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Phone: 1(800)334-5633
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Your Friends,

@Shuttle Systems and Cosmo too!

From out of nowhere,

Jeremy Lin burst upon the basketball scene - and Linsanity ensued....

Then, just as fast, he tears his meniscus and is out for the season. Who knows if basketball will ever be the same.

Seriously.

While the prospects are very good that Jeremy Lin will recover from his injury. The bigger question is, will the basketball world get to see the Jeremy Lin that captured everybody's imagination?

Lin will be attended by the finest surgeons using the very latest in surgical techniques. He'll rehab with elite athletic trainers and physical therapists that will restore his strength, motion and functional ability. But, will Lin return to his former self, his former abilities? Will he return to his pre-injury level of performance?

Doubtful.

Sadly, statistics aren't too encouraging when it comes to bringing athletes back from knee injuries to their former performance levels. Minnesota Viking's All-Pro running back, Adrian Peterson, states that he will be better, post- knee injury, than he ever was before and declares that he will be ready to go - Day 1 - for the start of the upcoming season. But a review of the performance of other professional running backs in the years before and after major knee surgery doesn't seem to warrant Peterson's bravado.

Recent studies have shown that while a good portion of ACL athletes are returning to play, the percentage who return to their former performance levels is not that impressive.

So, why with all the surgical and rehabilitation expertise are injured athletes struggling to make it back? It's the factors that lie outside the surgical and rehab realm. Call them the "fear factors".

"While return to play may be perceived as the central concern for a competitive athlete recovering from an injury, it is easy to ignore psychological factors keeping a player off the field. Fear of re-injury and concern over decreased performance may hinder even the most physically capable athlete," says Kurt P Spindler, MD, of Vanderbilt Sports Medicine.

If athletes are to have the best chances of returning to play - and playing at their previous levels - they will need a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation. One that includes restoring an athlete's strength, motion, function, as well as their confidence.

Have you had success in addressing all these areas in helping an athlete return to play? We'd love to hear your story!

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Knee Rehabilitation with Shuttle Systems

This video features a patient just one day out of ACL surgery using the MiniClinic - forerunner to our new Shuttle MiniPress. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mark Sanders, is using an accelerated ACL Reconstructed Rehabilitation protocol pioneered by Dr. Donald Shelbourne of the Shelbourne Knee Center in Indiana. 

Here, Warren Anderson of Rehab Plus demonstrates his "Return to Weightbearing" exercises using the Shuttle MVP.

Kent Bond of Impact Physical Therapy shows the progression he uses for his ACL/Total Knee patients on the Shuttle Balance.

Read More»

1. Here is a method that is helping therapy patients come alive

Look at the animation, the vibrancy, and the quickening. Could your therapy benefit by incorporating the magic of music?

2. Why, it was only a week ago that the world seemed to revolve around basketball. Nice shot!

3. Three simple exercises for improving soccer balance skills 

Casey Robertson, ATC of SPort Rehab Inc. in Rolla, Missouri demonstrates three training exercises that can be performed on the Shutle Balance to help soccer athletes improve their proprioceptive abilities:

4. The Secret to Steve Nash's Longevity

Over the years, the Phoenix Suns' athletic training staff (owner's of the Shuttle 2000-1) have kept some impressive athletes going and going. So much so, that many consider them to be the finest training staff in the game. Now, you can find out why....

Photo by: Keith Allison

5. How to help the elderly on their road to recovery

Grandma went in... and she never came out.

We've all heard people share this sad experience. Perhaps, we've experienced it ourselves. A relative suffers an injury or illness and goes to the hospital for treatment. When they emerge, they seem weak, not exactly themselves. And, sometimes, it's the start of a progressive decline in their life and vitality.

A USA Today article referenced a recent study that stated "at least one-third of hospital patients older than 70 leave more frail than when they arrived, and many become too weak to go home."

But, rather than accept this outcome as inevitable, elder-care experts feel part of the problem lies with our approach to hospital care. They say it's too focused on treating the disease and not enough on preventing the patient from becoming frail. Their prescription? An improvement in the quality of food being offered, getting the patients out of bed, up and moving, and creating a more home-like environment.

Sounds like a twist on the age old wisdom: you gotta eat better, get some exercise and start redecorating!

Well, maybe our whole notion of rest and rehabilitation needs a little less emphasis on rest and a lot more attention to rehabilitation.

Any injury or illness will require some rest, some immobilization. But, at the same time, in order for the body to recover, it also needs movement, challenge, a re-strengthening.

Our Shuttle MiniPress can provide that initial post-injury, post-surgical recovery. Starting with resistance as low as 2.5 lbs, you can help the debilitated patient begin moving again. The MiniPress resistance goes all the way up to 80 lbs. So, there is plenty of challenge to strengthen weakened muscles. And, because it is mobile, the MiniPress can go anywhere your patient might be - place it on a bed, a table, or hook it up to their wheelchair.

See how the MiniPress can help in the road to recovery:  

6. Common Running Injuries

will face University of Xavier tonight in the Sweet 16 of NCAA basketball's March Madness tournament. Exciting to see Baylor come this far (and it's gonna be very interesting to see how much further they get to go).

We think at least some of the credit for Baylor's nice run this season can be attributable to the work and preparation of their Strength and Conditioning coach, Charlie Melton. 

When it comes to the Shuttle MVP, Charlie has always been an innovator. Seems like he's always trying to tweek and adapt things on the MVP to come up a novel way of training. Consequently, Charlie's a wonderful source of new Shuttle ideas. The following videos will you give you a sampling of his work.

Have to warn you that on the first video - there ain't no sound. Nevertheless, it's interesting to note what Charlie is trying to accomplish with his signature Five Zone workout. If you watch long enough (6:40), you'll see where Charlie documents his own knee injury and subsequent recovery. Watch even longer (7:28) and you get to see Charlie in a kilt! 

Thanks Charlie and go Bears!

Charlie demonstrates some of the MVP's basketball versatility using his rope attachment:

Finally, Charlie shares how he uses the Shuttle MVP as part of his upper body workout:

it seems only appropriate that we share some of the basketball training that therapists/trainers/coaches are doing on the Shuttle Balance.

Kent Bond of Impact Physical Therapy, while noted for his baseball expertise and James Bond impression, also uses the Balance for his "Basketball Drill". This enables him to train players to maintain balance and strength while posting up for the ball. 

2. How burning the midnight oil brought me closer to my family

Photo by: Jessy?

A noted leader once said:

"Success is not like manna that falls every working day alike on the worker and the shiftless, on the resourceful one and the careless one.  Success is reserved for those who work at it, those not afraid of the midnight oil." 

And yet, the hours of working for success can often come with a price - sometimes a costly one. Some end up paying in an estranged relationship, a failed marriage, or a broken family.

I recently interviewed noted strength & conditioning coach Michael Boyle, and he showed me how success can be compatible with those who matter most in our lives.

With all the demands on his time, I asked Coach Boyle how he was able to maintain balance in his life. Here's his three part answer:

One, I have a great wife.

Two, I'm learning to say "no" more.

Three, I work while everyone else is asleep. 

I was particularly intrigued by his last answer. Coach Boyle works long and hard, but he also works strategically. When he's home, he's home. He spends time with his family and work doesn't interfere. When his children go to bed, then he can resume working if he needs to. Yes, he burns the midnight oil. But, he doesn't make his family pay the price for it.

Michael Boyle, kudos!

3. Little known ways to make a basketball player stronger in the key

Since we're in the middle of March Madness, it seems only appropriate that we share some of the basketball training that therapists/trainers/coaches are doing on the Shuttle Balance.

Kent Bond of Impact Physical Therapy, while noted for his baseball expertise and James Bond impression, also uses the Balance for his "Basketball Drill". This enables him to train players to maintain balance and strength while posting up for the ball. 

4. Regardless of your feelings about myofascia, this is still funny....

5. Donatelli: Is your training program hurting your athletes?

Dr. Bob Donatelli, Ph.D., PT describes how excessive exercise for young athletes can cause increased incidence of illness, a reduction in testosterone levels, potential damage to bone growth plates, inflammation, and pain....

Photo by: Jetportal

6. Here's a quick way to avoid sudden cardiac death

7. This does not look good....

Created by: MedicalCodingCareerGuide.com

What else can be said...

about Michael Boyle? Author, industry thought leader, gym voted #1 in America, devoted husband and father.

Coach Boyle has used the Shuttle MVP for quite some time now. Years ago, in his innovative style, he taught everybody about the importance of teaching basketball players - not how to jump - but how to land.

Not too long ago, we had the opportunity to visit with Coach Boyle, and, as always, he had some insightful things to say....

What fascinates you right now?

I'm fascinated by how little we know. I've been questioning everything lately. How to get bigger, how to get stronger, how to get in shape. I think the questions far outnumber the answers.

I think you've described yourself as "old school". What are some trends you see in sports that you wish would stop - or go back to the way it was in the good ol' days?

Number one, early specialization. Everyone wants the next Tiger Woods or Maria Sharapova. Kids should be kids first and foremost, not little science projects for parents. Next would be all the AAU, ODP, etc. This is just an outgrowth of the early specialization thing. Kids need time to become athletes. Just because they are smart we don't send them to med school at age 10.

 Who are you learning from? Who's doing some really cool stuff right now?

Good question. Lots of people. Alwyn Cosgrove always makes me think, as does Gray Cook. The Perform Better tour has some of the best thinkers on the planet. I'm reading more about the mind, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin, and Nutrition stuff by Michael Pollan.

Who is the best athlete you've ever worked with - and why?

If you want Biggest Heart and Greatest Drive I might have to go with Chris Drury, captain of the NY Rangers. Jay Pandolfo of the New Jersey Devils is also in the same category as is Mike Grier of the Buffalo Sabres. 

Most talented is interesting. There have been so many. Ray Bourque, Nomar Garciaparra, Mia Hamm, Marcellus Wiley. Keith Tkachuk and Tony Amonte established themselves as two of the greatest players in US Hockey history, Bill Guerin is still playing on a line with Sydney Crosby at 39. Too tough to call.

What's your best piece of advice to someone just starting out in the profession?

No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.

If you were forced to make a different career choice - what would you be?

 I'd probably be a carpenter. I love working on houses.

With all the demands on your time - how do you maintain balance in your life?

 One, I have a great wife. Two, I'm learning to say "no" more. Three, I work while everyone else is asleep.

 For the record: One year from today you will have accomplished - what?

 I will have streamlined my life. I'm trying to be able to spend more time with my kids.

At the end of your career, where do you want to say that you made your "Dent in the Universe"?

 I hope I will have trained and influenced those who will take my place. When I see my "kids", the people I have coached and mentored do such great things, I know I have a legacy. I hope that is the way that Al Vermeil, Johnnie Parker, Rusty Jones and Mike Woicek feel about me.

 Thanks Coach Boyle for all that you do. It's a pleasure and an honor to call you friend.

How to Treat Three Distinct Clients with the Shuttle MVP

Kent Bond, PT of Impact Physical Therapy answers questions on how he uses the Shuttle Balance in his clinic:

• What age groups are you training on the Shuttle Balance?

• What is the most advanced training you've used on the Balance?

• How do you track a patient's progress?

• What type of patient gets the most use out of the Balance?

• What other equipment do you use in conjunction with the Shuttle Balance? 

Learn more about the Shuttle Balance