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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today we have the honour to be joined by Sam Peters. Sam has over 20 years of experience in sports journalism, having become a recognized figure in the field, particularly in the realm of rugby and concussion awareness. Sam led a powerful media campaign on concussion in rugby that earned notable acclaim, including a nomination for the Cudlipp Prize in 2014.

That same year, Sam was a finalist for Sports Journalist of the Year at the Press Gazette Awards and was honoured as one of Rugby World’s five most influential figures in media.

From 2014 to 2017, Sam held the position of rugby correspondent at The Mail on Sunday, where his investigative reporting earned him two nominations for Rugby Journalist of the Year and Investigative Reporter of the Year at the Sports Journalists Awards.

Lastly Sam authored the booked Concussed: Sports Uncomfortable Truth which was Winner of the Pinsent Masons Sports Writing Award, and shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year which is the topic of todays episode. Sam massive welcome and thank you for joining.

- Sam’s background (1:30)

- Beginnings of Reporting on Concussion (2:43)

- Media, Players and Risk Profile (7:20)

- Unification or Lack of & Stand Down Times Post-Concussion (12:48)

- Culture in Contact Sport (16:00)

- Challenges Faced and Push Back Reporting on Concussion (22:34)

- Personal Told and Strength to Keep Reporting (26:00)

- Ahead of the Game: Tackling the Future of Sport - 12th February, 2025, London at St Paul’s School (30:22)




Twitter/x: @plantedSam

https://www.concussed.media

Book: Available through Concussed media, amazon and all online book stores

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/concussedmedia/1468566

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Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we have the privilege of hosting Dr Jason Tabor, an expert in the field of concussion research. Dr Tabor has completed his PhD on biomarkers in concussion and has recently published one of the largest studies to date on plasma biomarkers in adolescents with sports-related concussions. His ground-breaking work has made significant contributions to understanding how biomarkers can possibly aid in the diagnosis and management of concussions in young athletes, laying the foundations of future research.

In addition to his extensive journal publications on mild traumatic brain injury and concussions, Dr Tabor was also awarded the prestigious 2024 NIH Outstanding Scholar in Neuroscience Program award for his innovative research. In this episode, Dr. Tabor shares insights into his research, the role of biomarkers in concussion detection, and his work as part of the panel to synthesize blood biomarkers for the Concussion in Sports Group.

- Introduction About Dr Jason Tabor (1:00)

- Rodent Models, Concussion and Anabolic Steroids (4:45)

- What is a Concussion? (8:10)

- What are Biomarkers? (12:13)

- Possibilities of Using Biomarkers (18:10)

- Prognosis of Biomarkers (20:17)

- Monitoring Recovery (22:28)

- Dr Tabor’s Biomarkers Study (25:00)

- What Are We Looking For and How Long Do We Have To Assess (33:41)

- Consensus Group (39:47)

- Future Research With Biomarker (45:45)

Twitter/x: @JasonBTabor

Dr Tabor’s Biomarker Study

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2823249

BJSM biomarker specific systematic review informing the 6th CISG Consensus Statement:

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/789.abstract

Dr Tabor’s labs involved:

Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre:

https://ucalgary.ca/sport-injury-prevention-research-centre/sport-injury-prevention-research-centre

Brain NeuroRehabilitation Lab

https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/lab/bnr/home

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Twitter: @first concussion

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Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Kristen Quigley. Kristen is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Reno, where she also serves as the Assistant Director of Operations at the Neuromechanics Lab. Her research focuses on mild traumatic brain injury, concussion, and baseline testing. Kristen earned her Neuroscience degree from the University of South Dakota, where she worked as a research assistant in the Peterson Labs.

In addition to her academic work, Kristen is passionate about sports and coaching—she was the head swimming coach for Team Ontario at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games, an event she herself competed in back in 2017. Kristen also served as the assistant swim coach at the University of Nevada.

- Introduction to Kristen (1:02)

- Implementation of base line testing over time (3:00)

- (6:25)

- What is Concussion (6:45)

- What is Baseline Testing & What are we looking at? (9:36)

- “Sandbagging” (14:30)

- What is The Impact test (17:00)

- Baseline Testing Take Home Message (23:22)

- Paediatric vs Adult Population (25:38)

- Guardian Caps (28:25)

Kristen’s Research and Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kristen-Quigley-2

Kristen’s Website: https://kristenquigley.wixsite.com/kristenquigley

X/Twitter: quigley_kristen

Instagram: kquigley07

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kristen-quigley-178336202

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Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com