Ben Dixon is the current Head of Strength, Conditioning & Rehabilitation at Millwall Football Club.  His prior experience includes roles with Watford FC, Head Performance Coach for the Chinese Olympic Committee, Head of Physical Performance for the Taiwan national football team and the English National Ballet. Topics: Ben fills us in on his post-doctorate to date and what we can expect moving forward. What is ‘match load’? What do we often overlook when it comes to match load? Ben talks about a framework to clarify the construct of match load. What is ‘density ' in practice? How accurate is the data we are getting? How do we include all this information in our rehab systems? Advice around rehabilitation for those without GPS units What do we mean by injury-specific metrics, and how might this be something that can be applied in practice moving forward? What are we missing in our current rehab RTP models in sport of recent times? Individual factors to account for the return to play process. Position demands and rolling windows. What is the post-rehabilitation phase and how can we minimise subsequent injury here? When does rehab actually stop (by definition)? One specific change Ben has made to his rehab system based on his research that other practitioners could implement tomorrow? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8WqG4C79Ws References: Ben is undertaking a Professional Doctorate at the University of Central Lancashire, evaluating rehabilitation procedures in professional football.   Ben Post Doc Papers: Match load as a construct in professional football: complexities and considerations  Evaluating rehabilitation and return to play procedures in male professional football: A narrative review. Post Rehabilitation Phase’ in professional football: are we optimising player support after return to play?    References mentioned: Mechanism of Injury of soft tissue injuries research paper summary  Mitchell & Gimpel, 2024- A return to performance pathway in professional Soccer Zhang et al 2025. The time course of injury risk and return to Sport in Professional football.  Chris Bramah - SMAS Dylan Harper: Assessment of Deceleration

In this episode, Dr Daniel Cobian discusses all things running post ACL reconstruction, specifically the research that he and the team at the University of Wisconsin have been looking at regarding running biomechanics changes in post-surgical recovery. How pervasive they are, how we can detect them in the clinical setting, their clinical relevance, and how we can tailor our rehab to address these changes with our athletes. Dr Cobian is an associate professor in the department of orthopedics and rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin, a faculty member in their doctor of physical therapy program, a research scientist in their athletic performance lab, and works clinically with their student athletes. He has been at the University of Wisconsin for the past 10 years, since completing his PhD from the University of Iowa, focusing on neuromuscular function following knee injury and surgery. Topics: What changes in running biomechanics are observed in athletes after ACL reconstruction and how long post-surgery do these changes last? What are the implications of the athlete continuing to run with these altered biomechanics? How can we assess and detect these changes in a clinical setting without access to expensive 3D motion capture and biomechanical analysis equipment? What are the likely causes of these biomechanical changes? How can we tailor post-surgical rehabilitation to target these changes? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaYNynwvAqQ References: Cobian, D. G., Joachim, M. R., Cornelius, J. R., Knurr, K. A., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2025). Quadriceps Rate of Torque Development Is More Impaired Than Strength 4 to 12 Months Post-ACLR in Collegiate Athletes. Sports Health, 19417381251395745.  Knurr, K. A., Cobian, D. G., Kliethermes, S. A., Joachim, M. R., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2025). Influence of Running Speed and Time Postoperatively on Lower Extremity Work in Collegiate Athletes after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 57(8), 1626–1635.  Knurr, K. A., Kliethermes, S. A., Stiffler-Joachim, M. R., Cobian, D. G., Baer, G. S., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2021). Running Biomechanics Before Injury and 1 Year After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Division I Collegiate Athletes. The American journal of sports medicine, 49(10), 2607–2614.  Knurr, K. A., Cobian, D. G., Kliethermes, S. A., Stiffler-Joachim, M. R., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2023). The Influence of Quadriceps Strength and Rate of Torque Development on the Recovery of Knee Biomechanics During Running After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. The American journal of sports medicine, 51(12), 3171–3178.

Katie Davies is a highly experienced neurophysiotherapist and Director of the Neuro Rehabilitation Group with a particular interest in concussion management and treatment. Katie holds an honorary appointment at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) as Physiotherapy Lead within a multidisciplinary team researching the management of persisting concussion symptoms in children.  Kaite also holds an honorary position at the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health at Monash University, where she serves as Physiotherapy Lead on the iRecover study — a research program investigating concussion recovery in adults. Topics: How Katie became interested in concussion What is the role of a physiotherapist in the management of the rehabilitation of concussion? How to advise on graded exposure of exercise the four key systems. What are the recommendations we can educate athletes or families for that immediate period (24-48 hours) post-concussion? When and when not should manual therapy be utilised? How important is neck strength to concussion? When should we assess the autonomic, visual and vestibular system When and who to refer to for non-responding cases. When is an athlete ready to return to play and what compliance should be considered? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3lbWpeC3tw Refences AIS Concussion Guidelines  Vicki Anderson Concussion Podcast Anne Mucha VOMS Screening

Andrew Proctor is the Senior Physiotherapist at Birmingham FC. Previously, Andrew was the Head of Medical at Bristol Rovers FC, Bristol City FC and Head of Sports Science & Medical at Oxford United FC.Andrew is a Sports Physiotherapist and holds a Master's in Football Science and Rehabilitation. Topics: Andrew’s top priorities when it comes to athlete monitoring. What clinical testing does Andrew use for fatigue measures? What is the difference between the HRIG and Prone ISO testing for hamstring strength measures?  What determines a ‘flag’ for an athlete?  What is the process that happens if an athlete ‘flags’ on testing?  How does the testing information inform practice?  What metrics do Andrew & team use for their CMJ?  How can we measure the success of our injury monitoring?  What on pitch monitoring takes place?  How does all this work in a congested schedule? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wivpewm2Q6U

Carlos del Barrio is a Physical Therapist with further training in Strength & Conditioning and Sports Science.  He has a strong interest in Sports Science & performance by integrating injury rehabilitation to performance outcomes.  Topics: Carlos’ background as a PT and the reasons for adding the S&C and sports science credentials to his education. What is force application (RFD) and why is it important in rehab? How you might coach for RFD and how you can use technology for more clarity of information. What is power and velocity-based training and how it is different to RFD. Methods to training for power in the gym and on the pitch. What is reactivity and why is it important? The ‘go to’ test for reactive strength index (RSI) What to look for with the numbers, yet sometimes more importantly, the force trace. Change of direction profiling Grading deceleration demands. Vertical and horizontal-based velocity training & analysis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbpm220Ec40 References Chris Bramah - SMAShttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11064464/ Dylan Harper: Assessment of Deceleration https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398047566_Assessing_Deceleration_Performance_Methodological_and_Practical_Considerations_Assessing_Deceleration_PerformanceD_J_Harper_et_al

We chat with: Fearghal Kerin - Consultant Physiotherapist @ Kerin Performance Kathleen Sakadjian - Sports Physiotherapist AFL Rohan Hattotuwa - Sports Physiotherapist AFL We talk to: The decision to leave working in HP Sports. Determining your value in your role and organization Was the role fulfilling one's original expectations? How to prepare for the transition. What are some hidden costs of working in HP sport? What advice would you pass on to your younger self? What skills, connections, or experiences can clinicians in HP Sport leverage? What are the fears about leaving a role in HP Sport? What clinicians miss from working in HP Sport https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkANFOzG4Vs

We chat with: Stefanio Rizzo: NBA Physical Therapist Lauren Hanna: Sports Physiotherapist (AFL & Matildas) Sallie Cowan: Associate Professor, University of Melbourne We talk to: How did our guests land their first role within professional sport? How gender or sexual orientation can impact opportunities in high-performance sport Does having fewer women in the HP system currently limit future women entering it? What can early-career women do if they want to improve thier networks for future opportunities? Why the research shows female clinicians are more likely to work with women, rather than male athletes. How can mixed-gender staffing be improved? Gender harassment in sport. What does this look like? How can organisations better support female clinicians around pregnancy & caring responsibilities (and their partners)? One thing you would do to improve conditions for female clinicians, what would it be? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwbLR5yGnkY References You have to work twice as hard as a woman to show that you are competent. Experiences, opportunities and workplace gender harassment for Sport and Exercise Medicine practitioners working in elite sport in Australia. Sallie M Cowan, Michael Girdwood, Melissa Haberfield, Andrea Britt Mosler, Andrea M Bruder, Kate Mahony, Kirsty Forsdike, Nicola McNeil, Kate A Beerworth, Miranda Menaspa, Phillipa Inge, Sue White, Rachel Harris, Adam Castricum, Kay M Crossley VIEW Article Women navigating the sports therapy playing field Lauren Hanna VIEW Article

How to last a long time in Professional Sport?    What does it take? What are the sacrifices? What are the rewards?    Are you looking for career longevity working in Sport? Hear from our esteemed guests who are very open and share their learnings, vulnerabilities and experiences to help clinicians navigate their own career journey.    A big thanks to our guests for joining us:    Maggie Bryant: President for Performance Health & Wellness at the LA Clippers (NBA) Darren Burgess: Director of Performance at Juventus FC Byron Field: Head Physiotherapist at the Australian Wallabies Rugby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wANSLun0N8s

In this first episode of our 4-part series, we get some great insights into how to get a job in High Performance Sport from our experts. Paula Peralta - Head of Medical Australian Opals Chris Bell - Head of Medical Western Bulldogs (AFL) David Clancy - Recruitment - Nxt Level Group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvSn43hFBsY

Aidan is an APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist with over 18 years’ experience working with sports medicine conditions. Aidan is a current PhD candidate (Physiotherapy for proximal hamstring tendinopathy). Aidan has a strong interest in endurance sports as a  He lectures at Australian Physiotherapy Association courses and convenes the education program for Lifecare in Victoria. We chat extensively with Aidan about: Insights into Rich’s PhD on proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT) Case presentation Differential Diagnosis Contributing factors Education & psychological screening The use of Shockwave for PHT Early loading for PHT Where and why do isometrics fit? Balancing strength loading for both in-season and off-season management. Isotonic loading parameters How much influence do we put on the patient's pain rating (VAS) Counter augments to the ‘compression theory for tendons Addressing the kinetic chain Return to stretch-shorten cycle exercises. Graded return to sports participation Ongoing ‘prevention’ of PHT after a Return to sport. https://youtu.be/bx6oxwhVPb0 Additional References Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy with Individualized Physiotherapy: A Clinical Commentary Education, rapport and convenience are key to participants’ perceptions of receiving physiotherapy or shockwave for proximal hamstring tendinopathy: a qualitative study Physiotherapy Compared With Shockwave Therapy for the Treatment of Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial