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Why Is Your Quad Not Activating After a Patella Dislocation?
One of the most common and frustrating experiences after a patella dislocation is this: Your knee feels weak, unstable, or unreliable — and your quadriceps simply won’t switch on. Even after the kneecap has gone back into place and scans show no major structural damage, the leg can still feel difficult to control. This isn’t unusual. In fact, it is one of the most predictable responses after a patella instability event. Understanding why this happens can make the recovery pro

Greg Dea
2 days ago3 min read


The Complete Guide to Lumbar Stress Fracture Rehabilitation for Athletes
In This Guide What is a lumbar stress fracture? Early signs of a lumbar stress fracture How long lumbar stress fractures take to heal Exercises used in rehabilitation Returning to squatting and lifting Training during recovery Lumbar stress fractures are one of the most common spinal injuries seen in athletes, particularly in sports involving repeated spinal extension, rotation, and high training loads. These injuries can be frustrating because they often require temporary ch

Greg Dea
6 days ago5 min read


Can You Squat After a Lumbar Stress Fracture?
One of the most common questions athletes ask during lumbar stress fracture rehabilitation is: “Will I ever be able to squat again?” For many athletes—especially footballers, weightlifters, and field sport players—the squat is a key exercise for developing lower body strength and performance. The good news is that most athletes can return to squatting after a lumbar stress fracture , but the process must be gradual and guided by appropriate rehabilitation. Understanding when

Greg Dea
6 days ago3 min read


Early Signs of a Lumbar Stress Fracture in Athletes
Lumbar stress fractures are one of the most common spinal injuries seen in young athletes, particularly in sports involving repeated spinal extension, rotation, and high training volumes. The challenge is that these injuries often begin with subtle symptoms that athletes may ignore or mistake for normal muscle soreness. Recognising the early signs of a lumbar stress fracture can make a significant difference in recovery time and long-term outcomes. In this article, we’ll cov

Greg Dea
6 days ago4 min read


Best Exercises for Lumbar Stress Fracture Rehabilitation
A lumbar stress fracture can be one of the most frustrating injuries for athletes. It often forces time away from sport, limits training, and raises concerns about losing strength and conditioning during recovery. However, while some movements must be avoided during rehabilitation, many exercises can still be performed safely. The key is selecting exercises that protect the healing spine while maintaining strength, mobility, and trunk control . This article outlines the best

Greg Dea
6 days ago5 min read


Can You Train With a Lumbar Stress Fracture?
Lumbar stress fractures are one of the most common spinal injuries seen in young athletes and field sport players, particularly in sports that involve repeated spinal extension, rotation, and high training loads. For many athletes, the diagnosis can feel like the end of training. They are often told to stop lifting, avoid sport, and simply wait for the bone to heal. But while protecting the injured segment is essential , complete inactivity can create another problem: rapid l

Greg Dea
6 days ago4 min read


MAS Running Intervals (2026): The Complete Guide to Maximum Aerobic Speed Training
Interval running is one of the most effective ways to improve aerobic fitness, running speed, and endurance. One of the most precise methods used by coaches and athletes is Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) training . MAS running intervals prescribe training intensities based on an athlete’s individual aerobic capacity. This allows every athlete to train at the correct physiological intensity rather than guessing pace or following generic interval programs. In this guide you’ll lea

Greg Dea
Mar 55 min read


Foundation Strength Training for Long-Term Progress - What You Need to Know Before You Start
Before you start Foundation Block 1 Foundation Block 1 is designed to be simple to follow , but that doesn’t mean it’s random or vague. Each session includes written guidance explaining why things are done a certain way. You don’t need to memorise it all — but understanding a few key ideas will help you get far more out of the program with less confusion, soreness, or second-guessing. This article gives you the short version . TL;DR — Read This First If you want to open the

Greg Dea
Jan 34 min read


How to Load the Patellar Tendon Without Making It Worse
Field athlete practising controlled landing to load the patellar tendon safely Patellar tendon pain creates a difficult training paradox. Athletes know they need load to stay strong and perform, but they also fear that loading the knee will make symptoms worse. As a result, training often swings between doing too much and doing too little — neither of which builds long-term resilience. The solution isn’t avoiding load. It’s learning how to load the patellar tendon intelligent

Greg Dea
Jan 1, 20263 min read


Training Through Patellar Tendon Pain: A Capacity-First Approach for Field Athletes
Field athlete training through patellar tendon pain using controlled landing mechanics Training through patellar tendon pain is a common challenge for field athletes who rely on repeated jumping, landing, and change of direction. Too often, the default advice is to rest, reduce load, or avoid jumping altogether. While this may settle symptoms temporarily, it rarely prepares the tendon for the real demands of sport. When training resumes, pain often returns — sometimes worse t

Greg Dea
Jan 1, 20263 min read


How to Make Yourself More Valuable in MSK Care
What if you could make yourself more valuable tomorrow — to your clinic, your team, and your patients? What if you could make yourself more valuable tomorrow —to your clinic , your referrers , your sports club , your insurer , and your patients ? Not by adding another technique……but by mastering a system that proves value where others can’t. And here’s the kicker — it’s not taught in university. Not even in most post-grad programs. The Truth Nobody Teaches You Most clinicia

Greg Dea
Oct 5, 20256 min read


Calf Strain Risk Factors in Runners: Causes, Load & Prevention
Calf strains in runners happen when the calf–Achilles unit is asked to do more than it currently tolerates. Here’s the clean,...

Greg Dea
Sep 4, 20254 min read


Pain-Free ≠ Risk-Free: What Movement Screening Is Really Telling Us #musculoskeletal injury risk assessment
Musculoskeletal injury is one of the most common, costly, and persistent challenges across military, athletic, and clinical populations....

Greg Dea
Jun 29, 20253 min read
This unlocked my physical therapy career.... isn't it obvious now?
Dr Phil Plisky posted this pearl of a question. My answer is below. For me? The internet. I live a long way from.... (well I guess we...

Greg Dea
Jun 28, 20251 min read


Don't look lost when it comes to writing a "Better Vertical Jump" program.
Start with what you know about the athlete's movement ratings. Here’s a brief version of the article I wrote in 2017 “ Regional...

Greg Dea
Jun 24, 20251 min read


Subclinical Immune Symptoms Are Warning Signs: What Your Neck Might Be Telling You About Training, Stress, and Sleep
Ever feel that tight pinch or dull ache just under your jawline when you rotate and extend your neck to one side? That’s not just...

Greg Dea
Jun 3, 20252 min read


Smart Supersets and the Silent Brain: Recalibrating the Nervous System for High-Volume Training
Introduction: What China Women’s Volleyball Taught Me About Smarter Supersets When I was invited to work with the China Women's...

Greg Dea
May 29, 20255 min read


ACL Injury Prevention in AFL: A Tale of Missed Movement Clues and Career-Changing Injuries
ACL injuries continue to plague the AFL—affecting both rising stars and seasoned veterans. While some occur due to unavoidable contact,...

Greg Dea
May 29, 20253 min read


Beyond Load and Function: What Tendon Pain Is Really Telling Us
Defining Function in Tendon Rehab Professor Jill Cook writes , "There are clear [relationships] between structure, pain and function, and...

Greg Dea
May 28, 20253 min read


Hamstring Injury Risk in AFL: The Biomechanics of Kicking Leg Strain
Why Hamstring Injuries Happen on the Kicking Leg: The Overlooked Role of Quadriceps Tightness Quadriceps Mobility and Hamstring Injury...

Greg Dea
May 28, 20253 min read
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