KoopCast

Jason Koop

Coach Jason Koop covers training, nutrition and recent happenings in the ultramarathon world.

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SportsSports

Episodes

Anti-Doping Education for Ultrarunners with Tammy Hanson, USADA Elite Education Director #221
Mar 21 2024
Anti-Doping Education for Ultrarunners with Tammy Hanson, USADA Elite Education Director #221
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Tammy Hanson currently serves as the Elite Education Director at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). In this position, she oversees the day-to-day operations of USADA’s education and engagement initiatives, drives strategic planning, and develops effective, data-driven programs that focus on clean sport education. Tammy is recognized for her commitment to supporting global anti-doping partners and ongoing international research.Since joining USADA in 2015, Tammy has overseen a nearly twelvefold increase in education reach, highlighted by a significant rise in coach education, and has contributed to the enhancement of audience-specific content and programs.Originally from Wisconsin, Tammy earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2006 and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University in 2019. Tammy is passionate about empowering athletes with the tools necessary to compete with integrity.Episode highlights:(24:01) Athlete responsibilities: testing, knowing your rights, what are you putting in your body, over 300 prohibited substances, many prohibit substances are common over the counter medications, check globaldro.com, dietary supplements, other considerations(53:21) Advice for athletes: Pikes Peak Marathon example, different anti-doping organizations, the landscape is fractured, read the rules of your race(1:09:54) Educational resources: links in the show notes, go to experts, don’t guess, rules changeAdditional resources:GlobalDROUSADA Athlete resources2024 WADA prohibited listUSADA Supplement ConnectKoopCast with USADAs Matthew FedorkPodcast on NSAIDS in UltrarunningSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
NSAIDs in Ultrarunning with Eve Pannone #220
Mar 14 2024
NSAIDs in Ultrarunning with Eve Pannone #220
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview: In this first of four episodes on drugs in ultramarathon running, Eve Pannone joins the podcast to discuss NSAIDs in endurance sport. The widespread use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) in ultramarathon running is alarming due to the health risks associated with kidney disease, electrolyte imbalance, and other factors. NSAIDs exacerbate some of the stresses of endurance sport to dangerous levels and have no proven performance benefit, yet changing public perception is a challenge. In this episode we break down why NSAIDs are harmful, what we can do as a community to protect athlete health, and viable alternatives to painkillers. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out the next three episodes in this mini-series.Episode highlights:(6:15) Defining NSAIDs: demystifying pain relievers, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, pain relievers that work by reducing inflammation, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and others, controversy around Aspirin, Tylenol is not an NSAID(10:28) Why NSAIDs are harmful: NSAIDs do not improve performance, risks and side effects, acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, no positive and all negative effects(40:48) Alternatives to NSAIDs: caffeine, paracetamol (Tylenol) is low risk but medical interventions to reduce pain are generally a bad idea, accept that ultrarunning is going to hurtAdditional resources:What is known about the health effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in marathon and ultra-endurance running: a scoping reviewKoop’s article on Ironman’s Partnership with AlleveSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Exploring the Pain Cave with Lloyd Emeka MSc, PhD(c) #219
Mar 7 2024
Exploring the Pain Cave with Lloyd Emeka MSc, PhD(c) #219
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Lloyd completed a BA (hons) in Business Administration at Staffordshire University and an MSc in Marketing Management at Aston University. He then proceeded to work in the advertising industry for several years before embarking on a career change in 2016.Lloyd returned to academia after a thirteen-year break and completed a Postgraduate Diploma (conversion degree) in Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London. After completion of the postgraduate diploma, Lloyd studied for an MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St Mary’s University and graduated in 2021.Lloyd has also held several committee and board member roles at the British Psychological Society (BPS), and he is currently Past Chair for the BPS London & Home Counties branch and an editorial board member for Sport & Exercise Psychology Review (SEPR) which is an international, peer-reviewed publication.Episode highlights:(25:17) What is “real” pain: associations between perceived pain and injury or tissue breakdown, societal portrayals and associations between pain and injury(40:33) Seeking longer distances: graduating from 50 to 100 miles, adapting to the challenges of longer distance, the distance gap between training and racing, attraction to the unknown, challenge through duration versus intensity, being content with your race distance(45:02) Athlete takeaways: capability through knowledge, discussing pain with peers and your coach, reflecting only our personal pain narrative, pain and prevention, managing pain is a learned skillAdditional resources:Papers discussed-‘Pushing through the pain cave’: Lived experiences of pain tolerance in male ultra-marathon runnersPortrayals of Pain in Children’s Popular Media: Mothers’ and Fathers’ Beliefs and AttitudesLLoyd on X: @nathan78Academic profile: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/staff-directory/lloyd-emeka-staff-profileResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lloyd-EmekaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-emeka-msc-gmbpss-1262662https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2022.898855/fullSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Omega 3 & Vitamin D for Exercise Induced Muscle Damage with Dan Owens, PhD #218
Feb 22 2024
Omega 3 & Vitamin D for Exercise Induced Muscle Damage with Dan Owens, PhD #218
​​View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Dan Owens is an associate professor in cellular and molecular exercise physiology at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool (UK). His research sits at the crossroads between nutrition, muscle metabolism, and muscle adaptation. In parallel to his academic career, Dan brings his passion for sports science to practice and has provided nutrition and physiology support for amateur and elite athletes across sports, including rugby union and league, ski and snow sports, football (soccer), and motorsports (Formula 1) and triathletes.Episode highlights:(23:00) Omega 3s: EPA and DHA fatty acids, mediating inflammation and oxidative stress, dietary intake before supplementation, mixed research results, high cost, use case for athletes coming off of surgery(33:46) Vitamin D: claims, the big picture, a necessary vitamin rather than a performance aid, sources of Vitamin D, role in regulating calcium to the blood, the goal is to avoid deficiency(52:08) Supplements for EIMD: avoiding deficiencies with omega 3s and vitamin D, proactive nutritional health, considering protein and polyphenols, low risk optionsAdditional resources:Research enquiries – d.j.owens@ljmu.ac.ukNutrition, physiology, and coaching inquiries – dan@owensperform.comDan’s handles-Twitter: @dan_owieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-owens-phd-9361373a/Instagram: @owens_performance_solutions Papers discussed-Exercise-induced muscle damage: What is it, what causes it and what are the nutritional solutions?The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Lipid Profile and Cardiovascular Markers Following Downhill Running in Long-Distance RunnersWhat is known about the health effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in marathon and ultraendurance running: a scoping reviewVitamin D conversion for dietary/supplemental intake: 1 microgram = 40 IU (we suggest 1000-2000 IU per day vitamin D3 during winter) Vitamin D blood concentration conversion: 1 ng/mL = 2.5 nmol/L (we aim for around 75 nmol/L) Asker Jukendrup’s Vitamin D guideSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Developing Durability for Ultrarunners with Nicolas Berger, PhD #214
Jan 25 2024
Developing Durability for Ultrarunners with Nicolas Berger, PhD #214
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Dr. Nicolas Berger is a Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise at Teeside University’s Centre for Rehabilitation. In this episode, we discuss the emerging topic of durability in endurance sports and how it applies to ultrarunning. Topics discussed: 1- Why examining physiological variables matter and why determining what variables matter more is important for training design2- How physiological testing is limiting3- The concept of durability4- What affects durability and how to improve it5- How progression runs useful in some contexts and not in othersEpisode highlights:(17:26) Muscular fatigue: Gui Millet’s 2011 presentation, ultramarathon runners are more muscular than marathon runners, additional muscle mass may combat fatigue, strength demands of uphill and downhill running, sacrificing running economy for strength and durability(24:00) Strength gains from training: trail runners get strength gains naturally, there is a higher bar for strength training trail runners, strength for running economy in road runners(44:59) DIY-ing your own durability test: consistency of testing, track what you eat and how you feel, measure what you can, keep conditions similar, deciding what training to work onAdditional resources:Nic’s profiles-TU Research ProfileGoogle Scholar ProfileResearchGateTwitterEarlier podcast on Durability with Ed MaunderFatigue and Ultra-Endurance Performance by Guillaume MilletSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or AudibleInformation on coaching-www.trainright.comKoop’s Social MediaTwitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Weight Loss for Ultrarunners with Stephanie Howe, PhD #212
Jan 11 2024
Weight Loss for Ultrarunners with Stephanie Howe, PhD #212
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Stephanie Howe, Ph.D. is a CTS Pro Coach and nutritionist. She has a Ph.D. in Nutrition & Exercise Science from Oregon State University and a Sports Nutrition Diploma from the International Olympic Committee. She is also the 2014 Western States Endurance run champion.Episode highlights:(25:43) Weight loss for performance: nutrition for performance and nutrition for weight loss are at odds, keep training volume low, start making changes well before your goal race, hormonal effects of undereating and sex differences(37:23) Macronutrient breakdown: dependant on goals, maintaining lean muscle mass, increasing protein relative to carbohydrates, using MyFitnessPal(55:34) Eating as a social activity: diets that limit certain food groups are generally unsustainable, some diets work in the short term due to practical caloric restriction, weight rebound after diets, food should be fun, sustainability of diet is the most importantAdditional resources:Dynamic Energy Balance Figure Example of factors that impact EI and EE (Full article)My Fitness Pal most user friendly to track intakeUSDA Food Data Central. Most accurate database for food compositionHarris-Benedict equationSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social Media: Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Figuring out Failure with Neal Palles #210
Dec 28 2023
Figuring out Failure with Neal Palles #210
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Neal Palles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Mental Performance Coach, and CTS Ultrarunning coach based in Longmont, Colorado.Have you ever felt the weight of failure pressing down on you after a season of unmet athletic goals? Join Coach Jason Koop and CTS coach Neal Palles as we dissect the emotional journey of resilience in the face of athletic disappointment. In our heart-to-heart, Neil shares his eloquent insights from his latest article, guiding us through the storm of DNFs and injuries and charting a course toward using these setbacks as the building blocks for future triumphs.Episode highlights:(12:05) Moving past failure: practical example, find what failure means to you, breaking down standards and process goals, reframing failure into a growth mindset, personal Leadville example, taking failure as a challenge rather than a threat(33:55) Diffusing from stories: recognizing the personal stories we tell ourselves, examples, sources, write the story you want(42:45) Intentional catalysts: pacers, recognizing you can use help, getting help from friends and family, taking care of yourself, communicating with your tea,Additional resources:Neal’s article ‘The Freedom to Fail’-https://coloradopsychotherapyandsport.com/blog/2023/12/6/the-freedom-to-failSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social Media: Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Hydration Consideration for Female Ultrarunners with Nidia Rodriguez-Sanchez, PhD #208
Dec 14 2023
Hydration Consideration for Female Ultrarunners with Nidia Rodriguez-Sanchez, PhD #208
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Nidia Rodriguez-Sanchez, Ph.D., has spent her career in the field of sports nutrition and physiology. She earned her BSc in Dietetics / Clinical Nutrition and later pursued postgraduate studies in Anthropometry and Nutrition applied to Sports, which gave her a better understanding of the unique nutritional needs of athletes and physically active individuals.Dr Rodriguez-Sanchez has worked as a sports dietitian for a Mexican professional football team and as a nutrition advisor for the Gatorade Sports Science Institute Mexico. She also holds an IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition, and she is an ISAK Level 3 Instructor.Dr Rodriguez-Sanchez holds a PhD in Hydration Physiology and has completed post-doctoral research in the field.She is a Physiology and Nutrition Lecturer at the University of Stirling, where she also serves as the MSc Sport Nutrition Programme Director.In addition, Nidia is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), a Graduate member of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr), and a member of the Physiological Society (PhySoc).Episode highlights:(17:53) Theory on hormone cycles and hydration: estrogen and progesterone can impact nutrition needs, performance, brain function, investigating fluid and electrolyte balance (25:27) Practical considerations for females: no meaningful differences in hydration for female athletes versus males or across different phases of their cycle, no performance differences, avoiding overhydration, cross-cycle variations in core temperature are insignificant(36:23) Sweat testing: Precision Hydration sweat testing at CTS, sweat testing protocol, menstrual cycle phase does not impact resultsAdditional resources:Fluid and electrolyte balance considerations for female athletes-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34121620/SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social Media: Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Navigating Pseudoscience with Nick Tiller, PhD #207
Dec 8 2023
Navigating Pseudoscience with Nick Tiller, PhD #207
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Nick Tiller, PhD is an exercise scientist at Harbor-UCLA. He is also the author of The Skeptics Guide to Sports Science, a columnist for Ultrarunning Magazine and the Skeptical Inquirer.Episode highlights:(9:09) Science communication: academics fighting back against media claims, Don't Be Such A Scientist, the importance of science communication, examples(44:48) Identifying bad science: 28% increase in VO2max is a red flag, sedentary versus trained individuals, training and EPO example, unsubstantiated citations, statistical errors, absolute versus relative VO2max, retracting the article(1:37:10) Inverse relationship between media presence and credentials: fitness influencers on Instagram, being a full-time influencer and capitalizing on sensationalization, science is incremental and rarely sensationalAdditional resources: You can find all of Nick’s work here, https://www.nbtiller.com/ Our combined Twitter list- Louise Burke- @LouiseMBurke Asker Jukendrup- @JeukendrupBrad Schoenfeld-@BradSchoenfeldGuillaume Millet- @kinesiologuiStuart Phillips- @mackinprofMichael Joyner @DrMJoyner Kristy Sale- @ElliottSaleTrent Stellingwerff- @TStellingwerffInigo San Milan-@doctorinigoMarco Altini- @altini_marcoSian Allen- @DrSianAllenStephen Seiler- @StephenSeilerSUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social Media: Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop
Carbohydrate Periodization for Ultrarunning with Jeff Rothschild, RD, PhD #205
Nov 24 2023
Carbohydrate Periodization for Ultrarunning with Jeff Rothschild, RD, PhD #205
View all show notes and timestamps on the KoopCast website.Episode overview:Jeff Rothschild is a registered dietician, PhD, and research associate at Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand.Ever been curious about the science behind fueling your athletic performance? Look no further, as we are joined by Jeff Rothschild, a registered dietitian and researcher, who is here to break down the complex concept of carbohydrate periodization for trail and ultra runners. We dissect the misunderstood principle of "fueling for the work required" and dive into how an athlete can manipulate their carbohydrate intake during periods of high intensity or high training loads. Jeff's innovative research on this topic unveils an index for quantifying carbohydrate periodization - a game-changer for athletes aiming to enhance their performance through optimized nutrition.Episode highlights:(17:32) Calculating periodization: any metric of training load, daily carbohydrate intake in g/kg, correlation coefficient, reasons for including range and monotony(36:24) How to track your carbohydrate periodization: track your diet, consistent measures of training load, TSS or CR100, TSS is best, use the spreadsheet in the description, help from Jeff’s app(43:38) Use cases for carb periodization: predicted TSS for your upcoming workout, adjusting carbohydrate intake based on each day, you can consume more after the workout if the true TSS was higher than expected, examplesAdditional resources:The quantification of daily carbohydrate periodization among endurance athletes during 12 weeks of self-selected training: presentation of a novel Carbohydrate Periodization IndexJeff’s app-https://rothschild.shinyapps.io/carb-index-app/SUBSCRIBE to Research Essentials for UltrarunningBuy Training Essentials for Ultrarunning on Amazon or Audible.Information on coaching-https://www.trainright.comKoop’s Social Media: Twitter/Instagram- @jasonkoop