In this episode, Lou sits down with Adelaide Cooke Sperling, a third-generation physical therapist specializing in pelvic health and sports medicine. Adelaide, a former D1 track and field athlete at the University of Albany, discovered pelvic floor physical therapy while studying at Northwestern University.The discussion focuses on pelvic health in athletic populations, emphasizing the importance of addressing pelvic floor issues across all genders and ages. Adelaide shares her expertise as both a physical therapist and former athlete, covering topics such as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S), sacroiliac joint pain, and pregnancy/postpartum considerations.The conversation highlights the need for healthcare providers to feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics and conducting thorough assessments.
In this episode of The Lab Collective, Louis sits down with Mohamed, a Physical Therapist for the New Orleans Saints, to unpack his journey from PT school to the NFL sidelines. They dive into the pivotal career choices that shaped his path, discuss the differences between private practice and professional sports, and explore what it truly takes to thrive in elite-level sports medicine. Mohamed shares valuable insights on collaboration, adaptability, and the unique demands of working with pro athletes. Whether you're a student, clinician, or sports enthusiast, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain of NFL sports medicine.
In this episode of The Lab Collective, Louis and Alex unpack the underrated power of isometric training for athletes. They break down the science behind yielding vs. overcoming isometrics, discuss how to strategically use them for strength gains, tendon health, and injury resilience, and explore how to implement them across sports like football and track. Whether you’re pushing through sticking points or dialing in neuromuscular control, this conversation reveals how isometrics can become a foundational tool in your programming toolbox—without overloading the joints. Learn how to train harder and smarter.
In this episode of The Lab Collective, Dr. Lou Fullenkamp explores the importance of autoregulation and flexible non-linear programming in training and rehab. He emphasizes that training should adapt to the athlete or patient, not the other way around. Lou introduces key autoregulation tools like Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Reps in Reserve (RIR), and Velocity-Based Training (VBT) as practical ways to assess daily readiness and adjust training on the fly.
He explains how Flexible Non-Linear Programming (FNLP) moves beyond rigid, linear periodization models making it a powerful system for athletes in-season, post-injury patients, and everyday lifters managing life’s unpredictability. Lou highlights real-world coaching examples, stressing the importance of understanding each individual’s physical and emotional state before proceeding with the Rx intensity or volume.
The episode closes with a reminder to listen to athletes and patients, fostering meaningful conversations about how they feel and what they need each day. Lou invites listeners to stay connected with The Lab Collective for more insights and encourages them to join the conversation through social media and email.
In this episode, Louis engages in a dynamic discussion with Terrance Motley, Director of Football Rehabilitation at BYU, about their journeys and experiences in the field of physical therapy and strength & conditioning. Terrance, a former strength coach turned physical therapist, shares his inspiring path from walk-on football player to pursuing rugby and ultimately becoming a PT. They delve into topics such as exercise physiology in rehabilitation, the importance of exercise prescription, and the value of practical experience in PT education. Terrance emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to rehabilitation and offers insights into training through pain and discomfort, crucial for athletic recovery. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring sports physical therapists on gaining experience and building connections in the field.
Terrance Motley: https://byucougars.com/staff/terrance-motley
Instagram: @meathead_rehab
In this episode, Louis discusses the benefits of the 40-20 interval training split, which involves 40 seconds of high-intensity work followed by 20 seconds of rest. He explained that this method is effective in improving aerobic capacity, metabolic health, and work capacity, and can provide similar benefits to steady-state cardio in a shorter time. Louis also highlighted the mental toughness aspect of this training, emphasizing the importance of pacing and learning when to push without redlining. He suggested various ways to implement this training, including using a rower, skier, or kettlebell, and recommended it for athletes preparing for races, Crossfitters, Hyrox athletes, and strength athletes in a cutting phase.
In this episode, Louis and Brandon discuss the importance of sport-specific conditioning in athletics, emphasizing the need to match the demands of the sport with the conditioning program to optimize performance and prevent injury. They also discussed the challenges of working with high school athletes and coaches, the importance of efficient conditioning for various sports, and the need for a balanced approach to strength and conditioning.
In this episode, Louis and Alex Gehle discuss the pros and cons of doing a residency versus non-residency for specialization in physical therapy. Alex shares his experience with a hybrid residency, which included on-site learning, mentorship, and weekend intensive education.
In this episode, Louis discusses movement economy, which refers to the efficiency with which the body uses energy to perform a specific task. He explained that this concept applies to various disciplines, such as running, weightlifting, and Crossfit, and that it is not solely about strength or endurance, but also about neuromuscular coordination and biomechanics. Louis also outlined how movement economy can be assessed through video analysis, heart rate monitoring, force plate testing, and feedback from coaches or clinicians. He emphasized the importance of addressing inefficiencies and imbalances in movement to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. Finally, he suggested that training for better movement economy should involve technique drills and repetition to focus on the fundamentals.
In this episode, Louis discusses the importance of training splits in achieving fitness, rehab, and performance goals, and explored different types of training splits such as full body sessions, push-pull splits, upper and lower splits, and old school bro splits. He also shared his personal training experiences and the challenges and benefits of various training splits, emphasizing the importance of considering one's training experience, goals, and recovery needs when choosing a training split. Lastly, he encouraged experimentation and tracking of training intensity and volume to find the best approach for each individual.
In this episode, Louis discusses proprioception, the body's ability to sense its position in space, and its importance in injury recovery and athletic performance. Various exercises and training techniques were discussed to improve proprioception, including balance exercises, reactive drills, and the use of unstable surfaces. The discussion also covered patient examples and emphasized the need for integrating proprioceptive training with strength training to address deficits and reduce risk of further injuries.
In this episode, Louis discusses the concept of neuroplasticity and its implications for athletes and coaches, emphasizing its importance in training, skill acquisition, recovery, and mental resilience. He explained how neuroplasticity can be applied to optimize performance through various techniques such as quality practice, simulating real-life situations, and progressive rehabilitation approaches. Louis also highlighted the role of mindfulness, meditation, and gradual exposure to high-pressure situations in rewiring the brain and enhancing mental resilience.
In this episode, Louis discusses the importance of mobility and warm-up routines for athletes and strength training enthusiasts. He introduced Joe Defranco's Agile 8, a mobility routine that targets problem areas such as the hips, lower back, hamstrings, and glutes. Louis emphasized the importance of consistency in mobility routines and encouraged the audience to try the Agile 8 for a few weeks to track their progress.
T Nation DeFranco Agile 8: https://t-nation.com/t/defranco-agile-8/283222
In this episode, Louis and Paul dive deep into the evolution of CrossFit and its shortcomings for competitive CrossFitters, highlighting issues like randomization, lack of structure, and group fitness limitations. They explore concurrent training, optimizing strength gains, and balancing high-energy expenditure activities. The duo critiques the barriers to professionalization in CrossFit, emphasizing the need for individualized coaching, skill development, and research-driven methods. They also discuss the importance of continuous learning, professional growth, and adopting new ideas for athlete development. Paul shares his experience in coaching and the importance of autonomy in training methodologies.
Paul's Instagram: @paulbweber
Paul Weber Fitness: www.paulbweber.com
The Complete Athlete Process: September 26th, 1 pm MT
In this episode, Louis, Brandon, and Alex dive into the benefits of auto-regulation training, which adjusts workouts based on an athlete's readiness and recovery. They share personal experiences, with Louis noting its effectiveness and Brandon highlighting how it helps him adapt his training. The team also discusses the use of fitness trackers like Whoop, Fitbit, and Aura Ring to monitor recovery and performance through data such as heart rate variability.Coaching strategies are explored, focusing on the importance of guiding athletes through modifications and preventing injuries. They address common challenges, such as athletes struggling with new, intense training programs. Building trust between athletes and coaches is emphasized, helping athletes better adjust to the demands of the program.
In this episode Lou interviews Dr. Trent Nessler creator of The Athlete Lab. They dive into the relationship between human movement, injury risk management with ACLs, and the importance of continuous learning and reading research in the field of physical therapy. Lastly, a discussion on martial arts for personal development, and what to look for when visiting gyms.
Be sure to check out his page at https://theathletelab.org/
Instagram: @bjjpt_acl_guy
Also check out his book, How to Build a Badass Firefighter
Louis and Brandon discuss the upcoming Olympics in Paris. In this episode they look into medal strippings due to unethical practices, and the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. They also talk about the conditions for athletes at the Olympics, the addition of new events to the Games, and their personal preferences for the summer and winter Olympics.
Louis and David focus on the natural processes of aging and their impact on fitness, with a particular emphasis on the role of sleep, recovery, and hormones in muscle repair and growth. They also discuss the negative effects of chronic stress on the body, the importance of heart rate variability as a marker for physical performance, and the significance of work-life balance. Lastly, they highlight the importance of proper hydration and nutrition for performance.
In this episode, Louis, Alex, and Brandon dive deep into the concept of the "hybrid athlete," exploring what it means to train in multiple disciplines like powerlifting and running. The trio debates the merits and drawbacks of the term, with Alex and Brandon questioning if a "hyrbid athlete" exists. They discuss whether being well-rounded in various fitness areas equates to hybrid athleticism and share their views on notable examples from the professional sports world.
In this episode Lou and Dave highlight the significance of incorporating strength training for unaffected areas in early stage rehabilitation especially post-surgery or injury. They also discuss the importance of maintaining a routine and providing a sense of progress for patients, keeping involved in their sport community, and sustaining motivation. If you have questions or have a topic you want answers on let us know!