Sports Medicine Broadcast

Sports Medicine Broadcast


Communicate the Science

December 29, 2021

As a collegiate coach, Dr. Kimberly Stein had to communicate the science of recovery and nutrition to her teams.

Being a pioneer in the NFL Kevin Luhrs had to communicate the science behind the small changes to improve player performance.

What does effective communication mean to you/look like to you?

KS:

  • We think it is cool and give them the details but they do not really care
  • Keep it simple
  • Meet them where they are

KL: 

  • transfer of knowledge
  • Find where they are and stay one step ahead of them
What barriers have you run into while trying to share science?

KL: 

  • I started in 2010
  • I think the number of Sports dieticians has doubled in college athletics
  • Appeal to the why – Why are you tired on the field, why are you sluggish? Keep monitoring them.

KS: 

  • You have to sell it as another training aide
  • Potential injury prevention
  • START WITH WHY
What are the best steps to introduce science into a conversation effectively?

KL:

  • Plant the seed
  • Ask questions
  • I had the opportunity to communicate the science in front of the whole team
  • I had a lot of consultations in the whole way or in the At Facility

KS:

  • Meeting them for the first time is not the best time
  • What do you think about nutrition and performance?
  • What do you think you need to perform?
  • “Let’s try just a little bit of energy” not well the RDs recommend 20 ML of fluid every 20 minutes of heavy activity.
How can you get a team of professional athletes to take interest in the science behind sport?

KL:

  • Where do I start?
  • Fried catfish Fridays
  • Implement it into practice as you educate them
  • Small changes

KS:

  • Older athletes kinda lead the way for me…they wanted to extend their career.
  • Nowadays we see athletes that are asking questions as soon as they get the contract.
How do you adjust your communication methods between a practitioner audience or a professional athlete audience?

KS: 

  • Practitioners get more of the science
  • They want to see the charts and graphs and data
  • But you are still not talking to other scientists so do not go overboard.
  • Use visuals often.
  • Professional athletes 
    • Let them ask questions and get a feel for what they want
    • Use examples of places and people it has worked with
  • Coaches
    • They have to be the key in implementing it.
    • Allowing water breaks
    • Allowing practice to start later so the team has time to eat.
    • But they also need to internalize this personally

KL: 

  • Educate them so they can communicate the message when needed
  • Being on the same page as a staff is probably the biggest key to success..coaches, admin, everyone
How can someone communicate why their recommendations are effective for reasons beyond the science?

KL: 

– We definitely have to convince people or sell it at times

– Like Dr. Stein said, science is not black an white, it is evolving

KS: 

  • Yes!!!
  • Understand the science of behavior change
  • You are not really changing the diet but changing their behavior
  • Tiny Changes
How can a practitioner determine whether information is best communicated visually through graphics or data, or through straightforward text?

KS:

  • Pee Color chart
  • Having a picture of carbohydrates…giving examples
    • Do this instead of a list

KL:

  • Weigh in charts for hydration
  • Traffic light training system
    • Go
    • Slow
    • Whoa
What are your recommendations for sharing/communicating the science via social media? What are some effective posts/sources that you’ve seen recently? 

KS:

  • We are a headline driven society..so it is hard to communicate the science accurately
  • Who know how valid the “reports” are
  • Get with the team captains and see if they can share the good stuff on their personal info

KL:

  • Point towards some that are doing the right thing.
What are some scientific resources you would recommend for someone who is trying to expand their sports performance research knowledge?

KS: – www.GSSIweb.org – hands down

KL: Sports Science Exchange or Gatorade performance partner website

Contact Us:

Dr. Kimberly Stein -@KimWhiteStein

Kevin Luhrs –

Jeremy Jackson – MrJeremyJackson

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