When kids train like pros but recover like amateurs, injuries are bound to happen. So how do we protect growing athletes without holding them back?
Welcome to Oak Performance Radio, where athletes, parents, and coaches come together to learn what it really takes to reach optimal performance. From training to recovery, mindset to nutrition, we cover the full game plan so athletes can perform at their best.
Episode Highlights
In this episode, Dr. Matt Rokes, co-owner of Athlete Development Project, joins the show to talk about bridging the gap between physical therapy and return-to-play performance. With 14 years of experience and a clinic full of youth athletes, Dr. Rokes dives into the rise in sports injuries, the misconceptions around rehab, and the vital role parents play in long-term athlete development.
Key Insights
The danger of early sport specialization and why multi-sport athletes tend to stay healthier.
What most parents and athletes misunderstand about PT—and why it’s not supposed to be easy.
Why hip strength, foot control, and balance are foundational to injury prevention.
The critical role of rest, nutrition, and screen-time management for young athletes.
How objective data like force plates are shaping smarter rehab and performance programs.
The importance of communication and structure between parents, athletes, and coaches.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:10 Challenges and Misconceptions in PT
04:16 Increasing Injuries in Young Athletes
13:28 Impact of Specialization and Overtraining
14:15 Prevention and Rehab Strategies
47:38 Parental Role in Athlete Development
49:00 The Role of Technology and Data in Sports Performance
Call to Action
If this episode sparked some thoughts on how to better support youth athletes, pass it along to another parent, coach, or teammate. Let’s keep the conversation going and raise the standard for athletic performance and recovery.
Supporting Links
Connect with Matt Rokes and Athlete Development Project:
Thanks for tuning in to Oak Performance Radio. We appreciate every listen and share. Keep showing up, keep asking questions, and we’ll keep bringing conversations that matter for athletes and their support systems.