(Courtesy of NY Sports Science Lab)
Just six months old, the NY Sports Science Lab, a Staten Island-based performance center, is helping athletes reach their full potential through injury prevention and recovery methods. The facility is part of the New York Chiropractic and Physical Therapy offices, led Dr. John Piazza and his wife Susan Piazza.
According to Matthew Reicher, Head Athletic Trainer and Exercise Scientist, the idea behind the Sports Science Lab stemmed from wanting to “create an Olympic-level assessment, rehabilitation and conditioning facility.” From a massage therapist and chiropractic sports physician to whole body cryotherapy, an on-side physiotherapist and other amenities, the SSL encompasses everything from a recovery and performance standpoint that professional athletes would receive with their teams.
Originally, the thinking with the Lab was working with world-class athletes but as the Lab has continued its operation, the level of involvement with youth, high school and college athletes has grown as well.
When an athlete first enters the Sports Science Lab, Reicher and his team of sports scientists and biomechanists identify assymetries or imbalances that may exist and then work to correct those. Once the initial assessment occurs, then the team can take a deeper look at how it can optimize the athlete’s full potential in his or her respective sport. Through tapping into 3D kinematic and motion analysis, the Sports Science Lab looks at the neurological, kinetic and muscoskeletal ability of each athlete.
One baseball player in particular, freshman pitcher Chris Hess of Kean University, approached the Lab in 2016 after experiencing some discomfort in his throwing arm. After Hess’ evaluation, the Lab found a slight ulnar collateral ligament injury resulting from overuse of his upper body. The impact equated to 94 percent more strength on his right side than his left.
Following a three-month training and recovery regimen that helped measure muscle activation, the imbalance reverted to -40 percent on his left side and eventually took his pitching speed from the low 80s to topping out around 88 mph. Most importantly for Hess, though, is that the Lab didn’t alter his pitching mechanics, just the muscles he was emphasizing.
Michael Greene, Certified Biomechanics Specialist in the Sports Science Lab, explained that there seems to be an uptick in baseball traffic making its way through the SSL, mostly pitches. As athletes work to prevent injury, theyll look to facilities like the NY Sports Science Lab to not only increase their performance but prevent injuries from occurring.
“Injury prevention is in the minds of these kids, even when they’re young,” he added. “We have a bunch of young baseball players who come in from seven to 12, and they are already educated before they come to us. They’ve found a lot of benefits by coming through our program.”
