In this episode, I sat down with @hunterfitness for what was supposed to be a series of short, Q&A posts. However, once we got going, we just kept going. As a result, we are releasing this as a full podcast! Some of the topics we discuss: Sport specific training, recent case studies, and training program alterations Programming for general population and moving well for life The difference between effort and intensity and how it changes client training Training for longevity Athletic injury force profiles and athletic training force profiles - matching one to another Rehab of muscle injuries . . . And many more. Hope you enjoy the chat. Also available on YouTube: youtube.com/DrAndreoSpina
In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking at the Royal College of Chiropractic Sport Sciences of Canada (RCCSS) Move 2020 Virtual Conference: The psychological, biomechanical and neurophysiological implications of human movement. I discussed some foundational FRS® principles in our approach to injury management and athletic development. Topics include: How are movements created? Natural selection for movement during embryologicaldevelopment. The process of joint cavitation and why space matters. Looking through the lens of physics to better understand movement…and many more. This episode provides an overview of the key principles governing the thought process behind training and treating homo sapiens. To see all the graphics, watch on YouTube.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Chivers to discuss our ongoing development of the FRS Spine Practitioner course. We touch upon back pain epidemiology, historic approaches to spine training, the shortcomings of spinal literature, the evolution of the bipedal spine, spinal anatomy and neurophysiology physiology, and other topics. This episode, as will the upcoming course, provides vital information for manual practitioners and the S&C community alike who are tasked with the ongoing care of spinal pain and function? You can also watch this episode on YouTube. https://youtu.be/5NhxW5vjWpU
In this episode Dr. Spina sits down with Sport Specialist Chiropractor, and FRS Instructor Dr. Michael Chivers to discuss the functional anatomy and clinical management of the shoulder girdle. However, as is usually the case, the conversation ends up following a number of important tangent topics, this time related to the overarching idea of system emergence and how it affects the evolution of human movement, anatomic evolution, injury creation, as well as injury management. This deep dive is invaluable for the listeners of all backgrounds including Strength & Conditioning specialists, Manual Therapists and medical practitioners, as well as those simply looking to improve their physical wellbeing.
In this episode Dr. Spina sits down with Dr. John Saratsiotis Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Biochemist, and lead FRS instructor to discuss a controversial topic in the world of manual therapy and injury management, namely the topic of soft tissue Fibrosis. What is it? How does it form? How does it affect force transmission and the many misconceptions surrounding both its existence following injury as well as soft tissue management. We also cover related concepts including tissue directionality in the fascial system, the evolution of tissue healing in humans, what pain is and the role manual therapy plays in its management, and selection of appropriate therapeutic outcome measures. Complete with scientific references, this talk is a deep dive into the cellular understanding of fibrosis and how it effects human performance making it an important listen for Strength & Conditioning specialists and Manual Therapists alike. To get the most out of this episode, watch it on YouTube where we reference illustrations and scientific sources.
John Quint and I recently visited Tom Barry, Chief Operations Officer of Westside Barbell, and we’ll be co-releasing that episode in the coming weeks. For this podcast, John and I took the opportunity to sit down to discuss John’s history at WSBB and his relationship with Louie Simmons who was a pioneer in developing world, record- breaking strength athletes. We also discuss the present state of strength training and how it has evolved to include training the internal environment. Some of the topics discussed are: The evolution of strength The use of resistance bands in life at WBSS What are the force velocity and force posture curves Internal versus External training What embryology tells us about anatomy Quint’s specialty training for offensive lineman How much strength do you need for sport? And much more. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website. To watch on YouTube, visit Dr Andreo Spina
In this episode I sit down with FRS Instructor Josh Halbert for a philosophical discussion about the concept of “exercise”. We discuss the merits of using an evolutionary perspective to view exercise, modern approaches to physical training, inherent problems with current approaches, and how to reframe intentions and results through training. Other topics include: The influence of memetic selection on exercise creation The history of sports science Complex system emergence Strength programming for trained vs untrained populations What it means to send physiological signals for sport specific results And multiple other topics Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
In this podcast, I sit down with FRS Master Instructor Dr. Michael Chivers for a technical discussion about the evolutionary perspective of anatomy with special attention on the hip joint. We explore how evolutionary pressures forged anatomical structures and their influence on the biomechanics of joints and how the FRS Bioflow model differs from traditional understandings of anatomy. We also discuss the concept of tissue force profiles, tissue specificity in palpation and rehabilitation, and clinical examples from our experiences treating and training clients. Some of the specific anatomy discussed includes: Joint space of the hip Capsular tissues and ligament formation in evolution The adductor magnus, longus, and brevis The rectus femoris The gluteus minimus Pain and referral patterns And more... If you would like to see the related anatomy visuals, please watch the podcast on YouTube. https://youtu.be/URYpG5UvjnA Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
In this episode Dr. Spina sits down with FRS Master Instructor Hunter Cook to discuss case study of a retired professional baseball pitcher. Though an FRS lens, Hunter and Dre discuss how this athlete’s training was managed over time with reference videos and photos of his progress. Topics covered in the conversation include: The pathophysiological effects of pitching over time The pitfalls of kinetic chain assessment Shoulder dynamics in pitching Establishing active to passive ratios The importance of neurological-biological afferent and efferent communication The relationship between motor learning, skill acquisition and tissue quality Creation and maintenance of cortical action maps Cultivation of musculoskeletal longevity And many more… Whether you are manual therapist, S&C coach or athlete, this episode highlights the intricacies of improving and/or reversing deleterious effects of decades of performing at the highest levels of human athletics. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
In this bonus episode we listen in on a meeting between Dr. Spina and FRS instructors John Quint and Dewey Nielsen as they discuss a variety of topics surrounding two cases of Jiu Jitsu athletes with very different backgrounds. Topics covered in the conversation include the cultivation of absolute strength in non-absolute strength sport athletes; how to prioritize training goals using the FRS Internal Strength Model; the “Training Delusion”; dosing of Internal vs. External training; injury management programming, and many more. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
Volume has largely been viewed as an endlessly positive quality to pursue in current strength and conditioning protocols. However, “more” doesn’t alway equal “better”. In this episode, Dr. Spina sits down with FRS Instructors John Quint and Dr. Michael Chivers to discuss programming and volume issues in training. What are the downsides of pursuing volume? Moreover, what is missing from standard-model training programs? Topics include: What is strength? How to elicit specific endocrine responses towards building this strength. Training inputs and how they can be defined and categorized. Programming and the importance of intensity. Blind-spots in current approaches to clinical rehabilitation. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
LOAD > CAPACITY = INJURY. Using this simple equation as a starting point, Dr. Spina explores the idea of Load Management in professional athletics. Specifically, he discusses how a shift in focus to tissue specific training can hedge an athlete's tissue capacity against the increasing loading demands that occur over their career. Topics covered include injury mitigation and management, the physiology of tissue healing, cellular communication and force signalling, loading ‘vacations’ in professional sport, and more. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
In this episode Dr. Spina discusses the management of low back pain and what may be missing from your treatment and/or rehabilitation strategy. Topics include the evolutionary anatomy of the spine, the importance of re-establishing segmental spinal motion, the misunderstandings regarding neutral spine, the need for specificity in treatment and training inputs, and more. Whether you are a therapist, S&C coach, or patient, this podcast will shed light on some of the most common issues in dealing with both acute and chronic low back pain cases, as well as provide ideas to improve long term clinical outcomes. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For more information or to seek out an FRS provider in your area, please visit our website.
In this episode Dr. Spina, along with his fellow FRS lead instructors Dr. Michael Chivers, John Quint, and Dewey Nielsen, takes a deep dive into the new Functional Range Systems Internal Strength Model. The conversation covers the evolution of strength training, the distinction between training for strength vs skill in high level athletics, contrasting standard model training with the Internal Strength model, managing force and training volume, and much more. Since its inception, Functional Range Systems has challenged the status quo by offering logical reinterpretations of the scientific literature regarding human optimization. Join the FRS team as they turn their lens to the development and practice of training for strength, its meaning, goals, and execution.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Spina sits down for a conversation with conditioning specialist and Functional Range Systems Instructor Josh Halbert about a number of topics including his experience managing and training professional athletes, consciousness and its evolutionary basis, the physiology of meditation and its role in pain management, regular meditative practice, free will and managing motivation, flow state and creativity, building body awareness and control, managing training risk, the over prescription of weight lifting for athletic development, how to bullet-proof your athletes, and many more. Follow: Josh Halbert @GetChimpy @learnmobility Dr. Andreo Spina @DrAndreoSpina For information on upcoming seminars visit us at www.FunctionalAnatomySeminars.com
In this white board session, Dr. Spina sits down to discuss the evolutionary origins of human movement and how an understanding of those origins leads to better exercise selection and programming. Also covered is the concept of movement and exercise prerequisites – Play Basketball? Love yoga? Want to smash your WODS? You love to run? Just remember, all movements have prerequisites and managing them will lead to performance enhancement and ongoing joint health. Ignoring this reality often has devastating, long-term consequences. Although it’s a deep dive, the concepts covered in the podcast are presented in a very digestible manner making it a useful listen for everyone from therapists, to trainers, to athletes or anyone interested in human optimization.
For over 20 years, Don has coached actors, athletes, musicians, and business executives pushing them to function at their fullest potential. In 2005, he opened his NYC Gym, Drive 495. He has developed a reputation for training some of the biggest names in Hollywood for the big screen. Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Liev Schreiber, Sebastian Stan, Anne Hathaway, Zachary Levi, Drew Powell, Hugh Jackman, & David Harbour are among his roster of clients who have trained with him at Drive 495. Derek is an International Sport Performance Consultant that has been working with athletes all ages and abilities in speed, strength and power sports since 1988. His coaching career started in Track and Field, providing instruction to sprinters of all ages eventually working with collegiate sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers. His career evolved rapidly working closely with some of the top performers in the world as a coach and a consultant – including Olympic medalists, world record holders, Canadian National team athletes, and professional athletes from numerous sports. He also serves as a performance consultant to numerous professional teams in the NFL, NBA, MLS and NHL, as well as major NCAA Division 1 programs throughout North America, specializing in speed development, strategic performance planning, return-to-competition protocols and neuromuscular electrical stimulation programming. In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Don and Derek across a variety of topics including: ‘Mobility’ vs internal training and how we define it within Functional Range Systems. The approach to my own personal health and fitness. Spine and joint health, as it relates to mobility, stability, & articular health. Movement and movement screening to maximize health and minimize the potential for injury The importance of addressing and managing pain on both a physical and psychological level. iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d-d-fitness-radio-podcast/id1331724217 iHeart Radio – https://www.iheart.com/podcast/dd-fitness-radio-28797988/ Spreaker.com – https://www.spreaker.com/show/d-and-d-fitness-radios-show Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5Py2SSPA4mntNwYRm0Opri You can reach both Don and Derek at the following locations: Don Saladino: http://www.DonSaladino.com Twitter and Instagram - @DonSaladino YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/donsaladino
In this white board session, Dr. Spina sits down to answer some questions specific to the Functional Range Systems, as well as questions relating to manual therapy as a whole. Topics discussed include – a detailed description of the purpose/utilization of Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) for articular assessment, training, and therapy; the differentiation between capsular workspace (CW), articular workspace (AW), and global workspace (GW) and how an understanding of these principles can focus/guide force based inputs (therapeutic and/or training); Chronic pain research and management; the neurophysiology of ‘muscle tightness’; the difference between Neurological Tightness vs. Mechanical Tension and how the ability to distinguish the two can rapidly improve clinical outcomes; the histological goal of specific soft tissue treatment; and many more. This episode is a deep dive into the specifics of clinical practice full of big take always, and numerous ‘a-ha’ moments that will interest manual therapists, medical practitioners, and strength and conditioning specialists alike. As this episode is part of our Whiteboard Series, if you’d like to reference Dr. Spina’s notes/illustrations during the podcast, please hop over to our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/upLI2OzqODU
In this episode of the podcast Dr. Spina sits down with former research biochemist and 2X New York Times best selling author of ‘The Paleo Solution’ and ‘Wired to Eat,’ Mr. Robb Wolf. Robb has been a long-time authority on nutrition and has served as a review editor for the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, and as a consultant for the Naval Special Warefare Resiliency program. The conversation broadly focuses on the evolutionary perspective of human nutrition. Some of the topics covered include: contrasting physical vs. chemical (nutritional) evolution in homo sapiens, How the ‘caveman’ principle applies to understanding human dietary needs, the natural selective pressures that forged the human genome, consciousness and the challenges it presents to maintaining healthy eating habits, the Hedonic Treadmill, why we are wired to move less and eat more, intermittent fasting, the importance of personalized nutritional programming, the research landscape concerning human nutrition, the problems surrounding the concept of the ‘biohacking’, the reserve-capacity hypothesis, and many more. Also discussed are the many myths surrounding Paleolithic eating, plant AND meat based diets, telomeres and human longevity, and caloric restriction.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Spina sits down to speak with the Dr. Duncan French, Vice President of Performance at the UFC Performance Institute (UFCPI) in Las Vegas. Dr. French is globally recognized as a leading expert in high-performance sport and is responsible for directing sport-specific technical interfaces that maximize the impact of performance services for UFC rostered athletes. Prior to this role, he led Strength & Conditioning at the English Institute of Sport and was also the head S&C at Newcastle United Football Club in the Barclays English Premier League. He has also co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and seven book chapters. Duncan holds a PhD from the University of Connecticut in Exercise Physiology with a focus on Neuroendocrinology. As such, the discussion focuses largely on the endocrine (hormonal) responses to resistance training and conditioning. Topics include the selection of appropriate training intensities, creating an anabolic environment in the athlete, the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA Axis), stress and its effect on hormonal output/metabolism, exercise selection, sport specificity, psychological factors that enhance or depress neuroendocrine output, progressive overload, training accommodation, the role of genetics in high level athletics vs. training effect, and more. Dr. Spina and Dr. French also discuss the inner workings of the UFC Performance Institute which has become the world leader in Mixed Martial Arts research, training, and athlete care.