
Henry Abbott: Why Star Athletes Are Getting Injured More Than Ever
From Abel James Show by Abel James
December 18, 2025 · 1h 6m
About this episode
Henry Abbott discusses the increasing injury rates among star athletes and the science behind athletic performance and injury prevention.
A modern mystery haunts professional sports: Why are today's star athletes—who are bigger, faster, and stronger than ever—getting injured at such catastrophic rates? The glory days when all-stars like Cal Ripkin Jr. played 2,632 consecutive games seem far behind us. These days, promising careers are tragically cut short by horrific injuries televised to the masses. Some managers even see pro athletes as expendable, as surgeons circle broken bodies like buzzards. The strange truth is this: sometimes getting stronger actually makes us worse at sports. Athleticism is much more than just an arms race of strength and speed. It's about physical intelligence , skill development , and building fluency in the language of movement . We're here today with Henry Abbott , award-winning journalist, OG podcaster, and author of the new book “ Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance .” From jaw-dropping moments on the NBA court to the hidden science and technology in cutting-edge elite training labs, Henry unpacks the secrets behind how to build and maintain athletic mastery for life. if you're looking for extra motivation to get out of your chair, this is it. In this…
People in this episode
Host: Abel James
Guest: Henry Abbott
Topics covered
- athletic injuries
- sports science
- training methods
- physical intelligence
- injury prevention
- athletic performance
Keywords
- athletic injuries
- sports training
- injury prevention
- physical intelligence
- elite athletes
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance
More episodes of Abel James Show
- From Pro Esports Gamer to Health Hacker with Aly Rose · June 4, 2026 · 1h 2m
- How the Words You Sing Become the Life You Live with DPAK · May 21, 2026 · 1h 27m
- How to Feed Your Brain with Harvard-Trained Experts Dr. Srini and Dr. Uma · May 7, 2026 · 1h 11m
- Psychogenic Longevity: How Your Mindset Rewires Your Body with Dr. Srini Pillay · April 23, 2026 · 1h 12m
- Rewire Your Brain using Flow States with Neuroscientist Dr. Lana Morrow · April 9, 2026 · 1h 9m
- How to Create High-Performing, High-Trust Teams with Dr. Colin Fisher · March 26, 2026 · 1h 1m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Abel James Show podcast page.