In a groundbreaking initiative, Aspetar, the world-renowned Orthopeadic, and Sports Medicine Hospital hosted an unprecedented Symposium on Saturday 24^th November at its state-of-the-art facility in Doha.

The Travel Sports Medicine Symposium is an initiative specifically aimed at empowering healthcare professionals and scientists traveling with athletes to training camps and competitions with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.  For this event, a distinguished Aspetar and international faculty of experts shared and discussed the best evidence approach to protecting athlete health and optimizing performance when traveling.

This Symposium comes at a pivotal time as Qatar will host several major international sporting events in Doha —the world’s sports capital- including the Asian Cup 2023 and World Aquatics Championships.

Dr. Juan Alonso, Aspetar physician, and Chairperson of the Scientific Planning Committee emphasised the significance of the Symposium, stating:

This is the only international symposium dedicated exclusively to the medical aspects of transoceanic travel for sports teams. Aspetar is committed to advancing the field of sports medicine, and this event underscores our dedication to ensuring the well-being of athletes on a global scale.

The carefully crafted one-day Symposium addressed several key topics relevant to the optimal health and performance of athletes when traveling to compete globally. Furthermore, the Symposium aimed to equip healthcare professionals, scientists, coaches, and athletes with the knowledge and strategies necessary to navigate the challenges associated with travel fatigue, and jet lag, preventing travel-related illnesses, and promoting overall well-being.

The interactive Symposium featured such important sessions as: Management of Jet Lag and Travel Fatigue in Sport; Nutrition for Travel; and Sleep Pharmacological Management: Achieving Optimal Outcomes for Traveling Athletes.

Topics discussed also included infection prevention on international travels, and the concept and approaches for vaccination - addressing critical health considerations.

There were also sessions on travel bag/logistics, applying appropriate travel planning and medical equipment preparation, drug importation regulations, and smooth medication travel planning.  

About Aspetar:

Aspetar is a world-leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, with a world expert team, the hospital has provided top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the-art facility that sets new standards internationally.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC. In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a reference collaborator centre by the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health Ministers Council and “The IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health” in 2014.

In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”. In the same year, the hospital also achieved obtained-on December 15 the Accreditation Canada International (ACI) “Platinum Level”.

Aspetar is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.