Inform Performance

Episode 54: Andy McDonald chats to Mike Friday USA Rugby Mens 7's Head Coach. Mike began his sporting career as a player transitioning from the amateur rugby years into the professional era, before becoming renowned as a coach. He has enjoyed multiple coaching roles across the UK, Kenya and more recently USA. In this episode with Mike we will discuss his journey from player to coach and pick out some of the key lessons he has learnt along the way.      In this episode Andy and Mike discuss:   Mike’s playing career  Athlete retirement transitions Effects of Covid on Rugby  Current state of World Rugby 7’s Mike’s coaching background Role at USA Rugby Sevens  Working for Kenyan 7’s Lessons learnt coaching in different cultures Sharing medical information with coaches   Where you can find Mike:   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn   Tendon Research Survey The aim of this survey of physiotherapists is to identify criteria for diagnosis of tendinopathy. This study aims to establish the key clinical questions and tests physiotherapists use during clinical examination of Achilles tendinopathy. Establishing a set of clinical questions and objective measures for Achilles tendinopathy will allow the validity of these criteria to be investigated in future projects.      Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 53: Andy McDonald chats to Jarrod Antflick a Consultant Sports Physiotherapist in elite sport. Jarrod is the founder of Total Performance and has been working in elite sport for over 15 years as a consultant Sports Physiotherapist. His work resides in the UK consulting to teams in the English Premiere League and Premiership Rugby, and to NBA teams in the USA. Jarrrod also works as consultant physiotherapist at The Fortius Clinic London, as a specialist in tendinopathy undertaking research in the management and diagnosis of tendinopathy. In addition to this his expertise expands to profiling and motion analysis through biomechanical screening utilising IMU data and triaxial force platforms to provides context into how human force is produced. This conversation with Jarrod focusses on his approach to managing tendons in both a clinical and high performance context.      In this episode Andy and Jarrod discuss:   His background or interest in tendons  Optimal tendon function  Assessing tendons  Risk factors  Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation (UTC) Using kinematics and kinetics to solve problems  RTP criteria for tendons   Where you can find Jarrod:   Twitter LinkedIn Total Performance Fortius Clinic Complete Physio     Tendon Research Survey The aim of this survey of physiotherapists is to identify criteria for diagnosis of tendinopathy. This study aims to establish the key clinical questions and tests physiotherapists use during clinical examination of Achilles tendinopathy. Establishing a set of clinical questions and objective measures for Achilles tendinopathy will allow the validity of these criteria to be investigated in future projects.      Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 52: Andy McDonald chats to James Moore the Co-Founder of the Health Development & Performance Network (HDPN). James also currently holds the position of Clinical Director of Sports & Exercise Medicine at the Centre for Health & Human Performance (CHHP). One of the highlights of James’ career, to date, was to be awarded the Deputy Chef de Mission Performance Service for Team GB at the Rio2016 Olympic Games. He has previously held titles such as Head for Performance for TeamGB, Manager for the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit for the British Olympic Association (BOA), Head of Medical at Saracens RFC, Consultant Clinical Lead Physiotherapist for UK Athletics for two Olympic cycles(Beijing & London), Consultant Physiotherapist for the RFU to the England Men’s Senior team in preparation for RWC2011 and Medical team leader for Gloucester County Cricket Club. James has worked with multiple sports throughout the UK, USA and Australia at the highest level and has expertise on hip & groin as well as hamstring injuries.     In this episode Andy and James discuss:    James’s background  Muscle Injury classifications Communicating classifications & diagnosis  Communicating with radiology  Neuromuscular loading strategies for short & long head of Biceps Femoris  Adductor Magnus as a functional hamstring  Putting nordics in perspective  Torque ratios at the hip    Where you can find James:   Twitter LinkedIn CHHP  HDPN - Website  HDPN - Instagram HDPN - Twitter    Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 51: Andy McDonald chats to Mick Hughes a Physiotherapist and Exercise Physiologist who consults at The Melbourne Sports Medicine Centre, Collins St Melbourne. During his Physio career Mick has worked with elite junior sporting teams such as the NQ Cowboys U20s rugby league team and the Newcastle Jets National Youth League and Emerging Jets Academy soccer teams. In this episode Andy and Mick discuss ACL rehab following Mick recently presenting to England Rugby on the topic. Mick has a large following online and is a reputable educator in this space.    In this episode Andy and Mick discuss:    Updates in ACL rehab Strength & Conditioning for ACL’s  Re-considering the term “Conservative Management”  Implementing OKC earlier Moon registry of ACL’s  Baseline performance Data    Where you can find Nick:   Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Website Youtube     Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 50: Andy McDonald chats to Nick Winkelman the head of athletic performance & science for the Irish Rugby Football Union. His primary role is to oversee the delivery and development of strength & conditioning and sports science across all national (Men's and Women's XV’s and 7’s) and provincial teams (Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster). Nick was previously the director of education and training systems for EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance), located in Phoenix, AZ. At EXOS Nick oversaw the speed and assessment component of the EXOS NFL Combine Development Program and supported many athletes across the NFL, MLB, NBA, National Sports Organizations, and Military. Nick has also completed his Ph.D. through Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a dissertation focus on motor skill learning and sprinting. In this episode Andy and Nick will be primarily discussing topics from his recent book - The Language of Coaching.      In this episode Andy and Nick discuss:    Nicks background  The language of coaching  Discussing how rather than what  The coach & athlete relationship  Cueing  Understanding athletes information needs Monitoring language Moving to Ireland    Where you can find Nick:   LinkedIn Twitter  Instagram Language Of Coaching Book     Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 49: Andy McDonald chats to Andrew Gray the High Performance Manager at Wests Tigers Rugby. Andrew's performance roots were in Physiotherapy and over his career he has worked extensively in the NRL. He has enjoyed previous roles at Cronulla Sharks and St.George Illawarra Dragons. Andrew is also a thought leader on GPS in sport as the creator of Athletic Data Innovations (ADI), a software product which processes tracking data to provide insight into sports performance to clubs and teams, to assist with coaching, scouting and player performance. This episode focuses on staff development, structure and pivots to the changing requirement of tech during Covid and finally Andrew's journey using GPS.      In this episode Andy and Andrew discuss:   Andrew's background and origins as a Physio Working in the NRL Carrying skills forward to management Developing your staff Multi-skilled staff  Strategising broader development  Potential Covid effects on staff structure  Athletic Data Innovations GPS    Where you can find Andrew:   LinkedIn Twitter      Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 48: Andy McDonald chats to Adam Loiacono the Director of Rehabilitation at the Phoenix Suns NBA team. Adam has a wealth of experience and has enjoyed previous roles at Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Pride and New England Revolution. In this episode we will be discussing some of the principles behind a recent presentation that he delivered via the Altis platform.     In this episode Andy and Adam discuss:   Adam’s background in sport  Approach to performance therapy  Role at the Phoenix Suns organisation  Developing return to sport principles  Injury causation and analysis  'The bank' heuristic of MDT involvement  Technical and tactical drills    Where you can find Adam:   LinkedIn Instagram Twitter Arizona Human Performance Collaborative   Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 47: Andy McDonald chats to Mike Tucker the Head Athletic Performance Coach at Villanova University Football. Mike has previously enjoyed S&C roles at San Jose State University, Clemson University, Kuztown University and North Dakota State University. This episode focusses on Mike's program and problem solving through Covid, Speed Development and 'Sprintember' a program both him and Ken Clarke have released to support coach development through September 2020.    In this episode Andy and Mike discuss:   Mikes background in collegiate sport  College Football situation during Covid-19Being better generalists The physical preparation at Villanova Football Wishlist’s  Coaching level entering collegiate sport  Speed training kinogram Sprintember    Where you can find Mike:   LinkedIn Instagram Sprintember   Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 46: Andy McDonald chats to Navin Hettiarachchi the Director of Health, Wellness and Performance for the Washington Wizards at the time of recording. Navin began his career interning at the Washington Redskins NFL team, followed by spells at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation INC and the Washington Mystics. This episode and the conversation is largely centred around Navin's holistic and broad consideration of care.    In this episode Andy and Navin discuss: Navins background and role His holistic approach to athlete care  Empathy and human factors  PRI   Where you can find Navin:   LinkedIn Twitter   Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth

Episode 45: Andy McDonald catches up with Elliott Clarke at Harlequins Rugby. Elliott is a Senior Rehabilitation Physiotherapist who has been with Harlequins rugby for over 5 years beginning as the Academy Physiotherapist. Prior to Quins Elliott worked within the NHS and also for Worthing RFC. In this episode Andy and Elliott discuss rehab frameworks and philosophies without shying away from technical details. In the past we've had Ed Lea (S&C) and Tom Batchelor (Sport Science) from the club and consistent with their episodes you can expect this conversation to be honest and transparent for both Elliott and Harlequins methodology.    In this episode Andy and Elliott discuss:    Elliotts background and role His Rehab Philosophy  Setting prognostic expectations Selecting frameworks amongst complexity  Reconditioning Return to running Soleus Hamstring    Where you can find Elliott:   LinkedIn Twitter   Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on: Instagram Twitter Our Website   Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth