Fit As A Physio

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

Exercise Therapy “Wears Down” My Knee Joint: Myth or Reality? (Bricca, et al., 2025)

This source comprise a clinical commentary from the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy addressing 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

Support the show

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

“The only way you're ever going to play sport again is if you go through surgery”: A mixed methods study exploring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury treatment decisions from the perspective of 734 patients (Filbay, et al, 2025)

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

Support the show

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

Support the show

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

Achilles Tendinopathy: A Clinical Practice Guideline Update

Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association (Chimenti, et al., 2024)

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://www.fitasaphysio.com/uploads/4/3/3/4/43345381/chimenti-et-al-2024-achilles-pain-stiffness-and-muscle-power-deficits-midportion-achilles-tendinopathy-revision-2024.pdf

Support the show

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

Football Recovery Strategies: Science and Reality (Dupont, et al., 2015)

This text examines how congested match schedules in elite soccer lead to physical and mental exhaustion, emphasizing that a single game can require several days for full recovery. High-level players often face increased injury risks and performance drops when they are unable to restore their bodies between frequent competitions. The authors analyze the biological mechanisms of fatigue, such as muscle damage, glycogen depletion, and central nervous system strain. To combat these issues, the source identifies evidence-based recovery strategies, specifically highlighting the effectiveness of proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and cold-water immersion. Conversely, common practices like stretching and massage are noted for lacking strong scientific support regarding performance restoration. Finally, the article provides a practical protocol for teams to systematically manage athlete health through disciplined post-match routines.

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

Support the show

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.

Support the show

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

Predicting Resistance Repetitions at Various Loads: A Meta-Analysis (Nuzzo, et al., 2023)

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

Support the show

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

We provide a comprehensive overview of low back pain (LBP), distinguishing between the common, non-specific type and rare, serious pathologies. They explain that LBP is highly prevalent, often self-limiting, and rarely indicates structural damage, with pain intensity frequently reflecting the body's protective sensitivity rather than injury severity. We emphasize the importance of early assessment, identifying psychosocial factors, and judiciously using imaging only when serious conditions are suspected. Furthermore, we advocate for patient education, self-management through activity and lifestyle changes, and judicious use of pain medication, promoting active coping strategies and a multidisciplinary approach to care.

LEARN MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/back-pain.html

Support the show

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

A comprehensive overview of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, explaining what the ligament is and how it functions as a stabilizer in the knee. They detail common causes of injury, often sports-related, and list symptoms that may indicate an ACL tear. TheY present various treatment options, including surgical reconstruction, non-surgical rehabilitation, and the ACL Cross Bracing Protocol, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each. Furthermore, they emphasise the importance of post-injury rehabilitation and discuss factors influencing recovery time and return to sport.

LEARN MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/acl-rupture.html

Support the show

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

Osgood-Schlatter's Disease is an overuse injury affecting the front of the knee, particularly common in growing children aged 9-12 who participate in activities involving a lot of running and jumping. This condition results from the body's inability to recover sufficiently during periods of rapid growth and intense physical training. It is a self-limiting condition with no long-term complications, resolving once growth stops. Management primarily involves conservative approaches such as rest, ice, improved nutrition, and adjusting training load based on pain levels, rather than requiring invasive procedures.

LEARN MORE: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/blog/osgood-schlatters-disease

Support the show