Jess Elis - Navigating Ethics & Improving Athlete Data Processes

Episode 199: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, Andy McDonald is joined by Jess Elis, founder of Rehab Code and one of the sharpest minds in elite sports medicine.

Elis earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy before pursuing a PhD and multiple board certifications in orthopedics and sports. His career spans leadership roles as Director of Physical Therapy at EXOS and later as Vice President of Player Health for the New York Knicks. With a career dedicated to blending science, ethics, and athlete welfare, Elis offers a unique perspective at the intersection of research and practice.

Topics Discussed:

• Exploring Ethics in Sports

• Themes from the Research

• Communication and Consent

• Team Data Strategy

• Ethical Considerations in Testing

• The Human Element in Data Collection

Key Points

• Athletes frequently resist the use of wearable technology due to significant privacy concerns and the potential negative impact on their careers. This resistance is often rooted in a lack of understanding about how the data will be used, underscoring the necessity for transparent communication and education. By clearly demonstrating the benefits and limitations of data collection, teams can build trust and encourage athlete buy-in.

• Communication inconsistencies across different sports teams can lead to a breakdown in trust between athletes and management. Athletes often feel left in the dark about how their data is being utilized. To address this, teams should implement standardized communication protocols that provide clear, consistent information about the purpose and benefits of data collection, ensuring that athletes understand how it relates to their personal and professional development.

• The consent processes currently in place for sports data collection are often insufficient, with athletes not fully informed about the scope and purpose of data collection. Ethical data collection requires comprehensive, written consent that details what data is being collected, how it will be used, and the potential benefits and risks. This transparency is crucial for obtaining genuine consent and fostering trust between athletes and organizations.

• Data management presents challenges related to ownership and accessibility. Many athletes do not see the value in their data, particularly when it is not directly linked to their performance outcomes. Additionally, discrepancies in data interoperability between in-season and off-season devices can lead to disinterest. Addressing these issues requires clear communication about the benefits of data and ensuring athletes have access to their information.

• Variability in technology standards across teams can create pressure on athletes to comply with data collection practices. Athletes may feel that the emphasis on technology is more about validating staff roles than improving performance, leading to ethical concerns about the true purpose of data collection. It is important for teams to align technology use with genuine performance enhancement goals.

• Athletes' personal beliefs about technology influence their willingness to engage with data collection. Some athletes embrace technology for its potential to enhance performance, while others resist due to concerns about surveillance and data misuse. Understanding these beliefs is crucial for tailoring data collection practices to individual athletes and ensuring ethical compliance.

• Team strategy plays a significant role in how data is used and perceived by athletes. If data collected is not acted upon by coaching staff, it can lead to frustration and non-compliance from athletes. It is essential for all team members, including front office and medical staff, to be involved in data-related decisions to ensure transparency and trust.

• The concept of the "medical gaze" highlights the ethical concern of reducing athletes to mere data points. This perspective can lead to a loss of individuality and autonomy for athletes, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in how data is collected and used. Teams should strive to maintain athletes' humanity and individuality in all data-related practices.

• Medical paternalism, where medical staff alter communication to achieve desired outcomes, poses ethical challenges. A shared decision-making model, where athletes are involved in data-related decisions, is preferred to ensure ethical compliance and respect for athlete autonomy. This approach fosters collaboration and mutual respect between athletes and medical staff.

• The ethical implications of data collection extend beyond the sports field, impacting athletes' personal lives. Tracking athletes' sleep or other personal metrics can blur the line between professional and personal boundaries, raising ethical concerns about privacy and autonomy. It is crucial to treat athletes as individuals and not just subjects of data collection, ensuring their personal lives are respected and protected.

Where you can find Jess Elis:

• Rehab Code

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.