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