BRINGING SCIENCE TO TREATMENT
in Sports psychology, Tools and technology
Andrew Hamilton looks at new research on the growing popularity of analgesic medication use by athletes, and considers the implications for clinicians with athletes in their care. As an ex-triathlete, researcher and writer, I spend a lot of my spare time searching through the scientific literature on sports health and injury. It was with great... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Sports psychology, Tools and technology
Fear is an emotional response to a threat, either real or perceived. It is a great motivator and rapidly modifies behavior. Fear avoidance is making behavioral choices to avoid that which instills fear, like taking a circuitous route to keep from driving down a street you know is a police speed trap. As discussed in... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Sports psychology
Let’s face it, no one ever walks into the physiotherapist’s clinic because they feel awesome. The thing that usually brings them in is pain of one sort or another. Whether it’s acute pain from a recent incident or a niggling pain that’s been bothersome for a while, people seek out physios because something hurts. Embracing... MORE
In the first of a 2-part article, Pat Gilham explores the biomechanics of the golf swing and the implications for prevention. The golf swing is a multi-segmented and complex skill, which involves accurate body perception and well-coordinated muscular actions(1). It involves a kinetic chain initiated from movement of the legs and hips followed by the trunk... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Improve, Sports psychology, Tools and technology
In a recent article on the language of pain, physio Karen Litzy reviews how to speak to athletes about their pain. However, how good are physios in understanding a particular athlete’s pain perception and the factors that contribute to it? In today’s newsletter, we begin a series looking at the complex factors that surround pain,... MORE
in Acute injuries, Improve, Prevent
Andrew Hamilton looks at what the scientific research has to say regarding snow sports injury and injury prevention. Skiing and (increasingly) snowboarding are becoming mass-participation sports, enjoyed by participants of all ages and abilities. For example, in North America alone, there are more than 78 million annual visits to ski areas by skiers and snowboarders of... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Improve, Knee injuries, Tools and technology
As Karen Litzy explains in her recent article, pain is a complex phenomenon. For a time, it was considered the fourth vital sign. However, it’s an unreliable symptom. Unlike blood pressure or pulse, pain is subjective. It’s expression and perception differs among genders, cultures, socioeconomic status, race, current emotions, and just about every other aspect... MORE
Pain and sport often go hand in hand. Physio Karen Litzy explains the best way to communicate with athletes about their pain experience. Athletes are told to push through the pain, grin and bear, suck it up, or take one for the team. There are times when this might be appropriate, but for the most... MORE
in Email Newsletters, Power development, Strength
Running injuries to the knees and ankles often occur as a result of gluteal weakness. Without stability at the pelvis, the lower body bears the brunt of the forces of running in ways they weren’t designed to do. Therefore, strengthening the gluts is usually a priority for injured runners. Which exercises are the best to... MORE
in Prevent, Tools and technology
With the competitive season looming, Andrew Hamilton examines the current best thinking on vaccination for athletes, and makes recommendations for sports clinicians. Without doubt, vaccination is one of the greatest triumphs of modern medicine. Many serious diseases that used to routinely maim or kill large numbers of people are no longer a threat. More than that,... MORE
