Speed training: What we know, what we think we know and what is a good guess with Peter Weyand

This week’s guest on the Pacey Performance Podcast is Dr. Peter Weyand, Professor of applied physiology and biomechanics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Prior to his role at SMU, Peter directed research efforts at Harvard University's Concord Field Station, a large animal facility specialising in terrestrial locomotion, and the Locomotion Laboratory of Rice University.

Peter is here to provide in-depth analysis into how to improve speed, including the common methods that can be used and his opinion on the speed training boom on social media and beyond. In that same vein, Peter talks about why academics need to be more critical of the information available and not take it as gospel. There’s also discussion into training techniques, such as the outcomes to look out for in resistance speed training and how to transfer gym-based training to the track.

Rob also asks Peter about the possible misinterpretation between the influence of strength on top speed, and the influence of Mach drills and their desired outcomes. Finally, Peter reveals the questions that people often ask him, including about force velocity profiling, focussing on power, and the ultimate question; “how do I get faster?”. For all this and much more, hit the play button now.

This week’s topics:

• What we know about common methods to improve speed
• Peter’s opinion on the speed training boom
• Why academics need to be more critical of available information
• The outcomes to look out for in resistance speed training
• Transferring gym-based training to the track
• The possible misinterpretation between the influence of strength on top speed
• The influence of Mach drills and desired outcomes
• Force velocity profiling and the questions Peter often sees
• The focus on power
• The most common questions Peter fields, including “How do I get faster?”