In this episode, hosts Patrick Doan and John Charles welcome Samuel Turner, a prominent sports and exercise podiatrist with the rare distinction of being dually qualified as both a podiatrist and an orthotist.

Sam operates out of Life Performance Sports Medicine in Melbourne and has built a career at the intersection of clinical excellence and elite athletic performance. The conversation explores Sam’s extensive experience as a consultant for professional football clubs, including North Melbourne (AFL/AFLW) and Western United (A-League).

From the technical nuances of orthotic prescription, to the high-stakes management of sponsorship and footwear design, Sam provides an insider's perspective on what it means to truly "own the foot" in a professional sporting environment.

This episode is essential for clinicians looking to refine their orthotic manufacturing knowledge, understand the varying biomechanical demands of different football codes, and learn how to integrate effectively into high-performance medical teams.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining the Specialty: Sam discusses the evolving scope of sports and exercise podiatry, emphasizing a focus on "people who move"—from elite professional athletes to the broader active population.
• The Orthotist Advantage: An exploration of how Sam’s background in prosthetics and orthotics informs his "less is more" philosophy, prioritizing therapeutic impact and comfort over excessive material.
• The Modern Orthotic Toolkit: A candid discussion on the evolution of materials, comparing EVA and polypropylene with 3D printing technology, and why clinical outcomes must always outweigh the "novelty" of new tech.
• Football Code Demands: Insights into the specific injury profiles of AFL versus Soccer, including the management of Achilles pathologies, Jones fractures, and the specific footwear challenges faced by AFLW athletes.
• The Commercial vs. Clinical Balance: How to navigate player sponsorships and the aesthetic preferences of athletes while maintaining a primary focus on injury prevention and gait efficiency.
• High-Performance Screening: A look at the components of a professional pre-season screening and how to implement effective podiatric checkpoints within a busy multidisciplinary club.

Guest Bio: Samuel Turner

Sam Turner is a highly specialized sports and exercise podiatrist and qualified orthotist. He currently serves as a consultant podiatrist for the North Melbourne Football Club and Western United Football Club, while maintaining a clinical practice at Life Performance Sports Medicine in Melbourne. A recognized expert in football biomechanics, Sam is a leading advocate for footwear education and is widely known via his professional platform, "That Football Podiatrist." He is dedicated to advancing the role of the podiatrist within elite sports medicine and high-performance environments.

Stream now to join the conversation on the future of sports podiatry and elite performance. 🎧👟

Join the SEPA Community

Enjoyed this conversation and want to elevate your career in sports and exercise podiatry? Join SEPA and become a member today. Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or an established clinician, SEPA offers a world of opportunity—from exclusive access to the latest research and CPD, to mentorship and networking with some of the most respected names in the field.

www.sepa.org.au

Welcome to the debut episode of Sole Science, the official podcast of Sports and Exercise Podiatry Australasia (SEPA). In this inaugural session, hosts Patrick Doan and Harriet Thurlow introduce John Osborne, an experienced sports podiatrist and one of only seven practitioners in Australia to hold the title of Certified Sports Podiatrist.

John shares his professional journey and his passion for the niche field of sports and exercise podiatry. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of the profession and unpacks how practitioners can unite objective data with a holistic, patient-centered approach to care. John also provides a "behind-the-scenes" look at his current research into muscle strength and how it relates to plantar heel pain.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports science, research, and clinical practice.

Key Topics Covered:

• Defining the Specialty: John discusses the name change to "Sports and Exercise Podiatry" and what this broader scope means for both the profession and patients.
• The Path to Certification: A look at the value of peer-reviewed recognition and the responsibility that comes with being a leader in the field.
• Rethinking Rehabilitation: An exploration of traditional exercise models and why it’s important to match rehabilitation to the physical demands of daily activities.
• The Clinical Toolkit: A balanced discussion on using technology for objective measurements versus the essential role of patient education and communication.
• Practical Strategies for Heel Pain: John outlines his primary clinical approach, including the importance of footwear, education, and empowering patients with clear management strategies.

Guest Bio: John Osborne

John Osborne is a Certified Sports Podiatrist and PhD candidate at La Trobe University. His current doctoral research specifically investigates the role of muscle strength in plantar heel pain (plantar fasciitis). A published researcher, John recently authored an analysis of foot and ankle exercise prescription for the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, which he presented at the 2023 Sports Medicine Australia Conference. With a background in strength and conditioning, he is a dedicated advocate for evidence-based care and the continued advancement of the podiatry profession in Australia.

Stream now to join the conversation on the future of sports and exercise podiatry! 🎧👟

Join the SEPA Community

Enjoyed this conversation and want to elevate your career in sports and exercise podiatry? Join SEPA and become a member today. Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or an established clinician, SEPA offers a world of opportunity—from exclusive access to the latest research and CPD, to mentorship and networking with some of the most respected names in the field.