Description:

Abstract:

Increasing strength and cross-sectional area of a muscle is a commonly targeted adaptation in rehabilitation and performance enhancement. The initial stage of structural adaptation is known as mechanotransduction. This process describes how mechanical cues are sensed by the muscle leading to a biological response. Important factors for this response include the magnitude and duration of mechanical tension, which will depend largely on the external load applied and the muscle’s capacity to contribute to joint torques. This capacity will depend on factors such as muscle moment arms and intrinsic muscle-tendon properties. With consideration to these factors, I will discuss and question the assumptions we can make in the applied setting of elite sport to guide exercise selection and execution to maximize the stimulus to the muscle.

Speaker Info:

Fionn currently leads the strength & conditioning support at the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit with the English Institute of Sport/British Olympic Association. Here he works as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide intensive rehabilitation to Olympic athletes and collaborates with practitioners throughout the English Institute of Sport network in the areas of loading strategies and diagnostics/athlete profiling. Fionn moved to the UK in 2010 and completed an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He then worked for the Sport Wales Institute until 2016, leading delivery to several sports including boxing, judo, gymnastics and cycling. Fionn also provides consultancy in the application of strength diagnostics in rehabilitation, and integrated physical preparation to professional athletes and teams.