RugbyMed: Science of the Game

🏉 Temporada 2 – Episódio 5 - Hoje viajamos até Lisboa para conversar com o Tomás Appleton, capitão do CDUL Rugby e uma das figuras maiores do rugby português.Falámos sobre liderança, o peso de ser capitão do CDUL — atual campeão da Taça de Portugal — e o impacto de ser também capitão da Seleção Nacional. 💙🏆Um episódio cheio de visão, experiência e a ambição de quem vive o rugby ao mais alto nível.🎧 Não vais querer perder!#RugbyMed #Temporada2 #CDUL #RugbyPortugal #DivisaoDeHonra #RugbyEurope #WorldRugby #RugbyPodcast

O RugbyMed vai até à planície alentejana falar com o Capitão do único representante da região na Divisão de Honra Nacional de Rugby.

Neste episódio, vamos até à invicta conversar com o capitão do CDUP Rugby Tomás Marrana!

O capitão do Santarém, recém-promovido à Divisão de Honra, conta-nos o que sentiu no momento do título do CN1 do ano passado e quais as suas expectativas para a nova época!

Capitão da AAC Rugby em entrevista ao RugbyMed.

In this episode of RugbyMed, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga welcome international rugby referee Maria Heitor. As she prepares to make history as the first Portuguese referee at a Rugby World Cup in 2025, Maria shares insights into her journey from grassroots rugby to the global stage. She opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of recovering from a serious injury, the mental resilience needed to officiate at the highest level, and her hopes for inspiring more women in rugby. A powerful conversation where sport, health, and ambition meet.

In this episode, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga welcome Dr. Alexandre Fernandes, a specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine with a postgraduate degree in Sports Medicine. Dr. Fernandes shares insights from his career spanning football and rugby, including work with Casa Pia AC, the renowned Aspetar clinic in Qatar, and the Portuguese Rugby Federation.He reflects on his professional journey, including pivotal experiences at Aspetar and his role with the Portuguese national rugby team during their 2022 Rugby Europe Championship campaign, which paved the way to the 2023 World Cup. Notably, he stepped in as official team doctor d...

In this episode of RugbyMed, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga sit down with 20-year-old Portuguese rugby sensation Manuel Vareiro. A rising star who has already left his mark on the Sevens World Circuit and debuted with the national XV side, Vareiro shares his journey from youth rugby to the international stage. The conversation explores his early influences, debut at the Sevens World Cup at just 17, his recent experience in Los Angeles, and the emotional highs and lows of top-level competition. They discuss his first XV cap against Namibia, the challenges of not playing in South Africa, a...

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, António and Carlos tackle one of the toughest topics in sport—mental health and suicide in rugby.Rugby is often seen as a game of grit, toughness, and unbreakable camaraderie. But beneath the surface, many players are struggling with pressures that no one talks about. From elite professionals to weekend warriors, the mental toll of injury, retirement, cultural stigma, and concussions can become overwhelming.💔 Inside the episode:The tragic stories of players like Dan Vickerman and Terry NewtonHow concussions and injuries are silently linked to depres...

In this moving episode of RugbyMed – The Science of the Game, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga sit down with one of Portugal’s most accomplished rugby players, Nuno Sousa Guedes. From his rise in the national team to his unforgettable appearance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Nuno opens up about his journey through elite sport, resilience, and recovery.Listeners will hear about the brutal injury he sustained during the World Cup and his courageous decision to stay on the field despite the pain. The conversation follows his road back to competition in the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship—and the men...

Strap in for a no-nonsense, science-packed takedown of the biggest myths in rugby! 🏉💥In this special MythBusters edition of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, António and Carlos go head-to-head with five of the most stubborn beliefs in the rugby world. Is rugby more dangerous than American football? Do biceps win games? And what about that sacred post-match beer—is it really helping your recovery?Using real scientific research and a healthy dose of humor, the hosts tackle everything from concussion stats and performance metrics to warm-up routines and tactical myths. Whether you’re a die-hard rugby fan, a curious coa...

In a special and unprecedented episode, the RugbyMed and Placagem podcasts join forces to promote rugby in Portugal and across the Portuguese-speaking world! In this engaging conversation—entirely in Portuguese—António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga (RugbyMed) team up with Cláudio Fonseca (Placagem) to discuss the sport’s growth, the challenges faced by players, the importance of physical preparation and sports medicine in high-performance rugby, and the opportunities the game provides both on and off the field.With special guests and inspiring stories, this episode is a true celebration of rugby’s spirit—a sport of passion, sacrifice, and camarade...

In this episode of the RugbyMed, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga welcome João Costa, a former rugby player, referee, and now physiotherapist, to explore the intersection of rugby, refereeing, and player welfare.João shares insights from his unique journey through the sport—from playing on the field to officiating the game and now working behind the scenes to ensure athlete well-being.

The conversation delves into the challenges of career transitions within rugby, the evolving role of referees in player safety, and the impact of sports science in injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Joi...

Hosted by Carlos Braga and António Ferreira, this episode of RugbyMed takes you into the heart of the game through the eyes of one of the world’s top referees—Paulo Duarte. From the pressure of making split-second decisions to the mental resilience needed to handle the roar of the crowd, Paulo shares his journey from a young referee in Portugal to officiating on the biggest stages, including the Olympic Games and Rugby Europe competitions.But it’s not just about the whistle. We dive deep into player welfare, exploring how referees play a crucial role in keeping the game sa...

In this compelling episode of RugbyMed, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga sit down with Dr. Kim Quigley, CEO of Onrise, and Will Hooley, Technical Director and Broadcaster at Major League Rugby, to explore the critical intersection of mental health and player welfare in North America’s premier rugby league.With Will’s experience both on and off the field—including his podcast The Next Game: A Story of Transition—and Dr. Quigley’s expertise in mental health, this discussion uncovers the evolving landscape of athlete support. From MLR’s groundbreaking partnership with Onrise to the broader movement of prioritizi...

In this episode of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, hosts Carlos Braga and António Cruz Ferreira explore key aspects of injury prevention in Rugby Union, focusing on the latest research and practical applications.They begin by analyzing a systematic review on hamstring injuries, discussing their prevalence, risk factors, and the effectiveness of Nordic hamstring exercises in reducing injury recurrence. They then shift to the role of coach education, exploring what youth rugby coaches need to successfully implement injury prevention programs. Finally, they review the Activate injury prevention program, an evidence-based warm-up routine designed to reduce injuries while e...

In this episode of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, hosts Carlos Braga and António Cruz Ferreira explore the critical role of medical team positioning in professional rugby union. The discussion opens with updates on the Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification process, particularly Portugal’s bid for automatic entry, and the medical strategies employed to keep players in peak condition.The episode then delves into the importance of medical positioning during matches, based on key principles from a British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) study. The hosts discuss the concepts of Line of Sight (ensuring medics have a clear vie...

In this inspiring episode of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, hosts Carlos Braga and António Cruz Ferreira welcome Isabel Ozório, a standout player for Portugal's Women’s XV and 7s national teams. Isabel shares her rugby journey, from her early days in Portugal to playing professionally in France. She opens up about the challenges of growing women's rugby in a traditionally male-dominated sport, her experiences representing Portugal on the international stage, and her recovery from a serious ACL injury. With valuable advice for young players and reflections on the sport's future, Isabel inspires listeners with her resilience, pass...

In this episode of RugbyMed: The Science of the Game, hosts António Cruz Ferreira and Carlos Braga welcome special guest Catarina Antunes, the team doctor for Portugal’s Women’s XV national rugby team, a former player, and a mother. Catarina shares her inspiring journey from player to medical professional, detailing her return to rugby after motherhood and her struggles with injury near the end of her playing career. She discusses the challenges of balancing her medical training and rugby career, providing insights into her role as the team doctor for a growing women's team. The conversation highlights her a...

In Episode 2 of the RugbyMed podcast, António and Carlos are joined by esteemed rugby journalist Francisco Isaac for a compelling discussion on the media's role in injury reporting and its impact on the sport. Isaac explores the critical need for accurate and responsible communication between journalists, clubs, and medical departments to ensure player welfare remains a top priority. He delves into the challenges of balancing transparency with privacy and advocates for the implementation of robust welfare measures to protect players at all levels. This episode offers valuable insights into how media and sports organizations can collaborate to promote a s...

In the latest episode of the RugbyMed podcast, hosts António and Carlos welcome Portuguese rugby star José Lima for an engaging and insightful conversation. Lima opens up about his rigorous preparation routines and the challenges of recovering from injuries, sharing his candid experiences with concussions and their lasting impact on his mindset. Reflecting on his career, he discusses both the fears and determination that shape his approach to the game, offering a unique perspective on resilience. Looking ahead, Lima shares his aspirations for Portugal’s qualification journey for the Rugby World Cup 2027, giving fans a glimpse into his hopes for...

In this episode, Antonio and Carlos dive into two pivotal research papers that address key psychological and physiological aspects of professional rugby. The first paper explores the relationship between self-confidence, mental toughness, and psychobiosocial experiences in elite rugby players, shedding light on how these traits impact performance and resilience at the highest level of competition. The second paper presents findings from a cohort study on eye-tracking tools used to distinguish between concussed and non-concussed players, highlighting the potential of innovative technologies in improving concussion assessment and player safety. Through insightful analysis and engaging discussion, Antonio and Carlos bridge the...

🎥 Coming Soon: RugbyMed – The Science of the Game! 🏉🔬 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6cOuogYsQX1cvaGxFiGTaD?si=54fe868b866a4f12 Get ready for a podcast that takes rugby to the next level! 🎙️ RugbyMed dives into the heart of the sport, exploring health, injury prevention, and the innovations shaping rugby’s future. 🌟 Featuring expert guests, powerful stories, and cutting-edge insights, this is a journey every rugby enthusiast will want to join. 📲 Follow us now and stay tuned for the big launch—exciting things are just around the corner! #RugbyMed #ComingSoon #TheScienceOfTheGame #RugbyInnovation #SportsMedicine