Dr Tom O’Brien is a Lecturer in Applied Disability and Para Sport at Loughborough University, specialising in performance optimisation within Paralympic sport through integrated physiological, biomechanical, and data-driven approaches. Alongside his academic role, he has extensive applied experience within wheelchair rugby, having supported the GB Wheelchair Rugby programme across the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic cycles as part of the multidisciplinary team, leading sports science and strength and conditioning provision.
His applied work has included athlete profiling, fitness testing, and the design and delivery of tailored training, recovery, and performance monitoring interventions, contributing to performance outcomes at the highest level. He has also led innovation and knowledge exchange initiatives with national and international governing bodies, translating research into practical tools for athletes, coaches, and practitioners.
His current research focuses on advancing data-informed practice in wheelchair sports, including mobility performance analytics, fatigue monitoring, and concussion research. In particular, his work aims to better understand the forces experienced by wheelchair athletes and their relationship to concussion risk, with the goal of informing prevention and management strategies.
Tom will act as chair and facilitator throughout the webinar, guiding discussion across sessions and drawing connections between presentations. He will contribute applied practitioner insight from wheelchair rugby concussion management and return-to-play decision-making, and will lead the final discussions to identify shared research priorities and opportunities for future collaboration.
📅 31 March 2026
⏰ 14:00 – 16:00 UTC
Register here: https://academy.worldwheelchair.rugby/?academy=128&course=7710