Strength In Knowledge

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

In this episode of Strength In Knowledge, we step off the mound and into the lab to explore a surprising connection: how lower body jump performance might predict elbow injuries in professional baseball pitchers. Based on the intriguing study by Mayberry, Mullen, and Murayama, we break down how biomechanics and asymmetries seen in jump tests could flag potential risks for UCL injuries.From kinetic chain theory to practical screening tools, we discuss the implications of this research for strength coaches, rehab specialists, and anyone involved in the performance care of throwing athletes. Could a vertical jump really tell you something about elbow health? Turns out—it might.⚾💥 Tune in to rethink how we assess risk and build resilience in overhead athletes, starting from the ground up.What Can a Jump Tell Us About Elbow Injuries in Professional Baseball Pitchers?John Mayberry, Scott Mullen, Scott MurayamaPMID: 32119563  DOI: 10.1177/0363546520905543

In this episode of Strength In Knowledge, we dive into the fascinating world of ergonomics and product design through the lens of groundbreaking research on backpack development. Join us as we unpack the study by Mohamed Z. Ramadan and Sultan N. Al-Tayyar, who explored how to engineer a backpack that reduces strain, improves posture, and enhances comfort for users across different age groups and physical demands.From design theory to real-world testing, we explore how their ergonomic innovations aim to minimize the musculoskeletal risks associated with traditional backpacks—especially relevant for students, commuters, and healthcare professionals alike. Whether you’re a physical therapist, strength coach, or simply someone tired of shoulder pain, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.📚 Tune in to learn how small design changes can lead to big benefits for body mechanics and long-term health.Development and Experimental Verification of an Ergonomic BackpackMohamed Z. Ramadan and Sultan N. Al-TayyarNLM UID: 101600173/DOI: 10.1155/2020/1437126

In this episode of Strength in Knowledge, we dive into the science and strategy behind return-to-sport testing for the upper body. From overhead athletes to contact sport competitors, upper body readiness is critical—but how do we truly know when an athlete is ready?We break down current best practices, objective measures, functional testing protocols, and the clinical reasoning that goes into making safe, evidence-based return-to-play decisions.Whether you're a rehab professional, coach, or athlete, this episode will equip you with the insights you need to approach upper body return-to-sport testing with confidence and clarity.