsie Johnson and Loughborough Sport's Olivia Murphy. Data driven innovation: 2:42 Athlete voices: 10:38 Academic barriers: 18:14 Hormonal changes: 23:46 Encouraging participation: 29:40 Data transformation: 33:19 The next generation: 39:20 Next steps: 45:16

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England has broken records both on and off the pitch — from advancing gender equity to achieving unprecedented broadcasting figures and ticket sales. But what do these successes mean for host councils and local communities once the tournament ends? In this episode, we speak with Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, whose portfolio spans the local economy, culture, and leisure, and Dr Becca Leopkey from the University of Georgia, a world-leading expert on the visible and invisible impacts of hosting major events. Our vibrant conversation centres on Northampton, an official host town that staged tournament games across three weekends and delivered a range of community activations. These engaged local residents, sports clubs, businesses, and universities throughout the Rugby World Cup. Cllr Petter and Dr Leopkey share insights on the importance of involving diverse local groups, capturing both planned and unexpected successes, and addressing the crucial question: what’s next? Together, they explore how Northampton can build on the momentum of the tournament to deliver long-term regional benefits. This episode forms part of the Summer of Women’s Sport mini-series supported by the Institute of Advanced Studies and Spirit of 2012, who champion inclusive knowledge exchange and partnership building. Want to know more? Make sure to check out the Loughborough University Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub, plus the Loughborough Lightning rugby franchise who kick off their PWR season with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens this autumn. What does hosting mean?: 4:00 Harnessing the hosting: 8:45 Yarn bombing: 10:07 Maintaining the momentum: 13:19 The Fanzone: 17:36 Next steps: 23:03 Collaboration: 35:10