Experts from Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital took part in the Asics Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport (ACSMS 2013) last week. The conference, held in Thailand, is a multidisciplinary meeting held annually for professionals with an interest or a specialisation in sports medicine, sports science, physical activity promotion and sports injury prevention. Aspetar experts, led by Dr. Hakim Chalabi, Acting Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of the National Sports Medical Programme, presented a number of lectures on a diverse range of subjects from issues arising when training in the heat to soccer related injuries. Dr Chalabi said,

“The conference offers an ideal opportunity to promote the high calibre work we do at Aspetar and network with other experts in the medical research field. Our staff have a wealth of knowledge and expertise which they are keen to share whilst also seeking learn from others through attending this conference. It is an interdisciplinary event which promotes knowledge and practice in sports science and sports medicine through interactive educational forums which is ultimately to the benefit of our work and for all those we treat at Aspetar”.

Dr. Mathew Wilson, Lead Performance Physiologist, spoke about controversies in sport cardiology with a lecture titled, ‘Protecting the Heart of the Athlete’. According to Dr. Wilson regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and subsequent sudden cardiac death. “However, a small, but notable proportion of athletes, die suddenly due to a number of inherited and congenital disorders of the heart, which may indicate susceptibility to malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Such tragedies are highly publicised, particularly when high-profile athletes are involved,” added Dr. Wilson. During the symposium on ‘Heat and Altitude: Challenges and Opportunities’ two Aspetar experts presented lectures. Dr. York Olaf Schumakher, Sports Medicine Physician, delivered a lecture titled ‘Training at Altitude: Current Knowledge and Future Directions’ and Sebastien Racinias, Scientific Researcher presented ‘Competing and Training in the Heat’. Speaking on a highly topical issue, Dr. Cristiano Eirale, an Aspetar Sports Medicine Physician, discussed the subject of ‘Soccer Injuries on the Road to the World Cup Qatar 2022: Main Obstacles and Challenges’.

“We performed research investigating injury incidence and patterns in Qatar, in order to identify specific regional risk factors, with the ultimate aim of developing tailored prevention programs,” explained Dr. Eirale.

“In line with our results, in the Middle East, prevention can follow European guidelines, but additional risk factors related to specific injuries like strains and ruptures, and situations such as matches should be explored. Ramadan has showed no impact on the risk of injury but the influence of other features of a Middle East country, such as heat, has to be further investigated.”. Over 400 delegates from different countries and with differing medical backgrounds attended the event held at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and was organised by Sports Medicine Australia. ACSMS 2013 focused on current research and practice in areas relating to the promotion of, and safe participation in, all kinds of sport, exercise and physical activity. Aspetar, based in Doha, Qatar, is a world leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first of this kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, the hospital has provided, and continues to provide, top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the art facility that sets new standards internationally. In 2009 Aspetar was officially accredited as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence (F-MARC). Aspetar is a member-organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.