The Slippery Slope of Resulting

As a coach or clinician we are results thirsty. Results are probably why we entered the field.

To help others meet goals.

To be better versions of themselves.

We brandish our marketing with sayings such as “I get you results”. Our professional identity gets hitched to this wagon. And this works if the population is right and the success indicator is fixed enough. It is easy to get the 14 year old boy to gain weight. Leave him alone with a dumbbell and a jar of peanut butter and magic will happen. But drawing results from our direct interventions (otherwise known as resulting) is a slippery slope. 

First, resulting may draw an undue attachment to a method. It can proliferate a  “this always works for me so this must be THE way” mentality. We struggle to see past the blinders of our experience to know that the 14 year old ticking hormone bomb would have gotten bigger with about any training stimulus food combo. Same with a patient with acute back pain. “My patients all get better with X intervention.” Well, the literature shows MOST will get better with MOST things over enough time. In this way,  resulting can lead to myopia, overconfidence, and rigidness in thinking. 

Additionally, resulting can lead to an emotional attachment to results. If I am the person who gets results, what happens when I don’t? “My method works so it can’t be my issue?” We look elsewhere for blame. “The client lacks discipline. No way they are doing what I told them to do.” Or we blame ourselves. “I don’t know enough.” “I should have seen that coming.”

But the reality is outcomes are  bound to infinite variables both within and outside of our control. We are helping increase the probability that the goal is reached, not determining it to be. The best poker players in the world lose hands they should win and win hands they should lose. Manage probability to the best of your ability and understand the ultimately the result is out of your hand. 

Our work complex, be humble. 

Our work is complex, be kind to yourself.

• Anthony Iannarino, DPT

FUEL UP!

Article: Vertical and Horizontal Hop Performance: Contributions of the Hip, Knee, and Ankle

Kotsifaki A, Korakakis V, Graham-Smith P, Sideris V, Whiteley R. Vertical and horizontal hop performance: contributions of the hip, knee, and ankle. Sports Health. 2021;13(2):128-135.

Is hop testing the gold standard for ACL return to sport? What percentage of the horizontal hop is dependent on the knee? This article breaks down the kinematics of this movement and unveils some potential issues with using hop testing to unveil knee deficits. 

Listen: Pacey Performance Podcast featuring Matt Jordan: Deciphering, understanding, and optimizing athlete movement efficiency 

Speaking of the Pacey Performance Podcast, this recent episode is an excellent conversation defining movement efficiency and discussing some of the modifiable and non-modifiable variables associated with this often mystified concept.

Book: How to Talk to Anyone  By Leil Lowndes

If you are reading this newsletter, you likely spend most of your working hours interacting with people. Our relationships with our clients and the trust we can build can be one of the most influential factors to a positive outcome being reached. This book is a curation of tips and tricks to help enhance your communication. 

Follow: @sportsmithhq

A cultivation of clips, tips, and performance insights from some of the leaders in the field. This page and website stemmed from the Pacey Performance Podcast and provides another medium for the excellent content that Rob Pacey and his guests provide.