The commentary brings together the perspectives of a group of coach developers from across the globe who form a community of practice (CoP) from their involvement as “Cohort 5” in the International Council for Coaching Excellence and Nippon Sport Science University Coach Developer Academy. The CoP includes people from three types of organizations: university professors of sport coaching programs, national sport federations, and national multisport organizations’ directors of coach education. While this CoP existed prior to the pandemic, the forced isolation has created a new structure and purpose to the CoP: The authors are all making meaning of the landscape of coach development within which they work by understanding the perspectives of others who work in their domain from across the world and the similar realities that they face in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The authors outline the key themes that emerged from their weekly CoP video conference meetings to shed light on how this pandemic has changed the way they think about coach development.

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) in young athletes is increasing. Understanding spinal pathology related to sports may enhance design of prevention programs.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that rowing athletes with LBP have a higher likelihood of degenerative disc disease than athletes from other sports.DesignRetrospective case series of 199 athletes (14–25 years.) with LBP.SettingClinical assessment of interscholastic, intercollegiate and elite athletes presenting to a sports medicine physician complaining of LBP.PatientsThe medical records of athletes (14–25 years) seen from 2003 to 2008 with the complaint of LBP were reviewed and included. 23 sports were represented and 32% of the athletes were rowers.InterventionsAthletes had a thorough history and physical examination, MRI and/or bone scan. Results in the rowing athletes were compared to other athletes.Main outcome measurementsResults of the history, physical examination and radiographic studies were evaluated and the data analyzed by t-test or chi square.ResultsDemographically, the rowers and non-rowers were similar. The incidence of disc injury, involved disc levels, and physical findings were similar between the male and female rowers. Female rowers had a higher likelihood of disc herniation and a higher incidence of multiple disc level involvement than other female athletes (p<0.05). Male rowers and American football players had a higher incidence of disc herniation and multiple disc level involvement (p<0.05). Male rowers were more likely to present with positive physical findings compared to other male athletes (p<05). Overall, 89.5% of the males and 76.9% of the females had positive MRI findings affecting up to three lumbar levels.ConclusionComplaints of LBP in young athletes are highly correlated with lumbar spinal abnormalities. This is especially true for the young rowing athlete. Rowing techniques and training methods must be re-evaluated to decrease stresses on the lumbar spine and allow development of injury prevention programs.