Dr. Paul Saenz shares how the San Antonio Spurs have used Sports Science to help their Sports Medicine.









The Spurs have always been on a leading edge of performance have looked at best practices around the globe.



The sports medicine team consists of at least 10 positions with multiples at several of these positions.



ATs serve as the backbone and primary interface between the players and the medical team.



WHY monitor?



Direct FeedbackInjury preventionPerformance enhancementsRehabilitation baselines



Key facets of Athletic Performance



Strength



Aerobic Capacity



Nutrition



Recovery - has replaced the word “rest” - its intentional



Psychological Wellness - they fill out these surveys onn a daily basis



What to Monitor with Sports Science



Games and Training - volumes and intensity



Player Strength and conditioning



Fatigue / Recovery



Player Availability ( injury incidence and prevalence)



Types of Loads



External - the physical load they have endured



Road cyclist - mean power output for given duration - 400 watts for 30 minutes



Internal - how have they responded physiologically



HR, RPE, Blood lactate, cortisol, testosterone, inflammatory biomarkers



External Load Monitoring



Time Motion analysis - GPS and digital video movement analysis



Accelerometer Data - 



Catapult system - GPS wearable system that monitors elapsed exercise time.



Neuromuscular function



The huge collection of data requires the skill to extrapolate and draw conclusions.



Internal Load Monitoring



RPE - Relative Perceived Exertion



Heart Rate Response



Biochemical



Weight



Adductor Squeeze



Dorsi-flexion lunge



Isometric lunge



RPE Scale



Self-determined assessment of exercise intensity



Correlates well with heart rate



Blood draws can be done during this time.



Cardio Recovery



Heart Rate Recovery - how quickly your heart rate returns to normal



Markers of fatigue vs fitness



Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test



Short intense runs with brief recovery periods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkOk_P5VnOA



Salivary Biomarkers



testosterone /Cortisol markers of stress and recovery



Anabolic vs Catabolic state



Adductor Squeeze



Done with a blood pressure cuff



Very well documented with European teams



Recovery Methods



Light cardio



Massage



Cryotherapy -  whole body cryotherapy



- reduces edema and positive effects on the autonomic system



Pulsed compression -  NormaTec type



Convenient for air travel or post-game



Aquatic Therapy - 



AlterG



NordBoard



Measures ongoing hamstring health over the course of the season



Which Sports Science Tests to Choose?



Most relevant to your use



Practical implementation



Most reliable



Produce actionable intel



Key points to make it effective



Make sure your athletes understand



Make sure your coaches understand



Be consistent in implementation



Consider the data but make clinical decisions



What about electronic recovery units like Compex, MarcPro or Firefly



These are great options



Do not forget cold tubs or 



SLEEP



Stationary bikes



Group session in a pool



How do we apply the Sports Science data in our high schools?



Focus more on periodization of training.



COVID19 emphasizes the need for that.



The Yo-Yo test is simple and easily performed



Talking to your athletes individually



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Contact Us:





Dr. Paul Saenz - get a hold of Shawn Ready



Shawn Ready - @ShawnReady_ATC



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