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Hockey is one of the fastest, toughest games there is and that’s why we love it. But there’s more to it than just slapshots and body checks. Join Blues team physicians from Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Physicians and their colleagues as we go behind the scenes and learn the science of what goes into keeping the Blues at the top of their game and safe. From the brain, to the heart, to all the muscles, joints and ligaments you’ll get a first-hand take on the science of St. Louis Blues hockey from those who know.
Q: What's the gnarliest injury you've ever treated?
Q: What kind of injury are you most concerned about during a game?
When a player gets hurt on the ice and goes behind the bench, find out what happens in the tunnel.
Q: How do you decide if a player can return to the ice if you suspect they have a concussion?
Q: We know there are doctors on site in case of medical emergency. Where are they in the arena?
Q: How do the doctors feel when they see someone they treat get back into the game?
Q: What was the most surprising thing you learned after becoming a team doctor for the St. Louis Blues?
Q: As a team physician, what is a doctor's main role in keeping our Blues players in top shape?
Q: What does it take to be a St. Louis Blues Team Physician?
As we all know hockey is a fast game and the forces generated put a lot of stress on all parts of the body. What does that mean for the players’ joints and ligaments? Team physicians, Drs. Matthew Matava and Matthew Smith discuss injuries they see in our Blues and what they do about them. From shoulder separations to MCL tears they’ve seen it all and share their knowledge with you.
A goalie defends his goal from shots of every speed and direction. Have you ever wondered how he’s able to do that? It’s more than just being quick. We go inside the goalie’s brain with Barnes-Jewish and Washington University neurologist Arun Varadhachary, MD and see that training and something that’s genetically conserved in all of us are what makes it possible.
Seeing a player wind up for a slapshot and let if fly is an exciting part of the game. But what’s it like to be on the receiving end of a flying frozen projectile? Team physician, Matthew Smith, MD, walks us through how much force a puck can generate and all the injuries from a simple laceration to possible breathing issues and surgery.
It’s obvious just by watching hockey that protective equipment is an important part of the game. Helmets, shoulder pads and shin guards play an important part in keeping our Blues safe, but have you stopped to think about how some of these devices have come to be? Team physicians, Drs. Matthew Matava and Matthew Smith discuss some of the hidden dangers of hockey that we don’t always think about and how protective equipment has evolved.
The boards are an iconic part of hockey. We all love to see the opposing team slammed into them and we bang on them to support the Blues. They’re there to protect us from the dangers of the game, but are they dangerous themselves? Barnes-Jewish and Washington University orthopedic surgeons and team physicians, Matthew Matava, MD, and Matthew Smith, MD, discuss how the boards are protection for the fans, the point of injuries and what has been done to reduce their risk.
Our Blues spend hours practicing, working out and doing everything they can to be at the top of their game. The medical staff does the same. But how do they prepare and what goes on behind the scenes to ensure our players are safe. Team physicians, Drs. Matthew Matava and Matthew Smith share what it takes to be medically ready when something goes wrong all without any of us knowing about it.
We all know our Blues spend a lot of time working out and practicing, but did you know there’s more to it than just time and effort. There is a science behind how they prepare involving a deep understanding of physics, anatomy and physiology to reach peak performance. Strength and conditioning coach, Eric Renaghan joins team physician, Dr. Matthew Smith to explain how understanding the science of movement and constant data collection influences the players’ abilities to stay healthy and injury free.
Food is fuel. No doubt about it. But have you ever wondered what it takes to fuel the Blues? It’s more than just calories in and calories out. Specific food-related biomarkers and hydration levels are key. Team physician, Matthew Matava, MD, joins strength and conditioning coach, Eric Renaghan, to explain the physiology and testing that goes into feeding the Blues and making sure they get what they need and not what they don’t.
Blues players train hard to play at the professional level, but is there more to it than strength and endurance? Dive into how the brain is trained with Barnes-Jewish and Washington University neurologist, Arun Varadhachary, MD as he compares the brain of former Blue Barret Jackman with that of a non-hockey player. See how a professional’s brain is connected and functions differently from our brains.
COVID-19 has changed everything we do, and it has caused the NHL to create two bubbles for this year’s playoffs. Team physician, Matthew Matava, MD, shares his experience in the bubble and all the precautions, rules and testing the NHL has implemented to keep everyone safe in Edmonton.
We have all heard about all the COVID-19 testing going on, but how has it impacted the Blues and this year’s playoff run? Learn what all the testing routines and technologies mean from team physician, Matthew Matava, MD, from inside the bubble in Edmonton and better understand what they mean to you.
We all know how the heart is a vital organ and it pumps blood throughout the body. And we would probably guess that the hearts of the St. Louis Blues are different from a regular person, but do you know exactly how? Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Sports Cardiologist, Mustafa Husaini, MD, explains what makes our Blues’ hearts different from ours.
Our Blues players carry the weight of the team on their shoulders, metaphorically, but have you ever wondered how strong their shoulders really need to be and how they function? Team physicians Matthew Matava, MD, Matthew Smith, MD and Robert Brophy, MD go inside the shoulder to show you how Blues players can take wicked slapshots and give bone crushing checks.
Concussions are part of sports, but do you know what is happening to the body and how to deal with them? Our neurologist and team physicians explain the injury and what is happening behind the scenes when a Blues player is undergoing the concussion protocol.
We all take movement for granted. All you do is think about taking a step and then you’re walking. But it’s a lot more complicated, and rather elegant, when you look at the molecular level. Washington University neurologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Arun Varadhachary MD, shows you how our nervous system controls our muscles and how we can test to see if your nerves are functioning properly.
Most of us take our knees for granted, but did you know that this simple joint is a lot more complex than just bending back and forth. And our Blues put a lot more stress on their knees than we do. Join Washington University orthopedic surgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and team physicians as they show just how elegant and durable the knee really is.
Do you think our Blues play more with their hearts or their brains? In this episode join our neurologist, Arun Varadhachary, MD, and sports cardiologist, Mustafa Husaini, MD, as they explain why it doesn’t really matter because the two organs are in constant communication no matter what the game throws at the Blues.
"If you haven’t had a bone fracture in hockey, have you even had a career?” On this episode of The Science of St. Louis Blues Hockey, we’re discussing all things bones—including all the ways they can break and how to make sure they heal properly.
Every fall and hit causes pain, but how much depends on what your body has learned. Let’s hear from a neurologist: why do we feel pain and how much?
This episode, we dive into cardiac remodeling and how our Blues players condition their hearts like any other muscle in their body.
What causes a sports hernia, or core muscle injury, other than lifting heavy objects like the Stanley Cup?
Cardiac incidents can happen to anyone, anywhere. But how do they happen? And how can anyone make the greatest save?
Did you know you can literally smell the excitement in the arena when you're at a Blues game? Watch more to learn how being a fan is both emotional and physiological.
Rituals or "habits" can help athletes channel the power of the brain into the sport. But do they really work?
The Science of Blues Hockey is back for Season 4 with our new host -- St. Louis native and model Karlie Kloss. This season, we'll go behind the scenes with Washington University Physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to learn more about how the parts of our body work together to produce optimal performance on (and off) the ice.
Performing at an elite level requires the systems in your body to work effectively and at their highest capacity. Hear from the Pros at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to understand how these systems work together to make a player like Robert Thomas so good at what he does.
What abilities can we scope out to draft the ultimate hockey player? In this episode, we explore what goes into elevating players into Blues legends. Learn from the Pros at Barnes Jewish Hospital as they highlight players like Jordan Kyrou, Al MacInnis, Brett Hull, and Jordan Binnington.
From postgame routines to the importance of sleep, recovery is an important focus for every athlete.
Hockey equipment isn’t the only thing to advance over the years. Hear more from St. Louis Blues team physician and Washington University orthopedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital on how advancements in orthopedic care have helped hockey players get back to the ice faster following an injury.
In this episode of The Science of St. Louis Blues Hockey, the experts at Barnes-Jewish hospital walk us through injury prevention and improving performance through effective warm-up and stretching routines. Whether you're a seasoned hockey player or simply a fan of the game, this episode covers the importance of increasing flexibility and range of motion to prevent injuries.
From weekend warriors to professional hockey players, we all know that exercise is good for our hearts. Join the pros at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to discover how a non-athlete's heart compares to that of a professional hockey player, and how the heart supports nearly every system in the body.
In this episode of The Science of St. Louis Blues Hockey, we shadow Blues’ medical director and orthopedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Dr. Matthew Matava. From saving lives in the operating room to taking care of our hometown hockey team at night, spend a day in the life with a Blues team physician.