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Professor Nicola Phillips
(she/her)
OBE
- Media commentator
Teams and roles for Nicola Phillips
Emerita Professor: physiotherapy
Overview
I am an Emerita Professor in physiotherapy based in the School of Healthcare Sciences. I also work as a part time consultant physiotherapist.
My main area of experience is in the field of sports injury management, with a specific interest in sports rehabilitation. Sports experience includes working with the Welsh and British Weightlifting teams, professional rugby Union, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. I currently provide consultancy support for Welsh Rugby Players Association and Wales Touch Association. I am a Board member on UK Anti-Doping and Commonwealth Games Council for Wales. Research and clinical interest within this field is in functional rehabilitation of knee and shoulder injuries.
In the 2019 New Year's Honours List, I recieved an OBE for services to physiotherapy
Publication
2025
- Walker, K., Phillips, N. and Sheeran, L. 2025. Exploring the use of digital technology for injury prevention and self-management among recreational runners. Physical Therapy in Sport 71, pp. 85-91. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.12.004)
2024
- Clenin, G. E. and Phillips, N. 2024. How can I strengthen safeguarding in sports as team physio and team doctor?. Sports & Exercise Medicine Switzerland 72(1), pp. 54-56. (10.34045/SEMS/2024/15)
- Phillips, N., Mario, B. and Nicolas, M. 2024. Safeguarding in sports physiotherapy. Sports & Exercise Medicine Switzerland 72(1), pp. 13-15. (10.34045/SEMS/2024/14)
2021
- Paterson, C. and Phillips, N. 2021. Developing sports physiotherapy expertise - the value of informal learning. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 16(3), pp. 959-961. (10.26603/001c.23608)
- Walker, K., Phillips, N. and Sheeran, L. 2021. Recreational runners’ attitudes towards running-related injury prevention, self-management and the use of digital technology to prevent and self-manage injury. Presented at: 2021 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport, Monaco, 25-27 November, 2021.
2020
- Phillips, N. and Paterson, C. 2020. Growing sports physiotherapy experts takes a village. Technical, creative and contextual learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. British Journal of Sports Medicine 54, pp. 499-501. (10.1136/bjsports-2019-101333)
2016
- Adern, C. et al. 2016. 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. British Journal of Sports Medicine 50, pp. 853-864. (10.1136/bjsports-2016-096278)
2015
- Phillips, N., Grant, M. E. and Booth, L. 2015. Using criteria-based interview models for assessing clinical expertise to select physiotherapists at major multisport games. British Journal of Sports Medicine 49(5), pp. 312-317. (10.1136/bjsports-2014-094176)
- Glasgow, P., Phillips, N. and Bleakley, C. 2015. Optimal loading: key variables and mechanisms. British Journal of Sports Medicine 49(5), pp. 278-279. (10.1136/bjsports-2014-094443)
2014
- Phillips, N. 2014. Measuring physiotherapy intervention in high performance sport [Editorial]. Physical Therapy in Sport 15(1), pp. 1-2. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2013.08.006)
- Grant, M., Steffen, K., Glasgow, P., Phillips, N., Booth, L. and Galligan, M. 2014. The role of sports physiotherapy at the London 2012 Olympic Games. British Journal of Sports Medicine 48(1), pp. 63-70. (10.1136/bjsports-2013-093169)
2013
- Glasgow, P., Bleakley, C. M. and Phillips, N. 2013. Being able to adapt to variable stimuli: The key driver in injury and illness prevention?. British Journal of Sports Medicine 47, pp. 64-65. (10.1136/bjsports-2012-091960)
2012
- Baker, T., Day, R. and Phillips, N. 2012. Physical Performance Assessment. PCT/GB2012/051148 [Patent].
- Phillips, N. and Becker, C. 2012. Olympic event: Logistical and treatment considerations. In: Zachazewski, J. E. and Magee, D. J. eds. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science: Sports Therapy Services: Organization and Operations. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 48-67., (10.1002/9781118429778.ch6)
- Zachazewski,, J. E., Boland, J. E. and Phillips, N. 2012. A history of sports medicine and sports therapy. In: Zachazewski, J. E. and Magee, D. J. eds. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science: Sports Therapy Services: Organization and Operations. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 9-18., (10.1002/9781118429778.ch2)
2011
- Day, R., Phillips, N. and Baker, T. 2011. Intelligent Rehabilitation. GB1108577.6 [Patent].
- Griffith, R., McNamee, M. and Phillips, N. 2011. On the duty of the doctor not to disclose athlete doping data without consent. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics 3(2), pp. 191-203. (10.1080/19406940.2011.579144)
- McNamee, M. and Phillips, N. 2011. Confidentiality, disclosure and doping in sports medicine. British Journal of Sports Medicine 45(3), pp. 174-177. (10.1136/bjsm.2009.064253)
2010
- Phillips, N. 2010. Motor learning. In: Everett, T. and Kell, C. eds. Human Movement: An Introductory Text. 6th ed.. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, pp. 85-101.
2009
- Phillips, N. 2009. Postgraduate specialisation in sports physiotherapy -Academic or clinical expertise?. Physical Therapy in Sport 10(3), pp. 83. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2009.05.003)
- Phillips, N. and Sharp, T. N. 2009. Functional outcome measures following ACL-r. Presented at: ACPSM National Conference, Belfast, 2009.
2008
- Orchard, J. W. et al. 2008. The early management of muscle strains in the elite athlete: best practice in a world with a limited evidence basis [Editorial]. British Journal of Sports Medicine 42(3), pp. 158-159. (10.1136/bjsm.2008.046722)
- Phillips, N. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2008. Landing stability in anterior cruciate ligament deficient versus healthy individuals: A motor control approach. Physical Therapy in Sport 9(4), pp. 193-201. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.06.010)
2007
- Fairclough, J. et al. 2007. Is iliotibial band syndrome really a friction syndrome?. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 10(2), pp. 74-76. (10.1016/j.jsams.2006.05.017)
- Phillips, N. 2007. Measuring flexibility. In: Winter, E. M. and Jones, A. M. eds. Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines: Volume II - Exercise and Clinical Testing: The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Guide. London: Routledge, pp. 84-100.
2006
- Fairclough, J. et al. 2006. The structure of the iliotibial band in relation to iliotibial band friction syndrome. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38(5), pp. S552-S552.
- Toumi, H., Poumarat, G., Phillips, N., Benjamin, M., Best, T. M. and Fairclough, J. 2006. An anatomical and electrophysiological study of vastus medialis - how distinct is its distal oblique component?: 1682: board #55 2: pm – 3:00 pm. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38(5), pp. S261-S261.
- Fairclough, J. et al. 2006. The functional anatomy of the iliotibial band during flexion and extension of the knee: implications for understanding iliotibial band syndrome. Journal of Anatomy 208(3), pp. 309-316. (10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00531.x)
2000
- Phillips, N., Benjamin, M., Everett, T. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2000. Outcome and progression measures in rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament injury. Physical Therapy in Sport 1(4), pp. 106-118. (10.1054/ptsp.2000.0031)
Articles
- Walker, K., Phillips, N. and Sheeran, L. 2025. Exploring the use of digital technology for injury prevention and self-management among recreational runners. Physical Therapy in Sport 71, pp. 85-91. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2024.12.004)
- Clenin, G. E. and Phillips, N. 2024. How can I strengthen safeguarding in sports as team physio and team doctor?. Sports & Exercise Medicine Switzerland 72(1), pp. 54-56. (10.34045/SEMS/2024/15)
- Phillips, N., Mario, B. and Nicolas, M. 2024. Safeguarding in sports physiotherapy. Sports & Exercise Medicine Switzerland 72(1), pp. 13-15. (10.34045/SEMS/2024/14)
- Paterson, C. and Phillips, N. 2021. Developing sports physiotherapy expertise - the value of informal learning. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 16(3), pp. 959-961. (10.26603/001c.23608)
- Phillips, N. and Paterson, C. 2020. Growing sports physiotherapy experts takes a village. Technical, creative and contextual learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. British Journal of Sports Medicine 54, pp. 499-501. (10.1136/bjsports-2019-101333)
- Adern, C. et al. 2016. 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. British Journal of Sports Medicine 50, pp. 853-864. (10.1136/bjsports-2016-096278)
- Phillips, N., Grant, M. E. and Booth, L. 2015. Using criteria-based interview models for assessing clinical expertise to select physiotherapists at major multisport games. British Journal of Sports Medicine 49(5), pp. 312-317. (10.1136/bjsports-2014-094176)
- Glasgow, P., Phillips, N. and Bleakley, C. 2015. Optimal loading: key variables and mechanisms. British Journal of Sports Medicine 49(5), pp. 278-279. (10.1136/bjsports-2014-094443)
- Phillips, N. 2014. Measuring physiotherapy intervention in high performance sport [Editorial]. Physical Therapy in Sport 15(1), pp. 1-2. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2013.08.006)
- Grant, M., Steffen, K., Glasgow, P., Phillips, N., Booth, L. and Galligan, M. 2014. The role of sports physiotherapy at the London 2012 Olympic Games. British Journal of Sports Medicine 48(1), pp. 63-70. (10.1136/bjsports-2013-093169)
- Glasgow, P., Bleakley, C. M. and Phillips, N. 2013. Being able to adapt to variable stimuli: The key driver in injury and illness prevention?. British Journal of Sports Medicine 47, pp. 64-65. (10.1136/bjsports-2012-091960)
- Griffith, R., McNamee, M. and Phillips, N. 2011. On the duty of the doctor not to disclose athlete doping data without consent. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics 3(2), pp. 191-203. (10.1080/19406940.2011.579144)
- McNamee, M. and Phillips, N. 2011. Confidentiality, disclosure and doping in sports medicine. British Journal of Sports Medicine 45(3), pp. 174-177. (10.1136/bjsm.2009.064253)
- Phillips, N. 2009. Postgraduate specialisation in sports physiotherapy -Academic or clinical expertise?. Physical Therapy in Sport 10(3), pp. 83. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2009.05.003)
- Orchard, J. W. et al. 2008. The early management of muscle strains in the elite athlete: best practice in a world with a limited evidence basis [Editorial]. British Journal of Sports Medicine 42(3), pp. 158-159. (10.1136/bjsm.2008.046722)
- Phillips, N. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2008. Landing stability in anterior cruciate ligament deficient versus healthy individuals: A motor control approach. Physical Therapy in Sport 9(4), pp. 193-201. (10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.06.010)
- Fairclough, J. et al. 2007. Is iliotibial band syndrome really a friction syndrome?. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 10(2), pp. 74-76. (10.1016/j.jsams.2006.05.017)
- Fairclough, J. et al. 2006. The structure of the iliotibial band in relation to iliotibial band friction syndrome. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38(5), pp. S552-S552.
- Toumi, H., Poumarat, G., Phillips, N., Benjamin, M., Best, T. M. and Fairclough, J. 2006. An anatomical and electrophysiological study of vastus medialis - how distinct is its distal oblique component?: 1682: board #55 2: pm – 3:00 pm. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38(5), pp. S261-S261.
- Fairclough, J. et al. 2006. The functional anatomy of the iliotibial band during flexion and extension of the knee: implications for understanding iliotibial band syndrome. Journal of Anatomy 208(3), pp. 309-316. (10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00531.x)
- Phillips, N., Benjamin, M., Everett, T. and Van Deursen, R. W. M. 2000. Outcome and progression measures in rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament injury. Physical Therapy in Sport 1(4), pp. 106-118. (10.1054/ptsp.2000.0031)
Book sections
- Phillips, N. and Becker, C. 2012. Olympic event: Logistical and treatment considerations. In: Zachazewski, J. E. and Magee, D. J. eds. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science: Sports Therapy Services: Organization and Operations. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 48-67., (10.1002/9781118429778.ch6)
- Zachazewski,, J. E., Boland, J. E. and Phillips, N. 2012. A history of sports medicine and sports therapy. In: Zachazewski, J. E. and Magee, D. J. eds. Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science: Sports Therapy Services: Organization and Operations. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 9-18., (10.1002/9781118429778.ch2)
- Phillips, N. 2010. Motor learning. In: Everett, T. and Kell, C. eds. Human Movement: An Introductory Text. 6th ed.. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, pp. 85-101.
- Phillips, N. 2007. Measuring flexibility. In: Winter, E. M. and Jones, A. M. eds. Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines: Volume II - Exercise and Clinical Testing: The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Guide. London: Routledge, pp. 84-100.
Conferences
- Walker, K., Phillips, N. and Sheeran, L. 2021. Recreational runners’ attitudes towards running-related injury prevention, self-management and the use of digital technology to prevent and self-manage injury. Presented at: 2021 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport, Monaco, 25-27 November, 2021.
- Phillips, N. and Sharp, T. N. 2009. Functional outcome measures following ACL-r. Presented at: ACPSM National Conference, Belfast, 2009.
Patents
- Baker, T., Day, R. and Phillips, N. 2012. Physical Performance Assessment. PCT/GB2012/051148 [Patent].
- Day, R., Phillips, N. and Baker, T. 2011. Intelligent Rehabilitation. GB1108577.6 [Patent].
Research
I completed my PhD in Cardiff University on the challenges of functional coping in ACL deficiency. Post-doctoral research has concentrated on the development of outcome and progression measures following musculoskeletal and sports injury, attempting to develop clinically accessible measures validated against laboratory equipment. This has included biomechanical analysis of lower limb dysfunction.
Motor control implications of musculoskeletal injury and subsequent motor learning strategies in functional sports rehabilitation has also been a particular area of interest through student supervision and independent small research projects. This has involved the effect of conditions such as functional ankle instability or ACL deficiency as well as post-exercise fatigue or ice packs on factors such as absorption power, muscle onset times, joint angular velocity and time taken to stabilize as well as accuracy in performance of skilled tasks. I am also involved in a number of research projects investigating barriers and facilitators to exercise, especially in populaions with a co-morbidity, as well as facilitating professional development towards expert practice in sport and exercise physiotherapy.
Teaching
Prior to retirement, I was Programme Manager for the MSc Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy, also teaching across the subject specific modules and supervising PGT and PGR research in this area. I continue to input into selected teaching sessions in my specialist area.
I teach a variety of workshops, seminars and keynote lectures nationally and internationally. These are mainly related to functional rehabilitation in sport, with a specific emphasis on the importace of optimal loading.
Biography
I worked as a clinician for 16 years prior to joining the academic staff at Cardiff University, School of Healthcare Studies. I completed a MSc in Sports Injury and Therapy in Manchester Metropolitan University in 1996 and a PhD in functional coping in ACL deficiency in 2004. I was Programme Manager MSc Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy prior to my retirement from the university. I remain involved in some teaching, supervision and a range of student engagement activities related to sports physiotherapy.
I have travelled with Welsh and British Teams to Major Games, including Commonwealth and Olympic Games, with my work in sport more recently devloping into general leaership. I was Chef de Mission for Team Wales at the Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Awards
- Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 2011
- International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) European Travelling Fellowship recipient 2004.
Professional activities
- Member of editorial board of Physical Therapy in Sport
- Chief Physiotherapist for Team GB for Beijing Olympics
- President of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (2011-2017)
- Board member of UK Anti-Doping (UKAD)
- Board Director of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales
- Associate Editor British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Member of the IOC Prevention Conference 2020 Scientific Committee
Reviewer
- Physical Therapy in Sport
- British Journal of Sports Medicine
Honours and awards
- International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) European Travelling Fellowship recipient 2004
- Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 2011
- Honorary Life Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine
Professional memberships
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Health Care Professions Council
- Registered International Sports Physical Therapist
Academic positions
- Director for Innovation and International School of Healthcare Studies
- Vice Dean School of Healthcare Sciences
