Abel James Show
Abel James Show
Abel James
Henry Abbott: Why Star Athletes Are Getting Injured More Than Ever
1 hour 5 minutes Posted Dec 18, 2025 at 3:00 pm.
Intro and the mystery of rising sports injuries
Meet Henry Abbott and the core thesis of Ballistic
Bigger, stronger… and hurt more: landing as the key culprit
Rethinking athleticism: physical intelligence over max strength
Hips as the brain of the body: mobility and stability
Simple self tests: side plank X and standing figure four
Culture, underuse, and rebuilding movement through practice
How injuries emerge: foot landing habits and movement vocabulary
Compensation, pain, and plasticity: changing how we move
Case studies: invisible risks revealed by force plates
Nervous system safety, fear, and regaining range
Lower back pain mechanics: blenders vs hip loaders
Warmups, daily checks, and personal diagnostics
Ankles and hips: where the action is
Bounce, plyometrics, and training the springs
Quiet running, soft landings, and kinematic movers
Play as training: puppies on the beach
Wrap up and where to find Henry Abbott
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Show notes
A modern mystery haunts professional sports: Why are today's star athletes—who are bigger, faster, and stronger than ever—getting injured at such catastrophic rates?

The glory days when all-stars like Cal Ripkin Jr. played 2,632 consecutive games seem far behind us.

These days, promising careers are tragically cut short by horrific injuries televised to the masses. Some managers even see pro athletes as expendable, as surgeons circle broken bodies like buzzards.

The strange truth is this: sometimes getting stronger actually makes us worse at sports.

Athleticism is much more than just an arms race of strength and speed. It's about physical intelligence, skill development, and building fluency in the language of movement.

We're here today with Henry Abbott, award-winning journalist, OG podcaster, and author of the new book “Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance.”

From jaw-dropping moments on the NBA court to the hidden science and technology in cutting-edge elite training labs, Henry unpacks the secrets behind how to build and maintain athletic mastery for life.

if you're looking for extra motivation to get out of your chair, this is it. 
In this episode, you'll discover:
  • How cutting-edge research is reshaping the way athletes train 
  • Surprisingly sneaky causes of common injuries (and how to prevent them)
  • What professors and elite athletes know about recovering from injury that you don't
  • How to incorporate more "play" and joyful movement into your fitness routine
  • And much more.... 
Find Henry Abbott and his work at: 
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