What if endurance performance is not so much about VO2max, lactate threshold, or running economy… but more about the muscular system itself?

In this episode, Dr Marius Bakken shares the thinking behind his latest book The Norwegian Method Applied and the decades of experimentation that shaped his approach to endurance training. From double threshold training and lactate controlled intensity to muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, this conversation explores performance through a very different lens.

The discussion unpacks why sub-threshold training became foundational within the Norwegian system, how muscular state may influence performance and fatigue more than most athletes realize, and why recovery is often misunderstood in modern endurance training.

Marius also reflects on his experiences training in Kenya, his observations of elite African runners, and how balancing training load may matter more than any other factor.

This episode challenges conventional thinking around endurance performance and opens up a broader discussion about what truly limits adaptation, recovery, and race day performance.

Today’s speakers:

Prof Paul Laursen https://www.paullaursen.com/
Dr Marius Bakken https://www.mariusbakken.com/

The Norwegian Method Applied Book: http://geni.us/norwegianmethod

What really happens to your neuromuscular system after different types of HIIT — and how do we know?

This episode does something we've been building toward for years: puts real data behind the HIIT Science taxonomy. Using low-frequency fatigue measurements from Myocene technology, Martin Buchheit tested the taxonomy on himself — mapping how different interval types load and recover the neuromuscular system in ways we previously could only infer.

The conversation covers why some sessions crush your legs for 48 hours while others don't, why neuromuscular RPE tracks fatigue better than most coaches expect, and why the distinction between load and response still gets muddled in practice.

The episode closes with a second topic: how change of direction changes everything in HIIT prescription — and why acceleration and deceleration capacity need to drive individualization in team sport training.

In this episode:

• Why HIIT has always been about more than metabolic zones
• Low-frequency fatigue as an objective window into neuromuscular recovery
• Concentric vs. eccentric load — why cycling and running recover so differently
• Neuromuscular RPE: cheap, practical, and surprisingly valid
• Rethinking COD-based interval prescription for team sport athletes

Martin Buchheit's New Course

For those interested in going deeper, Martin’s updated course on Load and Response Monitoring in Elite Football is now available inside the HIIT Science course library.

It builds on the same ideas discussed here, focusing on how to better connect training load with athlete response using practical frameworks and real world examples

Early access is currently available for a limited time. You can subscribe to the HIIT Science email list to receive details and access to the discount

https://hiit-science.thinkific.com/courses/monitoring-load-and-response?ck_subscriber_id=4050821192&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Its%20finally%20here:%20Martin%20Buchheits%20New%20Course%20%F0%9F%8E%89%20-%2021641648

Are asymmetries something we should actually be fixing… or just better understanding? Chris Bishop is an Associate Professor of Strength and Conditioning and one of the leading researchers in interlimb asymmetry, bringing years of work across performance, rehab, and applied sport science.

In this conversation, Chris breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in sports performance. From how asymmetries are calculated to whether they even matter, this episode challenges common practices in screening, rehab, and training decisions. He explores why asymmetry data is often noisy, how context changes everything, and why chasing symmetry alone may not lead to better performance or reduced injury risk.

Today’s speakers:

Dr Martin Buchheit: https://martin-buchheit.net/

Chris Bishop: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bishop-a2462b35/