Strength In Knowledge

In this episode of Strength in Knowledge, Dr. Zach Baker, DPT, sits down with Dr. Corrie Jones, DPT, to tackle one of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions in rehab and performance: What’s the best exercise for your patient or client? Together, they break down the clinical decision-making process behind exercise selection, and why the answer often isn’t as simple as it seems. From evaluating patient needs to applying thoughtful progressions, regressions, and lateralizations, Zach and Corrie explore how context, creativity, and clinical reasoning all shape effective programming. If you're a physical therapist, strength coach, or personal trainer looking to sharpen your practice, this episode delivers the kind of practical insight you can apply tomorrow.

In this inspiring episode of Strength in Knowledge, Zach Baker, DPT, sits down with Dr. Corrie Jones—14-year PT veteran and Director of Clinical Excellence at Rehab 2 Perform—to explore the story behind her journey into physical therapy. From overcoming her own injuries to discovering a deep passion for helping others, Corrie shares how her experiences as a patient, student, and clinician shaped her core values and clinical philosophy.Whether you're a PT student, new grad, or just curious about the heart behind great care, Corrie's story offers powerful takeaways on purpose, resilience, and what it means to grow in this profession.

In this 10-minute episode, Zach Baker, DPT, and Asher Roberts, DPT, unpack a 2024 study by Hashida et al. that sheds light on an often-overlooked issue: athletes may still have lingering deficits even after being cleared to return to play. Learn how a simple, feasible dual-task test can reveal residual post-concussion impairments that standard assessments might miss—and how this can impact your return-to-play decisions in the clinic.Referenced Study:Hashida et al. (2024). Feasible dual-task detects residual post-concussion deficits after return-to-play.DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2447666

In this episode of Strength in Knowledge, Zach Baker, DPT, sits down with Dr. Sean Pastuch—chiropractor, coach, and founder of Active Life—to explore the real story behind the business. Sean opens up about his journey from clinical care to becoming a mission-driven entrepreneur, and what he’s learned balancing career growth with family, values, and intentional living.Whether you're a clinician, coach, or aspiring business owner, this conversation offers candid insight into the mindset shifts and challenges that come with building something bigger than yourself.

In this quick-hitting episode, Zach Baker, DPT, and Tyler Betteridge, DPT, break down a groundbreaking 2025 study that challenges the long-held "rest is best" approach to concussion care. Learn how sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise can improve executive function in the early stages of sport-related concussion recovery—and what this means for your clinical practice. Quick, evidence-based, and directly applicable.Referenced Study:Rahimi et al. (2025). Sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise improves executive function during the early stage of sport-related concussion recovery.PMID: 39936544 | DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2453337

In this episode of Strength In Knowledge, we connect the dots between core stability and arm health in baseball pitchers. We dive into the recent study by DeZee and colleagues, which explores how lumbopelvic control during a simple step-down task relates to elbow-varus torque during pitching—an essential factor in UCL injury risk.The findings? A stable base may be just as critical as arm mechanics when it comes to protecting the elbow. We unpack what this means for movement assessments, injury prevention, and performance strategies in overhead athletes.🧠💪 From hips to fingertips, tune in to learn how the kinetic chain truly operates—and why a single-leg step-down might belong in your pitching screen.Association Between Lumbopelvic Stability During aSingle-Legged Step Down and Elbow-Varus Torque During Baseball PitchingZachary J. DeZee, BS; Adam J. Barrack, MS, CSCS; Kayla Bucci, BS;Ryan J. Zerega, MS; Rachel K. Straub, PhD, CSCS;Andrew R. Karduna, PhD; Lori A. Michener, PhD, PT, ATCPMCID: PMC11866787 /DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0697.23

In this episode of Strength In Knowledge, we take ACL rehabilitation to the next level—by going beyond just the physical. We explore how integrating neurocognitive training into ACL recovery protocols can improve movement quality, movement output, and ultimately reduce the risk of re-injury.We break down how this approach challenges the brain and body simultaneously, improving dynamic stability and decision-making under pressure—key elements for athletes returning to high-level sport. Whether you’re a clinician, coach, or athlete, this episode unpacks practical ways to apply neurocognitive principles to your rehab toolbox.🧠💥 Rehabbing the ACL isn’t just about strength—it’s about smarts. Tune in to find out how training the brain might just be the missing link in full recovery.

In this high-elevation episode of Strength In Knowledge, we explore how to optimize endurance performance when the air gets thin. Based on the research by Salgado, Ryan, Seeley, and Charkoudian, we dive into both traditional and cutting-edge strategies designed to help athletes thrive at altitude.From acclimatization protocols and hypoxic training to novel interventions like dietary supplements and advanced breathing techniques, this episode examines what the science says—and what actually works. Whether you're coaching endurance athletes, treating altitude-related fatigue, or training for your own alpine challenge, you’ll gain valuable insights into boosting performance when oxygen is limited.⛰️ Tune in to learn how to go further, faster, and stronger—no matter the altitude.Improving Endurance Exercise Performance at High Altitude: Traditional and Nontraditional Approaches Salgado, Roy M.; Ryan, Benjamin J.; Seeley, Afton D.; Charkoudian, Nisha DOI: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000347

In this episode of Strength In Knowledge, we turn up the heat—literally. As global temperatures rise and exertional heat illnesses become more common, knowing how to manage heatstroke effectively is critical for healthcare professionals and performance specialists alike.We break down the evidence-based protocols highlighted in the research by Caitlin Rublee and her team, exploring how emergency departments can—and should—respond swiftly to heatstroke. From rapid cooling techniques to systemic treatment decisions, we highlight the key takeaways that every clinician, coach, and rehab pro should know.🔥 Whether you're on the sideline, in the clinic, or prepping your athletes for extreme environments, this episode delivers essential strategies to recognize and respond to one of the most dangerous medical emergencies: heatstroke.Evidence-Based Heatstroke Management in the Emergency Department Caitlin Rublee, MD, MPH, Caleb Dresser, MD, Catharina Giudice, MD, Jay Lemery, MD, Cecilia Sorensen, MD PMCID: PMC7972371 /PMID: 33856299

In this episode of Strength In Knowledge, we break down the science of core performance with insights from Erika Zemková’s research on strength and power-related assessments. Core muscles do more than just support your posture—they’re pivotal in athletic performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. But how do we measure their effectiveness?We explore how Zemková’s study sheds light on the most relevant and practical ways to evaluate core muscle strength and power in both clinical and sports settings. Whether you're rehabbing an athlete or optimizing performance on the field, this episode provides actionable insights into integrating core assessments into your training or therapy protocols.🎯 Listen in as we discuss what makes a strong core truly functional—and how you can assess it with purpose.Strength and Power-Related Measures in Assessing Core Muscle Performance in Sport and RehabilitationErika ZemkováPMCID: PMC9108269 PMID: 35586718