ESSM RECEIVES THE IOC MEDICAL COMMISSION RESEARCH GRANT

After a rigorous, global selection process by an independent expert panel, the Clinical Sports Medicine Research group of the UCT/MRC Research Unit of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM), University of Cape Town has been identified as one of four top research centers in the world to receive International Olympic Committee (IOC) funding for the next four years. The grant from the IOC's Medical Commission will enable ESSM's Clinical Sports Medicine research group, which investigates injuries and medical conditions associated with sport and exercise, to significantly expand this research area in the coming years. The aim of this research, funded by the IOC’s Medical Commission – will be to increase knowledge in the field of injury prevention and the protection of athletes' health. This accolade follows hot on the heels of the same unit, based at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, receiving  FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence status earlier this year.

The other three successful research units are:

• the Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, University of Calgary, Canada

• the Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (CIPSP), School of Human Movement & Sport Sciences, University of Ballarat, Australia

• the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norway

Says Prof Lars Engebretsen of the IOC Medical Commission: “Teaming up with these institutions is an important step for the IOC in its strategic effort to reduce the number of serious injuries and other health risks in sports, in order to optimise the health benefits in sports participation.”

A delighted Prof Martin Schwellnus, long-standing member of the IOC Medical Commission, and head of the unit’s ‘Clinical Sports Medicine Research group’, together with Prof Wayne Derman, says that this type of research “is a significant step in recognizing the international contribution of UCT towards developing Sports and Exercise Medicine as a discipline. This work has very real practical and clinical implications in preventing injury and protecting the health of elite, competitive and recreational athletes”. The Clinical Sports Medicine Research group has an impressive track record in providing clinical service to athletes and training postgraduate students in Sports and Exercise Medicine, Sports Physiotherapy and Biokinetics, In addition, this group has published over 100 peer-reviewed research papers in the area of sports injuries and medical conditions in athletes in the past 5 years. These research papers have covered events ranging from the Olympic Games (2000, 2004, 2008), Super 12 Rugby, SA’s famous ultra marathons, the Comrades (1981 – 2008) and Two Oceans, as well as both Ironman South Africa and the Argus Cycle Tour.  The scope of the research included studies on medical conditions in athletes including exercise-associated muscle cramps, infections and allergies in athletes, diagnosis and management of collapsed athletes, electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatraemia, as well as “heat-related illness” in athletes. In addition, this group has contributed significantly in understanding risk factors for injuries such as genetic risk of soft tissue injuries and biomechanical risk factors in running and cricket injuries. The most recent unique and exciting research project conducted by this group was during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Still to be published, the study entitled “Medical conditions and illness in elite football players during international competition” – investigated over 130 elite football players. No doubt – the findings will impact enormously on planning of medical management and care of FIFA 2010 World Cup football players.

Professors Schwellnus and Derman hope that international recognition of the work conducted by this Research Group will serve as a catalyst to develop partnerships with the South African corporate sector for further support of this work.   This will allow even more intense research into a field where South Africa has now been recognized internationally.

Kathy Mc Quaide-Little

Health Promotions and Media Liasons Officer

Sports Science Institute of South Africa