MrLeighton Wells

Leighton's research investigates optimal training-load metrics and processes from a coaching perspective to enhance performance and reduce injury risk in endurance athletes, particularly triathletes. He examines the coach-athlete relationship, focusing on how effective communication and mutual trust influence training outcomes. Additionally, he studies various coaching methods and practices, including prescribing, measuring, monitoring, and managing training loads, while acknowledging the interplay between sport and non-sport demands in an athlete's life.

This work led him to develop ACIP (Adaptive Contextualised Informed Practice), a concept that helps coaches apply training principles in a way that flexes to the athlete’s real-world context and cumulative life load (sport load plus non-sport load), rather than forcing the athlete to fit an idealised plan.

Leighton also looks at the normative training load of age-group triathletes to establish benchmarks and potentially improve training strategies.