08. Can Injuries Really Be Predicted?

One Track Mind

Injury – it's one of the biggest problems plaguing the sports industry. Aside from the obvious potential for physical pain, injuries are to blame for a lot of shortened careers, lost matches, and millions of dollars in potentially avoidable spending. It's no surprise then that sports organisations are eager to find that magical technology – the one that can predict (and avoid) injuries with genuine accuracy.
But is this even possible? There are many who say it is, or indeed that they're already doing it, but Sam and his expert guests aren't so sure. In fact, Sam's had a bit to say on this topic before:
- https://twitter.com/robertson_sj/status/1157188689702707200?lang=en
- https://www.bullhorn.fm/paceyperformancepodcast/posts/XE6PEmb-pacey-performance-podcast-258-sam-robertson-professor-of-sports-analytics-at-victoria-university
We're first joined by Dr Ken Quarrie, Chief Scientist for New Zealand Rugby where he helped develop the nationwide injury prevention program, Rugby Smart, which has since been adopted in countries across the globe.
Next up, Sam speaks with Professor Sergio Fonseca from the Department of Physical Therapy at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Brazil. One of the editors of the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, Sergio's research focuses on applying dynamical systems and ecological approaches to musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports.
Together, Sam, Ken and Sergio dig deeper into this hot button topic to look at what's stopping us from making injury prediction a reality.
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