8. Gavin MacMillan - Founder of Sport Science Lab

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President and founder of Sport Science Lab, Gavin MacMillan is among the foremost thought leaders on sports performance and recovery. With his entire approach based in scientific research, his team has long been on the cutting edge of training and sports performance and often flies in the face of traditional training approaches. Closing in on nearly 20 years in the profession he has trained some of the biggest names in the worlds biggest sports. From world champions in boxing and MMA to All-NFL Players and NBA Slam Dunk Champions, the leagues and list of players of which his team has worked with is too long to recount. If it were up to him, that would be the last measuring stick by which he’d like to be measured. Gavin has attained a loyal following with his ruthless commitment to focusing on the requisite biochemanics and the specific needs of an athletes sport above all else. He has also garnered a reputation as one of the leaders in sports recovery due to his team’s stellar track record of helping athletes of all levels recover from catastrophic sports injuries return to their sport, often with a higher level of athleticism than which they originally possessed.

In today’s show, he shares why he believes there needs to be a governing body of sports science in the United States to ensure athletes are receiving proper guidance and coaching. Educates me on why “training philosophies” are worthless and the need for training principles rooted in scientific research. We discuss the work of Professor Yuri Verkhoshansky and why a study of that scope and magnitude will never be replicated again. Breaks down the anatomical justification as to why heavy maximal lifting negates speed. The importance of training “cyclically”. Why strength and conditioning coaches should delineate sports into “below body weight”, “body weight” and above “body weight”. His analysis as to why the rapid rise of soft tissue and ligament injuries over the last few decades and why historically they didn’t exist. We spend a bit of time reminiscing about my summer training at the gym one summer and the tall tales of Marv Marinovich.

With regard to his stellar track record in terms of athlete recovery, he details why he believes his team is successful and their approach to getting athletes back on the field. We discuss balance work and they need for training on hard surfaces. How his team helped the Toyota Cheetahs in South Africa reduce their injury rates and avoid relegation. The need to focus on Power vs. Force. Why “altitude” training masks are stupid. George St. Pierre rehab experience that lead to winning back the championship. Why acl and injuries should not be a time-based protocol and where the current tests for return to play presently fall short in assessing an athlete’s preparedness. His immediate recommendations for what people can start doing to train more effectively for sport in the weight room. The need for kids to avoid early specialization and focus on biomechanics first. Finally his parting thoughts on his views on being open to knew ideas and having a willingness to learn from those who have found success.

Outliers. Kids born before December

Mentioned In the Show:

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle: https://amzn.to/2xutgK7

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell: https://amzn.to/2XtSMd7

Follow Gavin:

Instagram: @sportsciencelab

Website: https://www.sportsciencelab.com/

Twitter: @sportsciencelab

Follow The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter:

Instagram: @the_professionalathlete

Website: Kengunter.com

Produced By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter