Running is a popular form of exercise with numerous health benefits. However, for some men and women it can lead to urinary incontinence, a condition characterised by the involuntary leakage of urine. This can create a barrier to exercise, with over 75% finding it bothersome and for some symptoms are moderate to severe (1, 5). In this blog we explore the relationship between urinary incontinence, running and pelvic floor strength and function. Pelvic Floor Anatomy and Function The pelvic floor is a complex structure consisting of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the org ..read more

Headache disorders are one of the most common disorders of the nervous system, estimated to affect almost 50% of the adult population at least once every year, globally (1). Despite this prevalence, the World Health Organisation recognises that headaches have been traditionally underestimated, under-recognised and under-treated worldwide (1). Substantial burden is placed on those suffering from headaches, not only due to their recurrent and painful nature. In 2013, the Global Burden of Disease Study found migraines to be the sixth highest cause of worldwide years lost, while headache disorder ..read more

The big toe is a common site of forefoot pain from acute injury or a gradual onset. The big toe termed ‘hallux’ serves an extremely important role for the stability of the foot and ankle. During standing, it assists to provide a solid base of support. During walking and running, the foot must be stable at foot-strike then during mid-support, the foot must become a mobile adaptor and attenuate loads (McKeon 2014). As we move into push-off the foot must again become stable to deliver force through the big toe and off the ground. Here we discuss some of the common causes of acute and long standi ..read more

In episode 360 of The Physical Performance Show Brad Beer shares a conversation with Dr Alison Grimaldi. Dr Alison Grimaldi, Principal Physiotherapist at PhysioTec in Brisbane, Australia, adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland with over 30 years of professional clinical experience joins us to explore diagnosis assessment and management of the tricky musculoskeletal condition that can affect many endurance athletes, gluteal tendinopathy. Gluteal tendinopathy is pain on the outside and lateral aspect of the hip. Dr Grimaldi is one of the world’s preeminent experts when it ..read more

Due to many modern advances in healthcare the past century has seen significant increases in life expectancy. This fact, in combination with the ageing population we have in Australia, has therefore also seen increases in the incidence of health conditions that primarily affect the older generations. One such condition is osteoporosis, and it’s precursor osteopenia. Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced, leading to weakness of the skeleton and increased risk of fracture, particularly of the spine, wrist, hip, pelvis and upper arm. Osteoporosis, while a ..read more

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their interconnected tendons that help provide stability and movement to the shoulder. It is the 3rd most common musculoskeletal site of pain after the lower back and knee, but reportedly has the highest impact on mental and physical quality of life (1). The presence of rotator cuff pain can be very variable with up to 50% of patients still reporting persistent pain 6–12 months after seeking an initial primary care consultation (doctor or other health professional) (2). The term rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRSP), is a broad term that in ..read more

In episode 359 of The Physical Performance Show Brad Beer shares a conversation with Dane Baker, leading New Zealand Performance Dietitian, tackling Low Energy Availability in this Expert Edition. Dane Baker works with elite athletes and active people helping to resolve low energy availability and Red-S or relative energy deficiency in sport. He studied Nutrition at the University of Otago graduating in 2003 and now works at the University as a Professional Fellow and Lecturer. Dane consults out of the AXIS Sports Medicine Clinic and when he’s not there, he’s educating New Zealand’s elite coac ..read more

Invisible Illnesses are physical, mental or neurological conditions that are not commonly visible from the outside to others. These conditions and the symptoms involved can limit or challenge a person’s movements, activities and daily functioning in various ways. Many forms of chronic/persistent complex pain are linked with a range of what we would call ‘Invisible Illnesses’ – conditions like Fibromyalgia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalitis, Long COVID, Endometriosis, Auto-immune Disorders,  Ehlers Danlos Syndromes and other Hypermobility-related syndromes, plus many mor ..read more

In episode 357 of The Physical Performance Show Brad Beer shares a conversation with Sam Laidlow in this Featured Performer Edition.   In early 2022 Sam finished a very credible 8th place at the Ironman World Championships held in St. George. By year’s end, Sam came out and did what many thought was almost impossible, he took it to the Norwegian train of Kristian Blummenfelt current Olympic Triathlon Champion and Gustav Iden, both dominant Norwegian triathletes in the long course space, Sam picked up a silver medal at the Kona 2022 Ironman World Triathlon championships, and along the way ..read more

The broader medical field has made wonderful advances in the diagnosis and treatment of complex conditions over the past 100 years. Whether it’s the vaccine developed for Polio, that prevented millions of people experiencing its horrible irreversible neurological effects, or the discovery by Australian pathologist Dr Robin Warren that Stomach Ulcers were caused by a simple bacteria H. Pylori, which led to a revolution in treatment for the disabling condition that plagued many people for decades. Medical science and treatment can, and has done many wonderful things. One thing however, that it ..read more