In this episode of the On Q podcast, host Mike Quintans, DPT engages in an exciting discussion with Rob Rabena, director of strength and conditioning at Ivy Rehab in Newtown Square. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to physical therapy, strength coaching, and program design. Together, Mike and Rob shed light on the role of physical therapists and strength coaches in providing comprehensive care for athletes and patients, emphasizing the need for ongoing support and guidance beyond the clinic.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:01:42 - Arm Care - Importance and Best Practices
00:07:42 - Arm Care - Common Mistakes and Overloading Issues
00:10:25 - ACL Injuries and Return to Performance
00:12:32 - Importance of Home Exercise Program after PT
00:13:32 - Importance of Strength Training Post-Rehab
00:15:02 - Programming Design and Exercise Variation
00:23:31 - Changing Perspectives in Professional Career
00:24:18 - Changing Perspectives on Exercise
00:25:14 - Reevaluating Manual Therapy
00:26:28 - Career Advice for Aspiring Physical Therapists
00:28:01 - Importance of Coaching Skills for PTs

In this episode of On Q, hosts Mike Quintans and Rob Rabena chat with Dr. Steven Cohen, a leading sports medicine specialist and head physician for the Philadelphia Phillies, about UCL injuries in baseball players. Dr. Cohen dives into the details of UCL tears, discussing the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options, including primary repair and reconstruction. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire kinetic chain and tailoring treatment to individual circumstances, shedding light on the changing demographics of UCL tears and the impact of intense year-round throwing.

The conversation also delves into the rehabilitation process post-Tommy John surgery, debunking misconceptions and highlighting the critical role of education in injury prevention.

Dr. Cohen's expertise and insights offer valuable guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches in safeguarding arm health and optimizing performance. If you're a concerned parent or a dedicated coach aiming to protect your young athlete's arm health while enhancing their pitching performance, this episode is a must listen.

Contact Dr. Cohen via Rothman Orthopaedics

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:04 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:01:22 - Dr. Steven Cohen's Background
00:03:08 - Mechanism of UCL Tear
00:05:26 - Diagnosis of UCL Tear
00:10:26 - Surgical Treatment of UCL Tear
00:11:21 - UCL Injury Management and Recovery
00:12:52 - UCL Tears in Young Athletes
00:16:26 - Recovery Differences by Position
00:17:33 - Timing and Season Considerations
00:22:01 - Early Rehab and Strength Training
00:23:20 - Importance of Rehab and Training after Elbow Surgery
00:25:48 - Revisions in UCL Reconstruction
00:28:29 - Success Rates and Risk Factors of UCL Injuries
00:30:29 - Mitigating UCL Injury Risks
00:34:54 - Navigating the Goals of Young Athletes and Their Parents
00:38:14 - Developing Pitchers with a Well-Structured Throwing Program
00:39:30 - Age-Appropriate Strength and Conditioning Training
00:40:03 - Assessing Risk Factors in Young Athletes
00:43:12 - Key Component of Throwing Programs
00:46:05 - Importance of Educating Athletes
00:47:27 - Rest and Recovery Timeline
00:48:37 - Relevance of Sports Medicine
00:49:40 - Importance of Rehabilitation

In this episode of On Q, you'll dive into a captivating conversation between hosts Mike Quintans and Rob Rabena and guest Mark Jesse, a seasoned strength and conditioning coach who was formerly with the Philadelphia Phillies' single A affiliate Blue Claws. Mark shares his journey from starting as an intern to becoming an integral part of the coaching team, offering valuable insights into individualized programming, managing training on the road, and integrating technology for performance tracking.

His expertise in adapting training strategies for players based on their position and recent game performance, as well as his emphasis on utilizing technology to enhance player performance, makes this episode a must-listen for strength coaches and trainers in baseball.

Mark's experiences and wisdom provide a wealth of knowledge that can significantly impact player performance and injury prevention.

Learn more about Mark and Landshark Performance: https://landsharkperformance.co/about/mark-jesse

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:04 - Introduction to the Podcast

00:02:29 - Training Differences for Pitchers vs. Position Players

00:07:18 - Implementation of Technology in the Weight Room

00:09:41 - Individualized Programming and Data Analysis

00:11:07 - Advantages of Using Data-Driven Training

00:11:19 - Importance of Pitch Velocity and VBT in Training

00:12:17 - Offseason Training and Building Aerobic Base

00:13:47 - Incorporating Speed Training in Season

00:16:29 - Emphasis on Player Health and Injury Prevention

00:17:27 - Joint Range of Motion and Flexibility

00:22:55 - Importance of Range of Motion in Shoulder Health

00:23:59 - Use of Technology in Offseason Training

00:27:13 - Collaborative Player Development Strategies

00:29:54 - Addressing the Rise of Tommy John Surgeries

00:33:36 - Challenges in Pro Ball vs. Private Sector

00:35:04 - Building a Competitive Environment

00:37:41 - Importance of Customer Service

00:39:51 - Cultural Adaptation in Pro Baseball

00:42:15 - Building a Successful Training Facility

00:45:02 - Exercise Selection for Baseball Players

In the podcast episode of On Q, you'll dive into sports nutrition and performance with guest Cat Hammer, the Head Sports Dietitian at the University of Pennsylvania. Cat shares valuable insights on structuring meals, the importance of hydration, and the impact of supplements on athletic performance.

Cat's practical tips and balanced approach to nutrition underscore how eating for athletes can be both simple and very complex, making this episode a must-listen for college athletes prioritizing performance and health. From discussing the use of supplements to providing guidance on meal timing and composition, Cat shares her expertise on the essential role of nutrition and hydration in optimizing athletic performance.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to optimize your athletic performance with personalized meal structures and sports nutrition insights.

• The difference between a registered dietician and internet health coaches.

• The importance of meal timing and composition in the morning, before exercise, and after

• The crucial role of hydration in enhancing your athletic performance and overall well-being.

  What you should consider when buying supplements and protein powders.

  
  

  Since starting at Penn in 2020, Hammer has overseen the nutritional strategies and approaches for Penn’s intercollegiate teams, meeting individually with student-athletes as well as providing team and small group presentations. She also serves on multiple interdisciplinary committees with other members of Penn’s Sports Performance unit to better serve the Division’s nearly 1,000 student-athletes.
    
  The Philadelphia native is also the owner of Hammer Fuel Sports Nutrition, a virtual sports nutrition counseling and consulting business for middle school, high school, collegiate and professional athletes. She is also a consultant with Ascent Athlete, formerly Maplezone Sports Institute, and began her career as the sports nutrition assistant with the Bradenton Marauders, the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
   
  Hammer earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from West Chester University in 2018, where she was a three-time all-region and two-time all-conference softball player for the Golden Rams. She received a master’s degree in exercise and nutrition science from the University of Tampa in 2019. 

In this episode of On Q, Dr. Stephen S. Soondar, a podiatrist at Healthmark Foot and Ankle, discusses the complexities of ankle injuries and Achilles tendon ruptures with hosts Mike Quintans and Rob Rabena. Dr. Soondar highlights the importance of setting realistic recovery expectations for patients, and dives into the best bracing protocols. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking insights into preventing injuries and promoting long-term foot and ankle health.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Dr. Soondar explain the role of ankle support in sports to maximize performance and prevent injuries.
• The essential steps in Achilles tendon injury recovery for areturn to sports.
• Preventive measures to safeguard your ankles from potential injuries and stay in the game.

"I think a lot of it is shoe gear. Making sure you're wearing the appropriate stuff for what you're playing. You're not going for a run in Chuck Taylor's, right? You're not playing basketball with a pair of crocs," - Dr. Stephen Soondar

Dr. Stephen S. Soondar, D.P.M is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He is Board Certified in Foot Surgery, Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. He graduated from Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine and has been published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Soondar specializes in Lower Extremity Trauma, Charcot Foot Reconstruction, Limb Salvage, and Ankle Arthroscopy as well as the comprehensive scope of Forefoot and Rearfoot medicine. He is a member of the Visitor’s and Founder’s boards at Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more about Dr.Soondar here.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:04 - Introduction to the Podcast

00:00:28 - Introduction of Dr. Stephen Sundar

00:04:20 - Mechanism of High Ankle Sprains

00:09:30 - Treatment and Recovery

00:10:18 - Ankle Braces and Orthosis

00:11:44 - The Ineffectiveness of Ankle Braces and Wraps

00:12:30 - The Benefits of Taping and Bracing

00:15:21 - Common Sports Prone to Ankle Injuries

00:16:10 - Post-injury Brace Recommendation

00:20:59 - Preventative Measures for Ankle Injuries

00:23:03 - Preventing Re-injury and Using Braces

00:25:04 - Mechanism of Achilles Tendon Rupture

00:27:37 - Surgery and Non-weight Bearing Period

00:29:23 - Managing Injuries in Higher-Level Athletes

00:32:58 - Conservative Management and Healing Process

00:34:36 - Surgical Intervention for Achilles Injuries

00:35:00 - Aaron Rogers' Recovery

00:36:01 - Different Repair Techniques

00:37:21 - Recovery Timeline and Long-Term Effects

00:43:01 - Preventative Measures and Strength Training

00:45:50 - Understanding the Causes of Injuries

00:46:50 - Mitigating the Risk of Injuries

00:47:52 - Importance of Stretching

00:48:12 - How to Connect

SEASON 4, EPISODE 14 WITH DOUG DAVIDSON OF THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

In this episode, we sit down with Doug Davidson, Associate Director of Sports Performance and Strength & Conditioning for Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights. we discuss common sports injuries amongst hockey players and Davidson's training philosophies for elite-level hockey players during both in-season and off-season programming.

In this episode, we cover:

• Off-Ice conditioning protocols for elite hockey players during the season
• The types of conditioning Davidson likes to incorporate.
• Why running isn't his go-to conditioning exercise.
• How important maximum strength is to hockey performance
• What the key physical qualities Davidson focuses on during the off-season are.
• How the amount of travel required during the season impacts an NHL team's training focus and schedule
• How Davidson schedules lifts for the players around games.
• How Davidson considers a player's autonomic nervous system and metabolic load when building out strength programs.
• How Davidson consolidates the stress put on the players' bodies.
• How training varies for players depending on playing position.

Doug Davidson on LinkedIn

Doug Davidson is the Associate Director of Sports Performance and Strength & Conditioning for the Vegas Golden Knights, where he is responsible for maximizing the athletic potential of players through the development, instruction, progression, oversight and documentation of individual and group performance enhancements and recovery training activities.

Prior to joining the Golden Knights, he spent two seasons as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins where he oversaw all aspects of off-ice training, assisted in rehab and oversaw team meals, supplement use, and nutrition. Before joining the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Hockey Club, Davidson served as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Gary Roberts High-Performance Centre from 2013-15, where he worked with a variety of male and female athletes, including elite hockey players ranging from NHL players to aspiring youths to improve their performance while also correcting posture, muscle imbalances, and movement patterns. Davidson was a Strength and Conditioning Intern at Queen's University from 2010-13. In 2013 he received the Varsity Service Award for his contributions to Queen's University Varsity Athletics as a strength and conditioning intern. He also completed a strength and conditioning internship at Cressey Performance in 2012. Doug Davidson attended Queen's University, where he graduated with honors in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Physical and Health Education. He has a dual Masters's Degree in Sports Conditioning and Exercise & Sport Psychology from A.T. Still University and is a certified strength and conditioning coach through NSCA.

PART 2 WITH GEORGE ZIRKEL | SEASON 4, EPISODE 13

Part 2 with George Zirkel discusses how his throwing program has been impacted by new philosophies and technology, along with major takeaways and lessons he has learned during his time as a pitching and throwing coach.

In this episode, we cover:

• What J-Bands are and their benefits in training
• The history of weighted baseball training and if weighted balls are necessary to throw faster
• The disadvantages of mass adoption of popular programs and philosophies
• What new approaches have come about in recent years to throwing harder
• What tactics are used to address throwing form issues
• What the effective ways to talk to athletes are
• What George specifically modifies in a player's throwing
• How George incorporate's a surgeon's advice when working with throwers recovering from an injury
• How George modifies his program "on the move"
• What the #1 deficit in mechanics that leads to elbow injuries
• The most common thing coaches do wrong that lead to a pitcher's injury
• George's #1 tip to throw harder

George is the Director of Pitching and Associate Director of Operations at On Deck George and was the Director of Pitching at Ascent Athlete for nearly 4 years where he coached hundreds of pitchers including MLB, MiLB, college, high school, and youth pitchers. He also created an internship program in which aspiring coaches received educational training and gained hands-on experience working with athletes. George has spent years coordinating throwing plans with strength and conditioning coaches and physical therapists to ensure his pitchers are getting the best care possible.

PART 1 WITH GEORGE ZIRKEL | SEASON 4, EPISODE 12

Part 1 with George Zirkel discusses the topic of rehabilitating pitchers, including the importance of proper throwing programs, measuring intensity and feedback mechanisms, and conducting assessments to understand the individual's background and goals.

In this episode, we cover:

• What rehab means for pitchers
• What client population George works with
• What should be revised from the return to throw protocol
• What the goal arm speed and RPM values should be for pitchers
• What type of bands George uses for pitchers that he works with
• How George's pitching program utilizes the "three pillars"
• What George's first assessment looks like
• How George uses video in his assessments
• What the overall thrower evaluation looks like after getting the baseline data
• Thoughts on athletes playing fall baseball

George is the Director of Pitching and Associate Director of Operations at On Deck George and was the Director of Pitching at Ascent Athlete for nearly 4 years, where he coached hundreds of pitchers, including MLB, MiLB, college, high school, and youth pitchers. He also created an internship program in which aspiring coaches received educational training and gained hands-on experience working with athletes. George has spent years coordinating throwing plans with strength and conditioning coaches and physical therapists to ensure his pitchers are getting the best care possible.

In 2022, George completed his Master of Arts in Motor Learning and Control from Columbia University. In 2017 he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Susquehanna University. George played collegiately at Susquehanna University.

PART 2 WITH DR. AMBER MACFARLANE, DO | SEASON 4, EPISODE 11

Part 2 with Dr. Amber MacFarlane, DO discusses Tenex and TenJet procedures for the treatment of tendinopathies and scar tissue removal.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Osteopathic manual therapy is and why Dr.MacFarlane chooses to use it in her practice.

• What Tenex and TenJet are and how they work.

• What the differences between Tenex and TenJet are.

• How ultrasound is used for imagining with Tenex and Tenjet.

• What the recovery and rehab process looks like after a Tenex or TenJet procedure.

• The success outcomes of Tenex and TenJet procedures are.

• What managing tendinopathies and tendonitis looks like in the weight room with Rob Rabena.

• Who the best candidates for these procedures are.

• What kind of person is most at risk for tendonitis and tendinopathy.

• The fast five:

• What's Dr.MacFarlane's favorite thing about being on the sideline?

• What the greatest height Dr.MacFarlane ever pole vaulted?

• What testing is Dr.MacFarlane uses on the sideline when she suspects a concussion?

• Who should not get their neck manipulated?

• What's one way we can get better at diagnosing concussions?

Amber MacFarlane, DO, a native of Southampton, Pennsylvania is a Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician and completed her residency and fellowship at Crozer Health. She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine after obtaining a degree in Biology from Widener University. She has been the team physician for the Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Union 2, University of Delaware, Garnet Valley High School, Strath Haven High School, and Upper Darby High School. Dr. MacFarlane is a former Division III NCAA pole vaulter. She continues to be very active in weight lifting, running, and hiking. She lives in Bucks County, PA, with her husband.

PART 1 WITH DR.AMBER MACFARLANE, DO | SEASON 4 EPISODE 10

Part 1 with Dr. Amber MacFarlane DO is focused on low back pain evaluation, treatment, and prevention in young athlete populations.

We cover:

• The most common sport-related injuries that cause low back pain are
• Spodololisis prevalence, treatment, and management.
• How Dr.MacFarlane's osteopathic background informs her evaluation and care processes
• In general, when is it appropriate to get imaging, like an MRI, for back pain
• When and why would bracing be recommended for back pain treatment
• How to prevent back pain when participating in strength training
• What the core is
• What athletes are getting wrong when training core
• Philosophies around Injections and medications for the treatment of lower back pain in young athletes
• What return-to-sport looks like with back pain in young athletes

Amber MacFarlane, DO, a native of Southampton, Pennsylvania is a Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician and completed her residency and fellowship at Crozer Health.

She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine after obtaining a degree in Biology from Widener University. She has been the team physician for the Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Union 2, University of Delaware, Garnet Valley High School, Strath Haven High School, and Upper Darby High School. Dr. MacFarlane is a former Division III NCAA pole vaulter. She continues to be very active in weight lifting, running, and hiking. She lives in Bucks County, PA, with her husband.

PART 3 WITH MIKE WILSON | SEASON 4 EPISODE 9

Part 3 with Mike Wilson, DPT focuses on his clinical approach to treating, managing, and progressing hamstring tendinopathy in runners.

In this episode, we cover:

• What’s the difference between a hamstring strain and a tendinopathy?  

• What strategies Mike uses to help runners with hamstring tendinopathy return to form.

• How to avoid recurring hamstring injuries through PT and loading.

• What part of the foot should be hitting the ground first when you're running.

• Why skipping can help you learn the correct running mechanics

• How Mike uses manual therapy in his treatment of hamstring tendinopathy.

• What the best exercises for recovering from and preventing hamstring injuries are.

• What the most common causes of hamstring issues are for runners.

• The degree of hamstring flexibility that is acceptable and desirable.

Contact: mwilson@premiereortho.com

Mike earned his Master of Science degree from Ithaca College in 2003 where he played inter-collegiate basketball. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Temple University in 2008. Mike has been full-body certified in Active Release Technique (ART) since 2005 and obtained his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 2009. Additional certifications include Functional Movement Screening (FMS), Selective Functional Movement Analysis (SFMA), Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), and Functional Range Conditioning (FRC). 

In addition to patient care, Mike is a Regional Clinical Director at Premier Orthopaedics and participates as adjunct faculty at Widener University’s DPT program.  

PART 2 WITH MIKE WILSON | SEASON 4 EPISODE 8

Part 2 with Mike Wilson, DPT focuses on how he uses pain science and Postural Restoration (PRI) in the treatment of his patients on a regular basis.

In this episode, we cover:

1. What pain science is.
2. What factors besides injury or damage contribute to the experience of pain.
3. How regulating your nervous system can improve the experience of pain in your body.
4. Why some people have a herniated disc and are never symptomatic and others find it excruciating.
5. How to use the "Peak-end" theory with patients.
6. What PRI is and how Mike Wilson uses it in his practice.
7. Mike Wilson's advice to recent PT grads who want to get their feet wet with pain science.

Mike earned his Master of Science degree from Ithaca College in 2003 where he played inter-collegiate basketball. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Temple University in 2008. Mike has been full-body certified in Active Release Technique (ART) since 2005 and obtained his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 2009. Additional certifications include Functional Movement Screening (FMS), Selective Functional Movement Analysis (SFMA), Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), and Functional Range Conditioning (FRC). 

In addition to patient care, Mike is a Regional Clinical Director at Premier Orthopaedics and participates as adjunct faculty at Widener University’s DPT program.  

PART 1 WITH MIKE WILSON, DPT ! SEASON 4 SEASON 7

Part 1 with Mike Wilson, DPT focuses on low back pain management, incorporating strength and conditioning into pain reduction programming, and how his approaches have evolved over the years for the better.

We cover:

• Philosophies in treating low back pain
• How he manages the mental aspects to pain science, specifically with lower back pain
• How Mike Wilson uses his different certificates and backgrounds to create a holistic program to safely recover from low back pain
• How manual therapy plays a role in Mike's patient population and the techniques he uses.
• How Mike's approaches have changed over time.
• Why the words doctors and PTs use need to be chosen carefully
• How Mike incorporates strength and conditioning into his pain management and reduction programs
• What is "good enough" to stop attending physical therapy
• Managing low back pain in younger athletes

Mike earned his Masters of Science degree from Ithaca College in 2003 where he played inter-collegiate basketball. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Temple University in 2008. Mike has been full-body certified in Active Release Technique (ART) since 2005 and obtained his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 2009. Additional certifications include Functional Movement Screening (FMS), Selective Functional Movement Analysis (SFMA), Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), and Functional Range Conditioning (FRC). 

In addition to patient-care, Mike is a Regional Clinical Director at Premier Orthopaedics and participates as adjunct faculty at Widener University’s DPT program.  

PART 3 WITH SAM WHITNEY | Season 4, Episode 6

Part 3 with Sam Whitney we talk olympic lifts, power lifting, and the conjugate method for athletes. Plus, we get into some quick hitters like back squat vs front squat and Sam's thoughts on benching for collegiate athletes.

We tackle:

• What are olympic lifts and how he incorporated them in collegiate athletics.
• How he would approach programming and teaching athletes with different ranges of skill set in olympic lifts, from first year students who have never lifted to seniors at the top of their game.
• Why he never believed in rushing to learning olympic lifts and instead focused on functional movements first.
• How ego can sabotage your programming as a strength and conditioning coach
• How strong is "strong enough" and how do you gauge when an athlete is there
• Sam's experience training and developing himself as a power lifter
• What the conjugate method is for power lifting and olympic lifting.
• How Sam learned and used the conjugate method as part of his power lifting training and eventually in his collegiate program.
• How using a box squat helps with form and range of motion for your non-box squat and full squat.
• How speed focused training helps with absolute strength
• What lessons Sam took from his power lifting training to his collegiate strength training and programming.
• Quick hitters:
• Should overhead athletes bench
• Back squat vs front squat
• Thoughts on benching for collegiate athletes
• Should everyone bench/squat/deadlift etc?
• Hex bar vs straight bar deadlift
• Sumo vs. conventional deadlift

Contact info:

samual.whitney@gmail.com

alignthegrind@gmail.com

alignthegrind.com

Sam Whitney is a concierge strength and conditioning coach in the greater Philadelphia area, and founder of Align The Grind, an online health and human performance platform for former collegiate athletes. Align The Grind helps former athletes redefine themselves through mind, body, and spirit. Coach Whitney graduated from Temple University with a BS in Kinesiology and a MS in Sports Business. He is CSCS, SCCC, USAW, RPR, and TPI certified. Coach Whitney began his collegiate strength and conditioning career at Villanova University, then moving on to New York University, before returning to Temple University as the Associate Head S&C Coach for 10 years.

PART 2 WITH SAM WHITNEY | Season 4, Episode 5

Part 2 with Coach Sam Whitney focuses on how he took his years of experience as a collegiate strength and conditioning coach to create an online community for former collegiate athletes that allows them to continue training their mind, body, and spirit long after they finish playing their sport.

We cover:

• What services and support Align the Grind provides to college athletes after they finish their athletic careers.
• How he approached training collegiate athletes to get them ready for the "real world."
• How Align The Grind, his online health and performance platform for former collegiate athletes, came to be.
• How he approaches training the mind, body, and spirit through Align the Grind for the best results inside and outside the gym.
• What the Align The Grind community looks like on a day-to-day basis for members.
• The biggest struggle Sam sees college athletes have after they lose their sport.

Sam Whitney is a concierge strength and conditioning coach in the greater Philadelphia area, and founder of Align The Grind, an online health and human performance platform for former collegiate athletes. Align The Grind helps former athletes redefine themselves through mind, body, and spirit. Coach Whitney graduated from Temple University with a BS in Kinesiology and a MS in Sports Business. He is CSCS, SCCC,

USAW, RPR, and TPI certified. Coach Whitney began his collegiate strength and conditioning career at Villanova University, then moving on to New York University, before returning to Temple University as the Associate Head S&C Coach for 10 years.

PART 1 WITH SAM WHITNEY | Season 4, Episode 4

Part 1 with Sam Whitney focuses on his experience in collegiate strength and conditioning, his advice for graduate assitants new to the field, and philosophies on programming.

In part 1 with Sam Whitney we dive into:

• Sam Whitney's time as a Strength and Conditioning coach with Villanova University, New York University and Temple University
• What Sam's day-to-day schedule looked like as a strength and conditioning coach at the collegiate level.
• How Sam's strategies in strength and conditioning programming have evolved over time.
• Sam's advice for young graduate assistants jumping into strength and conditioning coaching.
• What collaboration with other coaches looked like at the collegiate level.
• His advice on strength training during the off-season
• How often athletes should be training power in-season vs. off-season.
• How Sam incorporated the conjugate method and olympic lifts in his programming for college athletes.
• Sam's role and finding in researching for "Relationship Between Strength and Conditioning Assessments and Rowing Performance in Female Collegiate Athletes," Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: June 24, 2020.

Stayed tuned for two more episodes with Coach Sam Whitney as we discuss his professional development and how he has transformed his practice from the collegiate environment to the private sector.

Sam Whitney is a concierge strength and conditioning coach in the greater Philadelphia area, and founder of Align The Grind, an online health and human performance platform for former collegiate athletes. Align The Grind helps former athletes redefine themselves through mind, body, and spirit. Coach Whitney graduated from Temple University with a BS in Kinesiology and a MS in Sports Business. He is CSCS, SCCC,

USAW, RPR, and TPI certified. Coach Whitney began his collegiate strength and conditioning career at Villanova University, then moving on to New York University, before returning to Temple University as the Associate Head S&C Coach for 10 years.

PART 3 WITH MARIO MASCIOLI | Season 4, Episode 3

This episode focuses on the most common injuries in basketball and how Mascioli approaches prevention and treatment.

In this episode we cover:

• Why does knee pain arise so commonly in basketball players and how do you manage it once it happens.
• How muscle weakness above and below a joint can lead to pain or injury.
• The importance of taking regular strategics breaks to prevent injury.
• How strength, symmetry, and mobility come together in injury prevention and treatment.
• What types of strengthening exercises would Mascioli prescribe in knee pain treatment.
• How much time a serious basketball player should take off per year for best performance.
• Thoughts on "Knee over toes" as a rule for injury prevention, for the general population and for jumping athletes specifically.
• What functional asymmetries are most common in professional basketball players.
• The best way to increase your vertical jump.
• The best way to improve on-court speed.

Contact: www.mariomass.com

info@mariomass.com

Instagram: @massmovement21

Mario Mascioli is a professional athletic trainer and performance coach. He is dual credentialed as a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. With a background in sports medicine, he specializes in helping anyone work around injuries or recover from them. In addition, he has skills in soft tissue therapy to help clients recover from fatigue such as massage, myofascial release, and cupping to name a few. His career started off as an assistant athletic trainer at St. Joseph’s University, in Philadelphia, before working with the 76ers and their G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats for over 5 years. After that, he focused more of his work on strength and conditioning, creating his own business called Mass Movement. He has worked with a wide population of people, from young middle school athletes, to professional athletes, to middle aged weekend warriors and the elderly. He has a passion not only for helping young athletes perform but in teaching wholistic health.   

PART 2 WITH MARIO MASCIOLI | Season 4, Episode 2

Part 2 is focused on breaking down how Mascioli helps clients through holistic health coaching, injury recovery plans, and strength and conditioning.

We cover:

• The key components Mascioli considers when beginning to coach someone around their health.
• How your mindset impacts your long term results in health and otherwise
• How nutrition, stress management, and sleep play a role in achieving your health goals, whether you're an athlete or not.
• How Mascioli balanced objective and subjective metrics to help his coaching clients reach their goals.
• What collaboration with parents and coaches looks like when working with younger athletes.
• What Mascioli's assesses in all of his first session with strength and conditioning and health coaching clients.
• How Mascioli's background in athletic training has helped him become a more effective strength and conditioning coach.
• What Mascioli wishes he had known when he first started as an athletic trainer.

Make sure to tune back in next week for part 3 where we discuss:

Contact: www.mariomass.com

info@mariomass.com

Instagram: @massmovement21

Mario Mascioli is a professional athletic trainer and performance coach. He is dual credentialed as a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. With a background in sports medicine, he specializes in helping anyone work around injuries or recover from them. In addition, he has skills in soft tissue therapy to help clients recover from fatigue such as massage, myofascial release, and cupping to name a few. His career started off as an assistant athletic trainer at St. Joseph’s University, in Philadelphia, before working with the 76ers and their G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats for over 5 years. After that, he focused more of his work on strength and conditioning, creating his own business called Mass Movement. He has worked with a wide population of people, from young middle school athletes, to professional athletes, to middle aged weekend warriors and the elderly. He has a passion not only for helping young athletes perform but in teaching wholistic health.   

PART 1 WITH MARIO MASCIOLI | Season 4, Episode 1

Part 1 with Mario Mascioli is focused on his time with the 76ers organization. We dive into his treatment philosophies, injury prevention protocols and more in this episode.

Mario Mascioli is a professional athletic trainer and performance coach. He is dual credentialed as a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. With a background in sports medicine, he specializes in helping anyone work around injuries or recover from them. In addition, he has skills in soft tissue therapy to help clients recover from fatigue such as massage, myofascial release, and cupping to name a few. His career started off as an assistant athletic trainer at St. Joseph’s University, in Philadelphia, before working with the 76ers and their G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats for over 5 years. After that, he focused more of his work on strength and conditioning, creating his own business called Mass Movement. He has worked with a wide population of people, from young middle school athletes, to professional athletes, to middle aged weekend warriors and the elderly. He has a passion not only for helping young athletes perform but in teaching wholistic health.  

We dive into:

• Athletic training for 76ers G-league affiliate
• What he learned from 2013-2018 with the 76ers G-league affiliate
• How he worked up from being a "hydration therapist" to working with injury rehabilitation to eventually becoming the head athletic trainer.
• How the 76ers and G-league affiliate did hydration tracking during Mascioli's time with the organization.
• What type of tracking tools and softwares the organization would use to plan or adjust training and injury recovery protocols. (Tool mentioned in the episode: IMeasureU)

• What is load management and why it is or isn't important in basketball.
• trying to put a number to the internal stress put on a specific area, often one with an injury
• What Mario's go-to treatment philosophies are for injury recovery.
• What Mario's exercise and training philosophies are for injury prevention or mitigation, especially lower body.
• When and why to use open vs. closed chain training exercises.
• What are the most common injuries in the NBA and basketball as a whole?
• What were the biggest changes Mascioli witnessed over the five years he was with the 76ers organization.

Make sure to tune back in next week for part 2 where we discuss Mascioli's approach to health coaching and strength training for all populations.

Contact: www.mariomass.com

info@mariomass.com

Instagram: @massmovement21

Today we are joined by 2 Physical Therapists that are Pelvic Floor Specialists. Dr. Lara Hamad Quisumbing and Dr. Emily Titus. Today we will learn who is at risk for pelvic floor conditions and how it is diagnosed and treated.

Lara Hamad Quisumbing is a doctor of physical therapy and is currently the Clinic Director of Excel PT in Villanova. She graduated from Drexel University PT class of 2012. Been with Excel since graduating. Became ACD in 2018 then Clinic Director last year in 2021.  In 2016 went through Evidence in Motion's certification program for Pelvic Health and treating that population ever since.

Emily Titus is a doctor of physical therapy and practices orthopedic and pelvic floor therapy with Ivy Rehab at the Physical Therapy and Wellness Institute in Lansdale, PA. She has been practicing physical therapy for 4 years in orthopedics but in the past year found her passion for pelvic health. Emily received her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from James Madison University and then obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Neumann University. She is currently in an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist residency program with Ivy Rehab and the Hospital for Special Surgery and sits for her OCS exam next March.

4:20 What is the pelvic floor?

5:00 What the certification process for treating pelvic floor dysfunction looks like.

6:45 Common ways someone develops a condition of the pelvic floor.

7:30 Why and how pregnancy puts strain on the pelvic floor

8:20 Who usually diagnoses pelvic floor dysfunction?

10:25 How concluding a potential pathology of pelvic floor dysfunction looks like for direct access patients.

11:30 Who is at risk for a pelvic floor condition.

13:00 Have you noticed an increased demand for treatment of pelvic floor pathology? Why?

16:00 How do you diagnose Pelvic Floor Pathologies and is there imaging involved?

16:30 What symptoms are common in pelvic floor pathologies 

19:25 The connection between the pelvic floor and other core injuries.

20:10 Techniques commonly used to treat pelvic floor conditions.

24:00 What a kegel is.

24:25 When we usually use our pelvic floor muscles

28:00 How breathing impacts the pelvic floor and recovery.

30:00 How common pelvic floor conditions are in athletes and which sports are most impacted.

31:00 How treatment changes for athletes compared to the average patient with pelvic floor pathology.

33:00 What are special considerations for athletes postpartum and what a typical progression may look like.

38:23 What sports organizations can do to reduce the prevalence of pelvic floor conditions in their athletes.

42:00 How can we mitigate the risk of obtaining pelvic floor conditions?

44:30 If someone is concerned that they may have a pelvic floor condition, what should they do?

50:00 What communication and evaluation are like for patients who may have pelvic floor dysfunction due to sexual trauma.

5 Quick Q’s

51:15 The most challenging aspect of treating pelvic floor conditions.

51:50 1 way to increase awareness of pelvic floor conditions.

53:00 1 exercise everyone can do right now that will improve the strength of their pelvic floor.

53:36 What they enjoy the most about treating pelvic floor pathologies.

55:15 One fact about the pelvic floor that will shock the average person.

Contact 

emily.titus@ivyrehab.com

@OrthoPFPTPA

lara.Quisumbing@ivyrehab.com