Episode 5: Raising Elite Athletes with Data-Led Training and Innovation with MN Elite Performance

Martin Nugent Elite Performance, a distinguished Strength and Conditioning service led by the esteemed Martin Nugent, provides athletes with expertise in both professional and development sport. Their annual pre-season camp sees a broad range of athletes access bespoke programming under the supervision of Martin and Joe Johnson, focussing on individual goals and progress to enable athletes to start the season at their best. 

A core aspect of the offering at MN Elite Performance centres around individualised training programmes as a key to success. “We get a few pro players in from professional football, rugby, and other sports who want something extra outside of their current club's programme,” explained Martin. Clubs often lack the resources to provide personalised training for each athlete meaning players seek external expertise to enhance their performance. 

Joe emphasised, “We look at what they're currently doing, where they're at in the season, and supplement that with micro-dosing elements like power and strength work.” This approach ensures athletes receive specialised attention, helping them maximise their potential during their short careers. 

 

 

Data plays a pivotal role in tailoring training programs and is therefore built into every part of the process at MN Elite Performance. “Data is the main aspect of every training session,” noted Joe. Assessments include biomechanical evaluations, mobility tests, force plate data, and speed and agility measurements. This comprehensive data collection allows for precise programming, addressing specific needs, and avoiding unnecessary workloads. 

Recovery is equally crucial. “Recovery ultimately dictates how well you're going to train the next time. Recovery is massive. How well you'll perform is based on how recovered you are,” Martin asserted. Ensuring athletes are well-rested and ready for each session is fundamental to achieving consistent progress and preventing injuries. 

 

The off-season is an important time for reflection and improvement, and athletes should review their previous season, identify areas for improvement, and address any injuries or performance inhibitors. “The off-season should be about looking back on what you did last season. Do you want to be last season's player, or do you want to improve?” questioned Martin. 

Additionally, it’s essential to balance rest and training. While mental and physical recovery is necessary, athletes should also focus on specific improvements to avoid stagnation. “We don’t want to over-toast them, but we need to get in there and work on injury prevention and performance parameters.” 

 

The team identified the lack of specificity and overtraining without clear objectives as a common mistake they see during pre-season. “You’ll get football coaches telling players to get bigger, but they don’t consider limb speed, which often leads to immobility and a decrease in performance” explained Martin. Athletes need to train with a clear intent and purpose. “There's no rationale for spending hours on the pitch without clear objectives,” Martin noted. Specificity in training ensures that every session is productive and aligns with the athlete’s goals. 

 

The team have adopted Blood Flow Restriction to expand their offering, Joe explained, “it was a no-brainer getting Hytro involved in upscaling our training in terms of what we can offer players, but also making sure that what we're offering is the best that we can.”  

 

BFR Training enables the team to support athletes in achieving strength adaptations with lower loads, reducing the risk of injury and fatigue, and ensuring these additional sessions fit seamlessly into their overall programming. This approach is particularly beneficial for athletes with high training loads, allowing them to gain strength without excessive strain. The team often works with athletes with a loaded training schedule, so utilising BFR enables them to progress and find gains without the risk of overuse injuries. 

 

Effective communication with clubs and agents is vital to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure cohesive training strategies. “We communicate with clubs to specialise in 1-2% type training without duplicating the workload,” shared the team. This collaborative approach ensures that athletes receive comprehensive support, enhancing their overall performance.  

 

Maximising pre-season training for professional athletes is crucial for a successful season. With careful planning and execution, athletes can greatly benefit from the tailored programmes provided by the MN Elite Performance team. By making data-driven decisions, prioritising recovery, and adopting innovative techniques like Performance BFR, the team ensures continuous growth. Under their guidance, athletes can address common mistakes, focus on specific goals, optimise their performance, and extend their sporting careers. 

 

Listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify or watch on YouTube.

Learn more about how MN Elite Performance utilise Preparation BFR.