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 during a crucial game against the Netherlands.The conversation also explores the differences in injuries and clinical management between football and rugby, and the varying attitudes of coaching staff and management in each sport.The episode concludes with a rapid-fire Q&A covering topics like the most common injury he treats, his most memorable career moment, standout athletes, his sport of preference, dream team to work with, and what drives his passion for sports medicine.
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, and Portugal's qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Vareiro also opens up about his professional aspirations, the importance of player welfare, and what drives him every day. A fast-paced Q&A wraps up this inspiring episode.
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 camaraderie. Don’t miss this unique collaboration—be part of the journey to elevate rugby in the Portuguese-speaking world!
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.
Join us for a compelling discussion on how the whistle and medical expertise come together to shape the future of rugby.
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 view of the game) and Line of Entry (maintaining safe and efficient access to injured players).
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 advocacy for greater visibility and support for women’s rugby in Portugal and her advice for young girls pursuing careers in sports and medicine.
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 gap between academic research and practical applications in rugby, offering valuable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and medical professionals alike. "Self-confidence, mental toughness, and psychobiosocial experiences in elite rugby players" Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39674394/ "Assessment of an eye-tracking tool to discriminate between concussed and not concussed professional male rugby players: a cohort study" Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39696961/
