Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Helms and Eric Trexler engage in a lively discussion with Dr. James Steele about the evolving landscape of sports science, particularly focusing on the critiques of periodization and the importance of scientific theory in exercise research. They explore the philosophical underpinnings of scientific inquiry, the challenges of conducting robust research, and the implications of recent studies on training effects. The conversation emphasizes the need for a more theory-driven approach in exercise science to enhance the validity and applicability of research findings. In this conversation, James Steele and Eric Helms discuss the intricacies of designing meaningful studies in hypertrophy research, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, causal inference, and the need for high-powered studies. They explore the challenges of resistance training research, the significance of theory corroboration, and the future directions for the field. The discussion highlights the necessity of passion and purpose in research, advocating for a focus on practical applications and the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of training effects.
Time stamps:
0:00 Welcome to another episode of Iron Culture and some housekeeping
massresearchreview.com
sportsnutritionassociation.com/sna-annual-2025-conference
4:01 Welcoming Dr James Steele
Iron Culture Ep 218 Science is Flawed, but Can be Fixed youtube.com/watch?v=D_NYCZpY3RA&t=1s
Steele 2023 The Myth of Periodisation researchgate.net/publication/373512935_The_Myth_of_Periodisation
Stone 2024 The Myth of the Myth? An Opinion journal.iusca.org/index.php/Journal/article/view/353
12:26 James’ issues with periodisation
25:53 How different research areas work
36:03 The philosophy of science
44:47 James breaks down the (statistics of the) Gschneidner lengthened-partials study
Gschneidner 2024 The effects of lengthened-partial range of motion resistance training of the limbs on arm and thigh muscle cross-sectional area sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/485
1:04:47 What are we actually trying to do in research and going over the results pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15947721
Steele 2021 Long-Term Time-Course of Strength Adaptation to Minimal Dose Resistance Training Through Retrospective Longitudinal Growth Modeling pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35591809
Hubal 2005 Variability in muscle size and strength gain after unilateral resistance training pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15947721
Coleman 2022 Muscular Adaptations in Drop Set vs. Traditional Training: A meta-analysis journal.iusca.org/index.php/Journal/article/view/135
Sødal 2023 Effects of Drop Sets on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37523092
1:24:23 Linear log gains and the role of multi-site data collection
Latella 2024 Using Powerlifting Athletes to Determine Strength Adaptations Across Ages in Males and Females: A Longitudinal Growth Modelling Approach pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38060089
01:38:51 Answering research questions, method reforms, and the reasons behind lifting
01:49:53 Final thoughts and a sneak peek into James’ future work and where to find him
ResearchGate researchgate.net/profile/James-Steele-14
Instagram @james.steeleii instagram.com/james.steeleii/?hl=en
In this episode of Iron Culture, hosts Eric Helms and Eric Trexler engage in a lively discussion with Dr. James Steele about the evolving landscape of sports science, particularly focusing on the critiques of periodization and the importance of scientific theory in exercise research. They explore the philosophical underpinnings of scientific inquiry, the challenges of conducting robust research, and the implications of recent studies on training effects. The conversation emphasizes the need for a more theory-driven approach in exercise science to enhance the validity and applicability of research findings. In this conversation, James Steele and Eric Helms discuss the intricacies of designing meaningful studies in hypertrophy research, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, causal inference, and the need for high-powered studies. They explore the challenges of resistance training research, the significance of theory corroboration, and the future directions for the field. The discussion highlights the necessity of passion and purpose in research, advocating for a focus on practical applications and the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms of training effects.
Time stamps:
0:00 Welcome to another episode of Iron Culture and some housekeeping
massresearchreview.com
sportsnutritionassociation.com/sna-annual-2025-conference
4:01 Welcoming Dr James Steele
Iron Culture Ep 218 Science is Flawed, but Can be Fixed youtube.com/watch?v=D_NYCZpY3RA&t=1s
Steele 2023 The Myth of Periodisation researchgate.net/publication/373512935_The_Myth_of_Periodisation
Stone 2024 The Myth of the Myth? An Opinion journal.iusca.org/index.php/Journal/article/view/353
12:26 James’ issues with periodisation
25:53 How different research areas work
36:03 The philosophy of science
44:47 James breaks down the (statistics of the) Gschneidner lengthened-partials study
Gschneidner 2024 The effects of lengthened-partial range of motion resistance training of the limbs on arm and thigh muscle cross-sectional area sportrxiv.org/index.php/server/preprint/view/485
1:04:47 What are we actually trying to do in research and going over the results pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15947721
Steele 2021 Long-Term Time-Course of Strength Adaptation to Minimal Dose Resistance Training Through Retrospective Longitudinal Growth Modeling pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35591809
Hubal 2005 Variability in muscle size and strength gain after unilateral resistance training pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15947721
Coleman 2022 Muscular Adaptations in Drop Set vs. Traditional Training: A meta-analysis journal.iusca.org/index.php/Journal/article/view/135
Sødal 2023 Effects of Drop Sets on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37523092
1:24:23 Linear log gains and the role of multi-site data collection
Latella 2024 Using Powerlifting Athletes to Determine Strength Adaptations Across Ages in Males and Females: A Longitudinal Growth Modelling Approach pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38060089
01:38:51 Answering research questions, method reforms, and the reasons behind lifting
01:49:53 Final thoughts and a sneak peek into James’ future work and where to find him
ResearchGate researchgate.net/profile/James-Steele-14
Instagram @james.steeleii instagram.com/james.steeleii/?hl=en
