Jack Hickey

Jack Hickey is a leading researcher in the field of hamstring injuries. Jack is currently based at Maynooth University in Ireland, where he joined in 2023 as the first academic in the Department of Sport Science and Nutrition.Before that, he was a Senior Lecturer at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne and part of the SPRINT Research Centre, focusing on sports performance, injury, and rehab. His PhD centered on hamstring strain injuries and pain-threshold rehab – a body of work that earned him multiple national awards, including the ESSA Medal for best PhD thesis in Exercise and Sport Science.Beyond academia, Jack is an accredited Exercise Physiologist with over a decade of experience treating athletes from all levels—especially those dealing with hamstring injuries and ACL reconstructions.

In this episode, Dr. Jack Hickey, a leading researcher in hamstring injuries, shares valuable insights into the complexities of hamstring rehabilitation and injury prevention. He discusses the common misconceptions surrounding hamstring rehab, emphasizing the importance of understanding the adaptations targeted by specific exercises rather than simply mimicking injury mechanisms. Dr. Hickey also delves into the significance of hamstring muscle architecture, particularly the role of fascicle length as a modifiable risk factor for injury. He highlights recent research comparing the effectiveness of exercises like Nordic hamstring exercises and Romanian deadlifts in enhancing fascicle length.

Dr. Hickey further explores his pioneering work in pain threshold rehabilitation, explaining how allowing low to moderate levels of pain during rehab can lead to better strength and muscle adaptation without delaying return-to-play timelines. He also touches on the fragility index as a measure of the robustness of risk factors associated with hamstring injuries.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hickey underscores the importance of individualized rehab programs, incorporating both on-field and gym-based conditioning, and the need to prioritize fundamental principles such as load management and athlete well-being. He also provides a glimpse into ongoing and future research endeavors aimed at advancing our understanding of hamstring injury mechanics and prevention strategies. This episode is packed with practical advice and evidence-based approaches for clinicians, making it a must-listen for those involved in sports medicine and rehabilitation.