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

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.”

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.