Science for Sport Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Sports Medicine”

323: The Unseen Work of S&C and Sports Science

Science for Sport — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, Richard Graves welcomes Matt Parr back to the show for a deeper look at the work that really drives performance in elite sport.

Matt is the Head of Athletic Performance at Leicester Tigers, a former professional rugby player, and the founder of High Performance Puzzle. Having worked across both rugby union and rugby league, including Leicester Tigers and Catalan Dragons, Matt brings a rare combination of playing experience, coaching insight, leadership responsibility, and high-performance strategy.

In this episode, Richard and Matt explore the “invisible work” that sits behind successful performance environments. Not the gym programme. Not the GPS report. Not the testing data. But the conversations, decisions, relationships, standards, and judgement calls that determine whether the physical work actually lands.

They discuss why data needs context, how performance teams can align with coaches under pressure, what good decision-making looks like when information is incomplete, and why trust remains one of the most important currencies in elite sport.

For sports science, S&C, medical, coaching, and performance staff working in elite environments, this episode is a valuable reminder that high performance is not built by data alone. It is built through people, relationships, standards, and the ability to make good decisions when the pressure is on.

In this episode you will learn

Why the work that drives performance often sits outside the formal programme, session plan, or data report
How conversations between coaches, medical staff, S&C, sports science, and players provide vital context
What good alignment looks like in a high-performance environment
How to manage differing opinions between technical and performance departments
Why frameworks are essential when emotions and pressure start to influence decision-making
How to make better decisions when you do not have the complete picture
Why trust between the head coach, medical team, and performance staff is critical
How to use data without becoming over-reliant on it
Why standards often slip in small ways before they show up in performance outcomes
How relationships can make or break the effectiveness of even the best performance systems
Why gut feel still matters, provided it is shaped by experience and reflection
How elite practitioners can reflect more effectively on their own decisions and behaviours
Why discipline is a habit, not just a personal trait
What Matt has learned from working across rugby union and rugby league
Why the best players want honest feedback when standards start to slip

About Matt Parr
Matt Parr is Head of Athletic Performance at Leicester Tigers and founder of High Performance Puzzle.

Before moving into strength and conditioning, Matt spent around 14 to 15 years as a professional rugby player, representing clubs including Sale Sharks, Saracens, London Irish, and Leicester Tigers. His transition into performance coaching began at Leicester Tigers, where he initially combined a player-coach role with S&C responsibilities before moving fully into the performance department.

Matt has since built extensive experience across both rugby union and rugby league. After progressing through the performance setup at Leicester Tigers, he joined Catalan Dragons as Head of Performance, before returning to Leicester as Head of Athletic Performance.

Alongside his role in professional rugby, Matt has launched High Performance Puzzle, a consultancy focused on high-performance strategy, systems, leadership, and integration.

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322: The Performance Demands of a World Cup with Dr Dave Hancock

Science for Sport — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode of the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves welcomes Dr Dave Hancock back to the show.

Dave has spent more than three decades working in elite sport, including roles with Chelsea, Leeds United, the England national team and the New York Knicks. He is now CEO of Apollo, where his work focuses on helping performance teams use data, technology and AI to better understand player availability, injury risk and performance.

Dave begins by sharing the latest developments in his Blind Screen approach, which looks beyond traditional testing by examining movement quality, control and rotational demands. He explains how Apollo is combining screening information with AI-generated insights, practitioner feedback and individualised exercise recommendations.

The conversation then turns to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Drawing on his experience of working with England at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, Dave discusses the challenges facing performance and medical teams across a long international tournament: heat, travel, accumulated club workload, recovery, sleep, mental freshness and the need to bring a squad together around one common goal.

This is a practical discussion about the margins that matter at the highest level of sport, from interpreting data more effectively to preparing players and staff for the demands of tournament football.

In this episode you will learn

How Dave’s Blind Screen approach is developing and being used with elite athletes and teams.
Why rotational movement may be an important missing consideration in traditional screening methods.
How AI can help practitioners combine objective data with coaching and clinical insight.
The key physical demands facing players heading into the 2026 World Cup.
Why player preparation must become increasingly individualised after a demanding club season.
The importance of sleep, recovery monitoring, travel planning and heat acclimatisation during a major tournament.
Why mental freshness, squad togetherness and staff culture can influence performance at international level.
What Dave learned from working with England at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

About Dr Dave Hancock
Dr Dave Hancock is the CEO of Apollo and an experienced performance director, chartered physiotherapist and strength and conditioning coach.

Across a career spanning more than three decades in elite sport, Dave has worked as Head Physiotherapist at Leeds United and Chelsea, served on the medical staff of the England national team at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, and spent seven years as Performance Director of the New York Knicks in the NBA.

Through Apollo, Dave now works with sports teams around the world, using athlete management technology, data and AI to support player availability, injury risk management and performance decision-making.

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320: The Challenges of Modern Collegiate Sport

Science for Sport — Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Heather Farmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Heather has been part of the UNLV athletics staff since 2016, first joining as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning before moving into sport science and later being promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Science in 2024.

In this episode, Heather shares how UNLV has built a sport science model from the ground up, why data should inform rather than dictate decisions, and how practitioners can create real buy-in across coaches, athletes, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, nutrition and psychology.

The conversation explores the realities of working in collegiate sport, from the impact of the transfer portal to the challenge of supporting athletes when timeframes are shorter and rosters are constantly changing. Heather also discusses the importance of female athlete data, the risks of over-relying on wearable technology, and why return-to-play decisions must go beyond timelines and basic fitness markers.

Throughout the episode, Heather brings the conversation back to one core principle: sport science is still about people. Data matters, technology matters, and AI may help practitioners work more efficiently, but the human side of performance remains central to everything.

In this episode you will learn

How Heather transitioned from collegiate soccer player to strength and conditioning coach, and then into sport science
Why UNLV built its sport science model around being “human first”
How to use data as an input rather than treating it as the final answer
Why coach buy-in is easier when practitioners build trust and show value over time
The challenges of applying male-dominated performance data to female athletes
How the transfer portal has changed long-term athlete development in collegiate sport
Why wearable technology can support performance but also create “analysis paralysis”
How UNLV approaches return to play using performance outputs, not just timelines
Why AI can support information gathering and efficiency, but cannot replace human judgement
The importance of speaking the language of other disciplines in a high-performance team

About Heather Farmer
Heather Farmer is the Assistant Athletics Director, Sports Science at UNLV. She has been with UNLV since 2016, initially working in strength and conditioning before moving into sport science leadership. Her work focuses on integrating data-informed approaches across the high-performance team while keeping the individual athlete at the centre of the process.

Before her career in performance, Heather played soccer at the University of North Alabama, where time spent rehabbing from injury and working in the weight room helped shape her interest in high-performance sport. She later worked across multiple sports as a graduate assistant at Lindenwood University before joining UNLV.

At UNLV, Heather has helped grow sport science into a foundational part of the athletics department, working closely with coaches, athletes and interdisciplinary support staff to create a model that fits the needs of the university, rather than copying what works elsewhere.

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318: ACL Rehab: Training Age, Force Progression and Return to Sport with Carmen Bott

Science for Sport — Mon, 04 May 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This week, Richard Graves is joined by Carmen Bott, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, kinesiologist, sports performance coach and educator with more than two decades of hands-on experience working with athletes across youth, high performance and professional sport. Carmen specialises in ACL rehabilitation, return to play, collision sport athletes, multi-directional speed, and mental performance coaching.

In this episode, Carmen shares the story of her career, from an unexpected switch from behavioural psychology and criminology into kinesiology, through to working with university teams, NHL athletes, national-level performers and young athletes returning from serious injury.

The conversation explores what kinesiology actually means, how it sits alongside strength and conditioning, and why understanding the sport is just as important as understanding the science. Carmen also discusses the communication challenges that can arise between practitioners, coaches and athletes, particularly when return-to-play decisions are being made under pressure.

Richard and Carmen then take a deeper look at ACL rehabilitation. They discuss why training age matters, how the rehab journey differs between a professional athlete and a young adolescent athlete, and why parents can play such an important role in the process. Carmen also breaks down the place of isometrics, dynamic strength training, plyometrics and force progression in ACL rehab, while offering a clear, practical view of what effective exercise prescription should look like.

Finally, Carmen gives her thoughts on artificial intelligence in sports science and rehabilitation. While AI may help with programming and exercise selection, she explains why coaching, communication, technical feedback and human connection remain central to helping athletes return to performance safely and confidently.

In this episode you will learn

What kinesiology is and how it differs from strength and conditioning
Why practitioners need to understand the language and demands of the sport they work in
How to communicate more effectively with coaches during return-to-play decisions
Why ACL rehabilitation must be adapted to the athlete’s training age and experience
The key differences between rehabbing a professional athlete and an adolescent athlete
Why parents can be critical in supporting youth athletes through injury rehabilitation
How isometrics, dynamic strength training and plyometrics fit into ACL rehab
Why force progression matters when preparing athletes for sprinting, cutting and collision demands
Where AI can support practitioners — and where it cannot replace real coaching

About Carmen Bott
Carmen Bott is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Practicing Kinesiologist, Sports Performance Coach and Educator based in Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and has worked with athletes from learn-to-train level through to high performance and professional sport.

Carmen’s work spans physical preparation, ACL rehabilitation, return to play, collision sport athletes, multi-directional speed coaching and mental performance. She is also a university lecturer and has been teaching since 2005.

You can find Carmen on Instagram at @coachbott

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315: The Under-fueling Problem in Professional Sport with Dr Nessan Costello

Science for Sport — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Sports nutrition in elite football is often misunderstood, even by the players doing it for a living. In this episode, Richard Graves sits down with Dr. Nessan Costello, 1st Team Sports Nutritionist at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League, to cut through the noise and get practical about what performance nutrition actually looks like at the highest level.
Nessan has worked across the Premier League with clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Leeds United, and brings a rare combination of academic rigour and real-world experience to the conversation. From fuelling strategies across a congested fixture schedule to navigating Ramadan with Muslim players, and from debunking carbohydrate myths to calling out the damage done by overly controlling nutrition environments, this is a frank and refreshingly honest look at what it takes to keep elite footballers performing at their best, week in, week out.
Whether you're a practitioner working at the sharp end of elite sport, a coach trying to get more out of your athletes, or simply someone who wants to understand the science behind peak performance, there is plenty here for you.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why the majority of elite footballers are chronically underfuelled — and why that matters more than their body fat percentage
The real science behind carbohydrate loading: why you should start 24 hours before kick-off, not the night before, and what foods actually work
How to structure post-match nutrition across a 72-hour recovery window, including the specific gram-per-kilogram targets Nessan uses with his players
Why ultra-lean body composition as a performance goal is actively harming players, and how disordered eating behaviours are more common in elite football than most environments will admit
How Nessan adapted his approach during Ramadan — including training sessions at 10pm and cup semi-finals kicking off at 1:30am
The practical hydration framework he uses: why 500ml of fluid with every meal beats carrying a big bottle around all day
How nutrition changes across a full season, from pre-season heat acclimatisation through to the demands of a congested run-in
Why supplements are largely irrelevant until you've nailed sleep, three meals a day, two snacks and consistent hydration
What working in the Saudi Pro League has taught him about personalised nutrition across diverse nationalities and food cultures
His advice for coaches and practitioners working without a dedicated nutritionist — and when it becomes worth bringing one in

About Nessan Costello
Dr. Nessan Costello is a sports nutritionist with over a decade of experience working at the highest levels of professional football. He has held roles at Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Leeds United, before taking on his current position as 1st Team Sports Nutritionist at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
Nessan specialises in helping elite athletes optimise their health and performance through practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies — with a particular focus on fuelling, recovery and body composition in high-demand environments. He is known for his ability to simplify complex nutritional science and make it actionable for players, coaches and multidisciplinary teams alike.
You can follow Nessan on LinkedIn and Instagram at @DrNessanCostello.

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310: Why Female Physiology Still Needs Greater Attention in Sport with Dr Candice Macmillan

Science for Sport — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Why Female Physiology Still Needs Greater Attention in Sport with Dr Candice Macmillan

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves welcomes Dr Candice Macmillan, lecturer at the University of Pretoria, sports physiotherapist, and course author of “Contraceptives and the Female Athlete” on the Science for Sport platform.

As women’s sport continues to grow professionally around the world, understanding the unique physiological considerations of female athletes has never been more important. Yet many practitioners still feel underprepared when supporting athletes through topics such as the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, and their potential implications for performance, wellbeing, and decision-making.

Drawing on her background as a sports physiotherapist, researcher, and academic, Dr Macmillan explores how practitioners can better support female athletes through education, communication, and evidence-based decision making.

The conversation covers the complexity of hormonal contraceptives, how different types influence physiology and behaviour, and why awareness of factors such as testosterone suppression and symptom tracking may be crucial for athletes and support staff alike.

Perhaps most importantly, Dr Macmillan explains why empowering athletes to ask the right questions about their own health may be one of the most powerful tools practitioners can provide.

This episode offers valuable insights for sports scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, and performance staff working across elite sport — while also opening up a conversation that continues to shape the future of female athlete support systems.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why female athlete health remains one of the most misunderstood areas in elite sport
The difference between hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives
Why the contraceptive pill is not a single solution and varies widely in composition
How hormonal contraceptives can influence testosterone levels and athlete behaviour
Why symptoms may impact performance more than hormone levels themselves
The importance of tracking menstrual symptoms for informed medical decisions
Why practitioners must help athletes learn the language to describe how they feel
The role communication plays between athletes, coaches and medical staff
How policy and education are shaping the future of female athlete support in sport

About Dr Candice Macmillan
Dr Candice Macmillan is a lecturer at the University of Pretoria, a qualified sports physiotherapist, and holds a PhD in Sports Physiotherapy.

Her work focuses on female athlete health, injury prevention, and performance, with a particular interest in how physiological factors influence training, recovery, and long-term athlete wellbeing. Through her academic and applied work, she aims to bridge the gap between research and real-world practice for practitioners working in sport.

Dr Macmillan is also the author of the “Contraceptives and the Female Athlete” course available on the Science for Sport platform, where she helps practitioners better understand the complexities of hormonal contraception and its potential implications for female athlete performance and health.

Her research and teaching continue to contribute to a growing body of work aimed at improving education, awareness, and practical support for female athletes across sport.

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266: Blending Science, Rehab and Reality in Elite Football

Science for Sport — Mon, 05 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Scott Armistead, Athletic Trainer at Seattle Sounders FC, to explore the realities of working at the highest level of football in the US.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Scott’s journey has taken him across continents — from youth football in Auckland to the intensity of Major League Soccer. In this candid conversation, Scott reflects on his early struggles in pro sport, navigating four head coaches in 12 months, and playing a key role in transforming FC Cincinnati from bottom of the table to Supporters’ Shield winners.

You’ll hear Scott’s insights into:

Building trust with players through communication, not just data

Balancing holistic care with performance metrics

Avoiding "paralysis by analysis" in a tech-heavy environment

The power of multidisciplinary collaboration

Why being a generalist can be just as important as being a specialist

Whether you're a practitioner looking for real-world advice or a sports fan curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode delivers practical takeaways and thoughtful reflections.

About Scott Armistead
Scott Armistead, MS, LAT, ATC, is an accomplished Athletic Trainer currently serving with Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. Originating from New Zealand, Scott's career has spanned various roles, including positions with FC Cincinnati, FC Tucson, and the Barça Residency Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from McKendree University and a Master’s degree in Sports Performance from Arizona State University. Scott is renowned for his holistic, athlete-centered approach, seamlessly integrating sports science, rehabilitation, and performance optimisation. His commitment to evidence-based practice and multidisciplinary collaboration has made him a respected figure in elite football circles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottarmistead/

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262: Balancing Performance and Player Health

Science for Sport — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves chats with Sophie Smith-Moore, the England Men’s Pathway Physiotherapist and Disability Cricket Medical Services Lead. In this episode, Sophie takes us on her journey from a fresh graduate to a key player in elite cricket, sharing her insights on the unique challenges faced by fast bowlers and the critical role of data analytics in injury prevention.
Discover how Sophie navigates the fine line between traditional methodologies and cutting-edge science, ensuring athletes perform at their peak while staying injury-free. Sophie also reflects on her recent tour with the England men's under-19s in South Africa, offering invaluable lessons on self-care for practitioners and the importance of understanding the diverse needs of athletes in both men's and disability cricket.

About Sophie Smith-Moore
Sophie Smith-Moore is an experienced physiotherapist currently serving as the England Men’s Pathway Physiotherapist and Disability Cricket Medical Services Lead. A graduate of Northumbria University in 2011, Sophie initially entered the field without a clear focus on sports but quickly gravitated towards it. Sophie has worked with Yorkshire Cricket, GB Boxing and Leeds Carnegie and has gained valuable experience supporting players at various levels, including county and international. Sophie is passionate about optimising athlete performance and well-being, where she advocates for a holistic approach to care. With her expertise and commitment, she plays a vital role in shaping the future of sports physiotherapy in cricket.

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258: League Two to Premier League: Football's Greatest Underdog Story

Science for Sport — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

From the dugouts of League Two to the intense pressure of the Premier League, former Luton Town Head of Performance Jared Roberts-Smith takes us behind the scenes of one of football's most remarkable journeys. In this captivating episode, Jared reveals how sports science has revolutionised the beautiful game over his 14-year career, sharing intimate insights into the physical and mental demands of Premier League football that few get to witness.

Discover the cutting-edge recovery techniques used by elite athletes, the psychological challenges of competing at the highest level, and what it really takes to survive in the world's most demanding league. Jared opens up about the emotional toll of last-minute defeats, the intense concentration required for 90+ minutes of Premier League football, and how modern players must maximise every aspect of their preparation to succeed.

Whether you're a sports professional, aspiring athlete, or passionate fan, this episode offers unprecedented access to the evolution of football performance and the fine margins that separate success from failure at the elite level. Join us for a masterclass in modern football performance from someone who helped orchestrate one of the sport's greatest underdog stories.

About Jared Roberts-Smith
About Jared Roberts-Smith: A pioneering figure in football performance, Jared Roberts-Smith brings 14 years of elite experience in professional football, most recently serving as Head of Performance at Luton Town FC during their historic rise from League Two to the Premier League. His career includes influential roles at Charlton Athletic, Stoke City, and Melbourne Victory, where he has been instrumental in revolutionising performance infrastructure and methodology. As a leader in sports science implementation, Jared has overseen the development of state-of-the-art performance centres, pioneered recovery protocols, and helped transform how clubs approach player optimisation. His unique perspective spans multiple levels of professional football, from League Two to the Premier League, making him one of the most insightful voices in modern football performance.

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254: Kicking Diabetes: Brayden Narveson's NFL Journey

Science for Sport — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

From NFL Kicker to Diabetes Advocate: Brayden Narveson's Inspiring Journey
In this captivating episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with NFL kicker Brayden Narveson during Super Bowl week to share an extraordinary story of perseverance and athletic excellence. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during his junior year of high school, Narveson didn't let this life-changing diagnosis derail his NFL dreams.
Discover how cutting-edge technology, including the Omnipod insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring, enables Narveson to perform at the highest level of professional football. He takes us behind the scenes of his rookie NFL season with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers, sharing intimate details about managing diabetes while facing the intense pressures of being a professional athlete.

This episode offers fascinating insights into:

The intersection of professional sports and chronic health conditions
How modern medical technology is revolutionizing athlete care
The psychological aspects of managing diabetes in high-pressure situations
What it takes to make it as an NFL kicker Whether you're an aspiring athlete, someone living with diabetes, or simply love inspiring sports stories, this conversation demonstrates how determination and modern science can help overcome any obstacle. Don't miss this powerful testament to the human spirit and the evolution of sports medicine.

** Brayden Narveson**
Brayden Narveson is a professional NFL kicker and a Type 1 diabetic, proving that no obstacle can stand in the way of elite performance. Having played for the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers, he shares his journey of managing diabetes while competing at the highest level. From overcoming challenges to embracing the pressure of pro sports, Brayden’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and determination.

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249: The Untold Evolution of Sports Medicine

Science for Sport — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Dave Hancock, a sports performance pioneer with a career spanning over three decades in professional sport. From the sidelines of Leeds United to the championship-winning New York Knicks and beyond, Dave shares incredible insights into the evolution of sports science, athlete care, and the role of data and AI in revolutionising performance.

Discover how today’s athletes are transforming their careers with personalised performance teams, the impact of cutting-edge technologies like AI on injury prevention, and the challenges practitioners face in adapting to the ever-increasing demands of elite sport.

Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply a fan fascinated by what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers unparalleled access to the world of elite athlete management and cutting-edge sports science. Don’t miss this conversation filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and a look at where the future of sports science is headed.

** About Dave Hancock**
Dave Hancock is a distinguished Performance Director, Chartered Physiotherapist, and Strength Coach with nearly 30 years of experience across professional sports in both Europe and the USA. His career includes pivotal roles such as Head Physiotherapist at Leeds United FC and Chelsea FC, where he contributed to Premier League and FA Cup successes. Notably, Dave became the first British Performance Director in the NBA, serving with the New York Knicks. He has also been part of the English National Team's medical staff during the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships. Currently, Dave is the CEO of Apollo V2, a sports software company that aids teams and athletes in performance enhancement and injury prevention.

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244: Inside the NFL's Concussion Protocols

Science for Sport — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 06:15:00 +0000

Inside the NFL's Concussion Protocols: Dr. Allen Sills on Player Safety

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Allen Sills, Chief Medical Officer of the NFL, to the Science for Sport Podcast. In a game renowned for its intensity, how does the league ensure player safety on and off the field? Dr. Sills pulls back the curtain on cutting-edge concussion protocols, game-changing safety innovations, and the evolution of health measures that protect athletes at every level.

From independent spotters stopping the game to the millions invested in research and equipment, discover the science and strategy reshaping one of the world’s most physically demanding sports. Dr. Sills also shares exclusive insights on the future of player safety, collaboration with global sports leagues, and how the NFL is setting new standards for health in elite sports.

Whether you’re an NFL fan, a sports scientist, or someone fascinated by the intersection of medicine and performance, this episode is packed with revelations you can’t miss.

Tune in now and join the conversation about the evolving science of saving lives in sport.

About Dr Allen Sills
Dr. Allen Sills is the NFL's Chief Medical Officer, appointed in March 2017 as the league's first CMO. A neurosurgeon specializing in athlete care, he is also a Professor of Neurological Surgery and Co-Director of the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center. Dr. Sills collaborates with team medical staffs, the NFL Players Association, and medical experts to enhance player health and safety through rule changes, equipment evolution, and injury reduction plans. He led the NFL's COVID-19 response and spearheaded the league's Injury Reduction Plan, achieving a 24% decrease in reported concussions in 2018. An active researcher with over 170 scientific publications, Dr. Sills is a member of the Concussion in Sport Group, setting international concussion standards.

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