In this episode, we dive into injury risk profiling—a critical tool for assessing and mitigating injuries in athletes and tactical professionals. We break down how injury profiles, assessments, and biomechanics can identify potential risk factors for injury.

You'll learn:

✅ Why human performance teams should screen for injury risk

✅ How to develop and implement a screening protocol
✅ Key indicators of injury risk based on sport and athlete profiles

If you work in a high performance team as a sports medicine provider or strength and conditioning coach, this episode provides an actionable framework to develop injury risk profiling for your athletes and team.

🎧 Tune in now and take control of your performance!

Ep. 28: Discussing the importance of taking a reconditioning approach to athletic injury to get athletes ready for return to competition

What You'll Learn: ✅ The key differences between rehab and reconditioning ✅ Why traditional rehab falls short for athletes ✅ How to train around injuries and maintain performance ✅ The importance of reverse-engineering recovery plans ✅ Why recovery should be seen as a preparation period, not just downtime

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!​

More About Us: 

Instagram: ⁠⁠@athletes_first_physio

YouTube: AthletesFirstPhysio

Improving PT Outcomes in 2025

1. Improving diagnostic ultrasound skills

2. Becoming certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)

3. Dialing in muscle force testing to become more objective during the rehab and reconditioning process

The Musculoskeletal Imperative

Enhancing Combat Capability through Effective Injury Management

​Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover! ​ 

More About Us: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@athletes_first_physio⁠⁠⁠ ​

In this week's podcast we talked about the barriers and facilitators to implementing injury prevention and human performance programs within the military.

The podcast is based off the paper: Perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation of injury prevention programs in the military: Feedback from inside the trenches

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!​

More About Us: Instagram: ⁠⁠@athletes_first_physio⁠

“The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.”

5 Benefits of Working as a PT for the Army H2F Program

1. Direct Access
2. Physical Therapists as Primary Care Practitioners
3. No Insurance Limitations
4. Working Within a Human Performance Team
5. Education, Teaching, Training

Thanks for listening!

Message me @Athletes_First_Physio if you have any further questions regarding being a PT with H2F, military PT, or anything else.

Athletes First Performance Website

“The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.”

Griffin Zink, PT, DPT, CSCS  joined the podcast to discuss psychological readiness for athletes returning to sport following ACL reconstruction.

We reviewed his residency research project as well as his recently published article in Sports Health: The Influence of Strength and Sport Exposure on Psychological Readiness After ACL Reconstruction
Topics Include:

• Why psychological readiness should be considered independently from strength and hop testing
• Screening psychological readiness via the ACL-RSI 
• The Inverted U Theory and the critical timepoints and milestones during rehab that have fluctuations in emotions
• When to administer the ACL-RSI during the return to sport continuum
• How demographics such as age and gender impact psychological readiness
• Potential interventions to address psychological readiness

Contact:

Instagram: ⁠@GriffinZink

Email: griffinzink1@gmail.com

Zink GP, Zwolski CM, Thomas SM, Paterno MV, Schmitt LC. The Influence of Strength and Sport Exposure on Psychological Readiness After ACL Reconstruction. Sports Health. 2024;16(2):239-246. doi:10.1177/19417381231223522⁠
​Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover! ​ 

More About Us: Instagram: ⁠⁠@athletes_first_physio⁠⁠ ​

Run Time: 36:33  Released on 7April2024

Javy Ramirez, CSCS  joined the podcast to discuss his journey from enlisting as a Navy Submariner, to making the rounds as a D1 football strength and conditioning coach, and ultimately finding his way back into the military setting to become a tactical strength and conditioning coach

Topics Include:

• Experiences in the Navy and lessons learned 
• Gaining meaningful coaching experience while getting his degree
• The importance of networking and building relationships to get the jobs and experience that you want in life
• Leveraging his prior experience in the Navy to help connect, teach, and lead soldiers to higher levels of physical performance

Instagram: @Javy_RPerform

The Awakening Training Program on Train Heroic
⁠
Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!
​
More About Us: Instagram: ⁠@athletes_first_physio⁠
​Run Time: 58:21  Released on 26March2024

Orthopedic Surgeon Paul Inclan, MD  joined the podcast to discuss ACL reconstruction, rehab, return to sport, and prevention programs. 

Topics Include:

• Initial evaluation for athletes with an acute knee injury 
• ACL graft type selection
• ACL rehab considerations for meniscus pathology 
• Best ways that surgeons, PT's, and ATC's can come together for designing rehab protocols and return to sport testing
• How to maximize return to play and injury prevention programs for athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction

Paul Inclan, MD 
Email: Inclanpm41@gmail.com
Twitter: Inclanpm
⁠
Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!
​
More About Us: Instagram: ⁠@athletes_first_physio⁠
​Run Time: 1:01:46  Released on September 10, 2023

Trevor Lomax joined the podcast to discuss performance nutrition for the injured athlete and soldier.

Topics Include:

• Key concepts that every athlete or soldier should know about nutrition and injury recovery
• The nutrition pyramid by Eric Helms 
• Supplementation to enhance performance and recovery 
• Nutrition protocols for common injury patterns seen in soldiers
• How to maximize nutrition during long term rehab post surgery 

Trevor Lomax, MS, RD CSSD, CSCS
Instagram: ⁠@trevorlomax
⁠
Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!
​
More About Us: Instagram: ⁠@athletes_first_physio⁠
​Run Time: 1:12:43  Released on July 28, 2023

Matt Matau, CSCS joined the podcast to discuss his career as a strength and conditioning coach, moving from the university setting to working with the Army as part of a H2F team.

Topics Include:

• How to handle working with multiple teams as a college strength and conditioning coach
• The path to becoming a tactical strength and conditioning coach
• Building relationships with the soldiers that he works with
• Key considerations when working with the tactical population
• Advice for coaches who want to move into the tactical setting

Matt Matau
Instagram: @mathew_f_matau
Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!
​
More About Us:
Instagram: @athletes_first_physio
Run Time: 35:34  Released on July 15, 2023

We had Nate Reynolds, PT, DPT, OCS on the podcast to discuss how he has transitioned his PT career from outpatient orthopedics to home health, and now creating a cash PT practice where he specializes in treating Crossfit athletes and baseball players. 

Topics Include

• Transitioning to home health and starting a cash pay PT business
• Creating a niche with Crossfit athletes and baseball players 
• How he is setting up his business to create the time and financial freedom for future success 

Nate Reynolds 

Instagram: @NRG.Health

Website: NRGhealth.fit

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us:

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: @athletes_first_physio

Run Time: 36:42  Released on November 3rd, 2022

In this episode we discuss the Patellofemoral Pain Clinical Practice Guidelines. 

Topics Include:

• Differential Diagnosis
• Objective Exam Techniques 
• Functional Tests and Measures
• Classification Systems 
• Treatment 

References: 

1. Willy RW, Hoglund LT, Barton CJ, et al. Patellofemoral Pain: Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health From the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019;49(9):CPG1-CPG95. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.0302

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us:

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/

Run Time: 58:36  Released on October 9, 2022

In this episode we discuss testing and profiling athletes following ALCR with Madi Franek and Brandon Surber. 

Topics Include

• Important considerations for strength testing athletes during ACLR rehab 
• Practical applications for assessing explosiveness and reactive strength in the clinic 
• Horizontal deceleration and how it applies to ACL rehab 
• Long term rehab frameworks

Madi Franek 

twitter: madisonfranek

instagram: dr.madison.franek

Brandon Surber 

twitter: @BSurberATPT

instagram: B_Surber4

brandoncsurber@gmail.com

References

1. Essential guide to testing and profiling an athlete during rehabilitation and return to play following ACLR

2. Harper DJ, McBurnie AJ, Santos TD, et al. Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Performance Requirements of Horizontal Deceleration: A Review with Implications for Random Intermittent Multi-Directional Sports. Sports Med. 2022;52(10):2321-2354. doi:10.1007/s40279-022-01693-0

3. Harper DJ, Cohen DD, Carling C, Kiely J. Can Countermovement Jump Neuromuscular Performance Qualities Differentiate Maximal Horizontal Deceleration Ability in Team Sport Athletes? Sports. 2020;8(6):76. doi:10.3390/sports8060076

4. Harper DJ, Cohen DD, Rhodes D, Carling C, Kiely J. Drop jump neuromuscular performance qualities associated with maximal horizontal deceleration ability in team sport athletes. European Journal of Sport Science. 2022;22(7):1005-1016. doi:10.1080/17461391.2021.1930195

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us:

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: @athletes_first_physio

Run Time: 1:23:06 Released on September 24th, 2022

To start off season 2 of the podcast, we broke down the new Clinical Practice Guidelines: Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes. 

Topics Include

• Injury Incidence
• Pathoanatomical Features
• Risk Factors:   Non-modifiable and Modifiable
• Evaluation Process
• Interventions
•  Return to play

References

1.Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes

RobRoy L. Martin, Michael T. Cibulka, Lori A. Bolgla, Thomas A. Koc, Jr., Janice K. Loudon, Robert C. Manske, Leigh Weiss, John J. Christoforetti, and Bryan C. Heiderscheit JOSPT Cases 0 0:0, CPG1-CPG44

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us:

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/

Run Time: 41:41 Released on February 27th, 2022

In this episode, we discuss bone stress injuries in running athletes and military population. 

Topics Include 

• What is a bone stress injury (BSI)
• Basic pathophysiology of BSI and healing, 
• Epidemiology and risk factors
• Clinical dx and low vs high risk BSI, 
• Overarching treatment plan mobility, strength, and plyometrics for bone loading, 
• When can athletes return to run and how to progress running program 

References 

1. Warden SJ, Davis IS, Fredericson M. Management and Prevention of Bone Stress Injuries in Long-Distance Runners. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44(10):749-765. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5334

2. Warden SJ, Edwards WB, Willy RW. Optimal Load for Managing Low-Risk Tibial and Metatarsal Bone Stress Injuries in Runners: The Science Behind the Clinical Reasoning. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(7):322-330. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.9982

3. Warden SJ, Edwards WB, Willy RW. Preventing Bone Stress Injuries in Runners with Optimal Workload. Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2021;19(3):298-307. doi:10.1007/s11914-021-00666-y

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us:

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/

Run Time: 55:04 Released on November 4th, 2021

We break down the basics regarding blood flow restriction training in the clinic.

Topics Include:

• Proposed mechanisms of BFR
• Safety 
• Determining proper limb occlusion pressure and what works best for developing muscle strength and hypertrophy
• Exercise volume and determining proper load 
• What type of patients or athletes benefit from BFR
• Specifics regarding BFR with resistance exercise and aerobic exercise 
• Pain Modulation
• Using BFR with post-op ACL 

Resources: 

1.Hughes L, Rosenblatt B, Haddad F, et al. Comparing the Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction and Traditional Heavy Load Resistance Training in the Post-Surgery Rehabilitation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patients: A UK National Health Service Randomised Controlled Trial. Sports Med. 2019;49(11):1787-1805. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01137-2

2. Patterson SD, Burr JF, Warmington S. Editorial: Blood Flow Restriction: Rehabilitation to Performance. Front Physiol. 2021;12:566421. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.566421

3. Owens Recovery Science 

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us:

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/

Run Time: 37:07 Released on October 4th, 2021

This episode is the last episode of our Pain Science Series. We discuss three different case studies on how to apply pain neuroscience education in the clinic.

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!  

More About Us:  

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/ 

Run Time: 43:42 Released on September 14th, 2021

This episode is the second of three episodes of our Pain Science Series. This week, we break down the drivers of persistent pain. 

Topics Include:

• Cup Overflow Analogy
• Control of Stressors
• Sleep
• Mental Health
• Fear of Movement
• Graded Exposure

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us: 
Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/

Run Time: 36:34
Released on August 31st, 2021

This episode is the first of three episodes of our Pain Science Series. This week, we break down pain biology and try to simplify the pain process. 

Topics Include:

• Defining pain
• Breaking down the process of pain 
• Pain modulation 
• What causes odd pains?
• Central sensitization 

Thanks for listening and as always, please let us know if you have any questions, recommendations, or topics you would like us to cover!

More About Us: 

Website: https://athletesfirstperformance.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athletes_first_physio/

In episode 10 we discuses the evaluation and management of athletic low back pain. We talk about the differences between flexion and extension sensitive athletes and then take a deep dive into evaluation and treatment of spondylolysis in youth athletes. 

Topics Include:

• Initial evaluation for athletic low back pain 
• Specific tests to help identify spondylosis
• The importance of regional interdependence when dealing with athletes  
• Trunk specific training and rehab progressions for athletes dealing with spondylosis 
• Our thoughts on motor control exercises vs low back strengthening 

Articles

1.Daniels JM, Pontius G, El-Amin S, Gabriel K. Evaluation of Low Back Pain in Athletes. Sports Health. 2011;3(4):336-345. doi:10.1177/1941738111410861

2.Purcell L, Micheli L. Low Back Pain in Young Athletes. Sports Health. 2009;1(3):212-222. doi:10.1177/1941738109334212

3. Selhorst M, Allen M, McHugh R, MacDonald J. REHABILITATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPONDYLOLYSIS IN THE YOUTH ATHLETE. Intl J Sports Phys Ther. 2020;15(2):287-300. doi:10.26603/ijspt20200287

4. Nambi G, Abdelbasset WK, Alqahtani BA, Alrawaili SM, Abodonya AM, Saleh AK. Isokinetic back training is more effective than core stabilization training on pain intensity and sports performances in football players with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine. 2020;99(21):e20418. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000020418

Thanks for listening and as always if you have any questions feel free to reach out on social media or email!