PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

These sources consist of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial and two systematic reviews/meta-analyses, all focusing on the optimal treatment for acute Achilles’ tendon rupture (ATR). The randomized trial found that surgery (open repair or minimally invasive surgery) did not yield better patient-reported outcomes than nonoperative treatment at 12 months, although surgery significantly reduced the risk of rerupture. Both systematic reviews examined the continuing controversy over whether surgical or conservative management is superior, generally finding that conservative treatment with accelerated rehabilitation can achieve similar functional outcomes to surgery. However, the meta-analysis noted that while surgery reduced rerupture rates, it was associated with a higher overall complication rate compared to conservative care. Ultimately, the sources suggest that the decision between surgical and nonoperative management requires considering the patient’s status, functional expectations, and the trade-off between a lower rerupture risk (with surgery) and a lower complication risk (with conservative treatment).

READ MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/blog/ruptured-achilles-tendon-a-guide-to-your-treatment-options

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Gluteus Maximus Activation During Strength Exercises: A Review

These sources primarily examine the effects of hip-extension exercises, such as the hip thrust (HT) and glute bridge (GB), on both muscle growth (hypertrophy) and athletic performance, specifically sprint capability. One study from the European Journal of Sport Science investigates the acute effects of HT and GB, with varying loads, on sprint performance and horizontal force–velocity profiles in adolescent soccer players, suggesting both exercises can enhance post-activation performance, with GB potentially rivaling HT. Another source, an article from the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, demonstrates that adding the barbell hip thrust to a resistance training regimen significantly increases gluteus maximus muscle thickness in untrained young women compared to other lower-body exercises alone. Finally, a systematic review focuses on the use of electromyography (EMG) to measure gluteus maximus activation across various loaded dynamic exercises, finding that exercises like the step-up, deadlifts, and hip thrusts can achieve very high levels of activation. Collectively, the texts explore the biomechanical rationale and measured outcomes related to the efficacy of these exercises for developing the gluteal muscles and improving athletic power.

READ MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/blog/rethink-your-glute-training-4-surprising-truths-from-new-research

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

These sources collectively examine the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and the underlying mechanisms involved. Multiple studies investigate how both acute and chronic exercise modulates the immune system, showing that physical activity generally reduces markers of systemic and localized inflammation, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF) and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are implicated in chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis. Specifically, one study demonstrates that moderate exercise inhibits monocytic TNF production through elevated epinephrine levels acting on beta-2 adrenergic receptors and another suggests that regular exercise activates inflammation-countering Regulatory T cells (Tregs) in muscles, leading to improved endurance. Furthermore, research on knee joints reveals that running acutely decreases the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines like GM-CSF and IL-15 in the synovial fluid, suggesting a protective mechanism for joint health, while broader reviews discuss the role of IL-6, stress hormones, and reduced visceral fat in contributing to exercise-induced anti-inflammation.

READ MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/blog/exercise-reduces-inflammation

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

The sources comprise a clinical commentary from the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapyaddressing the widespread belief that exercise therapy harms or "wears down" the knee joint in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The authors, Alessio Bricca, Carsten Bogh Juhl, and Ewa M. Roos, assert that this misconception stems from misinterpretations of early laboratory findings and the "wear and tear" analogy often used to describe OA. Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials do not support this fear, consistently demonstrating that exercise therapy is safe and does not negatively impact cartilage structure or quality; it may even improve it. The text encourages clinicians to proactively dispel this myth using communication strategies, such as the "sponge analogy," to promote exercise therapy as a safe and essential first-line treatment for knee OA.

READ ARTICLE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/uploads/4/3/3/4/43345381/ebsco-fulltext-08_10_2025.pdf

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

ACL Treatment Decisions: Patient Experiences and Clinician Advice

This text is an excerpt from an original research article published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, focusing on Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury treatment decisions from the perspective of 734 Australian patients. The study employed a mixed-methods design, using both a survey and semi-structured interviews to explore patient beliefs and decision-making experiences regarding treatment options like ACL reconstruction (ACLR) or rehabilitation alone. Key findings indicate that a majority of patients reported that surgeons and other clinicians often presented surgery as the best or only option, frequently providing an unbalanced overview that did not fully align with current research evidence. Qualitative results emphasized that patient consultations often felt rushed and poorly informed, with clinicians tending to downplay the risks and impacts of surgery. Ultimately, the study concludes that a balanced, evidence-based overview of treatment options is necessary to enable informed decision-making for ACL rupture patients.

READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/uploads/4/3/3/4/43345381/piis1440244025001562.pdf

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

The Myth of Stretching: What Science Says

These sources challenge conventional wisdom regarding stretching and flexibility, primarily advocating for the reassessment of flexibility as a major component of physical fitness. We highlight limited evidence supporting static stretching's effectiveness in preventing injury, reducing muscle soreness, or significantly improving athletic performance for most individuals. Instead, the authors argue that other exercise modalities, like resistance training, offer more robust health benefits while also contributing to or maintaining functional flexibility. The "Myth of Stretching" details how static stretching can even acutely impair performance, while the "Retiring Flexibility" paper calls for the de-emphasis of stretching in exercise prescriptions to improve training efficiency and avoid misinterpretations of fitness status.

REFERENCES: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/blog/how-important-is-stretching

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

Achilles Tendinopathy: A Clinical Practice Guideline Update

We discuss the 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines for midportion Achilles tendinopathy, developed by the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. It offers an updated, evidence-based framework for physical therapy management, covering diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention strategies. The guidelines specifically address various treatment modalities, including different forms of exercise, patient education, manual therapy, dry needling, and the use of heel lifts and taping, while also discussing the efficacy of modalities like low-level laser therapy and therapeutic ultrasound. The content is structured with summaries of recommendations, evidence updates, and identified gaps in current knowledge for each intervention, aiming to inform clinicians and improve patient outcomes.

LINK TO ARTICLE: https://shorturl.at/yziO1

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

FOOTBALL RECOVERY STRATEGIES
We discuss an article and a YouTube video from the "Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal" on football recovery strategies. Both detail the demands placed on elite soccer players due to congested match schedules, emphasizing the increased risk of chronic fatigue and injury. They identify key mechanisms contributing to post-match fatigue, such as glycogen depletion, muscle damage, and mental exhaustion. The sources also evaluate the scientific evidence behind various recovery methods, including nutrition, hydration, sleep, cold water immersion, and other common practices, ultimately recommending a practical, evidence-based recovery protocol for professional footballers.

LEARN MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/blog/recovery-protocol

PHYSIO MOSMAN: http://www.fitasaphysio.com/

A recent article from "The Conversation", discuss the common misconception that running damages knees. It explains that while running involves significant impact, the body is designed to adapt, and this load can actually strengthen bones and cartilage. The article suggests that runners tend to have healthier knees and better bone density than non-runners, and that cartilage temporarily thinning during a run may even facilitate nutrient flow. Furthermore, the sources address the safety of starting running later in life, noting that studies on high-intensity jump training in older adults suggest running is likely safe and effective, provided one starts slowly. Finally, it clarifies that most running-related injuries are "overuse" injuries, caused by increasing intensity too quickly, rather than running inherently being bad for the body, emphasizing the importance of gradual progression, proper nutrition, and listening to one's body to mitigate risks.

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

Predicting Resistance Repetitions at Various Loads: A Meta-Analysis
This review article focuses on the maximal number of repetitions (REPS) achievable at various percentages of one repetition maximum (%1RM), a critical relationship for resistance exercise programming. The authors conducted a meta-regression and moderator analysis using data from nearly 7,000 individuals to update existing guidelines, which were based on limited studies and lacked measures of uncertainty or individual variation. Their findings suggest that while sex, age, and training status have minimal influence on this relationship, specific exercises like the leg press and bench press demonstrate unique REPS ~ %1RM profiles, necessitating separate recommendations. Ultimately, this research provides more precise and comprehensive tables for prescribing resistance exercises, acknowledging the need for further data collection on other exercises and diverse populations.

ARTICLE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/uploads/4/3/3/4/43345381/s40279-023-01937-7.pdf