Sports Medicine Project

Confused by all the ASICS “Blast” shoes? In this video I break down the entire Blast family and help you match the right shoe to your running.Megablast – max stack, FF TURBO SQUARED, ultra-bouncy long run and easy day optionSonicblast – dual-foam midsole with Pebax plate, built for tempo and faster long runs Superblast 2 – the super trainer sweet spot for daily training, long runs and some workouts Novablast 5 – the classic bouncy daily trainer, 8 mm drop, big stack without feeling unstable  Dynablast – more affordable, lower stack, flexible Blast option that still feels fun underfoot Which models suit higher weekly mileage and long runsWhen I might lean towards Megablast or Superblast?Where Dynablast and Novablast fit for newer runners or those not used to very high stack shoes?

SummaryIn this conversation, Blake Withers interviews Aidan Rich, a sports and exercise physiotherapist, about his research on proximal hamstring tendinopathy and the recent randomized control trial comparing physiotherapy and shockwave therapy. Aidan shares his journey into the field, the challenges of designing the study, and the importance of education in treatment. They discuss the nuances of exercise rehabilitation, patient experiences, and the surprising results of the trial, which showed no significant difference between the two treatment methods. Aidan emphasizes the need for individualized care and the potential for future research in this area.Paper links: Main RCT: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03635465251391134https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41037932/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40469642/https://www.jsams.org/article/S1440-2440(25)00275-0/pdfAidan Rich:PhD Candidate | APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist | State ManagerA dedicated and passionate physiotherapy professional with extensive experience in both academic research and clinical management. Currently pursuing a PhD with the topic of 'Physiotherapy for Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy,' where he has conducted two randomised trials. In addition to his academic pursuits, he oversee the clinical, financial, and cultural performance of a network of 20 physiotherapy and sports medicine clinics across Victoria. His role involves ensuring the highest standards of patient care, optimising financial performance, and fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Aidan Rich03:48 The Evolution of Tendinopathy Treatment08:30 Shockwave Therapy: Insights and Experiences13:13 Designing the RCT: Methodology and Protocols18:20 The Exercise Program: Structure and Rationale23:07 Education in Rehabilitation: Importance and Implementation28:39 The Benefits of Resistance Training29:52 Qualitative Insights from RCT Participants31:36 Surprising Strength Outcomes in Rehabilitation33:42 Effect Modifiers in Treatment Response35:20 Clinical Applications of Shockwave Therapy37:01 Patient Preferences in Treatment Choices38:00 Individualized Treatment Approaches39:04 Evaluating Shockwave Therapy Effectiveness41:22 Challenges in Designing Effective Trials43:22 Comparative Outcomes in Tendinopathy Treatments45:43 Acute Responses to Shockwave Therapy48:36 Key Takeaways for Clinicians50:59 Future Directions in Research

Audio a little quiet last 54 mins. Ian is a sports podiatrist and educator who helps people stay active and reach their goals through evidence-based pain and injury management. A keen runner himself, he pairs lived experience with top-tier credentials—degrees in Podiatric Medicine and Sports Injury, postgraduate training in Sports Podiatry and Academic Practice, and Fellowships of the Royal College of Podiatry, the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow, and the Higher Education Academy—while lecturing at Queen Mary University of London and holding adjunct roles at Monash and Ziauddin Universities. He has presented internationally and supported elite teams including the PGA European Tour, England Rugby 7s, Surrey Cricket, GB Men’s Hockey and Arsenal (including London 2012), but takes greatest pride in helping everyday athletes stay healthy, resilient and able to enjoy their sport.

Breakdown of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), what it is, why clinicians and athletes should care, key stats/facts that often get missed, and practical screening you can use tomorrow in clinic or with your squad.What you’ll learnWhat RED-S actually is (beyond “under-fuelling”)Why it matters for health, performance, and injury riskPrevalence, red flags, and common pitfallsHow to screen in real life: which tools, when to use them, and how to interpret resultsWhen to refer and build a multidisciplinary planLEAF-Q (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire) https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/suppl/2014/02/21/bjsports-2013-093240.DC1/bjsports-2013-093240supp1.pdfLEAF-Q Scoring Guide:https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/suppl/2014/02/21/bjsports-2013-093240.DC1/bjsports-2013-093240supp2.pdf• LEAM-Q (Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire) 6https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/9/1873 (see supplementary material)• RST (RED-S Specific Screening Tool) 7https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/original_article/pdf/30734/1612430181-1612430175-20210204-18268-i9k6n7.pdf(Questionnaire in appendix C, scoring guide in appendix B)• SEAQ-I (Sport-Specific Energy Availability Questionnaire andInterview) 8https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/4/1/e000424(see supplementary material)• EDE-Q (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire) 9https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/content/dam/socialwork/continuing-education/documents/Eating-Questionairre-EDE-Q.pdf• SCOFF (Sick, Control, One (stone), Fat, and Food Questionnaire) 10https://www.nutritionhealth.com.au/site/assets/files/1064/scoff-questionnaire.pdf• EAI (Exercise Addiction Inventory) 11https://doi.org/10.1080/16066350310001637363 (see appendix 1)• EDS (Exercise Dependence Scale) 12https://www.personal.psu.edu/dsd11/EDS/EDS21Manual.pdf

Stress fractures are one of the most common running injuries (up to 20% of them), but what actually are they, why do they happen, and why do some take longer to recover than others?In this video, I explain: • What a stress fracture is and how it develops • Why taking time off running is often essential for healing • Why not all stress fractures are the same (location and severity matter) • What runners should know about recovery and reducing riskI’m a Sports Podiatrist and PhD researcher candidate in running injuries, and my goal is to give runners clear, evidence-based information to help them train smarter and stay injury free.