Highly qualified Aspetar sports medicine experts dedicated to Qatar National Team. Aspetar puts its world-class expertise at the disposal of the Qatar National Football Team during their participation in the 16th Asian Cup. Doha: 11 January 2015, Aspetar is providing first-class medical healthcare and support services to the Qatar National Football Team during their participation in the 16th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competition, which takes place every four years and will be hosted by Australia for the first time this year, Aspetar’s highly qualified sports medicine staff, will be on site to provide all the care required by the players of the national team. Aspetar through the National sports Medicine Programme (NSMP) has assigned highly qualified sports medicine staff to accompany the Qatar National Team in Australia and includes a Team Doctor, two Physiotherapists, a Massage Therapists, a Nutritionist and a Field Rehabilitator. Aspetar will also provide backup for the medical staff and team doctor of the Qatar National Team to assist with advice required on any specific issues to coordinate any medical requirements, such as requesting a second opinion on any results or procedures. Dr Khalifa al Kuwari, Director General of Aspetar, said:

“At Aspetar we feel that it is our role to provide high quality sports medicine services to our national team, as we strive to develop and motivate the most talented Qatari players. We provide them with the best medical healthcare they need to succeed. We know they will give their best during the Asian Cup, and hope they can achieve the same outstanding performance they showed during the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations”.

Few days before they travel to Australia in preparation for the Asian Cup, Aspetar outlined specific individual programmes that are in place for players, such as the prevention of injury, and nutrition and dietary issues. Part of the team’s programme is to travel to Australia at a much earlier date than the competition to enable the players to overcome jetlag so it does not negatively influence their performance. During this time, the players will work with the medical staff to discuss any concerns they may have on travelling internationally, such as the best way to adjust to a different climate. This advice is formulated in close connection with the Sport Science Specialists at Aspetar. The vaccination status of each team member is also important, and is reviewed to ensure that all players are up to date. Vaccinations are a critical part of travelling, especially as the national team travel to different continents and medical services can be affected by lack of knowledge of the country, or the differing opinions of local doctors. Vaccinations can also prevent diseases that might negatively influence the performance of individual players, as well as the performance of the team. Before the tournament, Aspetar’s highly qualified and experienced sports medicine staff are given easy access to the national team players to give them the opportunity to discuss any possible concerns they may have within certain fields of expertise. For example, a player may need advice on medication, such as preventative medication, international customs standards or prohibited substances. Dr Hakim Chalabi, Assistant Director General for International Medical Affairs and Programmes & Centres of Excellence, said:

“Athlete screening provides important information about the players, which, although working routinely on a day-to-day basis. It provides the ability to specifically screen for potential weaknesses, such as vitamin deficiencies, as well as the possibility of having specific attention for the function of the heart. The information gathered also gives us the opportunity to make an individual prevention programme, advise the players, and act to correct if and when possible”.

The national team players undergo yearly screening tests, including blood tests, X-rays, a nursing / medical assessment, DEXA, physio / isokinetic testing, ultrasound and cardiology tests. This allows the players to complete their PCMA / pre-participation screening, their performance assessment and their biomechanical screening all in one day. Such tests give Aspetar’s medical team a comprehensive picture of each player’s fitness levels, and whether they have any potential physiological problems. Aspetar provided first-class medical healthcare and support services to the national football teams of both Algeria and the Ivory Coast during their participation in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil ™. As the official medical provider for both teams, Aspetar sent two delegations of world-class doctors and physiotherapists to assist the athletes in reaching their full potential. Aspetar not only supported the Algerian and Ivorian teams throughout the world cup tournament, but also continue to provide medical services to the two national teams who will participate to the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015.