

Inform Performance
Andy McDonald
The Inform Perform Podcast is an industry show focussed on Sports Performance and Sports Medicine. The show interviews thought leaders and professionals that support elite athletes and teams. The aim of the show is to deconstruct the strategies and philosophies the guests utilise in their working environment or area of expertise. Featured guests have worked across the NBA, NFL, MLB, F1, World title Boxing, EPL and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2023 • 45min
James Collins - Optimal Nutrition Service Provision (Managing Director of INTRA Performance Group)
Episode 127: Dr Andy McDonald chats to James Collins. James is recognised as a leading Sport & Exercise Nutritionist. In elite sport he has worked with Team GB Olympic teams and athletes over three Olympic Games. He joined Arsenal Football Club in 2010, where he spent seven seasons as the club’s first performance nutritionist.
He has worked as a consultant with England Football, France Football (2018 World Cup winners), and is currently a consultant with Chelsea FC. He was a project lead of an international team of 31 authors to produce the ‘UEFA Expert Group Statement on Nutrition in Elite Football‘, the best practice guidelines within the sport, published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM).
James is Managing Director of INTRA Performance Group working with talent from elite sport and entertainment from their Harley Street clinic. He was previously elected President of The Royal Society of Medicine’s Food and Health Forum and is author of the acclaimed book ‘The Energy Plan‘ (Penguin Random House).
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Topics Discussed
Evolution of professional sports nutrition
UEFA expert group statement on nutrition in elite football
What should progressive nutrition look like
How to periodise behaviour change
How should service provision function
Future direction of nutrition in professional sport
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Where you can find James:
Instagram
Twitter
Website
Intra Performance Group
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Sponsors
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
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HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
Instagram
Twitter
Our Website
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Our Team
Andy McDonald
Ben Ashworth
Alistair McKenzie
Dylan Carmody

Sep 4, 2023 • 55min
Research Unpacked: Dr Stephanie Filbay - Non-Surgical ACL Management with Cross Bracing Protocol
Episode 125: In this Research Unpacked Episode Dr Dylan Carmody chats to Dr Stephanie Filbay. Dr Filbay is a Physiotherapist, NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow, Dame Kate Campbell Fellow and Senior Research Associate in the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. Dr Filbay leads a team aiming to improve outcomes for people with ACL injury across the lifespan. Her team are evaluating non-surgical strategies to facilitate healing of ACL rupture, creating a patient decision aid and training resources to educate clinicians and inform patients about evidence-based ACL injury management options, and developing a novel intervention to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people who develop osteoarthritis after ACL injury. She has presented her research over 80 times to a variety of stakeholders, chairs and serves on national and international committees.
Topics Discussed
Can the ACL heal?
What is ACL cross bracing?
How effective is ACL cross bracing?
What really qualifies an ACL coper?
Where you can find Dr Stephanie Filbay:
LinkedIn
Research Gate
Twitter
Research Discussed:
Filbay SR, Dowsett M, Chaker Jomaa M, et al Healing of acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture on MRI and outcomes following non-surgical management with the Cross Bracing Protocol British Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 14 June 2023. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106931
Sponsors
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
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HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
Sportscientia - An emerging precision tech-layer that harnesses the power of AI and machine learning to seamlessly capture gait analysis in real-world conditions and provide 3D depictions of the foot during both swing and stance phases of the gait cycle. This enables further analysis of running into multi-directional movements including lateral, backwards, turning actions and more.
Where to Find Us
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
Alistair McKenzie
Dylan Carmody

Aug 28, 2023 • 59min
Research Unpacked: Tyler Yearby - Ecological Dynamics
Former Running Backs coach Tyler Yearby discusses ecological dynamics in sports coaching, emphasizing a learning-centered approach, shared language with athletes, and creating technical drills based on movement SWOT analysis. He explores the application of ecological dynamics in American football practice design and movement skill acquisition, highlighting the interconnected nature of perception, cognition, and action for improved performance. The podcast also delves into embracing the present moment, Bayesian thought processes in movement learning, and collaboration among professionals for effective rehabilitation and sports performance.

Aug 21, 2023 • 48min
How a Tech Layer Under a Players Insole/Foot In Real Environments Can Inform Rehab & Performance (Andrew Gray, Phil Graham-Smith & Daryl Carter)
Andrew Gray, Chief Analytics Officer at SportsCientia, shares insights into emerging technologies for gait analysis. Phil Graham-Smith, Head of Biomechanics at Aspire Academy, and Daryl Carter, Physiotherapist at Leeds United, delve into the innovative use of tech beneath shoe insoles to optimize performance and rehab. They discuss the transition from lab tests to real-world applications, the complexities of assessing hamstring injuries, and the integration of AI for detailed biomechanical insights, highlighting how technology can revolutionize athlete recovery and performance.

Aug 14, 2023 • 40min
Claire Robertson - Managing Patellofemoral Pain in Athletes (Consultant Physiotherapist)
Episode 123: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Physiotherapist Claire Robertson. Claire has worked in the NHS, academia and private practice, and currently runs a specialist patellofemoral clinic at Wimbledon Clinics spending an hour per patient and liaising closely with their treating clinician. Claire is also the physiotherapist for the Warren Smith ski academy. Claire has lectured internationally and has many research papers and editorials published in internationally peer-reviewed journals. She is also a reviewer herself for Physiotherapy Research International, Physical Therapy in Sport, Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy. Claire runs her own post-graduate course on patellofemoral problems for physiotherapists.
Topics Discussed
Diagnosing patellofemoral pain
Early rehab of PFP
How strong is strong enough
Return-to-running for patellofemoral pain
Where you can find Claire:
Linkedin
Facebook
Twitter
Sponsors
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
-
HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
Where to Find Us
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
Alistair McKenzie
Dylan Carmody

Aug 7, 2023 • 43min
Ciara Burgi - Houston Texans Return-to-Play Philosophy (Return to Performance Lead Houston Texans NFL)
Episode 122: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Physical Therapist Ciara Burgi PT DPT SCS OCS, FAAOMPT CSCS. Ciara is a Duke educated PT who has continued her professional training at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Australian Catholic University prior to working at the Houston Texans NFL team, where she has been since 2020.
Topics Discussed
Should Physical Therapists do sport residencies?
How the Texans department is philosophically organised
How Physios and S&C Coaches can collaborate effectively
Houston Texans rehab process for ACL & hamstring RTP examples
Where you can find Ciara:
Linkedin
Twitter
Sponsors
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
-
HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
Where to Find Us
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
Alistair McKenzie
Dylan Carmody

Jul 30, 2023 • 56min
Nick Kane - Hamstring Rehab For Field Sports (Head Physiotherapist at Essendon Football Club & Managing Director of the Sports MAP Network)
Episode 121: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Physiotherapist Nick Kane. Nick is the founder & Managing Director of the Sports MAP Network as well as Head Physiotherapist at Essendon Football Club. He is a Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist having completed a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy from La Trobe University. He completed is undergraduate Physiotherapy degree at Notre Dame University in Fremantle. Nick excels in working with sporting injuries and rehabilitation with a particular interest in troublesome hip & groin pain, recurrent hamstring injuries, tendon pain & post surgical rehab.
Topics Discussed
Physical demands of AFL
Structure of performance teams in AFL
Key steps planning a hamstring muscle injury rehab
Progressing return-to-running with hamstring injuries
How to monitor hamstrings post injury
How to problem solve tough cases as a Physio
Where you can find Nick:
Sportsmap
Linkedin
Twitter
Sponsors
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
-
HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
Where to Find Us
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
Alistair McKenzie
Dylan Carmody

Jul 19, 2023 • 8min
#Highlight - Putting Evidence-Based-Practise In Perspective with Sue Falsone
Sue Falsone was our guest on episode #7 of the Inform Performance Podcast. Sue is the owner of Structure and Function and since we spoke to her she has become the Director of Movement and Return to Performance at the Houston Texans NFL team. This highlight clip takes an insightful segment from her episode where she discussed how to appraise what evidence-based-practise truly means and how to pragmatically include methods or tools in your practise when there is gaps in the academic literature.
Listen to the full episode here
Sponsors
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
-
HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
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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
Alistair McKenzie

Jul 12, 2023 • 48min
Daniel Bodkin - How & Why You Should Use Isokinetic Systems In Rehab (PT, AT & Director of clinical education for CSMi)
Episode 120: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Daniel Bodkin a Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer. Daniel is an expert on using Isokinetic systems in rehab for testing and training athletes. Daniel is the Director of clinical education for CSMi maker of the Humac NORM Isokinetic System, Owner of ProActive Athletic Performance in Atlanta Georgia and an Associated Faculty Member for enTandem DPT. This episode focusses in its entirety on how to use Isokinetic machines during knee rehab.
Topics Discussed
Key tests on Isokinetic machines
Eccentric & Isometric testing
Testing under fatigue
RFD testing
Motor learning of force-profiling tests
Key Interventions
Removing quadriceps inhibition through ROM
Where you can find Daniel:
Instagram
Sponsors
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
-
HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
Where to Find Us
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
Alistair McKenzie

Jun 29, 2023 • 8min
#Highlight - How to Effectively Educate & Empower Professional Athletes with Mike Reinold
Mike Reinold was our guest on episode #20 of the Inform Performance Podcast. This highlight clip takes an insightful segment from that episode where he discussed
Educating & empowering athletes
Managing Increasing complexity within our roles
Athletes taking ownership of their data
Sponsors
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
-
HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.
-
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
Alistair McKenzie