SEASON 6, EPISODE 14
Marc interviews Dr. Chris Kirk, PhD, exercise physiologist, researcher, and strength & conditioning coach whose specializes in combat sports performance.
SUMMARY OF EPISODE:
2:15 – Chris’ background in academia and sport
5:25 – How Chris got into training MMA athletes
7:25 – Looking back on early career challenges with athletes
10:45 – How to work around movement imbalances in young athletes
15:45 – Chris’ research career and area of focus in his work
23:15 – Quantifying the MMA training activities – Heart rate? RPE?
26:10 – What is RPE? (What does it inform the athlete or coach?)
30:30 – Comparing RPE feedback from team vs. individual sport?
35:30 – Harsh reality of periodizing training in MMA/combat sport athletes
38:45 – Challenges for today’s MMA fighters
41:50 – Old-school weight making strategies in MMA – there is a better way
44:30 – Athlete’s with ‘all or nothing’ approach to weight-cutting
48:45 – Do combat sport athletes struggle with more cold and flu?
52:20 – Surprising findings in Chris’ work with MMA fighter
RESEARCH PAPERS:
Kirk, C., Langan-Evans, C., & Morton, J.P. (2020). Worth the weight? Post weigh-in rapid weight gain is not related to winning or losing in professional mixed martial arts. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 30 (5), 357-361. http://doi.org/10.1123/IJSNEM.2019-0347
Kirk, C., Clark, D.R., Langan-Evans, C., & Morton, J.P. (2020). The physical demands of mixed martial arts: A narrative review using the ARMSS model to provide a hierarchy of evidence. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38 (24), 2819-2841. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1802093
DR. CHRIS KIRK, PHD:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisKirk_ASP
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