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

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

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