In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Ross Hemingway OBE, a leading expert in exertional heat illness, to explore the causes, risks, and management of this potentially life-threatening condition.

As the autumn marathon season winds down and athletes prepare for warmer events, Ross shares his deep insights from years of experience treating amateur, elite, and tactical athletes. From personal stories to practical advice, this conversation covers everything from early recognition and rapid cooling to long-term rehabilitation and prevention strategies. 

About Ross

Ross has extensive experience in managing amateur, elite and tactical  athletes with exertional collapse. He is a national expert in the prevention, acute management and rehabilitation of patients with exertional heat illness ( EHI). He is passionate about reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with EHI.

He is a founding member of the UK Heat Illness Advisory Group and is an author of the UK National Consensus Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care guidelines on EHI. 

Ross is an Honorary Senior lecturer in Sports Medicine at Exeter University and Match Day Doctor for the Gallagher Premiership Rugby  and Rugby Football Union. 

Ross was awarded the OBE in the 2023 King’s New Year’s Honours List  ‘For services to the Royal Marines’.

Links

View the position statement - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/position-statement/exertional-heat-illness-consensus-statement/

In this episode of Front Line to Finish Line, we’re joined by Dr Jon Houghton, Consultant in Rheumatology and Sports Medicine at Fortius Clinic, and Chief Medical Officer for the FA of Wales and Surrey County Cricket Club. With extensive experience across elite football, rugby, and cricket, Jon takes us through the full journey of managing pars injuries.

We start with the basics, what a pars fracture is and how it presents, before diving into risk factors, prevention strategies, imaging techniques, and initial medical management. Jon also shares insights on rehabilitation principles, return-to-play timelines, and the use of anabolic bone agents like teriparatide. Whether you're new to pars injury management or working in elite sport, this episode offers practical guidance and expert perspective on one of the most challenging spinal injuries in athletes.

In this exciting new episode, physiotherapist Claire Speer is joined for the first time by her new co-host, Dr Ed Appleby! Together, they welcome Andrew Cuff, Consultant Physiotherapist, Clinical Director at Cora Health, and Council Member for the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Andrew shares his remarkable journey from military service to clinical leadership, offering insights into the future of MSK services, healthcare strategy, and the evolving role of allied health professionals.

We explore topics such as

Whether you're a clinician, a leader in healthcare, or simply curious about the forces shaping MSK care, this episode is a must-listen.

Join us for a special episode of the Front Line to Finish Line podcast series, coming in the form of a recent Out of the Blocks webinar, with the discussion led by Dr. Imran Sajid.

Dr. Sajid is Musculoskeletal & Diagnostics Clinical Lead for NHS NW London and GPwER in Musculoskeletal Medicine and also serves as the Clinical Lead (MSK and Diagnostics) for the Northwest London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups.

This session explores strategic approaches to SEM (Sport and Exercise Medicine) commissioning, its real-world impact, and practical implementation. Dr Sajid is supported by Dr Lesley Perkins and members of both the Faculty's Workforce Planning Group and Out of the Blocks Committee.

Learn more about workforce planning - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/workforce-planning/

In this episode of Front Line to Finish Line, we dive into the world of aquatic therapy with leading expert Sarah Wratten. With over 27 years of experience as an aquatic physiotherapist, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the conversation. She shares what aquatic therapy is, how it works, and why it’s such a powerful tool in rehabilitation, from easing pain and improving mobility to supporting recovery across a wide range of conditions.

Sarah has worked across the NHS, private sector, and Ministry of Defence, where she served as Clinical Aquatic Therapy Lead for a decade. She’s treated everyone from individuals with no active movement to elite athletes, and her expertise spans musculoskeletal, neurological, rheumatological, orthopaedic, and sports injuries.

As Chair of the Aquatic Therapy Association for Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) and a tutor teaching aquatic therapy in the UK and abroad, Sarah is a true champion of personalised, effective, and enjoyable rehab in the water.

Whether you're a clinician, athlete, or someone on a recovery journey, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of how the pool can be a game-changer in rehab.

Pinder Aquatic Physiotherapy - https://www.pinderaquaticphysio.co.uk/aquatic-physiotherapy

In this episode, Claire speaks to Dr. Rod Jaques, Past President of the Faculty, to explore the latest updates to the FSEM Professional Code. We discuss the key changes, why they matter, and how they help SEM practitioners uphold the highest standards of care. From ethical decision-making to best practices in athlete welfare, Dr. Jaques shares valuable insights on navigating complex challenges in SEM. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, this conversation will provide essential guidance on maintaining integrity, professionalism, and excellence in your practice.

Welcome to another episode of Front Line to Finish Line, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of sport and exercise medicine. Our host Claire Speers speaks to fellow physiotherapist Chris Myers, a highly experienced and specialised physiotherapist in musculoskeletal medicine and sports injuries. Chris has over 20 years’ experience of treating both adults and children, working in elite sport, private practice and in the NHS, and currently splits his time between Complete Physio, elite sport and lecturing. 

In this episode, we’ll explore how MSK ultrasound is revolutionising diagnostics, the role of injections in treatment, and how these techniques can enhance recovery for athletes and active individuals alike. 

Chris Meyers - https://complete-physio.co.uk/team/chris-myers/

We return in 2025 with a fascinating discussion about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, better known as RED-S. Joining Ralph and Claire for this episode is Dr Margo Mountjoy, a sports medicine clinician scientist from Canada. Margo has an international focus at the elite level of sport extends from scientific research to knowledge translation, policy development, advocacy, and prevention.

In this episode, we talk all things RED-S, explaining what it is, gender differences, elite and amateur sport differences, what to look for and where to find available resources on RED-S.

Learn more about Margo - https://margomountjoy.com/

Dr Chris Speers is the Lead for the Faculty's Diploma in Exercise Medicine, which has now opened applications for its second sitting, taking place in February 2025.

Have a listen to the excerpt from our recent podcast episode with Chris, as he explains who is eligible for it, why you should do it and what resources are available to support exam preparation.

Learn more - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/careers-and-training/exams/fsem-diploma-exams/diploma-in-exercise-medicine/

We're back for one final episode before we wrap up for the new year!

Dr Chris Speers is a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine and has an interest in exercise medicine, championing the broad range of health benefits associated with physical activity. He is also the lead for the Faculty's own Diploma in Exercise Medicine, which you can now apply for.

Our hosts Dr Ralph Mitchell and Claire Speer spoke to Chris about all things exercise medicine and physical activity. The conversation covers what exercise medicine is, studies behind it, behavioural change, relative risk reduction and much much more. 

A huge thank you to all our listeners over the course of 2024. we look forward to bringing you more insight, evidence and discussion in the world of sport and exercise medicine  in 2025!

Learn more about the Diploma in Exercise Medicine - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/careers-and-training/exams/fsem-diploma-exams/diploma-in-exercise-medicine/

Moving Medicine - https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/