We all have our favorite "go-to" exercises for patellar tendinopathy. For years, the single-leg decline squat has been the gold standard, often introduced early in rehabilitation to target the tendon. But what if I told you that this specific exercise actually places more load on the patellar tendon than running or double-leg jumping?

A massive new study just analyzed 35 common rehabilitation exercises—from step-ups to plyometrics—and ranked them based on actual biomechanical load. The results turn traditional progression models upside down and might explain why some of your patients flare up during "standard" rehab protocols. In this week's episode, we break down the 3 distinct tiers of tendon loading and give you a data-backed roadmap to build the perfect progression.

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/ranking-the-top-patellar-tendon-exercises-by-tendon-load/

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Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

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Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
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The use of ChatGPT and other AI models has exploded in recent years, and you're starting to see this in most professions, including the medical profession.

We've been using AI quite a bit at Champion for a variety of things and wanted to share our experiences. We go over some of the use cases as well as different models that we've tried with varying success

We do think you should be using AI. It's an opportunity for growth.

We dig into how AI actually helps us treat, teach, and stay current without drowning in papers. From OpenEvidence to Gemini vs ChatGPT, we share real clinic workflows, movement apps we like, and guardrails to avoid hallucinations.

• why we trust OpenEvidence for fast, linked citations
• how AI reduces bias during eval prep
• when to compare ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok
• prompts that demand sources and confidence levels
• movement analysis apps for golf and bar velocity
• ambient note tools to draft SOAP notes
• ethical guardrails on privacy, consent, and hallucinations
• practical routines for morning research sprints
• using AI to generate screeners, red flags, and alternatives
• model strengths, weaknesses, and staying literate

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/using-chatgpt-and-ai-in-physical-therapy/

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Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

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Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
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Mike Boyle had a great discussion on Instagram several weeks ago about adults lifting to failure and using low rep schemes.

It sparked a lot of arguments among people about which approach is best and whether there's always an answer to this question.

We discuss whether adults should lift to failure on low-rep schemes in this week's episode.

We'll go over what we do at Champion, how we mostly agree with this, and why we may work low reps for a very certain population for a specific reason.

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/should-adults-lift-for-less-than-5-reps-per-set/

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Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

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Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
Follow me: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Surgeons are adding more lateral extra-articular procedures to ACL reconstructions, especially in young cutting and pivoting athletes. On paper, it sounds great—tighten up the anterolateral side, improve stability, protect the graft. But what does that actually mean for clinical outcomes and for how we manage rehab?

A new Level 1 systematic review and meta-analysis just pulled together the randomized trials comparing isolated ACL reconstruction to ACL reconstruction plus a lateral extra-articular procedure. The results raise important questions: Are these athletes truly more stable? Do we see fewer graft ruptures? And are we quietly trading those benefits for more pain, stiffness, or long-term joint issues?

In this week’s podcast, we break down what the data really show, how it should influence your decision-making as a sports physical therapist, and what to watch for when an athlete walks in with a LET on their op note. Check out the full episode to hear how (and when) this should change your rehab approach.

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/aclr-let-overkill-or-the-new-gold-standard/

----------

Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

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Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
Follow me: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Wow, I can't believe it's been 10 years!

It truly is an honor to be able to host a live episode celebrating the 10-year anniversary of our podcast. Thank you so much for listening all these years!

In this episode, we'll answer live questions from an audience of listeners, reflect on some of our favorite moments of the podcast, and give out some prizes and special discounts to all the listeners!

Special thanks to our amazing friends from Ancore, SmartCuffs, Suji, SportGrips, and mTrigger for donating the prizes!

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/10-year-anniversary-episode/

----------

Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

_____
Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
Follow me: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Quadriceps shutdown after ACL reconstruction is one of the biggest barriers we see in the clinic. Even with modern surgical techniques and “aggressive” rehab, too many athletes struggle to get their quad strength back, and that deficit shows up later in gait, loading, and confidence on the field.

A new systematic review and meta-analysis just took a fresh look at neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as an adjunct to ACL rehab. Does adding NMES actually move the needle on quad strength? Does timing matter? And does any of this translate into better knee function where it counts?

In this week’s podcast, we break down what the authors found, how strong the evidence really is, and how we’re thinking about NMES programming in our own ACL protocols. If you’re working with post-op knees, you’ll want to hear this before you set up your next rehab plan.

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/should-every-acl-get-e-stim-what-the-new-nmes-meta-analysis-really-shows/

----------

Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

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Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
Follow me: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

There is substantial variability in rehabilitation protocols following PCL and meniscus repair surgery. There is often a conservative period where we minimize or avoid hamstring activity.

Biomechanical studies show that hamstring activity can increase posterior translation of the tibiofemoral joint and potentially put stress on a healing meniscus repair.

In this episode, we discuss the science behind this and how we integrate hamstring exercises into our rehabilitation protocols for these patients.

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/hamstring-exercises-after-pcl-and-meniscus-surgery/

----------

Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

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Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
Follow me: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Baseball injuries continue to rise at an alarming rate. Over the years, we have seen the development of more advanced training velocity programs and pitchers that are focused on enhancing their performance during the offseason.

This has led to a variety of development programs being performed over the offseason, which takes away from downtime and allows the body to heal after a long competitive season.

In this episode, we talk about some of the science behind why you should take time off from throwing, and perhaps how long you should take off during the offseason.

To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-much-time-off-should-you-take-from-throwing-after-the-baseball-season/

----------

Become a Champion Baseball Rehabilitation Specialist

Learn everything you need to become an expert at evaluating and treating baseball injuries in my online course. The program is on sale this week for up to $300 off.

Learn more >>> mikereinold.com/baseball

-----------

Support the show

_____
Want to learn more? Check out my blog, podcasts, and online courses
Follow me: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube