Today, I’m joined by Professor Josef Fahlén, Professor Paul Downward, and Dr. Mat Dowling to explore how sport functions in different contexts. We often hear about sport and physical activity in Scandinavia—but what can we actually learn from their approach? In this podcast, we compare the Swedish and UK sport systems, discussing a wide range of topics including government funding, sports clubs, schools, facilities, and cultural influences. We also delve into the challenges of trying to impl...

In the latest episode of Experts in Sport, Dr Luke Roberts, author of Leading Schools and Sustaining Innovation: How to Think Big and Differently in Complex Systems, joins host Martin Foster to discuss systems change. If you’ve been involved in the sport, physical activity, health, education, business, or any other sector, you’ll likely have heard people talk about systems change. You may have seen attempts to create change, but more often than not, the outcomes don’t match expectations. In t...

In the latest episode of Experts in Sport, Dr Serhat Yilmaz and Lerina Bright (Mission 89) join host Martin Foster to discuss Human trafficking in the global sports ecosystem. Loughborough University, in partnership with Mission 89 and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch of the British Parliament, has released the first-ever comprehensive global thematic report on sport trafficking. Listeners of the podcast can subscribe and download the latest episode by visiting iTunes, S...

In the latest episode of Experts in Sport, Professor Mark Williams joins host Martin Foster to discuss How Elite Athletes Are Made. Professor Mark Williams has researched Sports Science for over 30 years, he has published hundreds of academic articles, written, and edited over 20 books and has worked at leading organisations around the world. In this podcast we focus on his book "The Best. How Elite Athletes are Made." We discuss a wide range of topics from how siblings and the environ...

In the latest episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, Dr Janine Coates (expert in inclusive PE and school sport), Tammy and her mum Lynn (stars from the 'Equal Play' documentary), and Helen Derby (Strategic Lead, Programmes, Activity Alliance) join host Martin Foster (Applied Sport Management Lead) to discuss how physical education can be improved to make it inclusive for everyone who takes part. Intros 00:00 The research 2:51 Tammy's experience 5:55 Activity Alliance 10:17 Examples 18...

In the latest episode of Experts in Sport, Dr Steven Bradbury joins host Martin Foster to discuss Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion in Sports Leadership. Intro 00:00 Equality and equity 1:49 Leading the way: the background 3:19 Levels of representation 6:52 Benefits of a diverse workforce 9:55 Challenges 14:27 Barriers 23:15 Examples of good practice 26:02 Recommendations 34:12 Next steps 41:27 Outro 46:17

Physical activity levels of children in England and around the world remain stubbornly low. Research has shown that Physical Education can inspire children to embrace physical activity and sport, yet the curriculum that is delivered nationwide remains narrow with a heavy focus on skill development for sport. In the latest episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, Professor David Kirk and Professor Ash Casey discuss Models-based practice with host Martin Foster (Applied Sport Man...

Safeguarding and interpersonal abuse in sport – the development and potential impact of the IOC consensus statement. Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaffirmed its commitment to safe sport by announcing the release of its third consensus statement on safeguarding and interpersonal violence in sport. In the latest Experts in Sport podcast, hosted Martin Foster is joined by those involved in delivering this initiative. The panel, featuring Prof Daniel ...

In the latest Experts in Sport podcast, host Martin Foster is joined by Professor Paul Downward to discuss the UK’s low levels of sport participation. The podcast includes discussions on government policy and its impact on participation rates, and what needs to change to encourage more people to become active. Intro 00:00 Participation rates 7:10 History of monitoring 12:19 How have things changed? 17:27 General trends 22:46 Specific trends 25:57 Fitness industry 30:2...

Axel Dopfer, Professor Duncan Walker, Dr Richard Ferguson, and Josh Cresswell join us to discussHow Loughborough University's world-class sports ecosystem helped alumnus Axel Dopfer break the German hour record. Intros 0:00 University approach 6:55 Training as a Loughborough student 11:20 Memorable moments 14:26 Interdisciplinary aspect 16:37 Heat acclimation 27:52 Training smart 32:02 Build up to the day 39:34 Methodology 48:29 T...

Professor Jonathan Folland and Dr Tom Balshaw join host Stuart McErlain-Naylor to break down the anatomy of Strongman Champion Eddie Hall and highlight the key characteristics that enabled him to break world records in the deadlift. Time Stamps: 00:00 Intros 1:04 An evening with Eddie Hall 5:16 Scope of research 10:13 Why Eddie Hall? 11:55 Preparation 16:50 What did the day entail? 22:19 Main findings of the case study 26:24 Under or over developed? ...

Professor Vicky Tolfrey chats to host Dan Trussell to discuss the Paralympics in Paris, wheelchair sport and what's to come after the Games. Intros 0:00 Wheelchair configuration in tennis 0:43 Competitive edge 4:28 Athlete collaboration 5:26 What to expect from wheelchair sport 7:10 Wheelchair basketball at Loughborough 8:11 The future of parasport 9:41 Parasport and society 14:11 Outros 19:29

In this episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, host, Martin Foster, discusses research within Para sport at Loughborough and its potential across the landscape of sport with guests, Vladyslava Kravchenko, Alasdair Donaldson, and Jennifer Wong, of Loughborough University. Time stamps: 0.00-4.03 - Introduction 4.04- 8.31 - Why Loughborough? 8.32- 10.49 - Development of Para sport at Loughborough 10.50-12.32 - Examples of Para sport development 12.33-17.32 - Developing the workforce 17.33-24....

Loughborough University alumna, Paula Radcliffe MBE, joins host, Martin Foster, in this episode of the Experts in Sport Podcast to discuss her experience as a student athlete at Loughborough and her successful career within athletics. Timestamps: 0.00-1.23 - Intro 1.24-7.14 - Experience as a student at Loughborough University 7.14-9.57 - Combining academia and sport 9.58-12.34 - Student life 12.35-15.22 - Partnered running 15.23-17.51 - Loughborough traditions 17.52-25.06 - Preparation for c...

Sport PR Manager, Dan Trussell, is joined by Professor of Psychology Sophia Jowett to break down coach-athlete relationships and their benefits in athletes having the edge on the biggest stage, seen in the relationship between Mel Marshall and Adam Peaty.

Dr Verity Postlethwaite, from the School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, joins host, Dan Trussell, to discuss Spirit of 2012 and the importance of legacy that exists within major sporting competitions.