logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
32m 9s

249: The Untold Evolution of Sports Medi...

Science for Sport
About this episode

In this episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Dave Hancock, a sports performance pioneer with a career spanning over three decades in professional sport. From the sidelines of Leeds United to the championship-winning New York Knicks and beyond, Dave shares incredible insights into the evolution of sports science, athlete care, and the role of data and AI in revolutionising performance.

Discover how today’s athletes are transforming their careers with personalised performance teams, the impact of cutting-edge technologies like AI on injury prevention, and the challenges practitioners face in adapting to the ever-increasing demands of elite sport.

Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply a fan fascinated by what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers unparalleled access to the world of elite athlete management and cutting-edge sports science. Don’t miss this conversation filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and a look at where the future of sports science is headed.

** About Dave Hancock**
Dave Hancock is a distinguished Performance Director, Chartered Physiotherapist, and Strength Coach with nearly 30 years of experience across professional sports in both Europe and the USA. His career includes pivotal roles such as Head Physiotherapist at Leeds United FC and Chelsea FC, where he contributed to Premier League and FA Cup successes. Notably, Dave became the first British Performance Director in the NBA, serving with the New York Knicks. He has also been part of the English National Team's medical staff during the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships. Currently, Dave is the CEO of Apollo V2, a sports software company that aids teams and athletes in performance enhancement and injury prevention.

FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL

SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241

​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively
​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance
​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform

Up next
Nov 17
294: The Science Behind England’s Ashes Preparation – with Lead Nutritionist Charlie Binns
This week, host Richard Graves sits down with Charlie Binns, Lead Nutritionist for the England men’s cricket team, fresh from Perth as preparations ramp up for the Ashes. Charlie lifts the lid on what elite fuelling actually looks like across five-day Tests, why recovery is an ar ... Show More
32m 27s
Nov 10
293: Johnny Nelson on the Gym that Created World Champions
This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by boxing legend Johnny Nelson MBE, the longest-reigning cruiserweight world champion in history. With a story that spans early losses, a transformative mentorship under Brendan Ingle, mental resilience, st ... Show More
32m 20s
Nov 3
292: How the NFL Uses Sports Science to Build Better Fields
This week, host Richard Graves welcomes Nick Pappas, Field Director for the NFL, for a fascinating deep dive into the science, technology, and precision that go into preparing elite-level playing surfaces for one of the biggest sports leagues in the world. From the Super Bowl to ... Show More
31m 55s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Ep. 151 - Sports Science Unleashed: Maximizing Athletic Performance with Biomechanics
<p>Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. John DeWitt, one of the leading minds in sports science and biomechanics, for an in-depth look at how cutting-edge technology is changing the game for professional athletes. As the Director of Applied Sports Science at Rice Athletics and a ... Show More
53m 31s
Sep 11
The Psychology of Athletic Excellence w/Dr. Alex Auerbach
This week, Scott Barry Kaufman sits down with Dr. Alex Auerbach, a licensed counseling and sport performance psychologist who works with some of the world’s top performers—from Olympic champions to NBA, NFL, and MLB athletes, as well as elite military units, Fortune 500 companies ... Show More
55 m
Feb 2025
Alex Auerbach on How to Perform Better (EP358)
In this week’s basketball coaching conversation, performance psychologist Dr. Alex Auerbach joins The Basketball Podcast to share ideas on how to perform at your best.Dr. Alex Auerbach has spent his career exploring how high performers, from athletes to business leaders, deliver ... Show More
49m 25s
Mar 2025
Alun Wyn Jones: His Relentless Rugby Routine, Family Pride and Stepping Away from the Game (E334)
<p>Welsh former international rugby union player, Alun Wyn Jones is a name that carries weight in the world of rugby. Known for his relentless work ethic and leadership, he’s a man who’s given everything to the game.</p><br><p>In this episode, Alun dives deep into his journey, sh ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 18
Arsenal & Stormzy’s Elite Performance Coach Uncovers Nutrition Hacks You Can Learn (E366)
James Collins isn’t just your average nutritionist, he’s the behind-the-scenes expert trusted by the likes of Premier League stars, global artists like Stormzy, and even Olympic athletes. With a career built around peak performance, he’s helped shape what some of the world’s top ... Show More
1h 3m
Feb 2025
Alistair Brownlee: 'Pushing to Blackout' and What Made Me Retire from Triathlon (E329)
<p>Alistair Brownlee is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the most respected triathletes in the world. Known for his relentless work ethic and exceptional performances, Alistair’s journey in sport is rooted in his upbringing in Yorkshire, where hard work and determinati ... Show More
54m 56s
Sep 3
Mark Upton on Better Coaching and Skill Development (EP388)
In this week's basketball coaching conversation, ShootXP founder and skill acquisition expert Mark Upton joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on better coaching and skill development.Mark Upton is a globally respected coaching and skill acquisition expert with over two ... Show More
1h 2m
May 2024
Strategic Nutrition for Athletes with Prof. Asker Jeukendrup
Welcome to Episode 2 of Fueling Greatness where we dive deep into the world of sports nutrition with Professor Asker Jeukendrup. In this episode, we explore the intricate science behind optimizing athletic performance through strategic nutrition planning. Prof. Jeukendrup sheds l ... Show More
1h 21m
Aug 21
Should Doping Coaches Be Banned For Life? / Heat and Heart Rate / Tokyo Rivalries In Focus
The conversation begins, continues, but rarely ends, on Discourse! As mentioned, you can become a member of our VIP community by donating a small monthly amount to show your support, and dive into sports science and opinion. We are also on YouTube now, for those who want to watch ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 4
David Coulthard: From Senna's Seat to Red Bull's Rise | The Story of My F1 Career (E363)
David Coulthard is a 13-time Grand Prix winner and former F1 driver for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. Known for his sharp insights and calm exterior, he’s lived through some of the sport’s most intense moments, on and off the track.In this episode, David opens up about that li ... Show More
1h 6m