Welcome to The Movement PhD!

This is Season 1, Episode 3: Introduction to Muscle.

In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) breaks down the structure and function of skeletal muscle, the engine of human movement. You’ll learn how muscles are organized from whole muscle down to the sarcomere, how connective tissues contribute to force, and how motor units and fiber types are recruited to meet different demands. We’ll also cover the cross-bridge cycle, length–tension relationships, and how age, posture, and activity shape muscle performance. Whether you’re a physical therapy student, clinician, rehab professional, personal trainer, or simply curious about movement, this episode will give you the foundation to apply muscle concepts in practice and set the stage for our upcoming hip series.

Links:

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Welcome to The Movement PhD!

This is Season 1, Episode 2: The Gait Cycle.

In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) breaks down one of the most fundamental patterns of human movement: walking. You’ll learn the phases, key spatial and temporal descriptors, and the periods of the gait cycle. We’ll also translate between Traditional and Rancho Los Amigos terminology so you can speak both languages in clinic or class. Whether you’re a physical therapy student, clinician, rehab professional, personal trainer, or simply curious about movement, this episode will give you the language and terminology to explore gait further in our future episodes.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to the Gait Cycle

(00:51) Understanding Gait: Definitions and Types

(01:48) Spatial Descriptors of Gait

(05:21) Temporal Descriptors of Gait

(09:23) Events of the Gait Cycle

(18:48) Traditional vs. Rancho’s Terminology

Links:

⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠ (Slides with transcripts available)

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠

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Dr. Dustin Hardwick, PT, PhD, brings decades of movement science expertise to every episode, translating complex biomechanics and motor control research into clear, actionable insights .

Here’s what you can expect here at The Movement PhD:

• In-Depth Exploration of Movement: Each week, we’ll unpack the science of human movement, from joint mechanics to exercise analysis, combining cutting-edge research with real-world case studies .
• Practical Takeaways: Walk away with immediately applicable tips for improving performance, rehabilitation strategies, or just a deeper appreciation for how your body works.
• Community-Driven Content: This podcast is our space to learn together. Submit your questions or suggest topics you are struggling with to shape future episodes.

Whether you’re a student, clinician, trainer, or just interested in how the body moves, subscribe now to get notified of our weekly episodes:

Links:

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YouTube

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Facebook

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TikTok

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Bluesky
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