Passing return-to-sport testing is not the same as restoring performance.

In this episode, Louis Fullenkamp is joined by Tommy Otley, Lead Physical Therapist and Sport Scientist for the University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Tommy explains why medical clearance should be viewed as a transition—not the finish line. They discuss the limitations of rigid testing batteries, the value of individualized assessment, and the challenge of determining whether an athlete is prepared for the speed, workload, variability, and competitive demands of sport.

The conversation also explores collaboration between rehabilitation and performance staff, monitoring athletes after clearance, practical testing options for clinicians without elite-level resources, and why the goal of rehabilitation should extend beyond returning an athlete to participation.

Tommy also shares lessons from his sports residency and Division I Athletics Fellowship at Duke University, his path into collegiate sports medicine, and his PhD research on restoring meaningful competitive performance after injury.

Connect with Tommy:

Website: https://www.tommyotley.com/
The Film Room: https://www.tommyotley.com/blog
Resources: https://www.tommyotley.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommy_otley_dpt/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-otley-dpt/