Combat Sports Series: Episode 2 w Chris Kirk & Dr Carl Langham Evans, training load in MMA athletes

In this episode, I speak with Chris Kirk and Carl Langham Evans. We discuss their recent paper led by Chris titled “Quantification of training load distribution in mixed martial arts athletes: A lack of periodisation and load management.” Read all about it here for free https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0251266

Chris is a PhD student at LJMU researching the training loads and effects of preparing for competition in mixed martial arts (MMA). Chris has published academic journal articles consistently since 2014, looking into the performance and anthropometrical characteristics of MMA participants at the regional, national and international levels. Alongside his PhD studies he is also actively involved in collaboration with researchers based in Sao Paulo (Brazil), focusing on the effects of training in a range of combat sports. He has over a decade of teaching and lecturing experience in FE and HE institutions, specialising in physiology, strength & conditioning and research methods.

He is currently responsible for lecturing on, leading and writing several modules at Sheffield Hallam University on levels 4-7, having previously worked at the University of Derby. Dr Carl Langan-Evans is currently a Post Doctoral Research Fellow and the former Head of Sport Science Support Services/ Strength & Conditioning at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). As a former elite athlete in the sport of Taekwondo, Carl was originally involved with the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences via the LJMU Sport Scholarship programme from 2004 until 2008. During this time, Carl received a number of support services in the areas of strength & conditioning, physiology, psychology and nutrition to aid his competitive goals and this ultimately led to him becoming interested in working within the discipline.

Continuing his affiliation with the School, Carl completed his PhD in applied sport physiology and nutrition with a mixed-method approach undertaking five qualitative and quantitative, laboratory and field-based investigations jointly examining and intervening in making weight strategies for combat sport athletes. Carl’s current post-doctoral research is funded by the sport nutrition company Science in Sport (SiS) and is specifically focused on examining the formulation and modulation of ergogenic nutritional aids for combat sport performance. Alongside his university role, Carl consults with a number of professional and Olympic combat sports athletes inclusive of those in the UFC, Bellator, Cage Warriors mixed martial arts promotions, boxing and taekwondo.