The Elevated Athlete Podcast Episode 19 - RUNNING, INJURIES & PROFILING! JAMES WILD.
Mar 5, 2025
James Wild, a senior lecturer and speed consultant at Harlequins RFC, dives into the nuances of sports science. He discusses his journey from sports therapy to researching sprinting acceleration and injury risks. Wild breaks down individual acceleration strategies, linking them to specific injuries, such as calf and hamstring risks. He emphasizes the importance of customized coaching approaches for injury prevention and shares innovative techniques for altering athletes' movement patterns. With insights on monitoring strategy data, this conversation is full of practical guidance for coaches and athletes alike.
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Transcript
Prioritize Individual Needs
- Individual needs matter because group-level findings can mislead when applied to one athlete.
- Understanding history, capacities and drivers improves rehab and training decisions.
Movement Is More Than Isolated Muscles
- Movement is emergent from interactions between body parts, so avoid overly reductionist rehab.
- Integrate hamstring work with trunk, hip and foot coordination during sprint reintegration.
Joint-Specific Demands In Acceleration
- Hip and knee extensor concentric power is important in early acceleration steps.
- Ankle reactive stiffness and plyometric qualities also matter across steps for energy absorption and propulsion.