BJSM Podcast

It is not all about strength! Rethinking the role of exercise for musculokeletal pain relief with Dr. Jared Powell. EP#585

In this episode, Dr. Jared Powell invites us to reflect on the mechanistic assumptions underlying exercise-based rehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain relief, based on his editorial recently published in BJSM. 
It’s a great conversation that explores questions such as: 
Why are these patients getting better? 
How can we help those who do not respond to exercise? 
What should be the next steps in research, and what should we be exploring in future clinical trials? 
Should we offer exercise to all patients with musculoskeletal pain? 
And how do we explain to patients that recovery may not be all about strength?
Press play and enjoy!

Brain health and the evolution of the Premier League Head Injury Protocol: The past, present and future. EP#584

In this episode, we focus on brain health and the evolution of the Premier League Head Injury Protocol, which is a key priority and area of focus within  the Premier League.
Lynsey Hooper is joined first by Dr Matt Green (Head of Elite Performance), who outlines why brain health has become a central pillar of the Premier League’s player health strategy, and the breadth of activity currently underway to support players.
Following this introduction, Prof. Mark Gillett (Chief Medical Officer) and Dr Dominic Townsend (Brain Health Advisor) take us through the origins of the Head Injury Protocol in the Premier League. Outlining how it was developed, the implementation, and the principles that continue to shape its operation today.
Together, they also look ahead, covering how approaches to brain health may continue to evolve, and what the future could hold for clinical decision‑making.
This episode offers a detailed insight into how policy, medicine and elite sport intersect in practice at the highest level of the game. 
Concussion in football: the case for temporary concussion substitutions
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/23/1635

Player reflections on change: 20 years of evolving demands and support in elite football. EP#583

In this episode, we’re joined by two of the most experienced and respected players in English football. James Milner and Steph Houghton join Lynsey Hooper in conversation.
Across more than two decades in the men’s and women’s professional game, James and Steph have lived through the evolution of elite football, where match demands have increased and a rapidly changing approach to player health and welfare has been observed.
In this conversation, they reflect candidly on life as an elite footballer, the realities of injury and recovery, changes in match load, and the importance of the multidisciplinary support teams around them.
This podcast expands on the themes explored in their joint ‘player voice’ editorial.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/23/1703
It’s a thoughtful, honest and highly insightful discussion from two players who have seen and been a part of  the evolution of professional football.”

Sensorimotor Control Meets Society: How Sociocultural Constructs Could Impact ACL Injury Risk. EP#582

In this podcast Brooke talks with Katherine Wilford, who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University (2006), her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Boston University (2009), and her Doctor of Science from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2023). Kat has 16 years of clinical experience working with individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Her research interests include exploring the connection between sociocultural constructs and sensorimotor control as it pertains to musculoskeletal injury risk assessment.
In this episode, we discuss how Kat and her team synthesized existing literature to shed light on how cultural beliefs, gender roles, and societal expectations shape movement patterns.

Building a Sleep Health Plan for Athletes with Dr. Jesse Cook. EP#581

On this episode of the AMSSM Sports Medcast, host Dr. Devin McFadden, MD, is joined by Dr. Jesse Cook, PhD, to discuss Building a Sleep Health Plan for Athletes.
In this conversation, which was recorded during the 2025 AMSSM Annual Meeting, Dr. Cook shares more information on his main stage lecture of the same name, which focused on best practices and essential principles.
Dr. Cook is a postdoctoral fellow with a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on the intersection of sleep and mental health, with his primary program of research purposed to advance the classification, assessment, and treatment of unexplained hypersomnolence.
He has additional research interests related to the strengths, limitations, and overall utility of wearable sleep tracking technology for research and clinical purposes, as well as the roles of sleep and circadian health in the performance and well-being of athletes. Clinically, he embraces an integrative orientation, drawing principally from CBT and third-wave therapy approaches (i.e., ACT and DBT).
Registration is now open for the 2026 AMSSM Annual Meeting. Visit the conference website to learn more: annualmeeting.amssm.org/

The soundtrack to success: how Arsenal and Universal Music Group are innovating to enhance elite athlete health and performance. EP#580

In this podcast we are joined by Professor Alan McCall and Dr Tara Venkatesan, We talk about how music can be used in the clinical setting to improve outcomes in performance and recovery. We get into detail about styles of music  and how they could be used in different scenarios.
Dr.Tara Venkatesan is the Senior Director of Cognitive Science Research at Universal Music Group. Her lab researches the impact of music on mental wellbeing and helps develop consumer products. She has a B.S. in Cognitive Science from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and media, including The New York Times, BBC, Channel News Asia, and Health Magazine. She is an Honorary Fellow at the School of Advanced Study, University of London.
Professor Alan McCall is a practitioner and researcher with over 20 years of experience in elite sport. He spent 12 years embedded day to day inside professional and national teams, before moving into consultancy, where for the past decade he has worked alongside coaches, medical, and performance staff across different sports and countries. He is currently Consulting Head of Research & Development at Arsenal Football Club and supports clubs, federations, and governing bodies across European leagues, as well as FIFA, UEFA, the NBA, and the NFL. Alongside his applied work, he has published over 130 papers in sports performance and holds visiting research fellowships and editorial roles, with a focus on what actually works in real-world sporting environments—helping teams make better decisions under pressure by connecting research, data, and lived experience.
Links:
The soundtrack to success: can music enhance elite athlete’s health and performance?bjsm.bmj.com

Is radiotherapy for MSK injuries the latest in a line of flash-in-the-pan treatments, or is there more to it? Geoff Scott and Dr Richard Shaffer provide us with the lowdown. EP#579

In this podcast we are discussing the use of low dose radiotherapy for musculoskeletal sports injury. We are joined by two experts in the field who give insight into the relatively unknown use of this modality.
Geoff Scott is an internationally experienced Physiotherapist who has worked at the highest levels of elite sport, including over eight seasons as Head of Medicine and Performance at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. He has also held senior roles at Fulham FC and consulted across global football, Olympic sport, and the performing arts industry.
Dr Richard Shaffer is a global expert in the use of low-dose radiotherapy for benign (non-cancer conditions. He is co-founder of Reload Clinics (www.reloadclinics.com), which was set up to treat patients with tendonitis in a joint clinic with Geoff Scott.
Radiotherapy for osteoarthritis review - https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(22)00357-1/fulltext
Plantar fasciitis: https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(12)00848-6/fulltext

Return to Rugby Postpartum: Navigating the Mother-Athlete Journey. EP#578

In this episode of the SASMA Podcast, Dr. Minjon Ras speaks with Dr. Izzy Moore, Joanna Perkins, and Dr. Leigh Gordon about the newly released World Rugby Guidelines on returning to rugby after pregnancy.
Together they unpack the six-phase pathway designed to support female athletes, explore the physical and mental health considerations unique to postpartum recovery, and discuss the role of coaches, medical teams, and performance staff in creating a supportive environment.
The conversation blends evidence, personal experiences, and practical advice—empowering athletes and practitioners to ensure that returning to rugby postpartum is safe, individualised, and sustainable.
Please see link to the guidelines here : https://rfu.widen.net/s/nrjppzdnkv/postpartum-guidance---final

The Cross Bracing Protocol with Dr. Tom Cross. EP# 577

On this episode of the AMSSM Sports Medcast, host Dr. Devin McFadden, MD, is joined by Dr. Tom Cross, MBBS, DCH, to discuss the Cross Bracing Protocol.
In this conversation, Dr. Cross discusses the following:
Background on the Cross Bracing Protocol (CBP) and its origins
The selection criteria and the grading system for the CBP
The rehabilitation considerations for the CBP and potential complications
Future directions of research for the CBP
Dr. Tom Cross has practiced sports medicine for the past 28 years and during that time successfully completed 5 years of specialist post-graduate training in sport & exercise medicine. He has broad sports medicine experience caring for recreational athletes (adults and children), musculoskeletal injuries that occur at work or home, elite/professional athletes and also military personnel.
Resources:
Healing of Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture on MRI and Outcomes Following Non-Surgical Management with the Cross Bracing Protocol https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/23/1490
Cross’s Website, including additional resources and information about the CBP: https://www.stadiumclinic.com.au/dr-tom-cross-sports-doctor-sydney.html

The Postpartum Playbook with Margie Davenport. EP#576

In this BJSM podcast we are joined by Margie Davenport, lead author of the 2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep throughout the First Year Postpartum. This podcast provides crucial insights health and exercise professionals guiding new mothers and their support network through the return to physical activity. It highlights the importance of movement, individualized recovery, and sleep hygiene, all while addressing the unique challenges of postpartum life.
Guidelines: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/59/8/515
More about Margie’s research lab: https://www.ksr.ualberta.ca/exerciseandpregnancy/ourLab.php