Progressive Sports Medicine · Sydney
About Dr David Samra
Sport & Exercise Physician
MBBS (Hons) · BAppSc (Phys) · FACSEP · EM Cert (RPA)
Dr Samra is Director of Progressive Sports Medicine in Sydney's Inner West, and a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sydney. He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (FACSEP) and practises across all areas of Sport and Exercise Medicine and non-surgical orthopaedics.
Alongside his musculoskeletal practice, Dr Samra has a special interest in metabolic and longevity medicine, helping patients optimise both musculoskeletal health and overall healthspan.
Clinical Leadership
Director, Progressive Sports Medicine
Specialist sports medicine, longevity and non-surgical orthopaedic care at the Leichhardt clinic.
Academic
Clinical Lecturer, University of Sydney
Affiliate Clinical Lecturer with the School of Health Sciences, contributing to teaching, supervision and applied research.
Specialist Fellowship
FACSEP — Sport & Exercise Physician
Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, the recognised specialist credential in Sports Medicine.
Clinical practice
Dr Samra practises across all areas of Sport and Exercise Medicine and non-surgical orthopaedics, including:
- Exercise prescription — individualised programs to manage injury, chronic disease and performance.
- Dietary optimisation — including nutritional review and weight-loss medicine.
- Injection treatments — including LR-PRP and LP-PRP ultrasound-guided therapies.
- Lifestyle optimisation — bone, muscle and metabolic health across the lifespan.
Dr Samra sees patients of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds. A doctor's referral is required to consult Dr Samra and to receive a Medicare rebate.
A special interest in metabolic & longevity medicine
Dr Samra's clinical interests extend beyond musculoskeletal medicine into the biological systems that drive long-term function: metabolism, body composition, cardiovascular fitness and inflammation.
Healthspan Medicine
Optimising musculoskeletal health and overall healthspan
The musculoskeletal system is often the first body system to show signs of metabolic disease — and the same physiological pathways that drive injury risk also drive cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive decline in later life. Dr Samra applies a structured, evidence-based framework to address these drivers early, with the goal of extending the years patients spend in full physical and cognitive function.
This work is delivered through the dedicated Progressive Longevity Clinic at Progressive Sports Medicine.
Medical care for elite sport
Dr Samra has provided medical care for athletes involved with the following sports clubs and organisations:
- Sydney Swans — Team Doctor (AFL)
- Volleyroos — FIVB Volleyball, Sydney
- Penrith Panthers — NRL, Sydney
- Rowing Australia — Penrith, Sydney
- 6-Foot Track — Katoomba
- Kona Ironman — Hawaii
- Cricket NSW
- Sydney Sixers
- Indigenous Sports Medicine — NCIE
- Sydney University Rugby
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery — University of Sydney, MBBS (1st Class Honours)
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) — University of Sydney, BAppSc (Phys)
- Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians(FACSEP)
- Certificate of Emergency Medicine(ACEM) — Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Honours & awards
- MBBS — 1st Class Honours
- BAppSc (Phys) — Dean's Award for Outstanding Academic Performance
- AM Taylor Orthopaedic Scholarship
- AFL Doctors Fellowship in AFL Medicine
- Certificate of Emergency Medicine (ACEM)
- Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians
Medical teaching
Dr Samra has actively participated in educational programs including:
- Clinical Lecturer, University of Sydney — School of Health Sciences
- NSW Sports MedSoc — Foundation Lecturer and Tutor
- Instructor for Advanced Life Support Level 2
- Clinical Tutor — Sydney Medical School
- Clinical Tutor — UNSW Medical School
Professional associations
- NSW Sports Medicine Australia — Education Board
- Australian Commission for Quality and Safety — Osteoarthritis
- Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP)
- Australian Resuscitation Council
- Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)
- Sports Medicine NSW — Board Member
- Australian Medical Association
Accreditations & courses
Dr Samra has undertaken advanced courses and continued medical training, and is accredited by a number of national and international Sports Medicine organisations. These include:
- IRB Immediate Care in Rugby — Level 3
- ACNEM Nutrition Module
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) Advanced Team Physician Course
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound — Advanced Training
- Emergency Management of Severe Trauma (EMST)
- Diagnostic Ultrasound for Emergency Practitioners
- Emergency Medicine Crisis Management
- Complete Concussion Management — Accredited Physician
- Diploma in Remedial Sports Massage
Affiliations & research
- Affiliate Clinical Lecturer, School of Health Sciences — University of Sydney
- Affiliate Clinical Researcher, Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Group — University of Sydney
- Journal Reviewer, Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Selected publications
- Samra DJ, Sman A, Rae K, Linklater J, Hiller CE, Refshauge KM. Effectiveness of a single platelet-rich plasma injection to promote recovery in rugby players with ankle syndesmosis injury.
- Orchard JW, Puranik R, Semsarian C, Kountouris A, Orchard JJ, Samra DJ. Prevention of sudden cardiac death in cricketers.
- Samra DJ, Orchard JW. Patterns of platelet-rich plasma use among Australasian Sports Physicians.
- Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Care Standard — Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
- Injuries in Australian Rules Football: an overview of injury rates, patterns, and mechanisms across all levels of play.
- Adjunctive treatments for osteoarthritis knee pain — The Medical Republic.
Consult with Dr Samra
Dr Samra consults from Progressive Sports Medicine in Leichhardt. A doctor's referral is required to receive a Medicare rebate. To learn about specific services, visit the clinic websites below.
