Communicate the Science

Sports Medicine Broadcast

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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