This we are joined by Craig Robertson, PhD. He is a Sport Scientist specialising in physiology and performance analysis at Swim England. With over 15 years’ experience as a coach and SSSM practitioner, he has supported athletes across the entire Swim England pathway — from the county and regional programmes through to the Olympic Games.

In addition to his role at Swim England, Craig lectures part-time at Leeds Beckett University on physiology and aquatics modules and contributes to the development of future coaches through the Institute of Swimming’s Senior Coach Programme.

In this conversation, Craig discusses the importance of curiosity in coaching and physiology, emphasising the need for continuous learning and adaptation in training methods. He explores the implementation of energy systems in coaching, the significance of understanding female athlete development, and the balance between capacity and intensity in training. Craig also highlights the importance of building a strong foundation for young athletes and the role of research in informing coaching practices.

You can connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-robertson-2a80ba137/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via coaches@aprace.club and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠https://plus.aprace.club/⁠