The Performance/Precaution Tradeoff: Player Health

John DiFiori – Director of Sports Medicine, NBA

Casey Smith – Head Athletic Trainer, Dallas Mavericks

Adir Shiffman – Executive Chairman, Catapult

Gretchen Reynolds (Moderator) – “Phys Ed” Columnist, The New York Times

 

The days of rubbing dirt on an injury and returning to the game are over. Fans watch games to see their favorite athletes and teams perform at a high level, and so the processes and technologies in place to maintain player health are paramount to the quality of the product on the field. Consequently, more and more investment is going into both preventative and reactive measures to improve athlete health. What are the key considerations when seeking to maximize performance and stay healthy? What data is available to help illuminate risks and prolong careers? How can teams and players balance exercising caution without being overprotective? This panel brings together the experts working to explore the opportunities in maximizing player performance, extending careers, and keeping athletes healthy.