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Experts in Sport

Experts in Sport: The Loughborough University Sportcast, a podcast which brings together sporting excellence and academic knowledge. Hosted by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University.

lboro.ac.ukSource feed ↗10 episodes

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E117: The Evolution of Wheelchair Tennis - From Day Chairs to Wimbledon Champions

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…

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E116: The World Cup Effect - Fans, Finance and Football's Future

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…

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E115: Performance Analysis at the World Cup - Data, Decisions & Marginal Gains

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…

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E114: The FIFA 2026 World Cup - A Challenging Environment and How Players should Prepare for it

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,…

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E113: Building the Global Game - FIFA, Football Development, the World Cup, and the Future of Football.

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…

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E112: Inside the Enhanced Games: What Really Happened In Vegas

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…

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E111: From Pitch to Planet - Sustainability in Sport

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…

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E110: Half a Century of Sport Science - Reflections from Loughborough Pioneers

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…

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E109: The Power of Events - Bidding, Impact & Long‑Term Legacy

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…

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E108: Measuring the True Value of Sport - Social Return on Investment Explained

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…

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