The SHIFT Show

In gymnastics, growth plate injuries are not uncommon, especially in the hamstring area. These injuries can cause pain and discomfort and require proper management to ensure full recovery.In this episode of The Shift Show, I’m joined by Dr. Emily Sweeney, a sports medicine physician from Colorado, to discuss the causes of hamstring growth plate injuries and the best ways to manage them.While her competitive gymnastics career ended early at 16, due to a back and other injuries, she continued her role by working as a coach for ten years and serving as a women’s artistic and NCAA judge for 15 years. We delve into the big picture of what needs to be done when an athlete experiences acute pain, the exercises that can be done in the rehab setting, and the timeline for a slow return to gymnastics. We also discuss the importance of early detection to prevent these injuries from becoming more severe.Dr. Sweeney provides a medical perspective on imaging and the causes of hamstring growth plate injuries, whilst I share expertise on the PT side of things, outlining the best exercises for rehabilitation. Together, we provide a comprehensive overview of the topic and the best practices for managing these injuries.If you're interested in learning more about this topic, make sure to tune in to Dr. Sweeney's lecture on day one of the 2023 Shift Symposium. We discuss:Children are not just small adults, and we need to acknowledge that they have different injuries.What are growth plates? Don't ignore the nagging pain.Perfect storm of force and growth: The danger of overworking young athletes.Setting timeline expectations for recovery. Return to play progression and rehabilitation.The importance of psychological readiness in rehabilitation. And…What to look for in a potential re-injury?We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

This week's mini-podcast episode is a sneak peek of one of last year's Shift Symposium guest lectures, Plyometrics For Gymnastics.Presented by my friend and co-worker from Champion Physical Therapy and Performance Diwesh Poudyal. Head of Strength and Conditioning and Director of Fitness, programming for NCAA, Elite and gymnast that just want to have fun.If you want to hear the rest of this lecture you can access it on the Shift website:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2022shiftsymposium/The 2023 Shift Symposium runs from Friday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 25th, where you can learn everything you need to know about Gymnastics Medical Care, Gymnastics Coaching, and Gymnastic Strength and Conditioning.The lineup of 30 speakers is ridiculous, giving incredible lectures over three days, so don’t miss out! Head over to:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2023shiftsymposium/We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

Today on the podcast I am super stoked to have Justin Spring former NCAA gymnast known for his daring and impressive skill set and helping his Illinois team to multiple championship titles. During his time at College, he also represent the USA at world championships and helped Team USA win Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.From being an Olympian to coaching the Illinois men's gymnastics team, Justin has had an incredible journey and discusses his experiences and shares valuable coaching tips.Having been a part of the sport for over two decades, Justin explains how the NCAA has transformed gymnastics and made it more competitive. He also shares his thoughts on the cultural and educational changes that have contributed to the sport's growth.Last year Justin transitioned from coaching men's gymnastics to women's gymnastics.He talks about the challenges he faced and the changes he made to his coaching style to adapt to the new team dynamics.The episode is a treasure trove of information for coaches and gymnasts alike. Justin's practical tips on coaching, building team culture, and maintaining a positive attitude are a must-listen for anyone looking to excel in gymnastics.We discuss:Justin Spring’s Olympic gymnastic journey.Transitioning from being a gymnast to coaching.The psychological state of being excellent. How to build mental fortitude and strength. The differences between coaching men's and women’s gymnastics. Breaking down air awareness to improve landing and sticking.The importance of taking time to get to know athletes. How to show athletes that you care about them. Pointing the finger vs. pulling the thumb. And…What can we expect from Alabama Gymnastics in 2023?We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

This week's mini-podcast episode is a sneak peek of one of last year's Shift Symposium guest lectures, Developing and Maintaining Yurchenkos and Tsuks.Presented by Cale Robinson former NCAA athlete and owner of Pacific Regin Gymnastics.His passion is helping each athlete reach their own individual potential.If you want to hear the rest of this lecture you can access it on the Shift website:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2022shiftsymposium/The 2023 Shift Symposium runs from Friday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 25th, where you can learn everything you need to know about Gymnastics Medical Care, Gymnastics Coaching, and Gymnastic Strength and Conditioning.The lineup of 30 speakers is ridiculous, giving incredible lectures over three days, so don’t miss out! Head over to:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2023shiftsymposium/We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

In today’s episode of The Shift Show, I am joined by gymnastics legends Chellsie Memmel, and Kyle Shewfelt.The 2005 World All-Around Champion and Beijing Olympic Team member Chellsie made an inspiring comeback to gymnastics in her thirties and is now U.S. National Team Coach.Kyle was the first ever Canadian gymnast to win gold at the Olympics, now coach he is at the forefront of trying to make positive change in our sports culture.Together we had an insightful conversation about the idea of raising the minimum age for senior elite women's gymnastics to 18. The discussion highlighted the need for cultural change in the sport and the importance of promoting longevity and later peaking-based training.We touched on various aspects of the issue, including training hours, early specialization, and the benefits of training in multiple sports, then gave our recommendations and thoughts for coaches around this topic, as well as the potential impact of raising the senior age to 18.I encourage coaches, club staff, and federation officials to listen to the episode and share it with their colleagues. By doing so, we can work together to promote a healthier and more sustainable approach to gymnastics training.We discuss:Chellsie Memmel & Kyle Shewfelt thoughts on raising the age limit to 18 in Senior Elite Women's Gymnastics.The pros and cons of changing the age limit.The branding issue of gymnastics. Junior Worlds. At what age should a child specialize in one sport?How to give athletes autonomy in gymnastics.The importance of taking offseasons. What do you do with 20 hours per week? The overarching goal for gymnastics. Chellsie & Kyle’s suggestions for making positive change in our sports culture.And… How will this affect College gymnastics?We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

This week's mini-podcast episode is a sneak peek of one of last year's Shift Symposium guest lectures, Hip Microinstability and Labral Injuries in Gymnasts.Presented by Dr Kaysha Bates BT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, Physical Therapist and former Collegiate gymnast.Kaysha has unfortunately had a lot of hip injuries herself as a result of outdated flexibility methods such as over splits and using ankle weights.She is now on the other side of 10 hip surgeries.If you want to hear the rest of this lecture you can access it on the Shift website:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2022shiftsymposium/The 2023 Shift Symposium runs from Friday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 25th, where you can learn everything you need to know about Gymnastics Medical Care, Gymnastics Coaching, and Gymnastic Strength and Conditioning.The lineup of 30 speakers is ridiculous, giving incredible lectures over three days, so don’t miss out! Head over to:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2023shiftsymposium/We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

Lower back pain is a common issue that many gymnasts and cheerleaders face. In this episode, I’m joined by sports physical therapist Shelley Anderson, DPT, SCS, CSCS, Assistant Director of Therapy at Godspeed Health to discuss the main reasons for back pain in these athletes and how to help them overcome it.Shelley specializes in the treatment of Female Athletes, specifically in gymnastics and cheerleading, working inside a high-level fitness and athletic facility. One of the main causes of lower back pain in gymnasts and cheerleaders is repetitive strain from tumbling, stunting, and landing impacts but it is not the only reason.It's important to identify the specific type of back pain someone is experiencing in order to treat it properly. In the first few weeks of pain, the focus should be on pain relief and reducing inflammation through rest and medication.As pain improves, rehabilitation exercises can be implemented to strengthen the muscles and improve flexibility. Shelley provides specific examples of exercises and progressions that can be used to help athletes in the beginning, middle and advanced phases of recovery. These include core stability exercises, hip strengthening exercises, and back exercises.It's important to note that each athlete's recovery will be unique and may require a tailored program and Shelley stresses the importance of proper form and technique during exercises to prevent further injury.Overall, with proper diagnosis and treatment, gymnasts and cheerleaders can overcome lower back pain and return to their sport. For medical providers interested in learning more, Shelley will be giving a lecture on this topic at the 2023 Shift Symposium. Tickets are available at:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2023shiftsymposium/We discuss:Why back pain isn’t just caused by too many backhand springs.Breaking down pain in skills. How too screen for back pain? Why lying on your stomach is good for back pain.The importance of setting expectations early.What does rehab look like for lower back pain?How to reintroduce impact to athletes recovering from back injuries. And…Exercises do build back power after injury.We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

This week's mini-podcast episode is a sneak peek of one of last year's Shift Symposium guest lectures, Core Strength and Shaping.Presented by Christina Myers, MS, CSCS a gymnastics and strength and conditioning coach who works with Excel groups.Christina has a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and Nutrition and a Masters in Applied Exercise Science: Strength & Conditioning.If you want to hear the rest of this lecture you can access it on the Shift website:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2022shiftsymposium/The 2023 Shift Symposium runs from Friday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 25th, where you can learn everything you need to know about Gymnastics Medical Care, Gymnastics Coaching, and Gymnastic Strength and Conditioning.The lineup of 30 speakers is ridiculous, giving incredible lectures over three days, so don’t miss out! Head over to:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2023shiftsymposium/We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

Today in the podcast, I'm very excited to bring on Tom Callow, who is another wonderful strength coach working in Australia. Tom has a ton of experience, helping gymnasts learn how to lift, helping them get stronger and more powerful, and working on their sprinting speed. Originally from the UK, he has had various S&C roles with Bristol Academy of Sport, Aus International School Singapore, and now Tom Callow Performance.His mission is to help athletes maximize opportunities in sport and life.This is evident on his Instagram which showcases the phenomenal work he is doing with gymnasts and other sporting athletes to get stronger, more powerful, and really be explosive.We're seeing more and more gymnasts who are opening their minds and are using the hybrid model of one to two days of general weight training with dumbbells and barbells, and kettlebells, but then still doing two to three days of gymnastic-specific strengthening with rope climbs and leg lifts. But coaches are still slightly overwhelmed with how to get the best of both worlds.How do you get somebody stronger, faster, and more powerful from a weight room, but also try to make sure we don't lose out on those essential handstands, rope climbs, and leg lifts. I've been trying my best to get on a lot of great information about how we get this happy medium between the two. In our discussion, Tom gives clarity on what general weight room training entails for athletes and explains in a way for coaches, gymnasts, and parents to understand.We Discuss: How to integrate general strength training into gymnastics. The difference between strength training and bodybuilding. Exercise you need in your general S&C programs for gymnasts.Why the basics are key.Exactly how to get stronger and faster for vault.How much weight to start with and when. And…Common myths about strength training in gymnastics. We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/

This week's mini-podcast episode is a sneak peek of one of last year's Shift Symposium guest lectures, ACL and Meniscus Injuries in the Impact Athlete Post-op Rehabilitation.Presented by Lenny Macrina, MSPT, SCS, CSCS Director of Physical Therapy, and Co-Founder of Champion Physical Therapy and Performance Boston.If you want to hear the rest of this lecture you can access it on the Shift website:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2022shiftsymposium/The 2023 Shift Symposium runs from Friday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 25th, where you can learn everything you need to know about Gymnastics Medical Care, Gymnastics Coaching, and Gymnastic Strength and Conditioning.The lineup of 30 speakers is ridiculous, giving incredible lectures over three days, so don’t miss out! Head over to:https://shiftmovementscience.com/2023shiftsymposium/We appreciate you listening! To learn more about SHIFT, head here - https://shiftmovementscience.com/To learn about SHIFT's courses, check our website here - https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Also, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends! Thanks :)Thanks for listening to The SHIFT Show! Check out SHIFT's most popular courses here! https://courses.shiftmovementscience.com/Want to join our online educational community of over 1000 gymnastics professionals and get 40+ hours of gymnastics lectures? Join The Hero Lab below!https://shiftmovementscience.com/theherolab/ Check out all our past podcast episodes here!https://shiftmovementscience.com/podcast/