Train Like an Athlete: The Science Behind Explosive Movement

Train Like an Athlete: The Science Behind Explosive Movement

Most athletes train hard. Few train smart enough to actually get faster, more powerful, and more explosive. In this episode, John Allan, DPT is joined by Dr. Josh Sproul to break down the science behind building real athleticism, from the stretch shortening cycle to French Contrast Training and accentuated eccentric loading. If you've been prioritizing concentric work and wondering why your vertical isn't moving, this episode is the answer. What we cover: * Why movement competency has to come before power development * How to prime the nervous system for explosive output * Why the eccentric phase is the most undertrained part of athleticism * What it actually means to be comfortable being uncomfortable as an athlete * Can you overtrain plyometrics, and what does the research say about the sweet spot Whether you're a clinician programming return-to-sport protocols, a coach building athletic development blocks, or an athlete trying to unlock a new ceiling, this episode gives you the framework and the science to do it right. Social Media: Rehab2Perform [https://www.instagram.com/rehab2perform/] R2P Academy [https://www.instagram.com/r2pacademy/] EZVERT [https://www.instagram.com/ezvertjump/]

Don't Chase the Date: Why Rushing into ACL Surgery is a Recipe for Complications

Most athletes think the recovery clock starts the day they go into surgery. They’re wrong. In reality, your surgery is only as good as your prehab. If you rush into the operating room with a swollen knee and a "quiet" quad, you aren't fast-tracking your recovery—you’re setting yourself up for a slower, more painful, and higher-risk rehab. In this episode of Strength in Knowledge, John Allan, DPT, sits down with Dr. Zach Atwood to dismantle the "get it over with" mentality. We dive deep into the clinical and physiological reasons why earning your surgery date is the most important decision an athlete can make. We break down: 1. The Ready Check: The non-negotiable objective benchmarks (ROM and Strength) you need before the knife. 2. The Quad Inhibition Puzzle: Why surgery on a weak leg leads to long-term atrophy that’s nearly impossible to reverse. 3. The First 72 Hours: A blueprint for the early post-op phase—what matters, what’s a distraction, and how to manage the "predictable" symptoms. 4. Patient Buy-In: How to navigate the psychological battle of "slowing down to speed up." Whether you’re an athlete currently staring at a surgical calendar, a parent trying to make the best decision for your child, or a clinician looking to sharpen your pre-op protocol, this episode provides the objective framework you need to bridge the gap between injury and Day 1 of recovery. Social Media: Rehab2Perform [https://www.instagram.com/rehab2perform/] R2P Academy [https://www.instagram.com/r2pacademy/] Dr. Zach Atwood [https://www.instagram.com/thefutboldoc/]

The Spondy Solution: Advanced Strategies for Lumbar Bone Stress Rehab

If you’re treating an adolescent athlete with low back pain, you aren’t looking for a needle in a haystack—you’re looking at a 50% statistical probability. In the youth sporting world, a 'spondy' isn't a rare occurrence; it is the leading cause of structural back pain, yet it remains one of the most mismanaged and missed diagnoses in sports medicine. The "nonspecific" low back pain becomes very specific when lumbar bone stress injuries (BSI) enter the conversation. We have to stop treating these athletes for 'strains' and start addressing the clinical reality of bone stress. If you aren't screening for a BSI from day one, you're missing the most prevalent injury in the game. In this episode of Strength in Knowledge, John Allan, DPT, sits down with Drs. Joey Scambia and Rayce Houser of Rehab Renaissance to dismantle the myths surrounding lumbar bone stress injuries. We dive into the shocking prevalence of spondys in youth sports and the proper progressions through the phases of rehab. We break down: 1. The 50% Rule: Why a coin-flip mentality is necessary when screening adolescent back pain. 2. The Loading Paradox: Why soft landings actually increase internal bone stress, and how to use short-coupled plyometrics as a safer entry point. 3. KPIs: What to look for before introducing high-velocity movement patterns. 4. Navigating the Setback: How to handle the tough conversations when symptoms predictably return and how to adjust the minimal effective dose. Whether you’re a coach seeing a volume spike in your players, a parent navigating a confusing diagnosis, or a clinician tired of non-specific rehab, this episode provides the objective framework to bridge the gap between a stress reaction and a return to performance. Social Media: Rehab 2 Perform [https://www.instagram.com/rehab2perform/] R2P Academy [https://www.instagram.com/r2pacademy/] Rehab Renaissance [https://www.instagram.com/rehabrenaissance/]

Is Manual Therapy Worth It in Late Phase Rehab?

Have you ever wondered if manual therapy is useful in the later stages of rehab?  In this episode< Dr. Zach Baker and Dr. Corrie Jones talk about times and situations where manual therapy really can be helpful during those bridge phases in leaning towards performance and return to sport.  There are definitely appropriate times and places where this can be something the keeps your athletes on-track and helps ensure progression through the phases.  Listen in to hear what years of experience and understanding from elite athlete rehab has taught these therapists!

Are You Sure That's Evidence-Based Practice?

We all hear a lot about making sure we are using "evidence-based" or "evidence-informed" practice, but what exactly is that?  How can we ensure we are clearly taking the research and applying it correctly and effectively in the real world?  How do we know when to generalize and when not to?  What things within the context of the patient or therapist should be considered when we are choosing the best treatment strategies for our patients?  These are the things D.r Zach Baker and Dr. Corrie Jones chat through in this podcast episode!