In this episode, host Carolyn Kent interviews Lachlan Mackenzie, a strength and conditioning and sports science specialist who works with the female high performance football program at the University of Wollongong and the South Coast Flame club.

Lachlan discusses:

• [00:01:29] The limitations of the term "strength and conditioning" and why "athletic development" may be a better framing
• [00:03:28] The gender dynamics and culture in gym environments, and how to create more equitable spaces
• [00:06:53] The culture shift Lachlan is helping drive at South Coast Flame, prioritizing resources for the women's side of the club
• [00:13:37] The female high performance football program Lachlan is involved with at the University of Wollongong, providing athletes access to high-level training and education

In this episode, host Carolyn Kent interviews Professor Evangelos Pappas, an expert in musculoskeletal health and ACL injuries. Professor Pappas is the Director of the MedTech Research and Innovation Hub and a Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

Topics Covered:

Why women's football players are at higher risk of ACL injuries (00:01:27)

Surgical options for ACL tears, including hamstring grafts and bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts (00:07:18)

Non-surgical management approaches, including the "CrossBrace" protocol and bridge-enhanced ACL repair (00:14:03)

The long-term consequences of ACL injuries, including increased risk of early-onset osteoarthritis (00:18:34)

Importance of injury prevention programs and educating athletes about return-to-sport risks (00:20:39)

Decision-making tools to help patients choose surgical vs. non-surgical treatment (00:26:09)

Where to Find Professor Evangelos Pappas:

Twitter: @EVPappas

Key Terms & References:

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)

ACL injury prevention programs

"CrossBrace" protocol

Bridge-enhanced ACL repair

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Return-to-sport risks after ACL injury

ACL Decision-Making Tool for Adults

ACL Decision-Making Tool for Children/Adolescents

Our resident Sports Psychologist in Training Dr Ian Cookson talks us through a case of a youth athlete who was referred with low confidence, but all was not what is seemed.