Science for Sport Podcast

• 297: Finding the Competitive Edge: Elite Performance with FC Midtjylland’s Niklas Virtanen

  This week, host Richard Graves sits down with one of the most energetic and thought-provoking voices in modern performance: Niklas Virtanen, Head of Sports Science at FC Midtjylland. If you’ve ever wondered how a club without the financial muscle of Europe’s giants consistently outperforms bigger teams, beating Nottingham Forest away, winning at Celtic, and challenging at the top of the Danish Superliga, this conversation tells you exactly how they do it. Niklas is a rare blend of passion, creativity and evidence-based practice. His presentation at a recent Catapult event had the entire room hooked, and this episode delivers the same energy. From dismantling traditional GPS limitations to redefining how football teams train for micro-actions, set pieces, and physical dominance, Niklas pulls back the curtain on the processes driving Midtjylland’s success. This episode goes deep into the real-world application of sports science, the balance between data and intuition, and why sometimes the most powerful competitive advantage is simply learning to “solve problems without money.” Things You Will Learn * Why FC Midtjylland’s entire model is built on “solving problems without money” and how data gives them a competitive edge. * How Niklas and his team dominate set pieces using Trackman technology and detailed ball-flight analytics. * Why GPS alone is blind to football’s most important movements, and how inertial data captures the micro-actions that matter. * How to use accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to measure real football movement quality. * The truth about injury “prediction,” why we still don’t know athletes’ limits, and why subjective data is often your most valuable input. * How to balance analytics with player feelings, coaching intuition, and the “eyeball test.” * Why communication, not technology, is the biggest challenge when coaching staffs change. * Practical ways to design training exercises that actually transfer to match actions (including why traditional rondos may be overrated). * How to create buy-in across departments in fast-moving environments with shifting coaching teams. * Why the best decisions come from leading with data first, then layering coaching opinions on top. About Niklas Virtanen Niklas Virtanen is the Head of Sports Science at FC Midtjylland, one of Europe’s most forward-thinking football clubs and pioneers in data-driven performance. From Finland’s Jyvaskyla to the top of the Danish Superliga, Niklas has carved out a journey defined by curiosity, relentless learning, and a willingness to challenge traditional methods. Starting his career as a physiotherapist, he transitioned into coaching, performance, and ultimately sports science — where he discovered his passion for practical, applied, football-specific methodology. At Midtjylland, Niklas plays a central role in integrating data, performance analytics, inertial technology and coaching processes. His approach blends scientific rigour with real-world applicability, always anchoring decisions in the question: “Does this help the players perform?” He collaborates closely with coaches, mental performance staff, physios, analysts, and leadership teams, shaping a holistic performance culture built around trust, objective data, and constant communication. Niklas is known across the professional football community for his high energy, creativity, authenticity, and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what sports science can be. You’ll often find him speaking to — and learning from — industry leaders such as Chris Barnes and Paul Balsom, who he credits with encouraging him to explore unconventional ideas, test them in the real world, and build evidence from the ground up. He shares many of these insights on LinkedIn, where he’s become a respected voice for modern performance practitioners. 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

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• 296: The Mental Game: What Athletes Really Carry with Them

  This week, host Richard Graves sits down with former Great Britain and England international basketball player Kofi Josephs, an athlete whose journey through elite sport has been anything but ordinary. From growing up in Birmingham to playing in front of Michael Jordan at the Jordan Brand Classic, suffering two major hip surgeries in the US collegiate system, becoming the British Basketball League’s highest-scoring British player, and navigating the hidden psychological battles behind performance… Kofi’s story is raw, real, and deeply relevant for anyone working in elite sport. Now the founder of WhyNotI, a preventative mental health tech platform designed specifically for elite athletes, Kofi is on a mission to reshape how professional environments understand – and support – the person behind the performer. This episode offers an unfiltered look at the pressures, cultural challenges, expectations, and mental load that athletes carry, and the systemic changes needed to truly support sustainable high performance. What You’ll Learn The hidden mental toll of elite sport and why performance alone never tells the full story. How perfectionism, pressure, and identity shape athlete wellbeing – and where support structures fall short. Why mental health must be preventative, not reactive, if teams want consistency and longevity in performance. Insights into the collegiate system in the US and its cultural, emotional, and psychological challenges for young athletes. Why separating “the athlete” from “the person” is flawed, and how reframing this changes support strategies. The crucial role of coaches, GMs, and ownership in building environments where mental health is prioritised. How WhyNotI is using technology, psychology, and data to influence policy, culture, and player care across elite sport. About Kofi Josephs Kofi Josephs is a former professional basketball player who represented England at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain at EuroBasket, competing across elite leagues worldwide including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Iceland. A psychology graduate and outspoken advocate for athlete mental health, Kofi has built a platform that blends his lived experience with scientific insight. He is the founder of WhyNotI, a preventative mental health tech solution designed to provide bespoke support for elite performers while equipping organisations with the data needed to improve culture, care, and decision-making. Kofi now works across sport, safeguarding, and policy, collaborating with leaders from national governing bodies, Olympic sports, and high-performance environments to drive systemic change. 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

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• 294: The Science Behind England’s Ashes Preparation – with Lead Nutritionist Charlie Binns

  This week, host Richard Graves sits down with Charlie Binns, Lead Nutritionist for the England men’s cricket team, fresh from Perth as preparations ramp up for the Ashes. Charlie lifts the lid on what elite fuelling actually looks like across five-day Tests, why recovery is an arms race, and how his team builds simple, repeatable habits the players will actually use, from colour-coded carb periodisation to the humble banana bread on the snack table. He also shares the months of behind-the-scenes logistics you never see: venue-by-venue menus for lunch, tea and post-match; shipping batch-tested supplements across the world; and how day–night “pink ball” Tests flip the entire eating schedule on its head. Expect practical insights, no fluff, and a proper appreciation for just how physically brutal modern cricket really is. What you’ll learn from the episode * Cricket’s true physical demands: why a Test bowler can cover ~50 km across a match and repeatedly absorb ~8× bodyweight through the front leg, and what that means for fuelling and recovery. * Tour prep, six months out: coordinating stadium caterers, training-day menus, and freighted, batch-tested supplements, plus how strategies are trialled at home before heading overseas. * Match-day fuelling made usable: the role of lunch, tea and all-day snack stations; when to use liquids vs solids; and why simple, high-carb options (wraps, bagels, flapjacks, banana bread) win. * Carbohydrate periodisation in practice: using colour-coded days to align intake with bowling/fielding workloads, then ramping to a high-carb taper before the first ball. * Refuel like a pro: stacking recovery windows, shakes on the final whistle, high-carb changeroom options, team-room snacks, and evening meals, to reduce soreness and restore glycogen for day two (and three). * Day–night Test adjustments: how pink-ball timings shift pre-match, “lunch”, “tea” and sleep hygiene, and the tweaks Charlie makes to keep players alert without compromising recovery. * Communication that sticks: nudging over lecturing, tailoring to individual preferences, and equipping S&C staff to deliver on-ground during play. About Charlie Binns Charlie Binns (BSc, MSc, SENr, UKAD, ISAK) is the Lead Nutritionist for the England & Wales Cricket Board’s men’s team. He joined the ECB setup after roles across elite rugby and football, including First-Team / Senior Men’s Nutritionist at Tottenham Hotspur and consultancy with Birmingham City FC. He also founded CMB Performance & Nutrition, serving athletes and organisations from academy to international level. Charlie’s academic route began with a First-Class BSc in Sport & Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Trinity University, followed by an MSc in Applied Sports Nutrition at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. He is SENr-registered, UKAD-accredited, and ISAK L1 certified. Before moving into cricket full-time, Charlie built experience in multiple environments to broaden his practice, from Richmond Rugby during his Master’s to league and academy football, a deliberate multi-sport grounding he still credits for his applied approach in cricket. Within England Cricket’s performance team, Charlie’s remit spans: Tour logistics & catering coordination across venues (training, lunch, tea, post-match menus). Carb periodisation frameworks aligned to bowling/fielding loads and match phases. Recovery protocols (e.g., immediate shakes, tart cherry, staged refuelling) to hit repeat high-output days. He’s been part of touring groups across the subcontinent, South Africa and Australia, and has supported senior and Lions squads in major series and tournaments. Media reporting has highlighted his role in individualising fuelling targets for players during high-demand campaigns. Outside the ECB, Charlie has hosted CPD for nutritionists across the county game and continues to contribute to practitioner development within cricket.

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• 293: Johnny Nelson on the Gym that Created World Champions

  This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by boxing legend Johnny Nelson MBE, the longest-reigning cruiserweight world champion in history. With a story that spans early losses, a transformative mentorship under Brendan Ingle, mental resilience, structural discipline, and elite-level performance, Johnny offers a rare window into the mindset and preparation of a world-class athlete. From his humble Sheffield upbringing through a gritty apprenticeship in Europe to standing atop the world with 13 title defences, Johnny reflects on the physical demands of his sport, the mental architecture that carried him, and how those lessons translate into high-performance sport science environments today. Whether you’re working with elite athletes, exploring pathway development, or investigating the interplay of mindset, culture and performance. This episode delivers actionable insight. You’ll Learn * How deliberate structure and environment in the early years set Johnny’s foundation for world-class performance, and what that means for athlete development pipelines in elite sport. * The interplay between physical conditioning and mental readiness: why Johnny argues that even 99% physical fitness isn’t enough without mental strength to match. * How a coach/mentor adapted learning modality to individual athlete needs (story-based learning vs. written instruction) and how that insight translates to sport science practice. * The “apprenticeship phase” of elite athletes: why Johnny spent six years as a sparring partner across Europe, what he learned about failure, character-building and resilience, and how that maps to athlete development models. * The transition out of elite competition: Johnny’s reflections on his own injury-forced retirement, loss of gym identity and how elite sport practitioners can support athlete exit and long-term wellbeing. * Practical take-aways on environment design, multicultural team culture, and creating performance contexts that simulate hostile or challenging conditions (drawing on Johnny’s anecdotes of gym culture and travelling abroad). About Johnny Nelson Johnny Nelson (born 4 January 1967, Sheffield) turned professional in 1986 after a modest amateur career. He trained under iconic coach Brendan Ingle at the Wincobank gym in Sheffield, where he developed not only boxing skills but a mindset of relentless belief and self-validation. In March 1999 he captured the WBO Cruiserweight World Title and held it until his retirement in 2006—during which he defended it 13 times, the most ever in cruiserweight history. Post-career, Johnny has built a prominent role as a boxing pundit, keynote speaker, and mentor around mindset, resilience and high-performance culture. 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

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• 292: How the NFL Uses Sports Science to Build Better Fields

  This week, host Richard Graves welcomes Nick Pappas, Field Director for the NFL, for a fascinating deep dive into the science, technology, and precision that go into preparing elite-level playing surfaces for one of the biggest sports leagues in the world. From the Super Bowl to international games in London, Germany, and Madrid, Nick shares how data, innovation, and collaboration are driving the future of field management, and how the NFL ensures world-class conditions that protect player safety and optimise performance. In this episode, you’ll learn: How the NFL’s field operations team prepares and maintains elite playing surfaces across 32 clubs and international venues The science behind player safety and surface performance — and how injury data informs turf design Why the debate between natural and artificial grass isn’t as simple as it seems How advanced testing tools like BEAST and STRIKE are revolutionising surface analysis The challenges of delivering perfect fields in unique stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid How the NFL’s “digital athlete” concept links field data, biomechanics, and player health About Nick Pappas Nick Pappas, CSFM, is the Field Director for the National Football League (NFL), overseeing field operations for all major league events, including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, and NFL International Games. With a background in turfgrass science and agronomy, Nick has become one of the foremost experts in professional sports field management. He leads the NFL’s global efforts in surface research, innovation, and player safety, working closely with the NFLPA, engineers, and medical experts to ensure every game is played on a surface that meets the highest standards of safety and performance. 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

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