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Today we have the honour and privilege of being joined by Dr Greg Hollin.

Dr Hollin is a research fellow in the Department of Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield, where he explores the intersections of science, technology, medicine, and culture. His research focuses on areas such as neuroscience, concussion, CTE, biomimetic technology, and ethics. Throughout his career, Dr Hollin has received several major research awards, including the Welcome Trust Research Fellowship in Humanities and Social Science and the Welcome Trust University Award (2022–2027). His extensive body of work has been widely cited, with over 800 citations to date, and he is recognised as a highly respected figure in his field.

01:45 - About Dr Greg Hollin

03:40 - What is a concussion and Social Definitions

09:10 - History of Arron Hernandez

11:11 - Way Media Reporting on Hernandez, Concussion and CTE May Shape Discussions

16:00 – Narrative Around Brain Injury and Copiability

20:15 – Q-Collar, Woodpeckers and Commercial Interests In Animals

31:00 - What is Hard Knock Life: Negotiating Concussion and Dementia in Sport

37:00 – Where to Find Dr Greg Hollin and Support His Work

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=s1mkGeYAAAAJ&hl=en

Making a murderer: Media renderings of brain injury and Aaron Hernandez as a medical and sporting subject: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953619305933#bib16

Consider the woodpecker: The contested more-than-human ethics of biomimetic technology and traumatic brain injury: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=s1mkGeYAAAAJ&citation_for_view=s1mkGeYAAAAJ:TFP_iSt0sucC

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We are joined by Professor James Smoliga, who serves as the Director of Research and Faculty Development for Tufts University's, Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Seattle. Professor Smoliga previously held the position of Associate Director of the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory at High Point University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and was awarded the 2022 Guy Simoneau Excellence in Research Award. With over 175 publications that have been cited nearly 4,000 times, Professor Smoliga brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion.

In this episode, we explore the criteria for trustworthy research, the essential questions to ask, and how to apply these principles to proposed concussion mitigation devices such as the Q-Collar. We examine from a physiological and evidence-based perspective, why such devices are ineffective in reducing the risk of concussions.

07:05 – What is Research?

13:00 – Ramifications of Unethical Research

15:35 – Introduction, Proposed Method of the Q-Collar & the Flaws in These Studies

18:27 – Why the Altitude Proposal Does Not Work, the Scientific Reasoning, and the Demonstration of Data Interpretation

32:57 – Jugular Compression and Blood Flow

37:17 – Does a Woodpecker Have a Relationship with Concussion & the Q-Collar?

57:06 – The Increased Risk with Potentially No Benefit & How Did It Get FDA Authorized?

1:06:02 – Why Are We Resorting to Possible Protective Equipment for Concussion?

1:11:40 – Fun Research Projects by Professor Smoliga – The Taylor Swift Effect

How an FDA cleared “brain protection” device built on shaky science made it to the NFL: https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2028

Dr Mu Yang Episode 55: Academic Research Sleuthing with Dr Mu Yang

Dr James Smoliga: Twitter/X: @jsmoliga

Pseudomedicine for sports concussions in the USA:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442219302509?via%3Dihub

Woodpeckers don’t play football: implications for novel brain protection devices using mild jugular compression: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/20/1262

Reconsidering the woodpecker model of traumatic brain injury: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442218301571?via%3Dihub

Team Logo Predicts Concussion Risk Lessons in Protecting a Vulnerable Sports Community from Misconceived, but Highly Publicized Epidemiologic Research: https://journals.lww.com/epidem/fulltext/2017/09000/team_logo_predicts_concussion_risk__lessons_in.17.aspx

You can find all Dr Smoliga’s publications here: https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/james-smoliga/publications?favouritesFirst=true&perPage=25&sort=dateDesc&startFrom=0

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In today’s episode, we have the honour and privilege to be joined once again by Professor Tony Collins, who previously featured in Episodes 61 and 70. Professor Collins is a renowned historian and Emeritus Professor, widely regarded as a leading authority in the field of sports history. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning several decades, he has authored more than a dozen books and is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Aberdare Prize. His expertise has also been featured in major media outlets, including BBC Radio 4’s Sport.

(01:30) - Origins and History of The Ashes?
(03:10) - Why It Synonymous with Cricket Only?
(05:20) - How Was the Australian V England in Sports Built?
(10:40) - Biggest Historical Moments in Ashes Series?
(14:30) – The Cricket Bodyline Series
(16:21) – First Rugby League Ashes Series
(20:00) – Meaning of Beating Our Foe’s in the Ashes
(25:45) – Players picking Elegances
(29:17) – What Keeps the Ashes Alive?
(34:30) – Dr Tony Collin’s Favourite Ashes Moments
(44:26) – Cricket and Politics
(47:00) - Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader

Tony Collins:
x/twitter: @collinstony
http://www.tonycollins.org
Rugby Reload Podcast: http://www.rugbyreloaded.com


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