In this episode of Frontline to Finish Line, we explore the challenges and solutions around promoting physical activity for people with long-term health conditions. Dr Hamish Reid shares insights on risk perception, pre-participation screening, and why the benefits of movement far outweigh the risks. We also explore the latest with Moving Medicine.

Dr Hamish Reid is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant based in New Zealand. He is joint Clinical Director of Moving Medicine, author of the influential “Benefits Outweigh the Risk” consensus statement, and a leader in developing resources to empower healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Risk Consensus statement - https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/risk-consensus/

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Ross Hemingway OBE, a leading expert in exertional heat illness, to explore the causes, risks, and management of this potentially life-threatening condition.

As the autumn marathon season winds down and athletes prepare for warmer events, Ross shares his deep insights from years of experience treating amateur, elite, and tactical athletes. From personal stories to practical advice, this conversation covers everything from early recognition and rapid cooling to long-term rehabilitation and prevention strategies.

About Ross

Ross has extensive experience in managing amateur, elite and tactical athletes with exertional collapse. He is a national expert in the prevention, acute management and rehabilitation of patients with exertional heat illness ( EHI). He is passionate about reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with EHI.

He is a founding member of the UK Heat Illness Advisory Group and is an author of the UK National Consensus Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care guidelines on EHI.

Ross is an Honorary Senior lecturer in Sports Medicine at Exeter University and Match Day Doctor for the Gallagher Premiership Rugby and Rugby Football Union.

Ross was awarded the OBE in the 2023 King’s New Year’s Honours List ‘For services to the Royal Marines’.

Links

View the position statement - https://www.fsem.ac.uk/position-statement/exertional-heat-illness-consensus-statement/

In this episode of Front Line to Finish Line, we’re joined by Dr Jon Houghton, Consultant in Rheumatology and Sports Medicine at Fortius Clinic, and Chief Medical Officer for the FA of Wales and Surrey County Cricket Club. With extensive experience across elite football, rugby, and cricket, Jon takes us through the full journey of managing pars injuries.

We start with the basics, what a pars fracture is and how it presents, before diving into risk factors, prevention strategies, imaging techniques, and initial medical management. Jon also shares insights on rehabilitation principles, return-to-play timelines, and the use of anabolic bone agents like teriparatide. Whether you're new to pars injury management or working in elite sport, this episode offers practical guidance and expert perspective on one of the most challenging spinal injuries in athletes.