The Athlete's Edge: Science Behind Injury Prevention with Dr. Mikel Joachim & Malorie Wilwand
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On this episode of the Strong Youth Project Podcast, host Emily Rummler sits down with Dr. Mikel Joachim and Malorie Wilwand to discuss the latest research on youth sports performance, injury prevention, and the impact of stress, sleep, and early specialization.
Dr. Mikel Joachim is a Research Program Manager for Badger Athletic Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in injury risk factors for distance runners, hamstring injuries, ACL recovery, and hip arthroscopy. Malorie Wilwand holds a Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance and is currently a PhD student at BYU, working as a research coordinator for the BYU football team.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Why stress and sleep are major risk factors for youth sports injuries
- The myth of early sports specialization and why playing multiple sports is better
- What parents and coaches can do to protect young athletes
- The role of biomechanics in injury prevention - How rest and recovery are just as important as training
- The unique experience of being women in the sports science field
If you’re a parent, coach, athlete, or sports enthusiast, this episode is packed with evidence-based insights on keeping young athletes healthy, happy, and high-performing.
Timestamps
[00:00] Intro – Welcome to the Strong Youth Project Podcast
[00:22] Host Emily Rummler introduces today’s guests
[00:30] Meet Dr. Mikel Joachim – Research on injury risk factors in athletes
[01:10] Meet Malorie Wilwand – PhD student studying sports conditioning
[02:00] Overview of Mikel’s research on youth and collegiate athletes
[04:04] The biggest risk factors for athletic injuries in youth
[05:26] Nutrition & energy balance – Are young athletes eating enough?
[06:52] How stress and sleep impact injury risk
[08:14] What high school research reveals about training volume and injury
[09:58] The dangers of early sports specialization – What parents need to know
[12:01] Why most youth athletes will NOT play college sports (and that’s okay)
[13:13] The role of parents and coaches in preventing burnout and injury
[15:04] The unique case of football – Why it’s different from other sports
[17:12] Strength training for youth – How to do it right without overtraining
[20:04] Does weight training actually prevent injuries?
[22:29] The importance of movement literacy – Teaching athletes to move well
[23:44] How rest and recovery enhance athletic performance
[25:22] The myth of “good” movement mechanics – Is there a right way to move?
[27:05] Post-injury movement changes – How injuries affect long-term mechanics
[29:02] Women in sports science – Mikel & Malorie’s experiences in a male-dominated field
[30:27] Final thoughts – How we can better support young athletes
[31:00] 🎵 Outro – Thank you for tuning in!
