The Inform Perform Podcast is an industry show focussed on Sports Performance and Sports Medicine. The show interviews thought leaders and professionals that support elite athletes and teams. The aim of the show is to deconstruct the strategies and philosophies the guests utilise in their working environment or area of expertise. Featured guests have worked across the NBA, NFL, MLB, F1, World title Boxing, EPL and more.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Episode 193: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Steve Barrett, we’re joined by Dr. Warren Bradley — a performance nutritionist turned entrepreneur, who has spent over a decade working within elite sport.
Warren earned his PhD in sports nutrition and spent the early part of his career supporting top-level athletes across multiple sports. In recent years, he has transitioned into the world of innovation and business, co-founding a company that now delivers cutting-edge Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training solutions to elite teams worldwide.
Topics Discussed:
- The truth behind working as a consultant sports nutritionist across multiple clubs
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Developing ideas to transition out of full-time sport to business owner
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Building a business and network that scales beyond your comfort zone
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in performance nutrition, career transitions in sport, and the growing intersection of sports science and entrepreneurship.
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Where you can find Warren:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Episode 192: In this episode of the Sports Performance Leadership Podcast, hosted by Pete McKnight, we speak with Duncan N. French, PhD, CSCS*D, RSCC*E, FUKSCA — Senior Vice President of the UFC Performance Institute and one of the most respected leaders in global high-performance sport.
Since joining the UFC in 2017, Duncan has overseen the delivery of high-performance services to over 700 world-class MMA fighters worldwide, managing a multidisciplinary team of 68 professionals across three state-of-the-art UFC Performance Institutes in Las Vegas, Shanghai, and Mexico City. With over 25 years of experience in elite professional sport, Duncan’s career spans coaching Olympic medalists, World Champions, world-record holders, and NCAA National Champions.
His leadership journey has taken him from national lead roles in the British Olympic system and the English Premier League, to directing performance sciences at the University of Notre Dame, and now shaping the global performance strategy of the UFC. Alongside his practical leadership, Duncan is a prolific contributor to the field — with over 60 scientific manuscripts, 9 book chapters, and as lead editor of the NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science textbook. In 2014, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the UKSCA for his outstanding service to the strength and conditioning profession.
Topics Discussed:
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Career Path — From British Olympic teams and Premier League football to NCAA and the UFC
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Leadership Evolution — Transitioning from technical expert to organisational leader
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Core Skills — Communication, influence, situational awareness, and emotional intelligence
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Building High-Performance Systems — Designing infrastructure and protocols from the ground up
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Leadership Models — Holacracy, situational leadership, and empowering teams
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Team Culture — Managing egos, fostering psychological safety, and leading with authenticity
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Personal Development — Staying technically sharp while reflecting on leadership behaviour
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Wellbeing — Strategies for sustaining energy, including surfing, meditation, and cold exposure
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Future Trends — The growing role of AI and technology alongside the enduring need for human connection
This episode offers rare insight into building world-class performance environments, sustaining leadership impact at scale, and balancing technical expertise with human-first leadership in elite sport.
Where you can find Duncan:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Episode 191: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, Andy McDonald is joined by Dr Fearghal Kerin. Fearghal is a chartered physiotherapist with extensive experience in elite sports. He has worked across Irish sports, including as Rehabilitation Physiotherapist at Leinster Rugby for nine seasons, before transitioning to Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League, where he held the same position. At Chelsea, he worked with international athletes including Premier League, Champions League and World Cup winners. In this episode Andy and Fearghal discuss the management of T-Junction hamstring Injuries.
Topics Discussed:
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Evolving Perspectives on Strength and Injury Prevention
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Understanding T-Junction Hamstring Injuries
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Diagnostic Challenges and Testing for T-Junctions
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Establishing a Competency-Based Pathway
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Understanding Loading and Injury Prevention
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Revising Traditional Approaches to Hamstring Injuries
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The Importance of Execution in Rehabilitation
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Exploring the Role of Ankle and Hip Mechanics
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Identifying Contributing Factors to Hamstring Injuries
- Innovations in Rotational Testing and Rehabilitation
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Where you can find Fearghal:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Episode 190: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Steve Barrett, we’re joined by Dr. Jamie Salter, a researcher and applied sport scientist currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at York St John University.
Jamie’s work focuses on training load management in youth athletes, with a particular emphasis on growth, maturation, and injury risk. Drawing from both academic research and applied experience, he explores how practitioners can better support developing athletes through tailored strategies that align with biological age rather than chronological age.
Topics Discussed:
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Jamie’s background and journey into youth sport science
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The relationship between injuries and maturation in young athletes
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Managing training load across different maturity statuses
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An introduction to and practical insights on Bio-Banding
This episode is essential for coaches, practitioners, and researchers working in youth development and long-term athlete performance planning.
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Where you can find Dave:
• ResearchGate
• X
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Sponsors
VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
Teambuildr: A platform for any coach in any setting. Every day, thousands of coaches log into TeamBuildr to write training programs, build questionnaires and access athlete and client performance data. Teambuildr is a complete platform. Whether you're building your own programming, looking to create custom reports or give athletes a tool for accountability, they've built it out.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
Episode 189: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Steve Barrett, we’re joined by Dave Carolan, a highly experienced Head of Performance, strategy advisor, and entrepreneur, currently leading the first team performance program at Derby County.
With over 30 years in elite professional sport, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge on the evolution of performance departments, athlete monitoring, and the changing landscape of sport science. From his early days pioneering innovation in football to his current strategic leadership role, Dave offers both historical context and forward-thinking insight.
Topics Discussed:
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The evolution of performance departments in elite sport
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How internal and external load monitoring has changed over three decades
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What innovation looked like in the early days of sport science
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Why players today are playing fewer games than 10–20 years ago
This is a must-listen for practitioners, coaches, and leaders seeking to understand the past, present, and future of performance strategy in elite sport.
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Where you can find Dave:
• Website
• X
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Sponsors
VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
Teambuildr: A platform for any coach in any setting. Every day, thousands of coaches log into TeamBuildr to write training programs, build questionnaires and access athlete and client performance data. Teambuildr is a complete platform. Whether you're building your own programming, looking to create custom reports or give athletes a tool for accountability, they've built it out.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Episode 188: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, Andy McDonald is joined by Stephanie Grubbs, a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sport Scientist currently working with the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball. With prior experience across top-tier programs including the University of Pittsburgh, Clemson Athletics, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stephanie brings a diverse and practical perspective on applied sport science in elite sport.
In this conversation, Stephanie shares her journey through high-performance environments and reflects on the strategies, systems, and relationships that have shaped her approach to athlete development.
Topics Discussed:
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The evolution of sports science in the U.S. high-performance landscape
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Building strong relationships and implementing impactful ideas
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Designing effective systems and processes in sports science programs
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The use of microdosing in strength training
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Adapting training methods to the unique demands of baseball
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The importance of intent and communication in daily training
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Exploring innovative recovery strategies
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Thoughts on career development and mentorship in elite sport
Whether you're a coach, practitioner, or sports science student, this episode delivers valuable insights into optimizing performance support in team sports.
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Where you can find Stephanie:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
Episode 187: In this episode of the Athletic Shoulder Podcast, we’re joined by Annelies Maenhout, a visiting professor at Ghent University’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and a leading researcher in shoulder rehabilitation. As a core member of the university’s Upper Limb Research Team, Annelies has contributed significantly to the field through her work on EMG, motor learning, and kinetic chain mechanics.
Her research bridges cutting-edge science with clinical practice, offering insights into how shoulder rehab can be refined through eccentric loading, implicit motor learning, and neuromechanics. With a forward-thinking approach, she explores how VR, brain activity, and reaction time play a role in optimizing rehab for overhead athletes.
Topics Discussed:
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EMG research on kinetic chain and plyometric exercises
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How her view on GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficit) evolved over time
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Key findings from eccentric training research
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Transitioning from internal to external attentional focus in rehab
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Applying implicit motor learning in shoulder rehabilitation
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The current gap in research on reaction time in overhead athletes
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Exploring the potential of VR and neuroscience in shoulder rehab
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Future directions in shoulder research: muscle synergies and brain activity
Whether you're a clinician, coach, or researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of evidence-based shoulder rehabilitation.
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Where you can find Annelies:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Episode 186: In this episode of the Sports Performance Leadership Podcast, hosted by Pete McKnight, we speak with Perry Stewart, Head of Academy Performance at Arsenal Football Club, and a highly respected leader in elite sport. With over a decade of experience across high-performance environments, Perry brings a unique blend of practical coaching expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep focus on developing high-trust, high-performing teams.
Perry holds an MSc in Strength & Conditioning, is pursuing a PhD at Loughborough University focusing on performance support teams, and is accredited by both the UKSCA and BASES. He was also named UKSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year for Youth Sport, recognizing his outstanding work in athlete development.
Topics Discussed:
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Unconventional path to leadership – From community fitness roles to elite sport
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Transitioning from practitioner to strategic leader at Arsenal
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The importance of people over process in high-performance environments
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How to build high-trust teams through empowerment and collaboration
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Learning leadership through experience and reflection, not just formal training
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Influences from organisational psychology and practical leadership frameworks
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The enduring impact of classic leadership models like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
This episode provides powerful insights for anyone interested in building culture, leading teams, and elevating athlete development within elite sport.
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Where you can find Perry:
• X
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Sponsors
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
Remaker: The Portable Strength Tracking Ecosystem. Remaker provides real-time insights to optimise your performance, making even the smallest improvements in your strength training visible in an engaging and powerful format. Remakers integrate seamlessly with the exercise equipment you already use, and the app provides meaningful metrics for every rep, of every set, of every exercise.
VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.
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Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Episode 185: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, hosted by Andy McDonald, we’re joined by Travis Gaudet and Taylor Evernden — two leaders in integrated rehab and performance systems.
Travis is a highly credentialed physiotherapist with a Master’s from Dalhousie University, a Fellowship with the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT), and advanced certifications in IMS, acupuncture, diagnostic imaging, and manual therapy techniques. His work focuses on evidence-based rehab, injury reduction, and leveraging sport science analytics to help athletes truly return to performance.
Taylor is a Strength and Conditioning Coach and founder of ORKA Performance, with over a decade of elite-level coaching experience across the Premier League, NHL, MLS, CFL, and more. Holding a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning from Edith Cowan University, Taylor brings a high-performance, sport-specific lens to athlete development and is also a coach educator with Canada Soccer.
Topics Discussed:
- Introduction to ORKA Performance and the founders’ backgrounds
- Their ACL rehabilitation process and overall philosophy
- Key phases of ACL rehab and metrics used to monitor progress
- How they are revolutionizing traditional rehab protocols
- The critical importance of objective testing in return-to-performance decisions
- Navigating the unique challenges of the Canadian rehab landscape
- Building a standout strength and conditioning model for post-rehab success
- Major lessons learned from years of clinical and performance practice
Tune in for a deep dive into next-generation rehab and performance strategies that bridge science, therapy, and coaching to build resilient, elite athletes.
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Where you can find Travis and Taylor:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
-
Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
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Our Team
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Episode 184: In this episode of the Athletic Shoulder Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Ben Ashworth, we’re joined by Hon. Professor Ian Horsley, a renowned Chartered Physiotherapist and Athlete Health Lead at the UK Sports Institute. With over 25 years of experience in elite sport, Ian has worked with England Rugby, Rugby League, professional football clubs, and was part of Team GB’s HQ physiotherapy team at four Olympic and two Commonwealth Games.
Ian is internationally recognized for his expertise in shoulder dysfunction, upper limb rehabilitation, and dysfunctional breathing. He also serves as Clinical Director at Back in Action Rehabilitation and holds an honorary professorship at the University of Salford, where he contributes to the MSc in Sports Rehabilitation program.
Topics Discussed:
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The importance of respiratory health in movement and rehab
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Assessing thoracic shape and breathing patterns to support shoulder function
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How cranial nerves and eye movements influence pain and range of motion
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Using the brain’s activation to enhance rehabilitation exercises
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Case studies from elite sport showcasing holistic assessment techniques
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The 'not the shoulder' approach to shoulder treatment
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The role of proprioception in athlete performance and recovery
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Innovative methods like sensory input and non-threatening assessments
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Gaps in current functional and overhead testing for athletes
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The value of collaborative research in advancing shoulder rehab
Tune in for a masterclass in shoulder performance and rehabilitation, combining neuroscience, biomechanics, and decades of elite sport experience.
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Where you can find Ian:
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Sponsors
VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training
Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.
-
Where to Find Us
Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:
-
Our Team