This week in the world of sports science, here’s what happened…
- 2026 Fitness Trends
- Slaves to GPS norms
- Mondo Duplantis and the help of shoe technology
2026 Fitness Trends
At the end of each year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) releases its predictions for fitness trends in the upcoming year, based on surveys of thousands of exercise professionals. For the third consecutive year, wearable technology tops the 2026 list, underscoring the ever-growing significance of data tracking in fitness.
Coming in second is the rise of fitness programs tailored for older adults, reflecting the increasing demand for specialised programming that encourages independence and supports functional health in this age group. Exercise for weight management holds the third position, highlighting the continued necessity of structured physical activity in tackling the global obesity crisis. Mobile exercise applications take fourth place, showcasing the widespread popularity of flexible, digital workout options.
Overall, these leading trends illustrate a fitness landscape that is increasingly shaped by data, adaptability, and a focus on holistic health throughout the lifespan. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into the top 20 trends, be sure to check out the full report here.
Slaves to GPS norms
Martin Buchheit, a prominent figure in sports science, recently shared a compelling message in a LinkedIn post. In this post, he includes a report he co-authored with Tom Little, titled “Slaves to (GPS) Norms,” which underpins his argument.
Buchheit clearly articulates the issues with today’s overreliance on GPS and load management. He argues that GPS norms often serve as “mirrors of the past,” lacking substantial empirical evidence to prove they are optimal for performance or injury prevention. He also addresses the “top-up fallacy,” where athletes engage in mindless linear “top-up runs” merely to fulfil a dashboard metric, rather than to facilitate actual improvements. Furthermore, he expresses concern that the safety-first approach inherent in GPS norms and load monitoring is leading to the development of “fragile” athletes who are ultimately under-trained.
So, what do you think of Buchheit’s perspective? Are we perhaps too obsessed with GPS norms and load monitoring? As Buchheit suggests, it’s time we shift our focus from managing spreadsheets back to actually training athletes again.
If you would like to hear more from Buchheit, check out our podcast episodes with him, Anaerobic Speed Reserve: Your Secret Weapon To Optimise Conditioning and Coaches & Athletes: Turn The Ego Volume Up And Down To Maximise Sporting Performance.
Mondo Duplantis and the help of shoe technology
In 2025, Mondo Duplantis emerged as one of the standout stars in sports, shattering his own pole vault record four times and earning the title of World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year. In a recent feature with The Guardian, Duplantis remains unyielding in his ambitions, confidently stating that he believes he can soar to even greater heights in the near future, thanks in part to advances in shoe technology.
Duplantis predominantly competes in PUMA track spikes, but for some of his world record attempts, he has opted for a customised version of his PUMA shoes, which he nicknames the “claw.” This specially designed shoe features a protruding spike at the front, allowing Duplantis to gain extra speed and grip during his run-up to the jump.
Intriguingly, the feature reveals that PUMA is currently developing and testing an even faster version of the “claw” shoe, a development that Duplantis is excited about and believes will help him achieve new heights.
It will be fascinating to watch Duplantis in 2026 when he may unveil the new “claw” shoe for his upcoming world record attempts.
From us this week:
>> New course: Fundamental Movements in Youth
>> New podcast: Training Through Disruption: Managing Load, Time, and Performance in Winter with Michael Fennell
>> New infographic: Alcohol and Athletic Performance
>> New article: Hydrotherapy
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