Inform Performance

Episode 58: Ben Ashworth hosts his first episode of Inform Performance. On this episode Ben chats to Dr David Opar the Director of the Sports Performance, Recovery, Injury and New Technologies (SPRINT) Research Centre at Australian Catholic University. David completed his undergraduate degree in Human Movement at RMIT University in 2008. He commenced his doctoral thesis (PhD) in the area of hamstring strain injuries at the Queensland University of Technology in 2010. He also heads up the ACU Hamstring Injury Group and is leading the way in hamstring injury research. Dr Opar and his team are in close consultation with professional sporting codes both nationally and internationally to deliver evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies for their athlete group.     In this episode Ben Ashworth and Dr David Opar discuss:    David’s background Hamstring Injury risk mitigation Minimal dose for hamstrings  Optimal sprint dosage  Timing training stimuli within competitive schedules When & how to use nordics  Load tolerance  RTP Criteria’s   Where you can find David:   Twitter LinkedIn   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 57: Andy McDonald chats to Tom Farrow a Physical Performance Specialist who is the Founder & Co-Director of Areté Performance. Until August, when the programme was unfortunately cut due to losing funding, he was the Head of Physical Performance for England & Team GB 7s Men’s teams. Tom was also a Contact Skills Specialist with the Men’s 7s programme and has worked in this capacity with the 2016 Team GB Women’s 7s team, Tokyo Toshiba Brave, Fulham FC Academy and Richmond Rugby Club. He has previously worked as a strength and conditioning coach with the English Institute of Sport, GB Canoe, & Speedworks. Until Sept 2014, Tom was a Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach with Wasps Rugby and co-led their First XV programme. After starting his own business Tom also spent time working with the Wasps Academy programme as both a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Contact Skills Specialist. In this episode Andy and Tom discuss speed and agility training and program management.      In this episode Andy and Tom discuss:    Tom’s background  Starting his own business  Tom’s interest in speed training Tom’s approach to training: Acceleration Max speed Change of direction  Implementing technical standards in open skill environments  Program management    Where you can find Tom:   Instagram  Twitter LinkedIn Areté Performance     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 56: Andy McDonald chats Jesse Elis the Director of Health and Performance at the Portland Trail Blazers NBA team. Jesse is a PT with a background in professional tennis in the WTA and was formerly the Director of Physical Therapy at EXOS. In addition to this he is also the co-owner of Phoenix Manual Therapy. This conversation with Jesse is focused around communication, collaboration and biomechanics through Jesse's broad knowledge and appreciation for performance, leadership and sports medicine.      In this episode Andy and Jesse discuss:   Jesse’s background Current role at the Trail Blazers  Communicating with players as a PT  Communicating with management  Risk management  PT S&C’ collaboration Communicating diagnosis with S&C’s Biomechanics    Where you can find Jesse:   Phoenix Manual Therapy Instagram LinkedIn     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 55: Andy McDonald chats to Sérgio T Fonseca. Sérgio is from a clinical background originally and currently works at the Department of Physical Therapy of the University Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sérgio teaches and advises in the areas of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. His main research focus is on human movement, applying concepts of ecological approach and dynamical systems to human perception and action. This episode will focus on the philosophy of patient or athlete management as it relates to his work on systems.      In this episode Andy and Sérgio discuss:   Sérgio's background  Reductionism, complicated and complex systems  Equifinality  Evidence based practise Synergetic’s Evaluating your own systems    Where you can find Sérgio:   Research Gate UFMG   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 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