#083 - Basketball Season First Tip, NordBord Testing Insights, Creatine Research, Carb Cycling, & OxeFit Integration
In this Cardio Talk, I break down preseason prep for college basketball, dive into the VALD NordBord, new creatine research, carb cycling strategies, and why I’m adding the OxeFit XS1 to our gym. Tech, nutrition, and training—all covered in one raw, unfiltered ruck walk.
In this Cardio Talk episode of the Decoding Excellence Show, I unpack five conversations that bridge technology, nutrition, and training as we head into the start of the college basketball season.
First, in this week’s Status Update, I share how we’re just three days away from tipping off the season and reflect on the journey that’s led us here. From spring development work to summer grind sessions, every rep and every meeting has built to this moment. I talk about the shift from preparation to performance and how the energy, focus, and readiness inside the gym feels different when it’s finally game week.
Next, in the Technology segment, I break down how we’re using the VALD Performance NordBord to monitor hamstring health and readiness. This tool captures eccentric and isometric strength, quantifies left-right asymmetries, and helps us make better decisions on load management and rehab. I share how integrating the NordBord has sharpened our approach to performance monitoring and athlete resilience.
In the Health section, I dive into the latest research from Rhonda Patrick and Peter Attia on creatine supplementation— not just as a muscle enhancer, but as a cognitive and recovery optimizer. I discuss how creatine supports both physical and mental performance, our dosing protocols, and why I consider it one of the most underrated foundations for athlete health.
Then, in Nutrition, I talk through carb cycling — why we keep carbohydrates lower on off days and ramp them up on high-intensity training or game days. I discuss how carbohydrate timing impacts glycogen replenishment, recovery, and metabolic flexibility, and how this strategy teaches athletes to fuel with purpose rather than habit.
Lastly, I dive into the Training section, where I share why I’m fired up about adding the OxeFit XS1 Smart Gym to our training environment. With dual digital motors, up to 250 lbs of deck tension, 140 lbs of rack resistance, and an integrated force plate and 32” touchscreen, this system combines precision, data, and adaptability. I break down how I plan to integrate it for velocity-based work, power profiling, and athlete engagement — bringing next-gen tech into a collegiate setting.
Raw, unfiltered, and straight from the ruck — this episode dives into the tools, strategies, and philosophies shaping modern high-performance environments.
Tune in, share with a fellow coach, and let’s keep pushing the field forward.
🏀 Update – Game Day Minus Three
We’re officially three days out from the start of the college basketball season. This is the culmination of months of preparation; the early mornings in March and April, the relentless summer grind, and the focused precision of preseason. Everything we’ve done up to this point has been about sharpening the physical and mental edge of our athletes so they can compete at their best once the lights come on. There’s something special about this time of year; it’s a reset, a chance to prove that the process worked, and an opportunity to put our preparation on display.
This is where we see if the small, daily investments pay off. From spring development blocks to fall intensity cycles, each phase has built the foundation for what’s about to unfold. As we transition from preparation to performance, the energy in the gym shifts; there’s more urgency, more confidence, and a deep sense of readiness. This is the moment we’ve been working toward since the end of last season.
💻 Technology – VALD Performance NordBord
The VALD Performance NordBord has become a cornerstone in our hamstring health and performance monitoring. This device measures eccentric and isometric hamstring strength with precision, giving us real-time data on bilateral asymmetries and overall muscle function. By collecting research-grade metrics in a field-ready setup, the NordBord bridges the gap between lab-based performance science and practical coaching applications. It’s not just about identifying weaknesses; it’s about quantifying progress and catching issues before they become problems.
In our setting, the NordBord plays a critical role in athlete profiling and ongoing readiness monitoring. We use its data to inform load management, guide return-to-play protocols, and even tailor corrective or strength programming. Seeing left-right imbalances or eccentric deficits allows us to individualize rehab and training strategies, ensuring our athletes stay healthy and powerful throughout the grind of the season.
🧠 Health – Creatine Supplementation & Recent Research
Creatine remains one of the most well-researched and effective supplements in sports performance, but recent discussions from experts like Rhonda Patrick and Peter Attia have highlighted its broader applications beyond just strength and power. Emerging research shows that creatine supports cognitive function, cellular energy, and recovery; making it a true foundational supplement for both athletic and brain health. It’s not just about building muscle; it’s about improving total system efficiency.
Within our athlete population, creatine use is both strategic and individualized. We focus on consistent daily dosing (typically 5 grams), integrated within a broader recovery and nutrition plan. It’s simple, cost-effective, and supported by decades of evidence. Whether it’s enhancing repeat-sprint ability, improving mental sharpness during academic or competitive stress, or supporting recovery between sessions, creatine continues to be a small lever that creates big returns for our athletes’ health and performance.
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🥗 Carb Cycling & Lower Carbs on Off Days
Carbohydrates are fuel, but timing and context matter. We use a carb-cycling approach to match carbohydrate availability with the athlete’s training demands; higher on lift or conditioning-heavy days, lower on recovery or off days. This strategy not only helps manage body composition but also sharpens metabolic flexibility. By intentionally adjusting macronutrient intake to workload, we optimize glycogen storage and recovery without unnecessary caloric spillover on lighter training days.
In practice, this approach helps athletes better understand the relationship between nutrition and performance. It teaches them to view food as a performance tool rather than just a routine. When we align carbohydrate timing with energy expenditure, athletes report steadier energy, improved recovery, and better body composition control throughout the season. It’s about aligning the right fuel with the right demand; smarter nutrition for smarter training.
🏋️ OxeFit XS1 Smart Gym Integration
The addition of the OxeFit XS1 to our training environment opens up a new frontier in data-driven strength development. This system delivers up to 250 lbs of digital tension from the deck and 140 lbs from the rack, paired with dual motors, a 32″ touchscreen, and an integrated force plate for real-time balance and asymmetry feedback. The XS1 allows for precise eccentric control, velocity-based feedback, and adaptive load adjustments; all in a compact, versatile platform.
What excites me most is the ability to merge technology with intent. With advanced training modes; from eccentric overload to reactive and adaptive resistance, we can create custom loading patterns that replicate the dynamic demands of sport. The integrated data gives immediate feedback on power output, movement quality, and load symmetry, helping athletes stay engaged and accountable. The XS1 isn’t replacing traditional training; it’s enhancing it with precision, variability, and measurable feedback that elevates both performance and programming intelligence.
If you want to hear the full, unfiltered conversation, check out this episode of the Decoding Excellence Show; part of my Cardio Talk series where I take you behind the scenes of my thoughts during long ruck walks here in Boulder, Colorado.
Thanks again for listening to the Decoding Excellence Show! I appreciate all the support growing this Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning, and High-Performance Coaching resource. If you have taken anything away from the show, please login to iTunes and navigate to Decoding Excellence page and leave us a FIVE STAR ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review.
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