SASMA

The science behind the game: Inside cricket’s first sports medicine textbook

In this episode of the SASMA Podcast, cricket clinician Nick Pereira sits down with John W. Orchard and Benita Olivier — editors and co-authors of Cricket Sports Medicine — to unpack the making of cricket’s first dedicated sports medicine textbook and what it means for the future of the game. Bringing together contributors from across the global cricket landscape, the textbook represents a landmark step in bridging the gap between research, rehabilitation, performance, and real-world clinical practice. Across 39 chapters, it explores the unique medical and performance demands of cricket, from injury epidemiology and rehabilitation to youth athlete development and return-to-play decision making. Drawing on his experience as former Chief Medical Officer of Cricket Australia, Dr Orchard shares insights from decades working at the highest level of the game, including the persistent challenge of lumbar stress injuries in fast bowlers, the realities of load management, and how clinicians can better use injury surveillance and classification systems in practice. Prof Olivier provides the academic lens, discussing the collaborative process behind the textbook, the importance of standardising knowledge in cricket medicine, and the ongoing challenge of translating evidence into meaningful clinical outcomes. The link to purchase the textbook is available below: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-6321-7 [https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-6321-7]

From Performance to Pathology: Altitude Medicine Unpacked

In this episode of the SASMA Podcast, host Dr Kerry Walton is joined by Dr Sean Gottschalk to explore the extremes of emergency and sport and exercise medicine: Exercising at altitude. Inspired by insights from their own experiences, Sean and Kerry share some top tips on expeditions to altitude and what to expect and be ready for in terms of medical challenges. 10 top tips for aspiring expedition medics on how to summit Mount Kilimanjaro: 1) Get yourself a mentor 2) Befriend the stair master at the gym 3) Do not compromise on gear (especially your sleeping bag) 4) Wear in your hiking boots 5) Double glove 6) Protect your eyes 7) Create a ‘buddy system’ amongst the hikers 8) ‘Pole Pole’ (Ascend slowly) 9) ‘Sippy Sippy’ (Stay hydrated) 10) Success is getting everyone down safely, not to the summit.

Research Podcast Series: Thrive, Don't just survive

Welcome to the Research Masterclass series, a collaboration between the SASMA Podcast and the Research Masterminds Success Academy. This series was created for clinicians, academics, and professionals who are curious about research but often find the academic world opaque, intimidating, or complicated. The aim of this series is to slow that conversation down. We want to unpack research in a way that is honest, grounded, and practical. In this third episode of the series, we are joined by Professor Benita Olivier, and Franso-Marie Olivier to unpack whether it is possible for a balance to exist between research and life. Can we maintain our sanity? Can a social life and well-being exist while conducting research? Links as discussed in the podcast: Rethinking work-life balance: A researcher's guide to designing a sustainable academic life: https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/rethinking-work-life-balance [https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/rethinking-work-life-balance] From struggling to flourishing: a research-backed framework for PhD wellbeing and productivity: https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/phd-wellbeing-and-productivity [https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/phd-wellbeing-and-productivity] Why your research identity matters as much as your methodology: The hidden foundation of academic success: https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/why-your-research-identity-matters [https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/why-your-research-identity-matters] Energy management: The secret weapon in academic productivity: https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/energy-management-in-academic-productivity [https://www.researchmasterminds.com/blog/energy-management-in-academic-productivity]

Research Podcast Series: Smarter Research Starts Here: Study Design & Proposal Development

Welcome to the Research Masterclass series, a collaboration between the SASMA Podcast and the Research Masterminds Success Academy. This series was created for clinicians, academics, and professionals who are curious about research but often find the academic world opaque, intimidating, or complicated. The aim of this series is to slow that conversation down. We want to unpack research in a way that is honest, grounded, and practical. In this second episode of the series, we are joined by Professor Benita Olivier, to take us through how to develop a proposal as well as the study design research hub. Together, we unpack this topic and delve into the complexities that research may bring. Links as discussed in the podcast: The hidden cost of choosing the wrong study design: https://www.researchmasterminds.com/choosing-the-wrong-study-design [https://www.researchmasterminds.com/choosing-the-wrong-study-design] Study Designs & Research Methods Resource Hub: https://www.researchmasterminds.com/courses/128704-study-designs-research-methods-resource [https://www.researchmasterminds.com/courses/128704-study-designs-research-methods-resource]

Sports Dentistry

In this episode of the SASMA Podcast, host Dr Aasha Parshotam is joined by Dr Bhavik Ganda, Dr Umair Mohammed, and Dr John Haughey to explore the emerging field of sports dentistry and its growing role in athlete health and performance. From the prevention and management of dentofacial injuries to the impact of oral health on recovery, fatigue, and confidence, the discussion highlights why dentistry should be an integral part of the multidisciplinary sports medicine team. Inspired by insights from the South African Sports Dentistry Conference, this episode sheds light on how clinicians, coaches, and athletes can better protect both performance and long-term oral health.