SASMA

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 fifth episode, we look at what really happens behind the scenes of a Masters or PhD journey.Beyond the proposals, deadlines, and late-night edits lies one of the most influential relationships in academia — the one between a researcher and their supervisor.In this insightful episode, Dr Aasha Parshotam sits down with world-renowned researcher Professor Benita Olivier and Sports and Exercise Medicine specialist and PhD candidate, Dr Dhavina Naidoo to unpack the realities of postgraduate research.From setting expectations and navigating difficult feedback to building resilience, confidence, and academic independence — this conversation explores the challenges, growth, and mentorship that shape not just your thesis, but your identity as a researcher.Whether you’re considering a Masters, deep in your PhD journey, or supervising the next generation of researchers, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections, and lessons you’ll wish you heard sooner.

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Janesh Ganda is joined by Professor Ross McKinney, a bioethicist, and Clint Readhead, General Manager of Medical at the South African Rugby Union, to explore the complex ethical landscape of Sports Medicine. Together, they unpack the challenges of dual loyalty, the evolving role of team doctors, and the tension between athlete welfare and performance demands. Drawing from real-world experience and ethical frameworks, this conversation offers valuable insights for clinicians, administrators, and anyone involved in high-performance sport.

In this thought-provoking episode, Nick Pereira sits down with Dr. Wayne Lombard — an international sport scientist and researcher with deep roots in South African high-performance sport. Together, they unpack some of the biggest shifts, challenges, and opportunities in international sports medicine.From load management and return-to-play decisions, to how data and intuition must coexist in elite environments, Dr. Lombard shares insights from his years working within IPL cricket, Olympic Hockey and various national teams. They also dive into how South Africa’s unique sporting landscape shapes (and sometimes disrupts) global best practices.This is a must-listen for coaches, clinicians, athletes, and anyone passionate about performance and recovery at the highest level.

In this insightful episode of The SASMA Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Umair Mohamed, a leading Sports Dentist, to delve into the often-overlooked yet crucial role of dental care in elite sports. Dr. Mohammed shares his expertise on the importance of oral health in athletic performance, discussing how issues like dental trauma, infections, and even minor oral problems can impact player performance and recovery.We explore the proactive measures a Sports Dentist takes to protect athletes, including custom mouthguards and dental screenings, and how their integration into a high-performance medical team can prevent injuries and contribute to overall player welfare. This episode is a must-listen for sports medicine professionals and anyone interested in understanding the comprehensive care required to keep athletes at the top of their game.For more information on the conference please visit : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-sports-dentistry-association-launch-event-tickets-930210854707

In this episode Dr Kyle Winik is joined by Dr Lervasen Pillay, a Sport and Exercise Physician who has a keen interest in Exercise and Cancer.Through the episode they discuss an approach to a patient battling cancer and try to give an approach to change the narrative that exercise can be used as a tool in cancer management.Join us at SASMA conference Day 1, for an Exercise and Cancer Workshop.

In this episode, a collaboration between SASMA and BASA, Dr Kyle Winik, is joined by Tayla Ross, a Biokineticist, and lecturer at UCT, currently completing her PHD and perusing her passion of “Developing a Public Sector Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.In this episode they discuss the importance of cardiac rehabilitation for all stages of cardiac disease and the approach to any cardiac patient.

In this episode we have a chat with this year’s American Medical Society for Sports Medicine(AMSSM) Global Exchange Program to South Africa candidate Dr Emily Sweeney. Doctor Sweeney is a Pediatric Sport Medicine Physician currently practising at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver. She will also be a speaker at the biannual SASMA Conference in October later this year. Being a previous elite level gymnast who retired at a young age due to a back injury, Doctor Sweeney has a unique perspective to gymnastic medicine. Despite retiring as an athlete she remained very involved with the sport and now serves as a practitioner to many gymnasts suffering with gymnastics related injuries and pathology. The discussion touches on numerous gymnastics medicine topics, like mental health, diversification of skills and lessons from the recent Paris Olympics. Some of the articles referred to in the episode: -Returning to Sports After Gymnastics Injuries: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/fulltext/2018/11000/returning_to_sport_after_gymnastics_injuries.7.aspx?WT.mc_id=EMxALLx20100222xxFRIEND-Health outcomes among former female collegiate gymnasts: the influence of sport specialization, concussion, and disordered eating:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00913847.2020.1850150?scroll=top&needAccess=true