SportScience

S2E39: Fundamentals of Speed, Acceleration & Coaching Athletes w/ Dr. Chris Bellon, PhD

Season 2 Episode #39

Dr. Bubbs interviews Dr. Chris Bellon, PhD, who shares the four things you need to know about getting people fast, how sled towing and hill sprints help to accomplish 4 fundamentals, and how procedural memory development fits into the story. Chris talks about progressing from general to specific training, the role of stride length and rate, and outlines exercises to train specific qualities. He’ll also share the key relationship between weight room and quality speed development, how he monitors athletes, and the many demands facing young athletes today. Chris shares his tips for time-efficient workouts, the evolution of sport science and his biggest rocks for upgrading acceleration and sprinting.

About Dr. Chris Fellon PhD

Dr. Chris Fellon PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Science at LaGrange College. He teaches a variety of courses in the areas of sport physiology, motor behavior, coaching theory, and strength and conditioning. In addition, Dr. Bellon serves as the Director of Sports Performance in the LaGrange College SPEED Center. Within this role, he oversees the strength and conditioning practices for several athletic teams, including baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Prior to arriving in LaGrange, Dr. Bellon earned his doctoral degree in Sport Physiology and Performance at East Tennessee State University, where his academic endeavors focused on the enhancement of sprint acceleration in team sport athletes. . Follow Dr. Bellon on Twitter @DocBellon.


Research Papers

An Elite Athlete's Initial Uphill Battle

Are running speeds maximized with simple-spring stance mechanics?

Resistance training intensity and volume affect changes in rate of force development in resistance-trained men

The nature of speed: Enhancing sprint abilities through a short to long training approach. 


S2E29: Seasonal Changes in Body Composition in Collegiate Football Players w Dr. Ross Andersen

SEASON 2, EPISODE #29

Dr. Bubbs interviews Professor Ross Andersen PhD, kinesiologist and researcher at McGill University in Montreal to discuss his recent work on seasonal changes in body composition in collegiate football and hockey players. Dr. Ross discusses differences in pre-season to end of season changes in lean mass and fat mass, as well as different trends observed in football versus ice hockey. He also shares his experiences from working in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens and provides some insights into how to communicate science into practice.

About Dr. Ross Andersen PhD

Dr. Ross Andersen PhD is a professor and researcher in the department of kinesiology and physical education at McGill University and the Director of the McGill Research Centre for Physical Activity and Health (PATH).


Research Papers

Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition Throughout Successive Seasonal Phases Among Canadian University Football Players.

Seasonal Changes in Physiological Responses and Body Composition During a Competitive Season in Male and Female Elite Collegiate Ice Hockey Players.


S2E2: Evolution of Sport Science, Big Data & Changing The Game w Dr. Fergus Connolly

SEASON 2, EPISODE #2

Dr. Bubbs interviews expert sport scientist and Director of Performance at the University of Michigan Dr. Fergus Connolly PhD. Fergus talks all things sports science; why we should start from the game itself and work backwards in sport science, a holistic, rather than reductionist view in performance sport, the value of upskilling staff versus adding more specialists, the importance of a “Human First” approach to athletes, how data is either useful, useless or interesting, and so much more. Terrific insights from one of the best in the business.


About Dr. Fergus Connolly

Perhaps the only person in the world who has worked at the highest levels of Premier League soccer, international rugby, the NBA, NFL, and NCAA - where he’s currently the Performance Director for Michigan Football. Fergus is also the author of the fantastic and unique book, Game Changer, which cuts through the hype and myths to show you what really works, sharing details of how the most elite teams from around the world apply the latest knowledge, research, sports science, and technology to achieve excellence. Follow Fergus on Twitter