After a summer of sport there have been high profile athletes discussing their mental health struggles. We discuss what sort of problems and illnesses commonly present, why and how to treat them. 

Dr Justin Hughes ( The Sport doctor ) speaks to world leading cardiologist Professor Sanjay Sharma. We were reminded by the Christian Eriksen incident that cardiac arrest does occur in professional athletes in this age group albeit rarely. We discuss the importance of early CPR, defibrillation, screening athletes for heart abnormalities, hospital management, the use of internal cardiovertor defibrillators  and returning athletes to sport after events like this. Links below are to the British Heart Foundation, Cardiac Risk in the Young and St. Johns Ambulance. 

www.bhf.org.uk

www.c-r-y.org.uk

www.sja.org.uk 

Dr Justin Hughes speaks to Dr Pippa Bennett. Ex England woman's  football doctor and medical lead of the Woman's super league UK domestic programme.  Pippa is current team GP Equestrian doctor and previous chief medical officer to British gymnastics. 

We discuss Dr Bennetts' vast experience managing the female athlete and changes and advances within the womans game. 

This week I speak to Nolli Waterman about her 15 year international career in rugby. 

Starting as the 5 year old sister in a rugby family though to her first cap. We talk about the effect of injuries on players and the dynamic between player athlete and coaching staff.

Nolli shares some of her most memorable moments in her career and tells us about her new career in media and as a rugby pundit for ITV.

For anyone inspired to start or wanting to return back to rugby, the RFU have a great website to find the club closest to you.

https://www.englandrugby.com/find-rugby

Thanks for listening.

In this episode I interview Gary Street, ex England Women’s Rugby World Cup winning coach and current Head Coach of Harlequins Academy.

We talk about:

• Leadership for coaches and players
• What makes a successful medical team
• The effect of COVID on adolescent rugby
• Return to play after the lockdown

If you are involved in team and athlete care or you are involved in rugby, as a player, coach or parent, then this podcast episode is packed full of insights for you.

Book Mentioned: ‘Conversations for the Journey’ by Richard Shorter

Mental Health Support

Mind: Tel 0300 123 3393, Email info@mind.org.uk

Samaritans: 116113

Childline:  0800 1111

RFU Activate: https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/coaching/activate

To find out more about Sportsmedicinehub, follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsmedhub/

Dr Justin Hughes ( The Sport Doctor)  speaks to two Orthopaedic Surgeons about Tiger Woods injury. We ask lower limb specialist, Mr Henry Bourke and ex military trauma specialist,  Mr Dylan Griffiths their opinions and insights into this injury and what implications this may have.