In this episode of The Lab Collective, Louis and Alex unpack the underrated power of isometric training for athletes. They break down the science behind yielding vs. overcoming isometrics, discuss how to strategically use them for strength gains, tendon health, and injury resilience, and explore how to implement them across sports like football and track. Whether you’re pushing through sticking points or dialing in neuromuscular control, this conversation reveals how isometrics can become a foundational tool in your programming toolbox—without overloading the joints. Learn how to train harder and smarter.

In this episode of The Lab Collective, Dr. Lou Fullenkamp explores the importance of autoregulation and flexible non-linear programming in training and rehab. He emphasizes that training should adapt to the athlete or patient, not the other way around. Lou introduces key autoregulation tools like Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Reps in Reserve (RIR), and Velocity-Based Training (VBT) as practical ways to assess daily readiness and adjust training on the fly.

He explains how Flexible Non-Linear Programming (FNLP) moves beyond rigid, linear periodization models making it a powerful system for athletes in-season, post-injury patients, and everyday lifters managing life’s unpredictability. Lou highlights real-world coaching examples, stressing the importance of understanding each individual’s physical and emotional state before proceeding with the Rx intensity or volume.

The episode closes with a reminder to listen to athletes and patients, fostering meaningful conversations about how they feel and what they need each day. Lou invites listeners to stay connected with The Lab Collective for more insights and encourages them to join the conversation through social media and email.

In this episode, Louis engages in a dynamic discussion with Terrance Motley, Director of Football Rehabilitation at BYU, about their journeys and experiences in the field of physical therapy and strength & conditioning. Terrance, a former strength coach turned physical therapist, shares his inspiring path from walk-on football player to pursuing rugby and ultimately becoming a PT. They delve into topics such as exercise physiology in rehabilitation, the importance of exercise prescription, and the value of practical experience in PT education. Terrance emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to rehabilitation and offers insights into training through pain and discomfort, crucial for athletic recovery. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring sports physical therapists on gaining experience and building connections in the field.

Terrance Motley: https://byucougars.com/staff/terrance-motley

Instagram: ⁨@meathead_rehab⁩

In this episode, Louis discusses the benefits of the 40-20 interval training split, which involves 40 seconds of high-intensity work followed by 20 seconds of rest. He explained that this method is effective in improving aerobic capacity, metabolic health, and work capacity, and can provide similar benefits to steady-state cardio in a shorter time. Louis also highlighted the mental toughness aspect of this training, emphasizing the importance of pacing and learning when to push without redlining. He suggested various ways to implement this training, including using a rower, skier, or kettlebell, and recommended it for athletes preparing for races, Crossfitters, Hyrox athletes, and strength athletes in a cutting phase.

In this episode, Louis and Brandon discuss the importance of sport-specific conditioning in athletics, emphasizing the need to match the demands of the sport with the conditioning program to optimize performance and prevent injury. They also discussed the challenges of working with high school athletes and coaches, the importance of efficient conditioning for various sports, and the need for a balanced approach to strength and conditioning.

In this episode, Louis and Alex Gehle discuss the pros and cons of doing a residency versus non-residency for specialization in physical therapy. Alex shares his experience with a hybrid residency, which included on-site learning, mentorship, and weekend intensive education.

In this episode, Louis discusses movement economy, which refers to the efficiency with which the body uses energy to perform a specific task. He explained that this concept applies to various disciplines, such as running, weightlifting, and Crossfit, and that it is not solely about strength or endurance, but also about neuromuscular coordination and biomechanics. Louis also outlined how movement economy can be assessed through video analysis, heart rate monitoring, force plate testing, and feedback from coaches or clinicians. He emphasized the importance of addressing inefficiencies and imbalances in movement to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. Finally, he suggested that training for better movement economy should involve technique drills and repetition to focus on the fundamentals.

In this episode, Louis discusses the importance of training splits in achieving fitness, rehab, and performance goals, and explored different types of training splits such as full body sessions, push-pull splits, upper and lower splits, and old school bro splits. He also shared his personal training experiences and the challenges and benefits of various training splits, emphasizing the importance of considering one's training experience, goals, and recovery needs when choosing a training split. Lastly, he encouraged experimentation and tracking of training intensity and volume to find the best approach for each individual.