Tom O'Brien

Dr Tom O’Brien is Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Applied Disability and Para-Sport at Loughborough University, specialising in performance optimisation within Paralympic sport through integrated physiological, biomechanical, and data-driven approaches. Drawing on his experience as a performance scientist with GB Wheelchair Rugby across the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic cycles, Tom has led innovative training, recovery, and monitoring solutions, including the development of applied data tools for athlete profiling, load monitoring, and talent identification.
His PhD research explored thermoregulatory challenges and effective cooling strategies in wheelchair rugby, contributing to performance gains that supported GB’s Tokyo 2020 gold medal success. Tom’s current and future research focuses on advancing data-informed practice in Paralympic sport, including wheelchair mobility performance analytics, fatigue monitoring, and quantifying forces involved in wheelchair sport to inform concussion risk and prevention strategies. He is committed to translating complex scientific insights into impactful, accessible tools that enhance performance pathways and promote athlete welfare across para-sport.