The Physical Performance Show

In episode 369 of The Physical Performance Show, sports physiotherapist Victor Popov shares insights from his four-decade career working with elite athletes across Olympic Games, Tour de France cycling, AFL premiership teams, and international swimming. He recounts his journey from early days in Sydney’s top sports medicine clinics to supporting champions like Robbie McEwen, Susie O’Neill, and Shane Watson, emphasising the value of multidisciplinary collaboration and continuous learning. This episode delves into the critical role of the nervous system in athletic performance, with Victor Popov explaining how heart rate variability, sleep, nutrition, and even ice baths can be used to assess and optimise recovery and resilience. He introduces his Neural Engagement Therapy and Training (NET) program, designed to help clinicians and athletes better understand and improve nervous system function. Victor Popov also offers practical advice for both aspiring professionals and athletes, highlighting the importance of self-belief, teamwork, and the ability to train consistently without injury.  Special High Performance Seminar Event with Victor Popov on 30th August - register here.   Show Sponsor: POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services. Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best.  Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online. Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell. The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1) Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In episode 368 of The Physical Performance Show, the podcast enters a new era as accredited exercise physiologist Huw Darnell joins as co-host alongside Brad Beer. With over a decade of experience in the endurance sports industry, Huw brings a fresh perspective to the show, sharing his journey from a sport-obsessed youth through injury setbacks to becoming a leading strength and conditioning coach for runners and triathletes. This episode explores Huw’s personal and professional evolution, including the pivotal injuries that shaped his approach to athlete rehabilitation and performance. Huw and Brad discuss the importance of psychological support for injured athletes, the barriers endurance athletes face in adopting strength and conditioning, and practical strategies for integrating effective training into busy schedules. Listeners are introduced to a new show format, Uncovering Injuries, which will feature deep dives into common endurance sports injuries from both physiotherapy and exercise physiology perspectives. The episode is rich with actionable advice, including Huw’s “four pillars of performance”—movement, recovery, mindset, and nutrition—and a weekly physical challenge encouraging barefoot training to build foot strength. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au Follow Huw on Instagram: @huwdarnell   Show Sponsor: POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services. Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best.  Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online. Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell. The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1) Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In this engaging discussion, sports physiotherapist Sue Mayes shares over 30 years of expertise in managing foot and ankle injuries. Former lead physiotherapist at the Australian Ballet, she revolutionizes injury prevention with innovative research on strength training and calf raises tailored for dancers and athletes. Sue challenges traditional stretching practices, advocates for strategic rehabilitation approaches, and emphasizes the significance of building trust in recovery. Her insights provide valuable lessons for both clinicians and athletes.

Olympic triathlete Hayden Wilde shares his incredible journey following a severe cycling crash in Tokyo that left him with multiple injuries. He bravely discusses his emotional rollercoaster during recovery, including the vital support from sponsors and his medical team. Hayden reflects on his recent personal best in a 10K race, the significance of small wins in rehab, and the importance of a strong mindset for returning to competition. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of teamwork in overcoming adversity.

Professor Peter Malliaras, a leading tendinopathy expert and director at Monash University’s Musculoskeletal Research Unit, shares invaluable insights into tendon rehabilitation. He discusses cutting-edge treatment strategies and highlights the importance of personalized loading techniques. The conversation delves into how biopsychosocial factors affect outcomes, the role of muscle activation, and the nuances of pain management. With a focus on recent research and evolving strategies, this is a must-listen for athletes and practitioners alike on the path to recovery.

Dr. Rich Willy, an expert in running injuries and Associate Professor at the University of Montana, joins Sarah Yule to delve into injury management for runners. They discuss the critical role of education and load management in treatment, as well as the fascinating impact of footwear, including insights on 'super shoes.' The conversation also highlights strategies for handling bone stress injuries and the challenges of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). Expect valuable tips tailored for endurance athletes!

Alec McKenzie, a PhD scholar at Griffith University, specializes in shoulder injury prevention for swimmers. He reveals three key factors contributing to swimmer's shoulder pain, emphasizing the importance of injury prevention strategies and tailored training loads. Alec discusses advancements in imaging techniques for monitoring tendon health and highlights the risks linked to pushing through pain. He also shares insights from his research, advocating for a balanced approach to training that includes varying shoulder activities and understanding the role of technology in recovery.

Dr. Kieran Richardson is a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist who focuses on the conservative management of ACL injuries. He discusses the rising trend of surgery versus effective non-surgical alternatives. Kieran emphasizes the importance of personalized rehabilitation and the psychological aspects of recovery. He outlines a structured three-phase approach for rehabilitation to empower patients. By challenging common beliefs, he advocates for a collaborative effort in managing ACL injuries through informed choices and active engagement.

David Butler has been a pivotal Physiotherapist figure in the field of pain management since the mid-1980s, with a career spanning clinical practice, research, and education. As the director of the Neuro Orthopedic Institute (NOI), David leads numerous biopsychosocially-based seminars worldwide, educating both practitioners and patients about pain. In this episode, David delves into the intricacies of pain, discussing its mechanisms, significance, and impact on our health and well-being. Show Sponsor: POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services. Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best.  Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online. Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1) Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

Dr Alison Grimaldi, Principal Physiotherapist at PhysioTec in Brisbane, Australia, adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland with over 30 years of professional clinical experience joins us to explore diagnosis assessment and management of the tricky musculoskeletal condition that can affect many endurance athletes, gluteal tendinopathy. Gluteal tendinopathy is pain on the outside and lateral aspect of the hip. Dr Grimaldi is one of the world's preeminent experts when it comes to the rehabilitation of hip related injuries. Show Sponsor: POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services. Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best.  Find out more about telehealth consultations and book online. Join the The Physical Performance Show LEARNINGS membership through weekly podcasts | Patreon If you enjoyed this episode of The Physical Performance Show please hit SUBSCRIBE for to ensure you are one of the first to future episodes. Jump over to The Physical Performance Show for more details. Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1) Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.