The SHIFT Show

We break down how landing mechanics shape knee health and why squat-based, trunk-controlled landings protect young athletes more than upright, stiff styles. We share quick screens, daily warm-ups, and strength progressions that make safer landings stick without wasting time. • defining knee valgus and why it raises ACL and patellofemoral stress • how trunk lean spikes medial knee load • squat-based landings vs upright landings and risk reduction • short-lived transfer of prevention programs ...

Pressure has a way of distorting priorities. The moment the lights go up and the scores start flashing, even calm adults can tighten, snap, or say things they wish they could take back. We wanted to talk frankly about how to keep the main thing the main thing: people first, gymnastics second. That shift changes how we coach after mistakes, how we handle parents, and how we protect safety and confidence across a long season. We dig into what real support looks like the second an athlete falls...

The line between “normal sore” and “season-ender” can be thinner than a springboard. We’ve been seeing a spike in shin pain as athletes ramp into meet season, so we dug into what actually separates routine aches from stress reactions and fractures—and how to act before things break. You’ll hear the red flags we never ignore, why focal anterior tibia pain is different from posteromedial soreness, and the simple rule of threes that helps coaches and athletes make better calls on the floor. We ...

Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/ We lay out a clear, test-driven plan for returning to gymnastics after an Achilles injury, from strength benchmarks and load progressions to surface mixing and smart skill choices. We also explain why removing a single back pass can cut risk without cutting value. • why we avoid midroll ads and keep focus • clearance, range, and strength symmetry before plyos...

Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/ We share a candid week of ACL and knee scares to examine why progress stalls and how to respond without blame. From honest workload talks to puberty timelines and recovery basics, we lay out a practical checklist clinicians and families can use right away. • listener growth and how to request topics • case stories that trigger self-reflection not self-blame •...

We push back on the “eat less when you’re hurt” myth and show how fueling drives better rehab, stronger muscles, and faster tissue healing. From creatine and omega‑3s to collagen timing and vitamin D, we map practical steps that help ACL and OCD athletes progress. • the case for calorie sufficiency and daily protein • why creatine and omega‑3s support strength and tolerance • vitamin D, vitamin C, and collagen timing for tissue support • reframing nutrition as fuel for performance, not weigh...

The transition from summer to fall brings new challenges for gymnasts as they balance back-to-school demands with increased training loads, requiring careful planning to prevent injuries and build a foundation for competition season. We discuss how to create a training plan that accommodates the physiological, mental, and lifestyle changes that occur during this critical period. • Four key "buckets" for successful preseason training: strength/conditioning, metabolic capacity, gymnastics prog...

In response to a request, we share valuable resources for learning about femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears, addressing the knowledge gap many clinicians face with these conditions. • Four essential resource categories: research literature, clinical specialists, surgical resources, and academic educators • Key research documents include the Warwick Agreement and Doha Agreement on diagnostic criteria for FAI • Following clinicians like Dan, Mike Ryman, and Mike Voigt who co...

Every day we pay our dues by doing the harder thing when it's the right thing to do, especially when managing the complicated early weeks of post-operative rehabilitation. • Understanding surgical procedures through observation, surgical textbooks, and building relationships with surgeons • Establishing direct communication with surgeons to obtain critical information rather than navigating complex administrative channels • Managing pain through appropriate medication, consistent icing...

Managing the growth spurt phase in young athletes requires patience, education, and strategic training modifications to prevent injuries and maximize long-term development. Athletes experience significant physical changes between ages 10-14 that directly impact performance and create temporary challenges that should be viewed as developmental opportunities. • Growth plates are vulnerable to injury during rapid growth phases • Peak Height Velocity (PHV) is when children grow fastest, typicall...

Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/ Return-to-sport programming for gymnasts presents unique challenges that standard rehabilitation protocols often fail to address. How do you safely progress an injured gymnast from soft surfaces back to competition floors? When should you increase repetitions versus change surfaces? What's the optimal approach when working with different age groups? This epis...

Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/ Leadership style significantly impacts athletic performance, with research showing better injury rates and attendance when coaches foster positive environments and clear communication. • Life stress and physical recovery draw from the same biological resources • Studies show students with higher life stress levels take longer to recover from workouts • Injury...