Rethinking rehabilitation, tendon health and the rise in popularity of blood flow restriction training with Luke Vella (Lead S&C Coach at Melbourne Rebels)
Aug 12, 2021
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Luke Vella, Lead S&C Coach at Melbourne Rebels, is a seasoned expert in rehab and tendon health, with experience across rugby, Aussie Rules, and Olympic cycling. He shares insights on tendon injury management, highlighting symptoms to watch for. Luke discusses the benefits of blood flow restriction training, explaining how it can alleviate pain and improve muscle hypertrophy. He emphasizes personalized rehab planning and the significance of isometric loading protocols, making this a must-listen for coaches and athletes alike.
Effective tendon management requires personalized loading strategies that encompass athlete experiences with load, pain, and functional capacity.
Blood flow restriction training is a valuable rehabilitation technique that supports strength and hypertrophy gains while minimizing injury risk.
Transitioning between sports enhances a coach's adaptability and understanding of injury management, enriching their primary coaching strategies.
Deep dives
Tendon Response and Management
Tendons respond to strain and stress rather than different types of muscle contractions. Effective tendon management requires an understanding of how each athlete experiences load and pain, alongside their functional capacity. Individualized loading strategies are essential, recognizing that other injuries may coexist with tendinopathy. This approach emphasizes the importance of subjective monitoring and data analytics to gauge how athletes react to specific types of loads over time.
Blood Flow Restriction Training
Blood flow restriction (BFR) training plays a significant role in rehabilitation, allowing for strength and hypertrophy gains without extensive injury risk. Utilizing protocols like a seated leg extension combined with a decline squat can lead to symptom reduction and performance improvement. An individualized approach is crucial here, as response rates to BFR can vary among athletes. This method not only fosters maintenance of muscle function but also allows athletes to engage in rehabilitation efficiently.
Protocol Individualization in Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation protocols need to be tailored specifically to the athlete's injury and individual response to treatment. This personal approach ensures nuanced recovery, focusing on pain management and function restoration. Teams can utilize data collection to anticipate athlete responses and adjust training loads accordingly. By understanding specific injury mechanisms, practitioners can lay down effective rehabilitation frameworks that guide the athlete successfully back to full activity.
Managing Soft Tissue Injuries
A significant increase in calf injuries is noted, attributed to changes in training management following heightened focus on hamstring injuries in professional sports. The understanding of training loads and their effects on different muscle groups remains critical in preventing injuries. It is vital to develop a robust injury surveillance system that monitors the primary risk factors within a specific sport. This contributes to informed decision-making around training modifications and injury risk mitigation strategies.
Role Transition and Broader Coaching Experience
Transitioning from a specific sport to a multi-sport environment broadens a coach's understanding and skill set. Working across various sports allows a practitioner to adapt their approach, gaining insights that enhance coaching efficacy. Engaging in diverse roles helps develop a deeper comprehension of injury management and athlete training differences. This perspective enriches the coach's ability to implement effective strategies in their primary sport after diverse experience.
Luke Vella is Rob’s guest on this week’s Pacey Performance Podcast. Luke has recently returned to Australia following his time with Edinburgh Rugby, the University of Bath, and Olympic track cycling in Malaysia. While in Bath, he coached multiple sports, showing that in addition to his roles in Rugby and Aussie Rules, he certainly has several strings to his strength and conditioning bow.
With a background in rehab, Luke lets us know how to manage tendon health by looking out for the tell-tale symptoms that lead to tendon injuries, and how blood flow restriction training can help relieve pain.
For anyone looking for a deep-dive into rehab techniques involving blood flow restriction and improving muscle hypertrophy, speed and strength, then this week’s podcast is for you. He’ll also tell you how to plan your rehab programme. Hit play now to learn Luke’s rehab tips of the trade!
On the podcast this week:
Why switching between Australia and the UK was a good learning experience
Whether to stick to one sport or become a multi-sport coach
Tendon health and rehabilitation
The symptoms to look out for in athletes with tendon issues
How to test for tendon issues
How blood flow restriction training can relieve pain
The techniques coaches can use with blood flow restriction
When not to use blood flow restriction
Isometric loading protocols
Planning a rehab programme
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