James Spragg
High performance coach and sports scientist
Athletes I coach have won European and World Championship medals and more than 20 national titles.
PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town investigating fatigue in professional cyclists. I have published numerous sports science studies in peer reviewed journals.
Sports scientist who has supported professional cycling teams, international brands and organisations across multiple areas; sports performance, big data, sports engineering, performance analysis and performance testing.
Author 'Optimal Talent Development in Cycling' a development guide for coaches and parents.
Ex-professional cyclist
Academic Qualifications
University of Cape Town
PhD Candidate
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My PhD is investigating the downward shift in the power-duration relationship in professional cyclists under acute fatigue. I am investigating how we can better quantify fatigue resistance and ultimately improve fatigue resistance and performance
University of Worcester
MSc Applied Sports Science
The focus of this qualification was endurance sport with a specific interest in the application of physiological models to improve real word performance
Research
Academic Work
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I have published numerous peer reviewed studies:
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Power Profiling in U23 Professional Cyclists During a Competitive Season.
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Climbing Performance in U23 and Professional Cyclists during a Multi-stage Race.
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Climbing Performance in U23 and Professional Cyclists during a Multi-stage Race.
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(please click on the link to access the study)
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Presentations:
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Can Critical Power be Estimated from Training and Racing Data using Mean Maximal Power Outputs?
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Independent Researcher
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Sports engineering
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I led a project looking at the aerodynamic benefits of different closure mechanisms and positioning on cycling shoes for BOA technology. This research was integrated into the development of new product
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Professional Experience
Coaching
Spragg Performance
Through my personal coaching company I have coached riders to over 20 national titles across multiple cycling disciplines. I have also coached riders to European and World championship medals
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Head Coach
I was head coach for a professional women's cycling team. Team Matrix Fitness.My roles involved day to day coaching of athletes, advising team management on rider selection
UKPCA
I am also a member of the UK professional coaching association. A body for coaches that recognises coaches working at an elite level and aims to improve the level of coaching in sport
Applied Sports Science
I have provided sports science support to a number of highly successful athletes and organisation
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Load and Adaptation Monitoring - Professional Cycling Team
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I presented and provided tools to the members of a professional cycling team and their head of performance that were subsequently integrated into their monitoring toolbox
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Training intensity distribution - European cyclocross champion
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I was asked to join the team of a European cyclocross champion to advise on their training, especially the intensity distribution of their training. The athlete in question went on to win a second European championship
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Supported an Olympic Champion with advice on heat adaptation strategy
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Anti Doping
UKAD coach clean accredited coach
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Clean sport underpins all my practices as both a coach and a sports scientist. I feel strongly that it is my role to educate athletes and create a culture that upholds the right of athletes to compete in doping free sport
Author
Optimal Talent Development in Cycling
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I co-authored "Optimal Talent Development in Cycling: A Guide for Parents and Coaches'. This book aims to provide coaches and parents with the tools and practical advice to help young athletes develop to reach their full potential
Business Owner
Spragg Performance
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I founded and have since grown my own coaching business - Spragg Performance. I now lead a multi-disciplinary team to help athletes achieve their goals. We have a key structure in which we work:
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Profile - Firstly we profile the sport and specific disciple to assess the determinants of performance. We then profile the athlete to baseline their performance and identify where that athlete can improve. We do this in a holistic manner across a number of areas; physiology, psychology, strength and conditioning, race tactics and performance, nutrition, sleep, and sports engineering
Performance Plan - once we have identified where an athlete can improve we develop a performance plan to target those specific areas for improvement. We then keep the performance plan under constant evaluation to make sure we are maximising the gains an athlete is making
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Performance - once the components of performance are in place we support athletes to put those pieces together to allow them to perform
This approach has allowed us to support athletes to national titles and world championship medals
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Intercept Performance Consultancy
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I have recently founded together with two colleagues Intercept Performance Consultancy. This company aims to provide innovative performance solutions to teams and organisations looking to optimise their performance
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Professional Cyclist
Road Cycling
I have an exceptional understanding of professional cycling from an athlete, coaching, and sports science perspective.
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I was a professional cyclist on the road for 8 years. I competed across multiple countries however I was based in Belgium for the majority of my career
Cyclocross
Towards the end of my career I combined cyclocross with road racing and competed at a World Cup level