Smarter training starts here. Athletica’s newsletters deliver science-backed insights, expert tips, and AI-powered training updates for endurance athletes of all levels. Catch up on past editions and subscribe to stay ahead in your training journey.
Coaching Professor: HRV Insights, FIELD Study Launch & Nordic Adventure
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Hello Reader, I'm thrilled to share some exciting updates: 1. Coaching Professor Substack Launched I've officially launched the Coaching Professor newsletter on Substack. The first issue dives into Heart Rate Variability (HRV)-guided training, expanding on insights I recently shared in Triathlete Magazine. As an Athletica user, remember you already have privileged access to personalized HRV insights—just check your Recovery Profile. Every month I'll break down cutting-edge research, practical coaching insights, smarter ways to use HRV and AI in your training, and provide behind-the-scenes looks at how top athletes and coaches make decisions.
2. Join Our FIELD Study – Sports Science 3.0 in Action Athletica is committed to advancing endurance science through real-world data. Our FIELD study, a first-of-its-kind exploration into dietary impacts on training and performance, is now live. With your help, we're conducting this groundbreaking research alongside world-renowned sport science researchers. If you're curious about this area, I've written a blog sharing my personal experiences and perspectives from all sides of the debate. Help us make this initiative a success by completing our quick questionnaire. Don't forget to use the same email address in the questionnaire as you use for your Athletica app account so we can link your fueling practices with your training outputs. Participants will get first dibs on results and insights once they are made available.
3. Athletica Heads to Scandinavia! Next up, I'm traveling to Denmark and Norway to share Athletica's latest innovations and learn from these global endurance hubs. If you want to follow along, I'll be sharing reflections and insights from this journey on my new Substack. Thanks for being part of the Athletica community. Warm regards, Paul Laursen, PhD |
Athletica AI Coach and Training Science
Smarter training starts here. Athletica’s newsletters deliver science-backed insights, expert tips, and AI-powered training updates for endurance athletes of all levels. Catch up on past editions and subscribe to stay ahead in your training journey.
Hello Reader, Even the cleanest power file can hide what really happened in your session. Miss a lap press by two seconds, and your averages—and any Coach’s feedback—are off. Interval IQ™ fixes that. Our new machine‑learning engine scans every second of your ride and builds “virtual laps” for every meaningful effort, not just the best one. That means: True work‑bout averages for your 30/30s (or 4 × 10 min at CP) Hidden sprints and fatigue fades surfaced automatically Smarter compliance scores...
Hello Reader, I wanted to share a quick story and a new release I’m really proud of. Years ago, when Kyle Buckingham crossed the line first at Ironman South Africa, he reflected later and said to me: “Paul—I know you’re trained as a physiologist, but really, you’re more of a psychologist.” Kyle Buckingham: The Sweetest Victory at his Home Race – Ironman South Africa It made me smile. Andi Boecherer once told me almost exactly the same thing after winning Ironman Lanzarote. It took me back to...
The Catalyst —My 36-Hour Fasted Climb A few weeks ago I finished recording a podcast with Prof. Tim Noakes and Dr. Phil Maffetone—two mentors whose work underpins much of my own coaching. Inspired (and a little rattled) by their latest thinking on the importance (or lack thereof) of muscle glycogen, I tested my own beliefs in the subsequent days: Fed vs. 36 hours fasted (black coffee + water). 90-min climb up Mt Revelstoke. Result: Personal-best power with –13 % Athletica Workout Reserve. One...