Author: Dani Fennerty

Maximizing Time Between Subconcussive Exposures

One strategy for decreasing the impacts of subconcussions on performance is to maximize the time between exposures. Subconcussions cause subtle neurotrauma. Maximizing time between exposures gives the brain time to heal and decrease the neuro-inflammation caused by the subconcussive hits. In combat situations this is often uncontrollable but should be optimized in training structure. Leaders… Continue reading Maximizing Time Between Subconcussive Exposures

Visual Motion Sensitivity

Visual motion sensitivity is common post-concussion. [1-2] Visual motion sensitivity is hypersensitivity to visual stimuli. It can trigger headaches, dizziness, and imbalance. It is common for someone post-concussion to be overstimulated by walking through a grocery store or down a crowded hallway. These individuals often need to undergo physical therapy to desensitize them to visual… Continue reading Visual Motion Sensitivity

Asking “So What?”

Anytime I read a research paper I constantly am asking myself “So what?” This isn’t in a dismissive way. It’s so my brain sees the information given to me and finds a way to make it meaningful to the people I serve. This article, Evidence of Dynamic Visual Acuity Impairments in Asymptomatic Mixed Martial Arts… Continue reading Asking “So What?”

The Vestibulo-Spinal Reflex

Your vestibular system senses acceleration/deceleration movements. The vestibulo-spinal reflex (VSR) is the reflex that keeps your trunk positioning relative to gravity. The vestibular system will sense an acceleration/deceleration movement and send a signal to your trunk muscles to contract via the VSR. The VSR is vital for performing at a high level and for injury… Continue reading The Vestibulo-Spinal Reflex

Published

Speed in Every Plane

Have you ever watched a movie where they are filming from the perspective of a person running and the camera is shaking all over the place and you can’t keep the scene in focus? But then when they slow down it becomes clear again. Why is that? It’s because when they are moving slowly, your… Continue reading Speed in Every Plane

Beyond Muscle Fatigue

One way we slow down is through muscle fatigue. But muscle fatigue isn’t the only cause of slowing down. Our sensory systems fatigue as well. When in a highly stimulating environment, our sensory systems are working overtime sending signals to our brain. Our brain then needs to interpret these signals and send information to our… Continue reading Beyond Muscle Fatigue

Real Life is Chaos

The work you put in at the gym sets your ceiling of potential in the field. Unfortunately, deadlifting 500 pounds in the gym doesn’t translate directly to the capability of lifting 500 pounds in the field. Why? Because the gym is an extremely controlled environment. You grab your favorite bar, have the weights evenly distributed… Continue reading Real Life is Chaos

What Your Hearing Protection Doesn’t Shield

Wearing hearing protection does not shield a vital situational awareness system called your vestibular system. [1] Your vestibular system is in your inner ear, just deeper than your hearing system. If you can move and keep a target in focus, if you have fast reactions and the ability to move with your head on a… Continue reading What Your Hearing Protection Doesn’t Shield

What are Low Level Blasts?

Low level blasts (LLB) are created by weapons whose blasts create an overpressure wave, but a single exposure is not enough to create any obvious brain damage or cause symptoms. Examples of LLB are firing a 0.50 caliber sniper rifle, Howitzers, Carl Gustaf rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, light anti-tank weapons, shotgun door-breaching rounds, mortars, M4 Carbine… Continue reading What are Low Level Blasts?