There is no question that medical technology continues to evolve and that’s great news for all of us. What’s exciting for athletes and anyone who is recovering from an injury or surgery is that we have so much more to rely on today including state-of-the-art technology and evidence-based education, training and management.
At Holy Cross Health we have launched a premier, state-of-the-art sports medicine program with the opening of the Lillian S. Wells Foundation Institute of Sports Performance and Orthopedic Therapy (iSPORT) in the Holy Cross HealthPlex in Fort Lauderdale. Here we offer the most comprehensive, multidisciplinary sports injury and performance enhancement program in South Florida.
Technology plays a transformational role in sports whether you are looking to take your athletic performance to the next level, recover from an injury or surgery or looking to prevent athletic related injuries.
Here is what you need know about some of the technology that is designed to meet a patient’s needs in training and therapy:
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR): This involves placement of a blood pressure like cuff on areas of the extremity which limits the amount of the blood flow to the area that encourages muscle growth without heavy loading. BFR allows you to train at 20% effort and achieve the same benefits as if you were working at an 80% effort. This improves strength and muscle mass, prevents atrophy after injury and surgery, promotes healing and decreases pain. During the exercise, a patient will feel pressure around your extremity, similar to that of a blood pressure cuff when it is almost completely inflated. While there may be muscle soreness after exercise, there will be a significant decrease in joint pain within 24-48 hours after exercise.
DARI Motion: DARI Motion is a motion analysis that uses a patented and FDA approved algorithm to be able to record movements with the use of Automated Data Analytics of Motion (ADAM). The system detects movement that provides data on motion age, athleticism and readiness to perform. This is a benefit to athletes who want to perform at their best with functional and sports specific testing, with scientifically validated kinematics to protect against injuries and with identified risk factors designed to each person’s unique musculoskeletal profile. Through a full body motion analysis, corrective exercises are recommended to address top focus areas.
Quick Board Training: This is an advanced training and diagnostic system that helps enhance an athlete’s performance and helps with rehabilitation after injury. Exercises train and restore agility, speed, reaction, strength, stability, balance and coordination. These exercises can be customized for athletes, those with orthopedic injuries and for older adults who are at risk of falls.
VertiMax Platform: VertiMax uses advanced technology that allows athletes of all ages to train while loading specific areas of the body for improved sport specific performance.
Unlike traditional resistance bands, VertiMax technology allows resistance to remain consistent as the bands are stretched for up to 45 yards. That means that the athlete can complete more uninterrupted repetitions for greater distances. VertiMax has been used across multiple sports to improve performance and decrease injury.
Trazer: Trazer is a revolutionary computer-based technology that provides information about the performance of a person’s brain, body and heart. Trazer uses motion capture and interactive game-like simulations that has been used for injury rehabilitation, improving sports performance, concussion rehabilitation and fall prevention. Trazer has been effective in athletic sports performance, ortho and neuro rehabilitation, concussion rehabilitation and senior health.
Dr. Fernando J. Manalac, Jr., is a non-surgical sports medicine specialist at Holy Cross Health Isport, Holy Cross HealthPlex in Fort Lauderdale. He can be reached at (954) 958-4800 or Fernando.Manalac@holy-cross.com.
