Lateral Think - The Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast

Summary In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast, Dr. Felix Leung discusses his extensive research on sports-related concussions, focusing on the physiological impacts, assessment methods, and the role of physiotherapy in recovery and prevention. He elaborates on the importance of neck strength, lumbar spine characteristics, and vestibular function in relation to concussion risk, while also addressing the complexities of concussion symptoms and recovery protocols. This conversation delves into the complexities of concussion assessment and prevention, particularly in contact sports like rugby. The discussion highlights the importance of cervical spine interventions, the role of physiotherapists in treating concussions, and the growing trend of implementing preventative measures in elite sports. The conversation also explores the relationship between training loads, fatigue, and concussion risk, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to enhance player safety. Key recommendations for concussion prevention are discussed, alongside the evolving landscape of contact sports and the necessity for rule changes to protect athletes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Felix Leung 00:54 Exploring Concussion Research 06:01 Defining Concussion and Its Symptoms 11:38 The Role of Neck Strength in Concussion Risk 14:24 Lumbar Spine and Concussion Correlation 16:07 Research Findings on Lumbar Multifidus 22:01 Vestibular and Ocular Motor Screening 28:18 The Jaw's Role in Concussion Risk 28:40 Assessing Concussion and Cervical Spine Interventions 32:01 Trends in Concussion Prevention in Contact Sports 36:04 The Role of Lumbar Spine in Concussion Risk 37:59 Training Loads, Fatigue, and Concussion Risk 40:07 Key Recommendations for Concussion Prevention 46:00 The Future of Contact Sports and Player Safety Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Summary In this episode of the Melbourne Athlete Development Podcast, host Jack interviews Natalie Brettler, a physical therapist and fascia manipulation teacher. Natalie shares her journey from being a gymnast to becoming a physical therapist, emphasizing the importance of understanding fascia in rehabilitation and injury prevention. She discusses her experiences with elite athletes, the role of ultrasound in therapy, and the connections between different body parts. The conversation highlights the significance of sensory input and the impact of densifications in the fascial system, as well as practical applications of fascia manipulation in sports. Natalie also addresses the balance between stretching and strength training in gymnastics, sharing insights on reducing injuries through foam rolling before stretching. In this conversation, Natalie Brettler discusses the intricacies of gymnastics training, focusing on the importance of stretching, injury prevention, and the role of manual therapy. She emphasizes the need for dynamic stretching over static stretching, the benefits of foam rolling, and the significance of resistance training in a gymnast's regimen. Natalie shares her experiences from multiple Olympic cycles, highlighting how her approach to athlete management has evolved. The discussion also touches on the assessment of movement and the application of various manual therapy techniques to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Natalie Brettler 01:35 Natalie's Journey in Gymnastics and Physical Therapy 04:52 The Importance of Fascia in Physical Therapy 08:54 Understanding the Connection Between Body Parts 12:50 The Role of Ultrasound in Physical Therapy 18:46 Fascia Manipulation in Elite Sports 24:51 The Sensory Role of Fascia 30:06 Densifications and Their Impact on Athletes 34:14 Stretching and Strength in Gymnasts 38:22 Understanding Stretching and Injury in Gymnasts 40:06 The Role of Foam Rolling in Flexibility 41:26 Dynamic vs Static Stretching: Impacts on Performance 43:57 The Importance of Resistance Training in Gymnastics 45:46 Olympic Experience: Insights into Athlete Management 49:50 Manual Therapy: Techniques and Applications 01:01:19 Assessing Movement: The Role of Observation 01:04:10 Current Learning Interests and Future Directions Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Summary In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast, Associate Professor Brent Edwards discusses his extensive research on bone health, particularly focusing on stress fractures and the underlying mechanisms that contribute to these injuries. He emphasizes the importance of integrating both applied and basic research to fill gaps in understanding human biomechanics and injury prevention. The conversation explores individual variations in biomechanics, the complexity of loading and tissue quality, and the impact of training loads on injury risk. Additionally, Brent addresses gender differences in bone health and the implications of childhood obesity on bone strength. This conversation delves into the intricate relationship between physical activity, bone health, and injury prevention. It highlights the detrimental effects of obesity on bone quality, the significance of engaging in multi-directional sports for optimal bone development, and the mechanics of how bones adapt to various loading conditions. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of dynamic loading for bone health, the potential of wearable technology in monitoring injury risk, and insights into how footwear choices can influence stress fracture risks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brent Edwards and His Work 03:00 The Intersection of Applied and Basic Research 06:01 Understanding Stress Fractures 09:02 Mechanisms Behind Stress Fractures 11:58 Individual Variations in Injury Risk 15:00 The Complexity of Loading and Tissue Quality 17:57 Training Load and Injury Risk 21:00 Tailoring Training Loads for Individual Athletes 24:03 Tissue Capacity and Training History 27:02 Gender Differences in Bone Health 29:55 Influences on Bone Geometry 33:13 Adaptability of Bone Health Throughout Life 36:04 Childhood Obesity and Bone Health 36:33 Impact of Obesity on Bone Health 39:01 The Importance of Multi-Directional Sports for Bone Development 42:35 Mechanics of Bone Adaptation to Loading 48:15 Optimizing Bone Health Through Dynamic Loading 52:43 The Future of Wearable Technology in Injury Prevention 01:02:53 Research Insights on Footwear and Stress Fractures Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast, Lydia McCloskey, a national-level weightlifter and MAD physiotherapist, shares her unique journey from distance sports to weightlifting and how her background influences her approach to physiotherapy. The conversation delves into the importance of biomechanics in movement assessment, the impact of coaching on injury rehabilitation, and the challenges of over-cueing in coaching. Lydia emphasizes the need for self-awareness and feedback in improving movement patterns, highlighting the significance of understanding individual biomechanics and anthropometrics in optimizing athletic performance. In this conversation, we explore the intricacies of coaching and movement, particularly in the context of weightlifting and athletic development. The discussion highlights the importance of communication in coaching, the evolution of technical skills, and the relationship between biomechanics and tissue capacity. We also delve into the impact of anthropometrics on performance expectations, the critical balance between flexibility and strength, and the necessity of adapting techniques to individual limitations. The conversation concludes with reflections on personal growth and exploration in the field. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Lydia McCloskey's Journey 02:25 The Influence of Coaching on Physiotherapy Practice 11:20 Biomechanics and Movement Assessment in Weightlifting 17:20 Over-Cueing and Feedback in Coaching 21:14 Self-Critique and Movement Awareness 25:53 The Evolution of Technical Skills 30:42 Anthropometrics and Performance Expectations 32:32 The Importance of Flexibility and Strength 36:19 Adapting Techniques for Individual Limitations 40:59 Personal Growth and Exploration Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

In this episode the MAD team are joined by Adrian Mott. Adrian recently finished his role with Cricket Victoria after 12 years as a High Performance Coach in roles ranging from Speed Coach, Strength and Conditioning Lead and High Performance Manager. Adrian outlines the key factors related to the physical preparation of cricket, the use of technology and the vast changes in injury monitoring and management across his time in Cricket. Chapters 00:00 Adrian Mott's Journey in High Performance Coaching 10:08 The Evolution of Cricket Training and Technology 20:10 Understanding the Unique Demands of Cricket 30:57 Injury Management and Rehabilitation in Cricket 40:08 The Role of Athleticism in Modern Cricket 50:05 High Performance Coaching: Skills and Insights 01:00:25 Building Team Culture and Communication 01:09:30 Education and the Future of Coaching Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Summary In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast, Sam Toll shares his experiences preparing for and running his first marathon at the Gold Coast Marathon. He discusses the challenges faced during training, including illness and travel fatigue, and the importance of altitude training. Sam emphasizes the significance of mental preparation, nutrition, hydration, and pacing strategies on race day. He reflects on the lessons learned from his marathon experience and expresses his determination to improve in future races. Chapters 00:00 Preparing for the Marathon Journey 02:52 Experiencing the Gold Coast Marathon 05:59 Altitude Training Insights 09:02 Navigating Illness and Travel Fatigue 11:46 Race Day Decisions and Mental Preparation 15:07 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies 18:00 The Importance of Warm-Up 20:54 Pacing Strategies and Race Dynamics 23:59 Lessons Learned from the Marathon Experience Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast, Avish Sharma discusses his journey as a physiologist in athletics, sharing insights from his experiences at the Olympic Games and World Championships. He delves into the complexities of heat management strategies for athletes, the importance of psychological factors in performance, and the dynamics of team support. Avish emphasizes the significance of training tolerance and how top athletes excel due to their ability to handle higher training loads. The conversation highlights the balance between scientific knowledge and interpersonal skills in enhancing athlete performance. This conversation delves into the complexities of athletic development, focusing on the interplay between genetic potential, training methodologies, and psychological resilience. The discussion highlights the importance of creative coaching, the role of belief systems in performance, and the recent successes of Australian distance runners, particularly among women. The speakers explore how resilience and adaptability in athletes can lead to greater success, while also addressing the dynamics of gender in athletics and the evolving landscape of training practices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Avish Sharma 02:50 Transition to Athletics and Team Dynamics 06:09 Heat Management Strategies in Athletics 08:54 Understanding Athlete Performance and Psychology 12:10 The Role of Team Structure and Support 14:50 Training Tolerance and Performance Factors 18:11 Observations from the Olympics and Future Directions 52:28 Understanding Athletic Potential and Limitations 55:31 The Role of Novel Training Stimuli 58:43 Creative Coaching and Athlete Development 01:01:33 Resilience in Athletes: Learning from Setbacks 01:04:59 The Influence of Belief Systems on Performance 01:12:11 The Renaissance of Distance Running in Australia 01:20:48 Gender Dynamics in Australian Athletics 01:25:42 Exploring the Future of Australian Athletics Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Jack and John discuss a recent paper on hamstring injury rates in professional European football over the past 20 seasons. They explore the factors contributing to the increasing injury rates and question the effectiveness of current injury prevention strategies. They highlight the multifactorial nature of hamstring injuries, including strength, flexibility, running biomechanics, and fatigue. The hosts also discuss the limitations of focusing solely on strength training, such as the Nordic hamstring curl, and emphasize the importance of considering other factors like flexibility and tissue strain. They also touch on the controversial topic of changes in muscle architecture with eccentric loading. The conversation explores the factors contributing to the increasing rates of hamstring injuries in European football. It emphasizes the importance of training stimulus that provides the necessary capacities for sporting tasks and gradual exposure to high-intensity sprinting. The conversation also highlights the impact of fatigue and the demanding schedule of football leagues on muscle tissue and injury risk. It discusses the role of biomechanics, metabolic conditioning, and the need for a comprehensive approach to injury prevention. The conversation concludes by addressing the limitations of current injury prevention strategies and the importance of collaboration between coaches, sports medicine staff, and players. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Apologies 04:03 Factors Contributing to Increasing Injury Rates 18:46 Limitations of Current Injury Prevention Strategies 25:02 The Multifactorial Nature of Hamstring Injuries 27:18 Importance of Athletes' Beliefs and Feelings 29:21 The Limitations of Maximal Eccentric Loading 32:51 Considering Factors Beyond Strength Training 36:22 Importance of training stimulus and gradual exposure to high-intensity sprinting 43:22 Role of biomechanics in hamstring injuries 50:41 Limitations of current injury prevention strategies Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Dale Stevenson, former athlete and current Olympic Throws coach, discusses his transition from Olympic Shot Putter to rugby union and then to elite coaching. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the capacity and efficiency problems in sports, particularly in throws events. Dale also shares his perspective on success in coaching and the need for honesty, self-awareness, and a focus on the individual athlete. He discusses the balance between belief structures and the importance of protecting the team environment. Dale highlights the value of open and honest communication and the need to align with professionals who share the same values and beliefs. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of effective communication and psychological development in coaching. They explore the challenges of finding the right psychologist to work with and the value of open and honest relationships with athletes. They also touch on the role of the coach as an agitator and the need for constant adaptation and experimentation in coaching. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of curiosity, vulnerability, and intellectual growth in coaching. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:59 Transition from Athletics to Rugby Union 05:51 Understanding Capacity and Efficiency in Sports 15:04 Defining Success in Coaching 18:45 Protecting the Team Environment 32:04 The Importance of Open and Honest Communication 42:52 Managing Belief Structures and External Influences 49:13 Effective Communication and Psychological Development 51:03 Finding the Right Psychologist 53:05 The Role of the Coach as an Agitator 55:15 Adaptation and Experimentation in Coaching 01:30:14 The Value of Curiosity, Vulnerability, and Intellectual Growth Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Dr. Melinda Smith, a physiotherapist and lecturer at the University of Queensland, discusses her research on lower limb musculoskeletal function and health, with a particular focus on the foot and ankle. She explains that her interest in the foot and ankle developed during her honours degree and has continued since then. Dr. Smith highlights the importance of the intrinsic foot muscles and their relationship with the plantar fascia in foot function. She discusses the challenges of studying these muscles and the need for further research to understand their role in conditions like plantar heel pain. Dr. Smith also emphasizes the potential of technology and wearable devices in advancing research and data collection. In this conversation, Melinda Smith and Melbourne Athletic Development discuss the importance of foot muscles in foot function and injury prevention. They explore the role of intrinsic foot muscles in force production and proprioception. They also discuss the impact of footwear and orthoses on foot mechanics and muscle function. The conversation highlights the need for further research in this area and emphasizes the importance of training foot muscles to prepare for higher-level activities. The speakers also touch on the topics of time management, vulnerability, and personal development outside of professional work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:23 Interest in Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Function 10:47 Advancements in Technology and Research Process 19:32 The Role of Intrinsic Foot Muscles in Foot Function 25:58 Observations and Assessments of Foot Strength 32:26 The Potential of Intrinsic Foot Muscles in Athletic Performance 35:31 The Importance of Intrinsic Foot Muscles 36:29 The Impact of Footwear and Orthoses 39:32 The Need for Further Research 41:51 Training Foot Muscles for Higher-Level Activities 47:45 Balancing Time Management and Personal Development Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Associate Professor Michelle Smith discusses her background and journey from Canada to Australia. She specializes in sports physiotherapy and focuses on lower limb musculoskeletal injuries. The conversation explores the differences between physiotherapy practices in Canada and Australia, as well as the biases and limitations in each country. The main focus of Michelle's research is chronic ankle instability and its continuum, including acute ankle injuries and ankle osteoarthritis. The discussion also touches on the definition and causes of chronic ankle instability, biomechanical deficits, and the role of proximal muscle strength. The conversation explores the topics of kinematics, assessment, and treatment of chronic ankle instability. It discusses the importance of balance, proprioception, and hip and knee strength in managing chronic ankle instability. The conversation also delves into the role of skill and specific sport-related activities in predicting match performance in soccer players. It emphasizes the need to progress beyond physiological measures and focus on skill-specific training to enhance performance. Additionally, the conversation touches on the relationship between ankle osteoarthritis and systemic factors, as well as the limitations in research comparing surgical and non-surgical treatments for chronic ankle instability. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:36 Interest in Lower Limb Injuries 07:39 Research Focus on Chronic Ankle Instability 13:15 Causes of Chronic Ankle Instability 19:13 Structural Damage and Chronic Ankle Instability 25:07 Biomechanical Deficits and Proximal Muscle Strength 28:20 Kinematic Changes in Chronic Ankle Instability 28:28 Understanding Kinematics and Mechanics 29:19 Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability 31:29 The Complexity of Balance and Dynamic Tasks 35:36 Exploring the Role of Foot and Ankle Muscles 46:15 Skill-Specific Training and Match Performance 53:19 Progressing Beyond Physiological Measures 56:46 Outdoor Activities and Nature Exploration Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Dr. Kathryn Mills, a physiotherapist and senior lecturer, discusses her research on joint pain and osteoarthritis. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of these conditions and the need for individualized treatment approaches. Dr. Mills explores the role of gait deviations and neuromuscular patterns in osteoarthritis, highlighting the influence of pain on movement patterns. She also discusses the challenges of managing pain in osteoarthritis and the potential benefits of strength training and plyometrics. Overall, Dr. Mills emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to managing osteoarthritis and improving pain outcomes. In this conversation, Kathryn Mills discusses various topics related to pain management, exercise behavior, and running. She emphasizes the importance of considering the patient's goals and preferences when developing a management plan. She also highlights the need to balance building strength and altering biomechanics in order to improve function. The conversation touches on the impact of knee crepitus on exercise behavior and the benefits of exercise frequency and intensity. The discussion also explores the role of barefoot running and the importance of transitioning gradually. Outside of her professional work, Kathryn enjoys running and playing the piano. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:18 Diverse Research Background 07:11 Interest in Osteoarthritis Research 10:20 Working Overseas and Research Differences 14:17 Gait Deviations in Osteoarthritis 19:07 Neuromuscular Patterns in Osteoarthritis 23:08 Implications for Strength Training and Plyometrics 25:19 EMG Analysis and Muscle Activation 26:09 Understanding the Impact of Pain on Muscle Activity 27:17 Balancing Strength and Biomechanics in Rehabilitation 30:41 Considering Patient Goals in Pain Management 34:17 Optimal Exercise Frequency and Intensity 41:23 Exploring the Role of Barefoot Running 44:12 Transitioning to Barefoot Running 52:14 Developing Sensory Skills for Manual Therapy Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Dr. Caterina Fede discusses the importance of fascia and its increasing recognition in the field of research. Fascia, once considered a white envelope for muscles, is now being studied for its microscopic aspects and its role in physiological and pathological situations. The number of publications on fascia has significantly increased in the last decade, indicating a growing interest in the topic. Aging has been found to affect the fascial tissue, leading to changes in collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and hyaluronan. The stiffness and thickness of the fascia increase with age, which may contribute to a loss of motor control and coordination in older individuals. The conversation explores the role of fascia in the musculoskeletal system and its connection to the internal organs. The guest, Caterina Fede, discusses her research on the fascial tissue and its implications for health and well-being. They delve into topics such as the communication between fascia and the musculoskeletal system, the importance of organ motility, the effects of stress on fascia, and the role of fascia in pain and inflammation. They also touch on the superficial fascia and its physiological role, as well as the relationship between diet, autonomic nervous system, and superficial fascia dysfunction. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:03 The Growing Interest in Fascia Research 06:48 The Impact of Aging on Fascial Tissue 10:00 Understanding the Microscopic Aspects of Fascia 18:01 The Role of Fascia in Motor Control and Coordination 25:07 The Characteristics of Visceral Fascia 34:56 The Relationship Between Visceral and Muscular Fascia 36:11 The Fascinating Connection Between Fascia and the Musculoskeletal System 37:34 Unraveling the Role of Fascia in Organ Motility and Function 40:59 The Impact of Stress on Fascia and its Implications for Health 50:57 Exploring the Physiology and Functions of the Superficial Fascia 56:35 The Influence of Diet and the Autonomic Nervous System on Superficial Fascia Dysfunction 01:05:32 The Importance of Integration and Personalized Care in Fascial Research Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

In this episode of the Melbourne Athletic Development Podcast John is joined by Brett Robinson, the director of Viking Athletics. They discuss athletic development, long-term planning, and the challenges of working with team sport athletes. Brett shares his approach to assessing and improving acceleration in field sport athletes, including the use of sleds and wickets. He also discusses the importance of microdosing training and the conservative approach taken by team sport performance staff. The conversation touches on the technical aspects of running and the differences between track athletes and field sport athletes. In this conversation, Brett Bartholomew discusses his coaching approach for sprinters, specifically focusing on AFL players and 400-meter runners. He emphasizes the importance of teaching proper running mechanics, including dorsiflexion control, and the need for athletes to develop a strong aerobic base. Brett also shares his coaching model, which is influenced by various coaches and emphasizes front mechanics and a neutral pelvis position. He discusses the challenges of coaching 400-meter runners and the importance of developing the ability to deal with discomfort and lactic acid. Brett also touches on the process of closing the gap between national and international representation and the need for athletes to maintain focus and avoid complacency. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:30 Understanding Athletic Development 03:06 Long-Term Planning and Project Management 08:23 Challenges of Working with Team Sport Athletes 14:12 Improving Acceleration in Field Sport Athletes 18:08 The Benefits of Microdosing Training 20:41 Technical Aspects of Running in Field Sports 27:10 Proper Running Mechanics for Sprinters 29:30 AFL Players vs. Track Athletes 39:41 Coaching Approach for 400-Meter Runners 45:39 Training Model for Ellie Beer53:16 Closing the Gap: From National to International Representation Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au

Dr. Judd Kalkhoven discusses his research on understanding soft tissue injuries and developing a conceptual model for injury prevention. He emphasizes the importance of starting with a comprehensive theoretical framework to explain the phenomenon of injury and then testing the assumptions within that framework. He also highlights the limitations of using proxies, such as GPS data, to predict injuries and the need for more accurate measures of mechanical load and tissue strength. Dr. Kalkhoven explains the difference between prediction and intervention and the challenges of accurately predicting individual injury risk. He raises concerns about the cost of injury prevention strategies and the need for accurate data to justify restricting athletes' training. In this conversation, Judd Kalkhoven discusses the challenges of using prediction models in sports injury prevention and the limitations of current research in this field. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the performance of the models being used and the need for a philosophy of training load in the absence of accurate predictions. Kalkhoven also explores the conceptual exploration of hamstring muscle tendon function during sprinting and highlights the complexity of hamstring function and the limitations of exercises that claim to mimic it. He discusses the cultural problem of hyper-conservatism in injury prevention and the importance of individualized approaches. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:12 The Conceptual Model for Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries 08:05 Taking a Step Back: Philosophy and Approach to Injury 11:19 The Importance of Causal Models in Injury Research 17:26 Predictability of Injuries: Challenges and Possibilities 23:06 Causality vs. Prediction: Different Approaches for Different Problems 29:42 The Limitations of Prediction and the Cost of Injury Prevention 35:12 Evaluating the Performance of Prediction Models 36:19 The Philosophy of Training Load 46:33 The Complexity of Hamstring Function 52:48 The Limitations of Exercises 53:46 Balancing Hyper-Conservatism and Individualized Approaches Melbourne Athletic Development is a sports and injury management clinic based in Melbourne, Australia. To maximise your performance or optimise your injury management contact the team at www.melbourneathleticdevelopment.com.au