The Morning Stiffness Struggle: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Support your bone, muscle and joint health at Life Performance Sports Medicine, West Melbourne

Because slow and steady doesn’t cut it in the fourth quarter. In sports like football, rugby, and hockey, sprint speed wins moments — and moments win games . But speed isn’t built just by playing games. To stay fast and explosive all season, athletes need a structured approach: sprint training, repeat sprint ability (RSA) work, strength and power development, and smart recovery strategies. Here’s your no-fluff guide to building elite sprint performance during the season — and having some fun while doing it.

Winter sport season has landed! Whether you're hitting the footy field, netball court, or soccer pitch, your body’s in for a ride. First few games of the season? Expect some sore muscles and general fatigue. But what if that soreness doesn’t go away? Or feels... not quite right? Let’s talk about niggles —those pesky little warning signs your body gives you before a proper injury sets in.

As another sports season kicks off, so does the conversation around concussion . While not every head knock leads to a concussion, recognising and removing players when in doubt is crucial. ‘If in doubt, rule them out.’ Most discussions on concussion focus on recognising symptoms , but what happens after a concussion diagnosis? Here are six key facts parents need to know about managing concussion recovery. 

This one goes out to all our field based athletes out there! For many of you, the start of your footy or soccer season is on the horizon. You might have played a few practice games, the team’s running load has picked up, and you’re starting to do more game -like drills. Whilst this is exciting and often more enjoyable than earlier parts of pre-season, it can also spell trouble. A ramp up in intensity, plus more kicking and more running can be a lot of change for any athlete. Whilst most of you will have a smart watch to track your running (or access to GPS systems if you’re lucky), how many of you track your kicking load?

Knee pain can really put a damper on your day-to-day life. Whether it’s from arthritis, an old injury, or just wear and tear , living with sore knees isn’t fun. Luckily, modern treatments like injection therapies offer new hope. Let’s break down what PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and other injection treatments are all about—in plain language that’s easy to understand.

I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that a high proportion of New Year’s Resolutions fall to the wayside by the time February rolls around.  For our patients, this comes in the form of gym memberships being cancelled, running plans falling away or the tennis racquet being put back in the cupboard until the next Australian Open. Change is hard . It is easy to be critical of yourself when you aren’t able to stick to a new fitness goal without any hiccups along the way. In our heads, our progress will look like this:

Understanding Non-Specific Low Back Pain: What You Need to Know Low back pain is one of the most common complaints worldwide. For many, it comes and goes, but for others, it can persist, affecting daily life . If you've been told you have "non-specific low back pain," you might be wondering what it means and what to do about it. 

It’s a new year, and guess what? Your gut is ready for a glow-up! Often called your “second brain,” your gut isn’t just about digesting that extra slice of pizza— it’s a powerhouse that impacts your mood, immunity, and overall well-being. Time to give it some TLC! So, what’s the deal with gut health? It’s all about balance—the harmony of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in your digestive tract. When your gut is happy, your body hums along smoothly. When it’s not? Hello, bloating, irregularity, and even chronic health woes. The MVP of gut health? Fibre . Think of it as the unsung hero of your digestive system, and it comes in two fabulous forms: Soluble Fibre : Found in oats, fruits, and legumes, this superstar dissolves in water, helping to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. Insoluble Fibre : This tough cookie (from veggies and whole grains) adds bulk to your stool, keeping you regular as clockwork. But wait, there’s more! Power up your fibre game with prebiotics (the snacks your good bacteria love—think onions, garlic, and bananas) and probiotics (the friendly live bacteria in yoghurt and fermented foods). Don’t skip out on resistant starches like green bananas or cooled rice—they’re like a five-star meal for your gut. Now, let’s talk habits. Sure its been festive time over the last few weeks, and you might have had just one too many beers or wines. Excess booze and caffeine can leave your gut lining crying for help, and skipping hydration is a recipe for sluggish digestion. Even stress can throw off your gut’s mojo. So let’s take a whole-body approach to gut health! Practical Tips for a Gut-Healthy New Year Ready to treat your gut like the VIP it is? Here are four fun ways to make your digestive system your new bestie: Fibre First Thing : Start your morning with a fibre-packed brekkie—hello, oats and berries! Sip, Sip, Hooray! : Hydrate like a pro with at least 8 glasses of water a day. Fermented Fun : Add some zing to your meals with kimchi, sauerkraut, or yoghurt. Cut Back on the Gut Bullies : Swap caffeine overloads for soothing herbal teas or kombucha. Stay tuned for Part 2—we’re getting active in the name of gut health and making 2025 your best year yet!