The Perform Prevent Recover Podcast

Episode 31: Concussion: The Delicate Art of Concussion Assessment & Management In Community and Junior Sport

Join us as we welcome David Munro, an expert physiotherapist with a wealth of experience in concussion management across a variety of sports, but with a focus on community level sport and Australian Rules Football. Listen in as he shares his journey and provides valuable insights into the evolution of concussion awareness and peels back the layers on concussion management, giving athletes and coaches the critical know-how to safeguard players' futures.
David's wealth of knowledge is obvious as we discuss the days of limited recognition through to today's understanding of considering concussion as a mild traumatic brain injuries. The complexity of managing these injuries is balanced with a simple focus on providing adequate care to concussed athletes.
David and I navigate the process of recognizing and responding to concussions in high-pressure sports environments, using readily available tools such as the Concussion Recognition Tool 6, and the crucial role these tools play in ensuring the safety of our players.. David also touches on the challenges of managing younger athletes, the emotional indicators of concussion, and further explains the gradual reintroduction of athletes to their sport post-concussion, detailing the Graduated Return To Sport guidelines and protocols that prioritize the athlete's long-term well-being.
David discusses the contentious debates surrounding concussion protocols and helmet safety, especially within Australian sports. We dissect the differing guidelines from the AFL to those recommended by the Australian Institute of Sport, and why it's crucial to adhere to these expert-driven measures. David also addresses the sobering topic of athletes facing consecutive concussions and the potential need for long recovery periods in certain cases.
This episode isn't just about the immediate steps post-concussion, but about a holistic view of athlete health, from the moment of impact to the long-term implications on their lives and careers.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone at any level of sport, even if just a parent, observer, or volunteer.
 
Below are some fabulous tools, some that were mentioned directly in the podcast, which will help enhance your knowledge and confidence in dealing with concussion:
https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/
(Australian Sports Commission regulations and recommendations, with clear information for all people involved in sports)
https://sma.org.au/new-concussion-guidelines-launched-today/
(Concussion Brain Health & Position Statement)
https://sma.org.au/
(extremely useful resource and has a downloadable copy of CRT6)
https://www.connectivity.org.au/
(includes a great short course for anyone to do)
 

Episode 30: Altitude Training with On Athletic Club Athletes Jodie McCann and Bendere Oboya

In episode 30, SSPC Physio Rob O'Donnell takes us inside the Falls Creek altitude training camp of the ON Athletics Club. Living in himself as physio for the ON team, Rob is in the perfect position to see first hand how the team approaches altitude training, a concept not foreign to many elite athletes.
Rob gets Jodie McCann and Bendere Oboya during a break from their intense training, and delves deep into the camp and how altitude training effects their training and their performance.
As well as talking altitude, Rob also takes the opportunity to get Jodie and Bendere to chat about their normal training regimes, strength training, footwear, and technology.
Here is your chance to get an idea of how the elite train, and why altitude training forms such an important part of their program.

Episode 29: Exercise Induced Gastro-Intestinal Syndrome In Distance Runners (AKA ”Runner’s Gut”)

Ever find yourself cruising along in a race, only to be hit by a sudden gut punch? No, not from an over-zealous competitor, but from your own body? If so, you're not alone.
'Runner's gut', officially known as exercise induced gastro-intestinal syndrome, is a surprisingly common issue among distance running athletes - and that's what we're unpacking today with sports nutritionist and expert, Gaby Villa. Gaby, founder of Intense Eat Fit, takes us on an incredible journey through the landscape of sports nutrition and gut health, sharing her personal story and how it inspired her mission to help others fuel their bodies for optimum performance. Gaby's passion for nutrition and helping people is clearly evident when you hear her talk! In this episode Gaby covers a heap of topics, including the physiological and mechanical factors contributing to gastrointestinal symptoms, carbohydrate intake for endurance athletes, sweat testing, the intricate balance between fueling your body without overwhelming your gut, hydration and sodium intake - a crucial yet often misunderstood aspect of athletic performance - and a whole lot more.   We discuss the case of Donna Urquhart, ultra runner, physiotherapist, and pain scientist, who is attempting a world record run of 1300km over 30 days in the coldest, windiest and driest desert on earth. Gaby explains the logistical factors that the harsh environment will have on her nutrition and hydration.
We wrap up the conversation with a look at sweat testing, a potentially invaluable tool for athletes looking to optimize their nutrition strategy. Join Gaby as she details the often-overlooked link between gut health and athletic performance - you might just find that it's the missing piece in your fitness puzzle. Whether you're a professional athlete, a recreational runner, or just someone interested in the complex interplay of exercise, nutrition, and gut health, this episode has so much valuable information for you. So, join Gaby Villa and I on this insightful journey through the world of sports nutrition and gut health. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of your body's needs and how to meet them for peak performance

Episode 28: Cricket Injuries - A Physio Perspective On Prevention, Management & Loads

Episode 28 sees us chat to former SSPC colleague Brendan Goonan, who is currently physiotherapist for the Victorian Women’s cricket team, and excitingly is about to move into a new role as Head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine for Cricket Victoria.
Brendan has been heavily involved in cricket from a young age both personally and professionally, and now finds himself with a lead physio role under the Cricket Victoria umbrella. During the episode we’ll discuss:
- the most common injuries in cricket
- which injuries are more common in males and which in females
- prevention of cricket injuries
- load management (and why match days aren't often the real problem)
- what to look for to try and catch the dreaded lumbar spine stress fracture early
- strength, flexibility and warm ups for cricket...
and a stack more.
For cricketers of all ages and levels, there's something in this episode to help you stay fitter and healthier this cricket season.
 

Episode 27: One Woman, One Mission! Run Antarctica - Finding The Limits Of Human Potential.

In Episode 27 we get elite ultra marathon runner, physio, and pain scientist Donna Urquhart back on the Perform Prevent Recover podcast to discuss her latest incredible mission.
From a dream, Run Antarctica has now become reality, and Donna will be faced with the greatest athletic test of her life in December this year at Union Glacier in Antarctica. 
Aiming to complete the longest polar ultramarathon in history, Donna will confront the windiest, driest and coldest desert on earth. The planning and logistics that are going into the Run Antarctica project are daunting - this is breaking new ground, and there is minimal historical data to draw on to help the planning.
In this episode Donna explains the project, the risks, the training, the team behind her, and a lot more.
Donna's story is an inspiration for all, and following her journey on the Run Antarctica social media channels is a must.
And in typical Donna fashion, whilst she will be attempting this Guinness World Record by running 1300km in a limited time frame, there is a greater cause: raising funds and awareness of the issue facing young female athletes and their high drop out rate from sport during adolescence.
Take a listen, be inspired, and come along the journey with Donna and the Run Antarctica team.

Episode 26 Eliza James - Forging A Path For Females In Football

It hasn't always been an easy path for females in Aussie Rules Football, and Eliza James has been through it all - from starting with boys teams (when no girls teams were available), through to the fledgling girls competitions with minimal teams and minimal girls, and now into the elite world of AFLW.
In this episode Eliza talks to us about her beginnings in football with local football club St Peter's East Bentleigh, through to her position now as an up and coming star in the AFLW for Collingwood.
For any young person aspiring to greater levels, especially females in sport, Eliza's journey is a fascinating one and a great example of how passion and hard work can result in dreams coming true!

Episode 25: When The Battle In Life Is For Life Itself - the heartbreaking but inspirational story of Jolene Anderson

Imagine the devastation of a diagnosis of cancer. And then imagine that once you start to get on top of that diagnosis, you are delivered the same diagnosis again - this time Stage 4, and completely unrelated to the first. And now imagine you're only in your 30's.
It's actually unimaginable, but it's true. Today we deviate away from the performance and achievements of our amazing athletes and clients, and focus on a life battle.
And whilst not taking away from any of these achievements that we have heard about in past podcasts, this one certainly makes you stop, and think, and appreciate your own life and your own health.
Bowel cancer is one of our greatest cancer killers, but mention bowel cancer and most people under 50 years of age wouldn't even give it a second thought, and in fact most healthy fit people over 50 still don't give it a second thought. But in Jolene's case she was dealt the double blow of breast cancer and bowel cancer.
Listen to Jolene and you will hear an eternally positive, brave, realistic, and inspirational human being - fighting for her life, but doing it with every ounce of energy and hope she has.
So sit back, take it in, and listen to a true hero - and if you can help her in the fight for her life, Jolene's fundraising links for her life saving surgery are below:
https://gofund.me/f4a170f0
Rare Cancers Australia link (a tax deductible option for big businesses/large donations. 
https://treat.rarecancers.org.au/campaign/2120/helping-jolene-anderson
If anyone wants to register for liver donation they can contact Jolene at 
Jolene.anderson2222@gmail.com 

Episode 24: Coast To Kosciuszko 2021 - Running Through A Storm

Coast To Koscioszko is one of Australia's toughest endurance events, beginning in the town of Eden in southern NSW and ending 240km later at Australia's highest point at the peak of Mount Koscioszko. The 2021 event, delayed due to COVID, presented some of the most challenging weather conditions the event and the athletes had ever seen - torrential sideways rain and floods that brough a whole new dimension to race tactics and survival.
Today we speak to ultra marathon runner Donna Urquhart and track her progress from her COVID impacted training schedule right through the race until her incredible finish. The cold, the wet, the terrain, the tiredness, the nutrition - it's all covered!
And as an extra bonus we get to speak to chief crew member, Donna's husband Rhys about the preparation, and the challenges that the crew also faced, and the battle they had to keep Donna dry and warm!
Tune in and listen to one of our toughest endurance athletes talk about one of our toughest endurance events, at the same time gaining insight into what it takes to conquer events such as C2K!

Episode 23: ACL Injuries - The Journey From Diagnosis To Return To Sport Part 2

We welcome back Sports Physio and ACL guru Mick Hughes for Episode 23 and the second part of our talk about the "diagnosis that devastates" - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Return To Sport.
If you haven't listened to Episode 22 yet, take a listen to that first as Mick discusses:
- why the ACL is so critical
- why the rates of ACL injury and reconstruction are increasing so rapidly
- what makes females so at risk of ACL injuries
- the reason young kids are also suffering more and more ACL injuries.
- how we diagnose ACL ruptures and why "no pain" after injury isn't necessarily a great sign.
And in this episode Mick continues on with:
- why a reconstruction is not necessarily a "given" anymore.
- how we decide who gets an operation and who doesn't.
- why delaying your decision on surgery may be the best decision you make.
- the critical importance of the ACL rehabilitation process and why strength must form the foundation of your rehab program.
- how we can make a massive difference in preventing ACL injuries
- the essential factor that guides our rehabilitation and progressions (and it's not the factor of time).
- when you should return to sport.
Take a listen to this episode to hear Mick discuss some really critical aspects that must be considered when anyone has an ACL injury. This is a rare opportunity to hear it "from the horse's mouth", from someone who has been so instrumental in changing the way we approach and manage our ACL injuries.
 

Episode 22: ACL Injuries: The Journey From Diagnosis To Return To Sport Part 1

Today we welcome Sports Physio and ACL guru Mick Hughes to the podcast to talk about the "diagnosis that devastates" - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and  Ruptures.
 
Nearly everyone who plays sport knows what an ACL is, and also knows that if you receive this ACL Rupture diagnosis, you'll likely miss 12 months of sport, and need surgical reconstruction to fix it.
But that's what used to happen, and in this episode Mick will separate fact from fiction, and talk us through so many aspects of the ACL journey. Mick covers topics such as:
- why the ACL is so critical
- why the rates of ACL injury and reconstruction are increasing so rapidly
- what makes females so at risk of ACL injuries
- the reason young kids are also suffering more and more ACL injuries.
- how we diagnose ACL ruptures and why "no pain" after injury isn't necessarily a great sign.
Mick discusses all this and more in the first part of our ACL podcast, and then in the next episode, goes on to talk about:
- why a reconstruction is not necessarily a "given" anymore.
- how we decide who gets an operation and who doesn't.
- why delaying your decision on surgery may be the best decision you make.
- the critical importance of the ACL rehabilitation process and why strength must form the foundation of your rehab program.
- how we can make a massive difference in preventing ACL injuries
- the essential factor that guides our rehabilitation and progressions (and it's not the factor of time).
 
Take a listen to this first episode to get a great understanding of the ACL and why it's such a common injury in sport, and then in Episode 2 we'll get into the "nuts and bolts" of how you get yourself back to sport.