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