A Unique Journey from Olympic Training Center to UFC with Dr. Heather Linden

Sports Science Dudes

Step into the world of Mixed Martial Arts with none other than Dr. Heather Linden, the Senior Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute. Drawing from her remarkable journey from the Olympics to the UFC, Heather enlightens us about the unique challenges and rewards of working with world-class MMA athletes. She takes us behind the scenes of creating a top-tier sports medicine clinic from scratch and building an interdisciplinary team to work with UFC fighters from across the globe.
Dr. Heather Linden is the Senior Director of Physical Therapy for the UFC Performance Institute (UFCPI). She manages both UFCPI sports medicine departments in Las Vegas, NV, and Shanghai, China. Recently, Heather was awarded the “Trainer of the Year” award at the 2022 World MMA Awards. Before joining the UFC, Heather worked at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Sports Medicine Division and was the director of an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles.

Heather worked at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center for over six years as part of the USOPC’s multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. Heather was on staff for Team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games, 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, 2015 Parapan Am Games, 2016 Youth Winter Olympic Games, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Heather’s current responsibilities include injury prevention, designing and implementing rehabs, performing baseline orthopedic and baseline concussion testing, performing daily treatments, concussion management, and providing UFC fight week support.

Heather is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and supports the Orthopedic Sections within APTA. Heather is a Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the APTA. Her certifications include Pilates Instructor, Kinesio-Tape Techniques, Mobilization with Movement, Graston, Dry Needling, Functional Dry Needling, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Myofascial Decompression, Myofascial Manipulation, Functional Range Conditioning, Endo-Nasal Technique, Active Release, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, Postural Restoration, Blood Flow Restriction, Craniosacral therapy, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).

Linden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Old Dominion University. She was an honors graduate and a collegiate varsity athlete.

About the Show

We cover all things related to sports science, nutrition, and performance. The Sports Science Dudes represent the opinions of the hosts and guests. They are not the official opinions of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the Society for Sports Neuroscience, or Nova Southeastern University. The advice provided on this show should not be construed as medical advice and is purely an educational forum.

Hosted by Jose Antonio PhD

Dr. Antonio is the co-founder and CEO of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and the co-founder of the Society for Sports Neuroscience, www.issn.net. Dr. Antonio has over 120 peer-reviewed publications, 16 books, and is a Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida in the Department of Health, and Human Performance.

Twitter: @JoseAntonioPhD

Instagram: the_issn and supphd

Co-host Anthony Ricci EdD

Dr Ricci is an expert on Fight Sports and is an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University in Davie Florida in the Department of Health and Human Performance.

Instagram: sportpsy_sci_doc and fightshape_ricci

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1. A Unique Journey from Olympic Training Center to UFC with Dr. Heather Linden (00:00:00)

2. Sports Science in MMA (00:00:01)

3. UFC Performance Institutes and Cultural Considerations (00:06:24)

4. MMA Combine Testing and Athlete Recruitment (00:16:08)

5. Wrestling vs. Boxing Difficulty Comparison (00:26:32)

6. Genetics and Injuries in MMA (00:34:18)

7. Growth and Future of MMA (00:44:12)