SmartEducation Podcast Episode 11: Strength & Conditioning for Physiotherapists - Merv Travers

Summary

In this engaging podcast episode, Murr Travers, an Irish physiotherapist based in Australia, discusses the integration of strength and conditioning with physiotherapy. He shares insights on how physiotherapists can play a significant role in not only injury rehabilitation but also performance enhancement and injury prevention. Travers emphasizes the importance of strength training, even for older populations, and how physios can differentiate themselves by adopting a more proactive approach to fitness. He also highlights the value of simplifying training programs and tailoring them to each individual’s needs, illustrating that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to rehabilitation or performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Physios can play a key role in helping athletes progress from injury to peak performance by bridging the gap between injury recovery and strength conditioning.
• 😀 Our society may be making people fragile by encouraging over-cautious behavior and limiting physical stress, which prevents human resilience from developing through activity.
• 😀 Physiotherapists should have a broader role in health, particularly in injury prevention, general wellness, and disease prevention, including through strength training.
• 😀 Strength training is essential across all age groups, including the elderly, to promote both general health and rehabilitation.
• 😀 Physiotherapists with training in strength and conditioning can deliver more comprehensive programs and help patients transition to higher performance levels.
• 😀 It's important for physiotherapists to use a collaborative approach when determining the right weight for a patient, rather than providing an instant answer. Adjustments may be necessary over multiple sessions.
• 😀 The philosophy of 'less is more' often leads to better results in strength training, focusing on doing the basics really well instead of over-complicating exercises.
• 😀 Testing 1RM (one-repetition max) may not always be the most accurate or necessary for all athletes; it's crucial to find the right intensity based on individual capabilities and feedback.
• 😀 There’s no perfect program—physiotherapists should adapt and modify exercises based on individual progress, lifestyle, and injury history, ensuring the program suits the person rather than a generic formula.
• 😀 The role of physiotherapists in strength training, especially in clinical settings, is not just about rehabilitation but also about helping people become stronger and prevent future injuries or diseases.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of MuRF Travers' work?

MuRF Travers is focused on strength and conditioning for physiotherapists, with particular expertise in areas like low back pain, tendon pain, and exercise rehabilitation. He is involved in education, research, and helping both athletes and patients in rehabilitation and performance enhancement.

How does MuRF Travers feel about modern safety measures making people fragile?

MuRF Travers believes that society is making people fragile by overemphasizing safety measures that limit people's physical capabilities. He highlights the example of a 16 kg package labeled as requiring two people to lift, which contrasts with how people can easily lift similar weights in a gym. He argues that humans are 'anti-fragile' and can improve when exposed to appropriate stress, such as strength training.

What is the role of physiotherapists in the continuum from injury to performance?

Physiotherapists traditionally focus on the injury rehabilitation side of the spectrum, but MuRF Travers believes they should be involved throughout the continuum, including in performance enhancement. Physiotherapists with additional training in strength and conditioning can help athletes move from recovery to peak performance, collaborating with strength coaches when necessary.

What does MuRF Travers think about physiotherapists doing strength and conditioning training?

MuRF Travers emphasizes the importance of physiotherapists understanding and implementing strength and conditioning as part of rehabilitation. He believes that physiotherapists can play a significant role in both injury prevention and performance optimization, providing a comprehensive approach to physical health.

How does MuRF Travers approach assessing an athlete’s training load and performance in the gym?

MuRF Travers advocates for a careful and collaborative approach to determining the appropriate training load for athletes. He suggests using various methods like 1RM testing, percentage-based training, or repetitions in reserve, while understanding that the intensity needs to be personalized. This process often involves trial and error and adjusting based on the athlete's feedback.

What does MuRF Travers recommend for athletes who are new to strength training?

For beginners, MuRF Travers recommends starting with simple exercises, focusing on proper form, and gradually increasing intensity over time. He stresses the importance of not overcomplicating things with advanced exercises too early and instead building a solid foundation first.

Why does MuRF Travers suggest keeping programming simple for strength training?

MuRF Travers suggests that simpler programs focusing on a few effective exercises with higher intensity often lead to better results than complex ones. He believes that adding complexity can lead to confusion and less effective training, as it may reduce the weight an athlete can lift or take away from the program's overall efficiency.

How does MuRF Travers view the role of physiotherapists in preventing non-communicable diseases?

MuRF Travers believes that physiotherapists have an important societal role in preventing non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and depression by promoting regular physical activity, including strength training. He highlights the World Health Organization guidelines recommending resistance training twice a week for all adults, including those over 65.

What is MuRF Travers' perspective on training elderly populations?

MuRF Travers stresses that strength training is crucial for elderly populations, not just for injury prevention but also for improving overall health. He notes that the guidelines for older adults recommend strength training twice a week, and physiotherapists should be equipped to safely help elderly clients with tailored programs.

What is the key lesson that MuRF Travers wants participants in his courses to remember?

MuRF Travers encourages physiotherapists to focus on mastering the basics of strength and conditioning rather than relying on complex programs. He also stresses the importance of collaborating with patients to find the right intensity and adjusting the dosage over time, making sure the program fits the individual.