Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog

Happy New Year from the BSMPG Family

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Dec 31, 2012 @ 07:12 AM

Wishing you and your family all the best this coming year.

 

BSMPG Summer Seminar

Make 2013 the year you take another step forward in your journey to becoming a leader in Sports Medicine and Performance Training by attending the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar - May 17 & 18th in Boston MA.

Sign up before the end of the day today and enjoy our 2012 seminar price!

 

Register for the 2013 BSMPG  Summer Seminar Today

Topics: Charlie Weingroff, Stu McGill, Kevin Neeld, Adriaan Louw, BSMPG Summer Seminar, Ben Prentiss, Bill Knowles, Marco Cardinale, Rob Butler, Bobby Alejo

The Future of Hockey Is Here

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Dec 3, 2012 @ 07:12 AM

Over the next month we will be previewing the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar speakers, their thoughts on the current state of Sports Medicine & Performance Training, how technology is influencing our profession (for better or worse) and preview their lectures.

 

Enjoy.

 

Kevin Neeld

Hockey strength training


Director of Athletic Development & Athletic Development Coach

Kevin Neeld is the President, COO, and Director of Athletic Development at Endeavor

 

 

1. How has the field of sports medicine/performance changed in the last five years? Where do you see the field headed in the next five years?

 

Sports performance is a constantly evolving field, but over the last few years it seems like people are paying more attention to the importance of grooving fundamental movement patterns, addressing common mobility restrictions, and redefining “core” work to include more “anti-movement” exercises and exercise that address the pelvis, thorax, and neck. These changes, in large part, are a result of the seminars and lectures that guys like Gray Cook, Michael Boyle, Charlie Weingroff, and Eric Cressey (among others) have put on.

 

In the same vein, the fields of performance training and rehabilitation continue to merge such that professionals on both ends of the continuum are learning from one another, sharing information, and ultimately gaining a better appreciation for where their clients fall along that progression and what skills they can utilize (or develop) to help move them in the right direction. From a training perspective, this has become increasingly important given the adaptations that result from living a dichotomous life of sedentary behavior and high-level athletics, which seems to be the societal trend, at least in our country. More athletes are presenting with structural abnormalities such femoroacetabular impingement or acquired postural dysfunction that significantly affects their ability to breathe, move, and ultimately to adapt favorably. Understanding the signs and implications of these dysfunctions puts the training professional in a much better position to help the athlete fulfill his or her potential. A platform of quality static posture and dynamic movement must be established in order to develop durable elite-level physical capacities.

 

As for the future, I think we’ll continue to see:

 

An increased recognition of the benefits of manual therapy

While it’s possible to over-utilize or become over-reliant on manual therapy, different manual modalities are extremely effective at troubleshooting soft-tissue dysfunction, which can provide for a faster “reset” in function and movement quality, and remove pain, which allows for the development of a cleaner motor pattern (and happier athlete). Manual work can also be used to stimulate a parasympathetic shift in athletes, which has a number of physiological consequences, but ultimately allows the athlete to recover faster.

 

An increased focus on recovery and management of training, dietary, environmental, and lifestyle stressors

As technology and our understanding of the human organism continue to develop, monitoring and manipulating specific and non-specific stress responses will become more feasible. As a few examples that are already gaining traction, heart rate variability and sleep quality can be easily and inexpensively assessed using BioForce HRV and Zeo Sleep Manager, respectively, nutrient and hormone levels can be self-assessed at home using tests from Bioletics, and recovery or “restoration” can be altered while you sit at a desk or sleep using Earthing products. All of these tools are likely to be refined over time to provide more information, a greater benefit, be more user-friendly, or simply more accessible (e.g. cheaper).

 

A shift toward greater individualization in program design

In the last few years, this shift has taken place with regard to identifying movement limitations and taking an individualized approach toward restoring fundamental movement patterns through the use of different corrective exercises and changes to exercise selection within the program. I think the next step, one that many are already starting to make, is to take the same approach toward identifying strengths/weaknesses in the individual’s various physical capacities and programming energy system work (which is really the entire program) based on the individual’s profile. This is an area I’ve learned a lot about from guys like Patrick Ward, Joel Jamieson and Dave Tenney. This form of programming is as much an art as it is a science, but you need to know the science to perfect the art!

 

2. Athlete monitoring and sports analytics has emerged as leading topics within Sports Medicine and Performance Training, how has this field influenced your practice? Has the field in your opinion gone too far with some professionals becoming slaves to data sets instead of providing solid clinical practice and coaching? Is there room for more monitoring? What "data sets" are you seeing as most impactful when is comes to providing athlete care and training?

 

I think it’s inherently good when you have a means of monitoring the effectiveness of your program. Technological advancements have provided an additional means of doing so, which will ultimately allow us to be more specific in the application of stressors. Tracking heart rate and kinematic data (e.g. GPS-drive data) over the course of training, practices, and competitions can provide extremely valuable information to coaches about the amount of absolute and relative stress applied to an individual that day. I think this data will continue to show significant differences even between two players at the same position that went through the same practice. Likewise, tracking HRV throughout the year provides evidence as to how the individual is responding to and recovering from these stressors. Taking a step back, all of this information, in conjunction with movement assessments/screens like the FMS and more traditional “performance” data (e.g. 40-yard dash time, vertical jump height, 1-RM resistance training numbers, conditioning test performance, etc.) provides the coach with an audit as to how effective their program is for that individual.

 

All that said, I think some of this data in certain circumstances will undermine the psychological strength of certain athletes. The reality is that the majority of team sport athletes experience some degree of fatigue accumulation, but they still perform. If an athlete’s HRV is less than optimal on a game day, it’s possible they may be at a greater risk of injury or getting sick, but it’s also possible they won’t. While this is a bit of a roulette game, I think the important thing is to collect, analyze, and track the information, but don’t become imprisoned by it.

 

3. What can attendees expect to hear from you at the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar?  How may your lecture impact their practice on Monday morning?

 

The purpose of my talk will be to describe common structural and functional deviations that affect the hockey athlete, their implications, and consequent programming strategies. This discussion will address topics like the consequences of FAI on exercise performance, exercise selection, and skating technique, and how diaphragm position and function impacts core stability, shoulder health, and the athlete’s ability to recover. This talk should provide the attendee with a deeper appreciation for the postures and patterns they see on an everyday basis, as well as simple cues, exercises, and programming strategies to best serve the athlete. 

 

Register for the 2013 BSMPG  Summer Seminar Today

 

Super Discounted Rates End December 31st, 2012!

Sign Up Today

Topics: Kevin Neeld, BSMPG Summer Seminar

Training = Rehab, Rehab = Training

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Thu, Nov 8, 2012 @ 07:11 AM

BSMPG is proud to announce the addition of Charlie Weingroff as a speaker within the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Track at the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar - May 17th and 18th, 2013!  Charlie joins Robert Butler, Dr. Alex Vasquez, and Bill Knowles along with keynote speakers, Dr. Stuart McGill, Marco Cardinale, Fergus Connolly, Adriaan Louw and Marvin Chun for this weekend event.  With the most thorough and integrated speaker line-up ever assembled, the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar will be the WORLD'S most sought after Sports Medicine & Performance Seminar to date!!

We are expecting the largest crowd in the history of BSMPG events with speakers and attendees traveling the globe to be in Boston in May of 2013, and thus have already made plans to move our main lecture hall to a newly renovated multi-tier auditorium.

Be sure to save the date now - hotels will fill fast with this event along with normal Boston traffic so start making plans now!

See you in Boston next May!!!

 

 Register for the 2013 BSMPG  Summer Seminar Today

 

 

charlie weingroff

 

CHARLIE WEINGROFF, DPT, ATC, CSCS

Topic: Neurodevelopmental Sequence and Rehab/Training

 

Charlie is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Certified Athletic Trainer, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.  He was most recently the Director of Physical Performance and Resiliency and Lead Physical Therapist for the United States Marines Corps Special Operations Command in Camp Lejeune, NC.  He is also Director of Clinical Education for the Vibraflex Whole-Body Vibration and Andante Medical, the makers of the SmartStep, mobile force plate.  He graduated from Ursinus College with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science in 1996, and went on to earn an MSPT in 1999 and DPT in 2010 from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Prior to returning to his home state of New Jersey in the Fall of 2006 after 12 seasons of professional basketball, he was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach and Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.   Among the highlights of his tenure in Philadelphia was being part of the medical staff that ranked 1st in the NBA in Player Missed Games in the 2005-06 season.

Through rehabbing patients, he subscribes to a movement-based approach popularized by the works of Dr. Vladimir Janda, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, Dr. Stuart McGill, and Gray Cook.  In training athletes and clients, he champions the principles of the Functional Movement Screen and sound, evidence-based training principles.  Some of the methodologies Charlie is formally trained in include DNS, ART, Dry Needling, Graston, FMS/SFMA, and the RKC.

Aside from working with patients, athletes and clients, he is also under the bar himself.  In 2007, he achieved AAPF Elite status in the 220 weight class with a total of 1915 pounds. His best powerlifting competition total is 800 squat, 510 bench press and 605 deadlift.

Currently Charlie is training and rehabbing clients of all types at Drive495 in Manhattan, NYC and Fit For Life in Marlboro, NJ.

Charlie lives with his wife, Kristen, and dog, Rumble, in NJ.

Topics: Art Horne, Charlie Weingroff, Stu McGill, Kevin Neeld, Cal Dietz, Bill Knowles, Jeff Cubos, Marco Cardinale, Marvin Chun, Fergus Connolly, Stuart McGill, Rob Butler

Moneyball and BSMPG Summer Seminar - This is one Lecture you DON'T want to miss!

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 @ 07:10 AM

BSMPG is proud to announce the addition of Bobby Alejo as a speaker within the Sports Fusion Track at the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar - May 17th and 18th, 2013!  Bobby joins legendary track coach Randall Huntingon and Ben Prentiss along with keynote speakers, Dr. Stuart McGill, Marco Cardinale, Fergus Connolly, Adriaan Louw and Marvin Chun for this weekend event.  With the most thorough and integrated speaker line-up ever assembled, the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar will be the WORLD'S most sought after Sports Medicine & Performance Seminar to date!!

We are expecting the largest crowd in the history of BSMPG events with speakers and attendees traveling the globe to be in Boston in May of 2013, and thus have already made plans to move our main lecture hall to a newly renovated multi-tier auditorium.

Be sure to save the date now - hotels will fill fast with this event along with normal Boston traffic so start making plans now!

See you in Boston next May!!!

 

 Register for the 2013 BSMPG  Summer Seminar Today

 

  

Bobby Alejo

BOBBY ALEJO

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Assistant Athletics Director for Strength and Conditioning Bob Alejo oversees all of the strength and conditioning efforts of the department, and coordinates the day-to-day efforts of the men's basketball team.

Prior to joining the Wolfpack staff in April, Alejo served as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for the Oakland A's, a position he also held from 1993-2001. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of the organization's year-round physical preparation at both the major league and minor league levels. 

Prior to rejoining the A's, Alejo was the Director of Strength and Conditioning at UC Santa Barbara from 2005-2008. During that time he was also a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team as strength and conditioning coach for the Gold medal-winning men's beach volleyball team of Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. 

 

Even this guy is excited that Bobby is speaking at BSMPG!!


Moneyball and BSMPG

 

Registration is now open - Register before the New Year and receive a discounted Price!

 

Register for the 2013 BSMPG  Summer Seminar Today

Topics: Art Horne, Mike Curtis, Stu McGill, Kevin Neeld, Marvin Chun, Fergus Connolly, Stuart McGill, Rob Butler, Bobby Alejo

Hockey Athletic Development - Can't Miss Speaker

Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Oct 22, 2012 @ 07:10 AM

BSMPG is proud to announce the addition of Kevin Neeld as a speaker within the Sports Fusion Track at the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar - May 17th and 18th, 2013!  Kevin joins legendary track coach Randall Huntingon and Ben Prentiss along with keynote speakers, Dr. Stuart McGill, Marco Cardinale, Fergus Connolly, Adriaan Louw and Marvin Chun for this weekend event.  With the most thorough and integrated speaker line-up ever assembled, the 2013 BSMPG Summer Seminar will be the WORLD'S most sought after Sports Medicine & Performance Seminar to date!!

We are expecting the largest crowd in the history of BSMPG events with speakers and attendees traveling the globe to be in Boston in May of 2013, and thus have already made plans to move our main lecture hall to a newly renovated multi-tier auditorium.

Be sure to save the date now - hotels will fill fast with this event along with normal Boston traffic so start making plans now!

See you in Boston next May!!!

 

Register for the 2013 BSMPG  Summer Seminar Today

 

Kevin Neeld

KEVIN NEELD

Sponsored by:

 

Hockey Strength Training


Director of Athletic Development & Athletic Development Coach

Kevin Neeld is the President, COO, and Director of Athletic Development at Endeavor. Since joining the team in 2007 as Endeavor’s Director of Athletic Development, Kevin has rapidly established himself as an international authority on athletic development, with a reputation for creatively applying an extensive knowledge in functional anatomy, biomechanics, neural control, and injury prevention to produce superior results for his athletes.

Kevin is sought after for his expertise in both performance enhancement and injury resistance. He has helped athletes surpass previous performance bests following a multitude of common athletic injuries, including ankle sprains, knee ligament tears, hip labral tears, chronic groin and hip flexor strains, sports hernias, low back pain, shoulder dislocations/separations, and shoulder labral tears.

After completing a successful college hockey career at the University of Delaware ('05-'06: MVP; '06-'07: Team Captain, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2nd Team All-American), Kevin served as the Assistant Coach of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Women's Ice Hockey Team and assisted with the implementation of the strength and conditioning program for the UMass Amherst Men's Ice Hockey Team. Recently, Kevin has joined the US Women's National Hockey Team as a Strength and Conditioning Coach, and has been an invited guest to NHL training camps to assist in the testing and training of the players. Kevin continues his work in ice hockey serving as a coach, educator, and program consultant in the sport.

An accomplished author, Kevin has had articles published in Men’s Fitness and many of the top fitness and performance sites, including AskMen.com, StrengthCoach.com, T-Nation.com, EliteFTS.com, and SportsRehabExpert.com. Kevin is the author of Ultimate Hockey Training, a comprehensive resource on long-term player development and year-round off-ice training methods.

Kevin received his Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Neuroscience from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware with a major in Fitness Management and a minor in Strength and Conditioning.

Topics: Art Horne, Charlie Weingroff, Kevin Neeld, BSMPG Summer Seminar, Ben Prentiss, Bill Knowles, Jeff Cubos, Marco Cardinale, Marvin Chun, Fergus Connolly, Stuart McGill