MMOA Podcast - Physical Therapy | Fitness | Geriatrics

In this episode, Dr. Christina Prevett interviews Dr. James McKendry, an expert in nutrition and healthy aging, focusing on the unique population of master athletes. They discuss the physiological differences between master athletes and sedentary older adults, the importance of resistance training, and the impact of lifelong exercise on muscle health and performance metrics like VO2 max. The conversation also touches on cardiovascular health, gender differences in athletic performance, and the role of nutrition in combating sarcopenia. Dr. McKendry emphasizes that it's never too late to start exercising and that older adults can still respond positively to exercise interventions. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction to Master Athletes and Research Background 03:06 Understanding Master Athletes and Aging 05:50 Muscle Physiology and Aging  08:56 Resistance Training and Its Importance 12:08 Endurance Athletes and Their Unique Physiology 15:08 VO2 Max and Its Implications for Aging 17:53 Cardiovascular Health in Master Athletes 20:49 Gender Differences in Master Athletes 23:42 Sarcopenia and Muscle Health 26:59 The Role of Nutrition in Aging and Exercise 29:49 Future Research Directions and Closing Thoughts

  In this podcast episode, Ellen Csepe discusses the essential strategies healthcare providers should adopt when treating patients on GLP-1 medications. She emphasizes the importance of being supportive cheerleaders for patients, the necessity of strength training to preserve muscle mass, and the critical role of adequate protein intake in managing weight loss effectively. Csepe highlights the unique position of healthcare providers to positively impact their patients' journeys and encourages a proactive approach to patient care. Want to make sure you stay up to date in all things Geriatrics in less than 3 minutes every other week? Join thousands of others in our free MMOA Digest Email list - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.kit.com/a3837f54b7  

Most clinicians crush the evaluation… and then spend the next several visits wondering why their treatment sessions feel flat. In this episode, we sit down with J.J. Mowder-Tinney, a true wizard of crafting salient, meaningful, movement-rich sessions, to talk about the moment that actually matters: How do you turn your evaluation into a treatment session that changes something? J.J. breaks down how to shift from checking boxes to building experiences—sessions that engage the brain, challenge the body, and make every rep count. We explore: Why salience isn't fluff — it's the lever that drives neuroplastic change How to translate your eval findings into interventions that actually matter Using standing rests, strategic intensity, and real movement retraining Why even a single well-placed high-intensity burst can outperform a whole session of underdosed "activity" What happens when patients stay physically engaged instead of passively seated The power of controlling your session, even when you can't control the system This conversation is a masterclass in doing more with the minutes you have, ditching the excuses, and designing sessions that older adults feel, remember, and grow from. Relevant Links: https://jjmowderpt.com https://www.instagram.com/jjmowderpt/ ----- Want to stay on top of all things #oldNOTweak? Sign up for our free, bi-weekly email newsletter, the MMOA Digest - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.kit.com/a3837f54b7

In this episode, Dr. Macy Bolt unpacks a recent study that utilizes a fan-favorite balance measure to better identify our patients who may have impaired cognitive function! DOI: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000463 Want to make sure you stay up to date in all things Geriatrics in less than 3 minutes every other week? Join thousands of others in our free MMOA Digest Email list - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.kit.com/a3837f54b7   

Trisa Hutchinson, Doctor of Occupational Therapy reviews 3 tips for navigating the conversation of when an older adult should stop driving. Here you learn about what to look for in the clinic, who to refer to for a concrete answer, and how to support your older adults with community mobility if they are no longer safe with driving. If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

Join Kay Mayordomo, PT, DPT (@kaym23) as she discusses her experience with a bed bound patient, emphasizing the importance of a fitness forward approach to regain mobility and independence for these patients. Kay shares a case study of a patient with multiple sclerosis, detailing her exercise program, caregiver/care home involvement, and the progress made towards function and preventing pressure ulcers.   Want to make sure you stay up to date in all things Geriatrics in less than 3 minutes every other week? Join thousands of others in our free MMOA Digest Email list - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.kit.com/a3837f54b7

In this episode, we go through a case study for a client who came in with a Baker's cyst. We go through subjective reporting, objective measurements, and overall treatment goals and progressions to maximize the client's goals.  While this might not be a common diagnosis we see, it is something to keep in the back of your head as one of the biggest predictors is history of knee pain, arthritis, and meniscul injury.  Want to make sure you stay up to date in all things Geriatrics in less than 3 minutes every other week? Join thousands of others in our free MMOA Digest Email list - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.kit.com/a3837f54b7

Join @theradork to discuss 5 clinical presentations of patients who were able to benefit from AFOs and LITERALLY climb mountains with the right selection! Using an AFO might feel like you're allowing weakness to win, but in reality, the right AFO can make a huge difference in endurance and fall prevention!  If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

Join @coach.noush_dpt as she dive's into the article "Exploration of combined physical activity and music for patients with Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review".  If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

Dive into a reframe on using hobbies as a gateway to fitness with @macybolt! If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

Join @trisaleehutch as she explains why Occupational Therapists need to be using deadlifts in session to help changes their patient's lives.  If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

In this episode, we sit down with Steven Coen, founder of SaRa Health, to unpack how outpatient rehab can actually use RTM to boost both patient engagement and clinic revenue—without drowning in extra admin work. Steven cuts through the noise around RTM, debunking the biggest misconceptions and showing what these new CPT codes can (and can't) do for your practice. We talk barriers, best practices, and how smarter tech integration can help you stay connected to patients long after they've left the clinic. If you've ever wondered whether RTM is worth your time—or how it fits into a fitness-forward, outcomes-driven model—this episode will help you see the opportunity clearly. Links: https://SaRaHealth.com steven@sarahealth.com Want to make sure you stay up to date in all things Geriatrics in less than 3 minutes every other week? Join thousands of others in our free MMOA Digest Email list - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.kit.com/a3837f54b7

Training isn't just for the gym — it's for the airport, the cobblestone streets, and the luggage overhead bins. ✈️ Today, @sbship8_dpt dives into the exercises she loves to train older adults for their travel and why. Want more practical, evidence-based strategies for working with older adults? Subscribe to the MMOA Digest -- your fast, no-fluff update on what actually matters in geriatric care. Join here - MMOA Digest Sign Up

In this episode of the MMOA Podcast, Dustin Jones sits down with Dr. Mariana Wingood to cut through the noise and talk about what really drives physical activity in outpatient care. They unpack the barriers we often create as clinicians, the simple strategies that actually get older adults moving, and how tech can be a tool instead of a distraction. Mariana highlights the power of setting realistic but challenging goals, meeting patients where they are without lowering the bar. This isn't about checking boxes — it's about empowering older adults to own their activity, push past limitations, and build the capacity they need to thrive. Mentioned Links: Incorporating Physical Activity Assessments and Behavior Change Techniques Into Geriatrics - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38163022/ Identifying Potential Determinants That Can Impact the Implementation of a Physical Activity Pathway in Outpatient Physical Therapy: A Mixed Methods Study - https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/105/8/pzaf088/8180249 BAP-MI: A Novel Stepped-Care Integration of Brief Action Planning and Motivational Interviewing to Optimize Outcomes - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10546553/ Brief Action Planning - https://bapprofessionalnetwork.org/ mariana.wingood@wfusm.edu --- 🔥 Want more practical, evidence-based strategies for working with older adults? Subscribe to the MMOA Digest — your fast, no-fluff update on what actually matters in geriatric care. Join here - https://institute-of-clinical-excellence.ck.page/a3837f54b7

After bariatric surgery, patients face decreased muscle strength, sarcopenia, bone loss, and decreased function. Reaching out to bariatric surgeons in your area could fill a void in your community! Join Dr. Ellen Csepe to discuss how our work can serve patients better

In this episode of the MMOA podcast, host Dustin Jones discusses the 90 Plus Study with guests Dr. Nikki Arnold and Dr. Katherine Colcord. They explore the significance of normative values for the five-times sit-to-stand test and other outcome measures for individuals aged 90 and older. We discuss the importance of understanding this unique population, the clinical implications of their research, and the potential for future studies to improve care for older adults. This is a must-listen for clinicians working with people 90+ Mentioned Links: Reference Values Derived From The 90+ Study: The Five Times Sit to Stand Test Gait Speed Reference Values for Adults Aged 90 and Older: The 90+ Study The Importance of Racially and Ethnically Inclusive Gait Speed Reference Values in Individuals 90 Years and Older: LifeAfter90 Falls in the Oldest Old: Role of Gender, Living Situation, and Assistive Devices The 90+ Study Emails: Nikki Arnold - njagusch@yahoo.com Katherine Colcord - kcolcord@uci.edu --- Want more helpful information to serve the 90+ community? Check out our Older Adult Specialist Certification at https://ptonice.com/mmoa

Join Dr. Macy Bolt as she talks about how to use genuine curiosity to improve your patient's experience with rehab! If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

In this episode of the MMOA podcast, host Dustin Jones interviews Dr. Betsy Spieler, a physical therapist and business owner, about her experiences at the National Senior Games and her journey in the fitness and therapy space. Betsy shares her observations from competing and supporting other athletes, the impact of her experiences on her clinical practice, and the importance of engagement and motivation in health. She discusses her business, Stay Strong Omaha, which aims to bridge the gap between therapy and fitness for older adults, and highlights the opportunities for physical therapists in this growing field. If you're curious about the Senior Games or starting your own Fitness/PT Hybrid practice, this episode is for you! Mentioned Links: Betsy Spieler Instagram Stay Strong Omaha - Facebook Page --- Want to learn how to better serve Senior and Masters Athletes? Check out our ICE Certified Older Adult Specialist Certification at https://PTonICE.com/mmoa

Go the extra mile and join @trisaleehutch to learn about the 3A's to support an increase in hydration for your geriatric patients.  If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

Join Dr. Kay Mayordomo, PT, DPT as she reflects on a trip to Sardinia and what it taught her about how striving for longevity doesn't have to be complicated. If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.