Episode 75 of The Layback Podcast puts Connor Wylde, a left-handed pitcher and super senior at New Mexico State University, in the spotlight. Connor shares his journey through college baseball, including the challenges of injuries, the importance of coaching and mentorship, and his development as a player. He discusses the role of FlexPro Grip among other unique training methods as part of his robust routine. Additionally, he speaks on his mindset regarding competition and his goals for the upcoming season. The conversation highlights the significance of movement as a form of medicine or recovery and the importance of maintaining a competitive edge. Special shoutouts were made to his athletic training staff at Cypress College, Coach Angier at NMSU, Payton Lobdell of Backyard Bullpens, and the Pitching Doctor.

The Layback Podcast episode 74 features SJ Mousseau of 3PD in Waterford, Michigan. The Boulder, CO shares his journey through baseball, discussing the challenges he faced, the importance of mentorship, and his current role in coaching. He emphasizes the significance of workload management, drill selection, and the mental aspects of command in pitching. SJ also dives into the intricacies of pitch design, particularly the 'Hand of God' slider, and the role of plyometric training in athlete development. The young coach cites his hunger for growth and further opportunities in baseball.

The Layback Podcast episode 73 hosts Chris Martin, head strength and conditioning coach for Louisiana State University Baseball. Martin shares his journey from working in the professional ranks with the Houston Astros to the collegiate setting with the Bayou Bengals. He discusses the differences in resources and approaches between both pro and college staffs, the importance of objective-driven rehab programs with a particular focus on the forearm flexor muscles, and offers a hot take on the role of aerobic capacity in baseball training. Chris emphasizes the significance of a strong championship culture and the need for effective communication and collaboration among coaching staff, athletes, and medical teams.

Episode 72 of The Layback Podcast features Vanderbilt Baseball's Head Athletic Trainer, Chris Matarazzo. The New Jersey native shares his journey in sports medicine, offering an inside look at his day-to-day with the Vandy Boys. He discusses the importance of collaboration across performance and support staff, the evolving role of athletic trainers, and the significance of early detection in injuries. Matarazzo opens up about some cases that have left a mark on him, sharing what he learned and how he has refined his practice. Also, stay tuned for what we dubbed Chris's Cooking Corner, as Chris shares his passion for cooking and food culture.

This groundbreaking webinar focused on the relationship between forearm strength and UCL injuries in baseball pitchers. Presenters Tobias Addis and Andrew Hagen, both 3rd year med students at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, kick things off with a detailed overview of the retrospective analysis of injured and uninjured pitchers. The moderator (Dr. Matt Fury) and panelists (Dr. Gunnar Brolinson, Dr. Emily Ferree, and Mike McFerran) discussed the importance of muscle balance, the role of specific muscle groups in injury prevention amongst throwers, and presented research findings that highlight the correlation between forearm flexor strength and UCL injury risk. The discussion emphasized the need for targeted training and the potential for using specific strength assessments to improve athlete performance and reduce injury rates.

In episode 70 of the Layback Podcast, Trevor Powers, co-founder of Backside Groundballs Media Group, discusses the evolving landscape of college baseball, focusing on player development, coaching strategies, and the impact of technology and analytics. He highlights Arkansas as a benchmark for excellence in player development and explores how mid-major programs are making significant strides. The conversation also delves into the importance of effective communication between coaches and players, the role of technology in training, and the challenges posed by the transfer portal and financial changes in college athletics.

Dr. Emily Ferree, a physical therapist and biomechanist from southern California, joins us for episode 69 of The Layback Podcast. Ferree discusses her multifaceted approach to athlete care, emphasizing the importance of understanding biomechanics, manual therapy, and rehabilitation strategies. She highlights principles of motor learning, the significance of early isometric exercises post-surgery, and the need for effective communication with athletes to alleviate their fears during recovery. Dr. Ferree also addresses the potential disconnects between throwing efficiency and pitching effectiveness, the impact of early sports specialization, and future research directions in biomechanics and performance.

In episode 68 of The Layback Podcast, Jess Geiger shares her journey from studying mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech to biomedical engineering at Wake Forest, highlighting her research at the Wake Forest Pitching / Biomechanics Lab. She discusses her groundbreaking study titled, "Forearm Flexor Muscle and Elbow Joint Gap Changes After a Forearm Strengthening Protocol," and even shares her initial skepticism about the FlexPro Grip device only to be rebutted by the surprising results of her study on its effectiveness in preventing medial elbow joint gapping in baseball pitchers. Jess elaborates on the study's design, the challenges of working with college athletes, and the insights gained from her research experience. In this conversation, we delve into the complexities of sports science research, particularly focusing on Tommy John surgery and forearm muscle dynamics. The discussion highlights the challenges faced in conducting research within collegiate athletics due to participant variability and data management. Geiger shares insights on the importance of adaptability in research, the intricacies of data presentation for publication, and later, her transition from academic research to a role in development with New Balance. Future aspirations in sports research and engineering are also explored, emphasizing the significance of injury prevention and athlete health.

The Layback Podcast (Episode 67) welcomes Jackson Bergman, a right-handed pitcher and new signee of the Indiana University. They discuss Jackson's journey from a small town in Ohio to college baseball, including his early influences, challenges with injuries, and the rehabilitation process. Jackson shares insights into his pitching strategies, the unique experience of the now infamous "monsoon game," and his aspirations for dental school after his baseball career. In this conversation, Jackson and Adam discuss the developing across a college career, as well as the need for mental resilience during rehabilitation. The role of FlexPro Grip in recovery is highlighted, along with the importance of data-driven progressions in rehab and training. The 6'6" hurler also shares insights surrounding PRP. Growing up with a big league dad adds a unique perspective to the journey, culminating in a discussion about balancing future aspirations in both baseball and dentistry.

Episode 66 of The Layback Podcast revolves around Jessica Geiger's study on FlexPro Grip's impact on medial elbow joint gapping and implications for athlete health, particularly focusing on elbow injuries in baseball pitchers. The panel includes experts in sports medicine and biomechanics - Matt Fury, MD; Dylan Newcomer, DPT; and Ryan Yoshida, DPT - who share insights on the importance of understanding the mechanics of injuries, the research methodology behind the study, and the significant findings that emerged from the use of the FlexPro Grip. The discussion emphasizes collaboration among professionals to enhance athlete performance and minimize injury risks. The conversation delves into the effectiveness of the FlexPro Grip training device in enhancing elbow stability and muscle strength among collegiate pitchers. It discusses the significant findings related to joint gapping and muscle cross-sectional area, while also addressing the limitations of the study and potential future research directions. The panelists share insights on training protocols, muscle adaptation, and the importance of isometric contractions in injury prevention. The discussion concludes with reflections on the implications of the research for the athletic community and future studies.