#084 - Data Without Dogma: Rethinking Wearables, Workloads, and Return-to-Play
In this Cardio Talk episode, I break down how most coaches misuse wearables and workload data. Using a return-to-play case study, I show how to turn raw metrics into real decisions that guide recovery, readiness, and performance — making data simple, actionable, and athlete-centered.
In this Cardio Talk episode of the Decoding Excellence Show, I dive deep into a conversation that every coach, sport scientist, and high-performance practitioner needs to hear; how we’re misusing wearable technology and workload monitoring.
Most people treat these tools like diagnostic or predictive engines when, in reality, they’re contextual instruments that require interpretation, experience, and nuance.
Data should never drive the process; coaching does.
To illustrate that point, I walk through a detailed return-to-play case study, breaking down exactly how I manage the transition from individual rehab to team reintegration. I explain how I assess individual workloads, manage micro-dosing of stress, and slowly build load tolerance; all while balancing communication between medical, performance, and coaching staff.
This isn’t just about collecting data; it’s about understanding the story the data tells and aligning that story with what the athlete is experiencing in real time.
From there, I unpack my coaching ethos around data and decision-making. Technology should simplify complexity — not add more of it. My goal, and what I discuss at length in this episode, is to create a world where actionable information is readily accessible to every athlete, coach, and stakeholder the moment it’s needed. That means turning raw metrics into clear insights — concise, relevant, and actionable — delivered in real-time, not days later in a spreadsheet.
This episode is equal parts reflection and practical framework. Recorded on a 40-minute ruck walk, it’s raw, unedited, and straight from the trenches of high-performance sport.
Whether you’re a coach managing return-to-play, a data analyst trying to refine your workflow, or an athlete curious about the “why” behind the numbers — this is your roadmap to using technology smarter, not louder. Tune in and learn how to turn data into decisions and information into impact.
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Adam Ringler
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