Inform Performance

Episode 103: In this Research Unpacked episode Alistair McKenzie chats to Nick Cross. Nick is an Australian sports physiotherapist and exercise physiologist based in Melbourne. Nick has worked in high performance sport across different football codes, athletics and ballet. His key clinical interest is lower limb injuries and rehabilitation that supports optimal performance. Nick is currently undergoing a global research project with la Trobe University to understand how clinicians who work in sport diagnose achilles tendinopathy and in todays episode, Nick shares his clinical insights into his practice. If you are a sports or musculoskeletal physiotherapist you can help by contributing to this global research project. All that is required is to compete a 10-minute survey with the link below.      Topics discussed:     Defining AT Key subjective indicators relating to the diagnosis of AT The role of the peritendon in AT The role of tissue compression in assessment  Auscultation  Progressive loading for AT.     Survey link for research       Where you can find Chris:   LinkedIn Clinic       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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 102: Ben Ashworth chats to Wayne Diesel a Sports Physiotherapist with a lifetime of working at the highest level of sport around the world. Wayne is a South African educated Physiotherapist who during his Physio career has worked with The Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Gloucester Rugby Football Club, Charlton Athletic Football Club, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Springboks Rugby and more! On top of this international multi-sport experience Wayne has also worked in the USA as Sports Performance Director at the Miami Dolphins and as the Director of Player Care at the San Antonio Spurs. In this episode Ben and Wayne will reflect on Waynes incredible career journey, where the Physiotherapy profession is going and the technical differences between different sports and leagues.    Topics Discussed:    Embracing different approaches for player care Where is sports Physiotherapy going? Injury prognostic expectations across different sports/leagues  Risk assessment and communication Perspective on being a specialist v generalist      Where you can find Wayne:   LinkedIn Research Gate       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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 101: In this Research Unpacked episode Alistair McKenzie chats to Tim McGrath for a Part-3 conversation on Hamstring rehab. Tim is an Australian Sports Physio based in Canberra, with over 15 years experience in professional sport and 20 in clinical practice. He completed his PhD from the Research Institute of Sport & Exercise at the University of Canberra on ACL rehabilitation and return to sport in 2016 and is the clinical & research director of Pitch Ready which focuses on blending clinical insights with data science, squad-based injury prevention and return to sport testing following lower limb injury. In this episode Alistair and Tim hamstring training, nordics and return-to-running.          Topics discussed:        Nordic Hamstring curls    High speed running exposure   Time under Tension vs Break angle   Minimal Dose   Prioritising strength or speed   Returning to running following a hamstring injury         Reference     McGrath, T. M., Hulin, B. T., Pickworth, N., Clarke, A., & Timmins, R. G. (2020). Determinants of hamstring fascicle length in professional rugby league athletes. Journal of science and medicine in sport, 23(5), 524–528.      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31928881/           Where you can find Tim:     Twitter  LinkedIn Research Gate       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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 100: Ben Ashworth chats to Jerry Flannery the current Lineout and Defence coach at Harlequins Rugby. Jerry is a former Irish rugby union player who during his playing career enjoyed great success with both Munster and Ireland. As a coach Jerry has a diverse background from Arsenal Football Club in the Premier League as an Academy Strength & Conditioning Coach to of course rugby where he has been a technical coach at both Munster and Harlequins. This episode will at large discuss Jerry's journey from player to coach and some of the key lessons or experiences that have shaped his coaching career thus far.      Topics Discussed:    Transitioning from player to coach Getting buy-in Recognising team culture     Where you can find Jerry:   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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 99: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Dan Lewindon the Head of Performance Science and Medicine for the LTA (National Governing Body of Tennis in the UK).  He is responsible for the leadership, management and integration of sports science and medicine in support of elite players, coaches and performance programmes. His role also includes the development of research and innovation strategies and partnerships associated with health and performance. Prior to Tennis, Daniel worked for 13 years in professional Rugby, 7 of which as the Senior Team Physiotherapist for England, where he was responsible for player recovery, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Dan holds postgraduate Masters degrees in both Sports Medicine and Exercise Science and is the co-editor and contributing author of 2 internationally best-selling textbooks, High Performance Training For Sports and Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation.     Topics Discussed:    Evolving into leadership High Performance Training for Sports Mentoring technical development Periodising professional development  Reflective communication    Where you can find Dan:   Twitter LinkedIn High-Performance Training for Sports      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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 98: In this Research Unpacked episode Alistair McKenzie chats to Tim McGrath for a part-2 conversation on ACL rehab. Tim is an Australian Sports Physio based in Canberra, with over 15 years experience in professional sport and 20 in clinical practice. He completed his PhD from the Research Institute of Sport & Exercise at the University of Canberra on ACL rehabilitation and return to sport in 2016 and is the clinical & research director of Pitch Ready which focuses on blending clinical insights with data science, squad-based injury prevention and return to sport testing following lower limb injury. In this episode Alistair and Tim continue discussing his insights and work on ACLR Rehab.          Topics discussed:        Key Functional testing in correlation to return to sport following ACLR Functional testing at different stages of ACLR rehabilitation Pillars of ALCR rehabilitation Pitch-ready.com          Reference   McGrath, T. M., Waddington, G., Scarvell, J. M., Ball, N., Creer, R., Woods, K., Smith, D., & Adams, R. (2017). An Ecological Study of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Part 2: Functional Performance Tests Correlate With Return-to-Sport Outcomes. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 5(2)     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315235/#           Where you can find Tim:     Twitter  LinkedIn Research Gate       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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 97: In this Research Unpacked episode Alistair McKenzie chats to Tim McGrath. Tim is an Australian Sports Physio based in Canberra, with over 15 years experience in professional sport and 20 in clinical practice. He completed his PhD from the Research Institute of Sport & Exercise at the University of Canberra on ACL rehabilitation and return to sport in 2016 and is the clinical & research director of Pitch Ready which focuses on blending clinical insights with data science, squad-based injury prevention and return to sport testing following lower limb injury. In this episode Alistair and Tim discuss his insights and work on ACLR Rehab.          Topics discussed:        Undergoing a PhD and completing applied research  Clinical tests used in ACLR rehab and relevance to practise The Influence graft type has on ACLR recovery          Reference   McGrath, T. M., Waddington, G., Scarvell, J. M., Ball, N., Creer, R., Woods, K., Smith, D., & Adams, R. (2016). An Ecological Study of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Part 1: Clinical Tests Do Not Correlate With Return-to-Sport Outcomes. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 4(11)     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27900339/           Where you can find Tim:     Twitter  LinkedIn Research Gate       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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 96: Ben Ashworth chats to Nigel Walker OBE The Performance Director of the Welsh Rugby Union. Nigel is a former international athlete and rugby union player who has represented Great Britain as a high hurdler before switching to rugby, earning 17 international caps for Wales. Nigel is the first guest we have spoken to that has be awarded an OBE which for him was an honour he received in 2019. On top of a successful athletic career and an OBE he has enjoyed professional roles at the English institute of Sport and the BBC prior to his current role in Rugby. In this episode Ben and Nigel predominantly discuss managing change as an overarching topic.      Topics Discussed:    Nigel's background  Fundamentals of change  Identifying strategies for different environments  Managing reluctancy to change     Where you can find Nigel:   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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 95: For this third Research Unpacked episode Alistair McKenzie chats to Dr Andras Hegyi a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Nantes, France. For part two Alistair and Andras continue discussing his hamstring muscle research on Nordics       Part two topics discussed:      Optimal technique of the Nordic Hamstring Exercise Perspectives one the limitations of the Nordic Hamstring Exercise The effect of hip angle one joint torque and muscle activity Contraction dynamics of NHE with different hip angles Future research      Hegyi et al., 2019 'The Impact of Hip Flexion Angle on Unilateral and Bilateral Nordic Hamstring Exercise Torque and High-Density Electromyography’ The journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 49(8), 584-592.      Research link   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30913969/         Where you can find Andras:   Twitter  LinkedIn Research Gate     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 Alistair McKenzie

Episode 94: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Johnny O'Connor a Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach at Connacht Rugby in Ireland. As a professional player Johnny played for Connacht, Wasps and made his Ireland debut in 2004 going on to earn 12 caps, helping the national side to Triple Crown success in 2006. As an S&C Coach Johnny has worked at Galway United, Arsenal and he is of course now back coaching at Connacht his former club again. In this episode Andy & Johnny discuss planning, monitoring and using heavy eccentrics to prepare rugby players in pre-season.      Topics Discussed:    Background as a player  Planning physical preparation  Monitoring on & off the field Heavy eccentrics usage    Where you can find Johnny:   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 Alistair McKenzie