Blog Posts - The Athlete Development Project

Are We Still Testing, or Are We Just Measuring?

Posted on 7th August 2025 (7th August 2025) by Ben Bradley

The Data Trap in Elite Sport “Every morning at 8:00 a.m., we do CMJs on the force plate.” “Why?”, “Because… we always have.” Sound familiar? In elite sport, testing is everywhere. Athletes fill out daily wellness questionnaires, step on force plates, run through jump and sprint diagnostics, and wear GPS devices that log every movement. […]

Integrated Conditioning: Merging Skill and Physical Demand

Posted on 24th July 2025 (24th July 2025) by Ben Bradley

In elite football, the question of whether conditioning should be conducted with or without the ball continues to be hotly debated. Advocates of small-sided games (SSGs) and tactical periodisation argue for game realistic, integrated training. Meanwhile, proponents of more traditional athletic development methods point to the necessity of isolated, controlled work to build and maintain […]

Triphasic Training in Team Sports: Theory to Application

Posted on 17th June 2025 (17th June 2025) by Ben Bradley

In the constantly evolving landscape of athletic performance, coaches and practitioners are continually seeking strategies that deliver results without unnecessary complexity. One of the most powerful and time-efficient systems gaining traction in team sports is Triphasic Training. Originally developed by strength coach Cal Dietz, triphasic training bridges cutting-edge sports science with practical, game-ready performance. In […]

Monitoring Mental Health in Elite Athletes: The Emerging Priority in Sports Science & Medicine

Posted on 4th June 2025 (5th June 2025) by Ben Bradley

Introduction In elite sport, the pursuit of marginal gains has long focused on physical metrics: VO2 max, force–velocity profiles, biomechanics, nutritional periodisation, and recovery biomarkers. Yet one area, often sidelined until recent years, is now moving to the forefront: mental health. Elite athletes are not immune to psychological stress, and contrary to common perception, high […]

The Critical Role of Sleep in Professional Athletic Performance

Posted on 21st January 2025 (21st January 2025) by Ben Bradley

For professional athletes, optimal performance hinges on several key factors: training, nutrition, recovery, and, often overlooked, sleep. Scientific research consistently highlights the importance of sleep as a cornerstone of physical and mental recovery, underscoring its role in enhancing athletic performance and reducing injury risk. Sleep and Physical Recovery Sleep is an active recovery process that […]

The Role of Supplements in Professional Athletes’ Performance

Posted on 19th January 2025 (19th January 2025) by Ben Bradley

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, athletes are always seeking ways to optimize their performance, recovery, and overall health. Supplements are a widely used tool in this pursuit. While supplements cannot replace a balanced diet and rigorous training, evidence-based research supports their role in enhancing specific aspects of athletic performance. This blog explores the […]

Maximizing Recovery Between Football Matches Played 72 Hours Apart

Posted on 17th January 2025 (17th January 2025) by Ben Bradley

In the demanding world of football, recovery is as crucial as the match itself. When players face games scheduled 72 hours apart, like your typical Saturday, Tuesday turnaround, ensuring optimal recovery becomes a science. […]

Sports Performance & The Immune System

Posted on 9th September 2024 (11th September 2024) by Ben Bradley

Blogpost brought to you by The ADP. […]

Arsenal FC end of Warm Up Accelerations

Posted on 8th June 2023 (8th June 2023) by Ben Bradley

Watch in this short clip, Arsenal FC Men’s First Team finish off their pre-Premier League match warm up with some Footwork and Acceleration prep before heading back to the Changing rooms to finish off their pre-match routine. They had completed a dynamic warm up and ball work prior to this last section of the warm […]

Chelsea FC Pre-match Dynamic Warm Up

Posted on 6th May 2023 (6th May 2023) by Ben Bradley

Chelsea pre-match dynamic warm up from the match V AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on 06.05.23. […]

A quick Guide to a Jumping, Landing & Plyometric Continuum

Posted on 14th June 2022 (15th June 2022) by Ben Bradley

As part of a good athletic development programme it is key to have a movement syllabus or competency framework to guide athletic development, inform programming and ensure our athletes are getting the right stimulus and challenge from their S&C programme to give them the desired outcomes that will improve performance in their Sport. As we […]

The Evolution of the Modern Day Centre-Back: From Baresi and Beckenbauer to Ruben Dias

Posted on 25th October 2021 (25th October 2021) by Ben Bradley

Blogpost written by Hugo Ferreira former performance Analyst at SC Braga and AFC Bournemouth. Over the last few decades, our generation of Football passionate people have grown watching astonishing centre-backs who still fill us with nostalgia when we travel down memory lane to past international tournaments or UEFA Champions league finals back in the 90s […]

Category: Blog Posts