The Human Kinetics Podcast

Reducing injury risk and avoiding setbacks, with Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson

Injuries happen. While not all injuries are 100 percent preventable, the risk can be minimized through a well-designed strength training program and by utilizing proper rest and recovery protocols. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss how to reduce the risk of injuries and how to work around setbacks.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.   Frank Eyeson, MS, NASM-CPT, CWC, CNC Frank Eyeson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health and fitness, including exercise technique videos and podcast episodes. As a marketing and social media manager, Frank also develops strategic campaigns that connect audiences with trusted, evidence-based resources to help them move better, train smarter, and live healthier.   With over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, Frank is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, and nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in Strategic Brand Communication from the University of Illinois. Frank’s content resonates with health-conscious individuals and fitness professionals alike, bridging the gap between expert knowledge and real-world application. On the Human Kinetics podcast, he brings a grounded, audience-first voice to conversations covering everything fitness—from strength training, recovery, and sport performance to nutrition, mental health, injury prevention, and overall wellness. He is passionate about making fitness education accessible, sustainable, and rooted in science. Outside of the gym and work, Frank enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, and relaxing with a good show.

Do napping and caffeine improve performance? A look into what the research says, with Aaron Patterson, M.S.

Have you ever taken a nap and felt extra refreshed upon waking up? How much does caffeine impact your performance? There is plenty of research on the benefits of both sleep and caffeine on performance, but what if you use both to enhance performance further? The question is, will the combination work, or are you better off using only one method? In this episode, NSCA certified trainer Aaron Patterson looks into what the research says about the benefits of naps and caffeine on performance as he breaks down an article from the Human Kinetics Journals. Listen along to learn how to get the most out of your performance.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Playing through pain: Physical and mental implications of playing while injured

Whether you are an athlete, coach, or parent, you know the impact injuries can have on performance. Depending on the severity, it can limit an athlete's physical ability, or even for them to sit out of competition for an extended period of time. We know the physical implications, but what about the mental implications. In this episode, NSCA certified trainer and Mental Performance Consultant (AASP) Aaron Patterson explores the relationship between injury, mental health, and athletic performance through the lens of a study published in 2026 in the Human Kinetics Journals.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Impact of sleep on performance, with Aaron Patterson, M.S.

How much sleep do you get? If you're like most, you don't get the recommended amount of sleep, and while you may think it is only making you tired, the impacts can be much greater than waking up a little sluggish. In this episode, we look why sleep is so important, and how it could be impacting your performance.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Strategies, tips, and approaches to training teams in a group environment, with Tim Caron

Training large groups can be fun, but it can also be intimidating. Are you programming the right way to help your athletes be successful? Are you structuring the session in the best possible way? From Division I college football across the country to his current position, Tim Caron has coached large groups and is now sharing his knowledge with other coaches. In this episode, he explains some of the nuances in coaching large groups, misconceptions of what training looks like, and the realities of how to get results in the team setting. Learn more in his book, Training Sport Teams.   Training Sport Teams https://ecs.page.link/PpAhi [https://ecs.page.link/PpAhi] Tim Caron, CSCS Tim Caron is the cofounder of Allegiate Gym in Los Angeles, California, established in 2017. He is directly responsible for programming for over 600 members and oversees more than 20 coaches working across three gym locations and remotely. He designed a comprehensive staff curriculum that has trained over 100 coaches, many of whom have gone on to work in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and Division I programs. He is also responsible for designing and outfitting each facility with the necessary equipment. From 2014 to 2017, Caron served as the head football strength and conditioning coach at the Army's West Point Academy. he led all strength and conditioning programming for the football team and was responsible for hiring and managing the football strength and conditioning staff. He also designed and implemented the team's nutrition program, sport science protocols, return-to-play strategies, and off-season competition planning. Prior to that, Caron worked as a football strength and conditioning coach at University of Southern California. He held a similar position at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Caron began his coaching career in 2007 at Springfield College, where he served as the football strength and conditioning coach. Earlier in his career, he completed strength and conditioning internships at Harvard University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Mississippi. Caron holds a master's of education in strength and conditioning from Springfield College. He also earned a master's of science in performance enhancement and injury prevention from California University of Pennsylvania. he completed his undergraduate education at Westfield State, where he received a bachelor's of education in mathematics and movement science. Caron is the author of two books: Strength Deficit: Leveraging Ratios Between Eccentric and Concentric Strength and How to Become a Strength Coach: Periodize Your Career in Strength and Conditioning. He also hosts and produces digital content, including the pH Podcast and the Strength TC Collective website.