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Today, we’re excited to be joined by Dr. Nick Cecchi, a pioneer in the field of brain injury biomechanics and helmet design. Dr. Cecchi is passionate about enhancing human safety through cutting-edge research and technology. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Irvine and a PhD in Bioengineering from Stanford University. Over the years, his ground-breaking work has led to patented technologies and headgear solutions that have been implemented across various sports, and has contributed to significant policy changes.

Dr. Cecchi’s accolades include:

• Two-time winner of the prestigious Athanasiou Student and Post-doc Award from the Biomedical Engineering Society in 2024 for his research on Guardian Caps and in 2022 for his research on head impact kinematics and brain strain in high school football.
• A Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (2021).
• 1st place (2024) in the ISEA Student Project Competition for his research on American football helmet technologies (2024) and 2nd place (2017) for his research on head impact frequency and severity in water polo, and evaluating water polo headgear.
• The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research at UC Irvine for his exceptional contributions to the field of engineering.

Beyond his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Cecchi also has a personal connection to the topic—he served as President & Captain of the UCI Men’s Water Polo Club from 2013-2017, later going on to play in graduate school as well, where he personally experienced the challenges of mild traumatic brain injuries and concussions. This personal experience fuels his passion for translating scientific discoveries into real-world solutions.

- Personal Experience Concussion? (02:38)

- Water polo, Concussion and Policy changes (03:50)

- Head Gear and Reduction in Forces (06:45)

- Water Polo and Concussion (08:08)

- What is a Concussion (10:25)

- Nick’s Personal Experience with Concussion (11:16)

- Concussions Prior to a Thesis Defence at Stanford (13:55)

- Dr Cecchi Work with Guardian Caps (16:10)

- Guardian Cap Research Summary (26:39)

- SoftShox: What is it and How Does it Work (31:35)

- Summary of The Main Objectives (36:40)

- Vision for the future and where can people find you (37:40)

Dr Nicholas Cecchi

Twitter/X: @nick_cecchi

https://www.nsf.gov/science-matters/improving-helmets-reduce-impact-concussions

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=45jD3kcAAAAJ&hl=en

Guardian Cap Article: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10439-023-03169-2

SoftShox Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020740324001401

SoftShox: https://www.softshox.com/our-story

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we’re honoured and privilege to have Dr. Julie Stamm return as our guest, following her first appearance in Episode 28. Dr Julie Stamm, is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving her doctorate from the Boston University School of medicine in anatomy and neurobiology. Dr Stamm also studied at the psychiatry neuroimaging laboratory at Harvard medical school alongside Boston University, in chronic traumatic encephalopathy and the long-term consequences of repetitive head impacts in youth sports. Dr Stamm has shared her expertise at numerus international conferences and on CNN, discussing youth sports and concussions. Additionally, Dr Stamm authored the impactful book The Brain on Youth Sports: The Science, The Myths, and The Future,

- What is a Concussion (01:35)

- Youth and Adolescences in Concussion (02:35)

- Hippocampus in Children (05:55)

- Association Between Lower Extremality and Injury Mechanisms in Adolescents (11:50)

- Understanding of Head Injury Assessment and Return to Play Processes and Associated Factors in United States Major League Rugby Players (16:35)

- (22:35) Women’s Sport and Access to Care

- Athletic Trainers in US Sports (26:45)

- Delays in Immediate Athletic Training Evaluation Following Concussion Among High School Football Players: A Report from the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (29:25)

- Brain on Youth Sports Book (35:20)

- Future Research (37:25)

Dr Julie Stamm:

https://www.juliestamm.com

IG: @juliestammphd

Twitter/X: @JulieStammPhD

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eSk2fIIAAAAJ&hl=en

Association of lower extremity injuries and injury mechanism with previous concussion history in adolescent athletes

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1466853X20306210

Understanding of head injury assessment and return to play processes and associated factors in United States Major League Rugby playershttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02699052.2024.2408563

Dr Julie Stamm’s Book: The Brain on Youth Sports: The Science, the Myths, and the Future. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538143193/The-Brain-on-Youth-Sports-The-Science-the-Myths-and-the-Future also available online through all good books stores.

Subscribe, review and share for new episodes which will drop fortnightly

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. Today, we're joined by Professor Jon Patricios, a leader in sports medicine since 1996. He is the Director of Waterfall Sports Orthopaedic Surgery and a Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he leads the Wits Sport and Health Research Group. With fellowships in sport and exercise medicine from South Africa, the UK, and Ireland, he also founded Sports Concussion South Africa. Professor Patricios consults for World Rugby and serves on various concussion committees, including the International Concussion in Sports Group. He's co-lead author of the 2023 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport and has worked with FIFA, UEFA, and the NFL. An editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine, he’s also the author of over 130 peer-reviewed publications, with a focus on sport-related concussion and physical activity's health benefits.

- How Professor Patricios Become Involved in Sports Medicine and Concussion (02:40)

- What is a concussion? (05:33)

- Resources (Tools) and Challenges Across All Levels (09:08)

- Concussion in Sports Group: Processes Involved Putting the Consensus paper together (11:38)

- How Do You Chose the Articles For The Consensus Paper? (16:19)

- Role Of Medical Director (18:44)

- FIFA World Cup and UEFA Independent Advisory (24:16)

- Soccer Concussion Substitutes (28:10)

- Where to Find Professor Jon Patricios (30:20)

Professor Jon Patricios:

https://www.sportsconcussion.co.za/our-team/dr-jon-patricios/

https://jonpatricios.com

Consensus Statement: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/69

X/Twitter: @jonpatricios

Research and Journal Article: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jon-Patricios

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome Back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast, in this discussion, we’ll address the trial of a new rule being implemented during the upcoming pre-season challenge matches in the NRL. This rule has sparked significant controversy, with many fans and academics seeing it as a step in the wrong direction. Rather than improving safety, the rule has been criticized for its potential to negatively impact the game, especially in terms of concussion management. We’ll delve into the details of the rule, its intended goals, and the concerns surrounding its trial period whilst also touching on the AFL and their ‘concussion ladder’.

What is the Proposed Change? (01:20)

Previous High Tackle Crack Downs (04:15)

Advantages

- Missed High Tackles Causing Concussion (06:50)

- Straw Man Argument – The Spectacle (10:10)

Disadvantages

- Outcome of Action (11:47)

- Examples Where Action Over Works (13:55)

- What Happened to Evidence Based? (16:30)

- Exploitation of the Rule (18:38)

- Judiciary (20:57)

- Further Points (22:53)

AFL’s Concussion Ladder (24:55)

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

References/ Articles

Consensus statement on concussion in sport: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/695

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-stephen-crichton-charged-escaped-sin-bin-for-rts-high-shot-nrl-bunker-inconsistencies-bulldogs-v-warriors-round-25/news-story/57beee22079d97a61f5ebea57fd32187

https://www.nrl.com/operations/the-game/judiciary-code/

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2025-clubs-confused-and-frustrated-by-odd-concussion-memo-sent-by-league-changes-to-contact-in-preseason-training-sessions-latest-news/news-story/0681d093d6f7be47122793279c90bcfe

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-hands-out-club-rankings-amid-confusion-on-pre-season-training-20250206-p5la2p.html

https://www.codesports.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.codesports.com.au%2Fafl%2Fleague-watches-contact-and-concussion-at-preseason-training-during-dangerous-injury-time%2Fnews-story%2F1155ca1562cff28f09cb6f31484e11ee&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium

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* We want to apologize for the episode being a bit out of context due to some internet connection issues during our recording. Unfortunately, we had a few technical hiccups along the way. That said, we want to extend a huge thank you to Ian Roberts for his patience and for recording with us not once, not twice, but three separate times to make sure we could bring this episode to you. His dedication and understanding truly made this conversation possible, and we're incredibly grateful for that! We appreciate your understanding, and we hope you still enjoy the episode.

Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by retired NRL legend, actor, and mental health advocate Ian Roberts. With an impressive 13-year rugby career spanning over 200 games, Ian played for South Sydney, Wigan, Manly Sea Eagles, and North Queensland Cowboys, and represented New South Wales in State of Origin and Australia internationally. Beyond the field, Ian has made his mark in acting with standout roles in Mr Inbetween, Star Wars: Episode II, Little Fish, Superman Returns, and Mad Max: Furiosa. Off-screen and beyond sports, Ian is a passionate advocate for mental health, homelessness, and LGBTIQ rights, and currently serves as a director for Qtopia Sydney. We’re excited to dive into his incredible journey

- About Ian (01:30)

- Told of a Collision Sport and Initial Signs & Symptoms (05:40)

- Role of Acting, Auditioning and Brain Health (10:50)

- Study Ian Participated in Regarding Neurodegeneration (12:10)

- Culture Over Time (15:20)

- Incidents When Playing in the 80s and 90s (17:05)

Find Ian and his work:

QTOPIA: https://qtopiasydney.com.au/our-team/ian-roberts/

IG: @thisinroberts

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Monique Le Mottee. Monique is a high-performance physiotherapist and certified strength and conditioning coach at WA Sports Performance. Prior to moving to Perth, she worked at the renowned Athletes Authority in Sydney, where she supported the NRL and NRLW West Tigers, the Under 19s Women’s State of Origin, and Moto Sports Centres. On top of her professional accomplishments, Monique has also competed in multiple CrossFit Games qualifiers for the Oceania region and played AFL with Macquarie University in the AFL Sydney Competition.

- Entry into physiotherapy, strength and conditioning (01:10)

- Complexities of Women’s Sports (04:48)

- What is a Concussion (06:58)

- Education at Clubland (07:50)

- Assessments for Athletes (09:51)

- Suspected Concussion, Recovery Process and Clinical Experience (13:35)

- Miss-diagnosis of Concussion (17:05)

- Challenges of a Semi-Professional Athlete (19:03)

- Personal and Clinical Message + Changes in Messaging (26:30)

- Personal Experience with Coaches (30:40)

- Possible implemented Changes (32:10)

- Where you can find Monique (36:36)



Instagram @perfcoachmon

https://wasportsperformance.com/about-us/

Social media:

Twitter: @first concussion

Facebook: Headfirst: A concussion podcast

Instagram: Headfirst_ Concussion

Email: headfirstconcussion@gmail.com

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Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Tony Collins, a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor. With a career spanning decade, Tony is a leading expert in sports history, having authored over 12 books and won the prestigious Aberdare Prize four times. His expertise has been sought after by major TV programs like BBC Radio 4’s Sports and Football: A Brief History on the British and History Channels.

Tony’s impact on the world of sports history extends beyond publishing. He has contributed to organizations like Rugby League Cares, the RFU’s World Rugby Museum, and the Heritage Lottery Fund. He has also held significant leadership roles, serving as the chair of the British Society for Sports History and as editor of Sport in History, an academic journal dedicated to sports studies.

In addition to his work as a historian and consultant, Tony has taught at institutions like Leeds Metropolitan, De Montfort University, and is currently a professor at Loughborough University.

- Tony Collins Introduction to Sports History (1:30)

- Formation of Ball Sports (03:39)

- Divergences from One Game to Many Football Codes (05:58)

- Formation of Rules (10:32)

- How Soccer Over Took Rugby Union & The Importance of the FA Cup (15:00)

- The Importance of 1903-1905 in Sport: Ruby Unions Split to Rugby Leagues (23:53)

- The Importance of 1903-1905 in Sport: NFL/ Gridiron (27:35)

- How Soccer and Rugby Where Perceived in Terms of Danger in 19th Century (31:15)

- Split in NFL and NCAA (34:38)

- Effects of World War on Sport and History of Women’s Football (37:36)

- Important of the split in Rugby Union and Rugby League (47:30)

- Impact of Off Side Rule in all Football Codes (56:01)

- How did Soccer Get its Name? (1:00:22)

- Professor Collins Favourite Football Moment (1:02:45)

- Where to Find Professor Collins (1:07:52)

Tony Collins:

x/twitter: @collinstony

http://www.tonycollins.org

http://www.rugbyreloaded.com

Rugby Reload Podcast

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or your medical practitioner before making any changes to your diet, supplementation, or treatment plan, especially if you have a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The content shared here should not replace personalized care from your doctor or nutritionist.

Welcome back to Headfirst: A Concussion Podcast. We’re excited to bring you another insightful episode, and today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Federica Conti. Dr. Conti’s academic journey is truly impressive—she earned her master’s in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing from the prestigious Oxford University, before going on to complete a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience. Her work stands at the fascinating crossroads of neuroscience, sleep science, and nutrition, with a special focus on how these areas intersect to optimize brain health and protect against neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Conti’s research has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in understanding how lifestyle factors such as sleep patterns and dietary choices can influence brain function. Her ground-breaking papers, including Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review of Supplementation and Dietary Protocols, offer critical insights into how nutrition and supplementation can play a role and possibly reduce the effects of traumatic brain injuries.

- About the publication (02:25)

- What is a Concussion? (03:59)

- Differences between micronutrients, biological compounds (06:46)

Nutrients, Food and Supplementation

- Creatine Monohydrate (08:51)

- Omega-3 Fatty Acids DHA and EPA (17:31)

- Magnesium (27:13)

- BCAA’s (32:27)

- Riboflavin and B Vitamins (36:30)

- Top 3 Supplements we should consider mTBI and Cognitive Health (41:00)

- Dr Conti’s research, how can people help or find her work? (47:50)

Mitigating Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review of Supplementation and Dietary Protocols:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382609510_Mitigating_Traumatic_Brain_Injury_A_Narrative_Review_of_Supplementation_and_Dietary_Protocols?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InByb2ZpbGUiLCJwYWdlIjoicHJvZmlsZSJ9fQ

Dr Conti’s Journal Articles: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Federica-Conti-4

Instagram: @fede.rica.conti