Sports Medicine in the News...

 

17 June 09 Smartplay winter sport fact sheets

With winter upon us, Smartplay, Sports Medicine Australia’s sports injury prevention program, has a range of winter sport fact sheets to help best prepare and prevent injuries. These include: Australian football, basketball, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union, snowboarding and soccer. To download these fact sheets visit the resources/links section of www.smartplay.com.au

 

4 June 09 SMA members recognised at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting

Professor Louise Burke has received a Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). This award is granted to an individual or group who has made significant and important contributions to sports medicine and/or the exercise sciences. These contributions may include, but are not limited to, research and scholarship; clinical care; and/or administrative or educational services in sports medicine or exercise science. Professor Burke, a sports dietitian and founding member of Sports Dietitians Australia is Head of Nutrition at the AIS and a faculty member at Deakin University. More information about Professor Burke can be found here

Professor Neville Owen was invited to present one of the four President’s Lectures at ACSM. These lectures recognise great contributions to the field of sports medicine and exercise science. Professor Owen’s presentation ‘The Science of Sedentary Behavior: Too Much Sitting and Too Little Exercise’ was an up to the minute summary of research in a new field that represents a real paradigm shift in physical activity research. Australian researchers formed the bulk of the presenters in this field at ACSM and it will be a major topic in this year's national conference in Brisbane. More information about Professor Owen can be found here.

 

1 June 09 SMA recommends helmets for alpine sports

Sports Medicine Australia concludes there is now sufficient research and clinical evidence to encourage participants in alpine sports to wear protective helmets. SMA will be updating its existing snow safety resources to reflect the new recommendations and is embarking on further research to support more detailed recommendations and guidelines. This will include research into the efficacy of the various types of helmets currently on the market in Australia. [more]

 

18 May 09 SMA member, Kent Sweeting has been awarded Podiatrist of the Year.

The co-owner of Performance Podiatry and Physiotherapy was presented with the title, as well as the President's Award for Excellence and Contribution to the Industry, at the recent Sport Podiatry Queensland's Annual Conference. Last year, Kent was presented with the Asics Award for Best New Investigator - Lower Limb at Sports Medicine Australia’s 2008 ASICS Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport. His winning paper, coauthored by Associate Professor Michael Yelland, investigated how prolotherapy injections compare to an exercise program for the treatment of Achilles tendinosis. SMA would like to congratulate Kent Sweeting on his achievements.

 

6 May 09 SMA Media for April

From the Albany Weekender in WA to the Dalby Herald in Queensland, with capital city stops at the Melbourne Age and Sydney Morning Herald and Daily Tele., SMA members such as David Bolzonello (Sports Physician), Michael Leveritt (Exercise Physiologist/Dietitian), Peter Nathan (Sports Doctor), Geri Naughton (Exercise Physiologist) and Kevin Norton (Execise Physiologist) provided media comment on issues ranging from sports injury prevention in the schoolyard to the benefits of protein powders and energy drinks, the regulation of personal trainers and activating adolescent girls. Read the latest releases and get details of SMA in the news here.

 

1 April 09 Record number of abstracts for National Conference

At the deadline for abstract submission on 31 March, 424 abstracts had been received for “Be Active ‘09” in Brisbane in October. The "Be Active’07 conference in Adelaide attracted 365 abstracts and the ’05 event in Melbourne 387. More information about the Conference at www.beactive09.com

 

23 Oct 08 National Conference Outcomes

More than 380 delegates, speakers, trade exhibitors and sponsors attended SMA's annual conference - the Asics Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport - on Hamilton Island from 15-18 October.
- Winners of ASMF Fellows research awards at the Conference can be found here
- A new Fellowship was presented at the Conference click here for more information.
- Abstracts from the Conference will be published as an electronic supplement to the December 2008 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (JSAMS).

 

1 Oct 08 Minister launches Children Safety Guidelines

On Monday 22 September, Federal Minister for Sport, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, launched Sports Medicine Australia's revised Safety Guidelines for Children and Young People in Sport and Recreation and National Smartplay Program. For more information and to download the Safety Guidelines for Children, click here. To read the media release, click here. For more information on Smartplay, click here.

 

27 Aug 08 More Gold for All with a Greater Focus on Sports Injury Prevention

A greater focus on sports injury prevention would not only have resulted in more Olympic gold medals, it would also mean a better health outcome for all Australians. Sports injuries don't just stop elite athletes achieving their best, they are also a massive cost to the Australian economy and a major contributor to sedentary behaviour and ballooning obesity rates. Click here to read the latest media releases

 

4 Aug 08 Draft Consensus Statement about Sports Injury Surveillance and Prevention in Australia

SMA believes that sports injury is massively under-reported and under-recognised as a significnat cost to personal and public health in Australia. This is particularly frustrating when much sports injury can be prevented. SMA is seeking feedback from members and other interested parties on the above statement which can be viewed here. Comment should be sent to lesley.crompton@sma.org.au

 

3 June 08 First Announcement - "be active '09"

Brisbane will host the paramount sports medicine, sports science, sports injury prevention and physical activity promotion conference event in Australia, October 14 – 17, 2009, called be active ‘09. This is a multi-disciplinary event, combining the 2009 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, the Seventh National Physical Activity Conference and the Sixth National Sports Injury Prevention Conference.

be active ‘09 brings together some of the finest speakers from Australia and around the world to present a comprehensive scientific forum on all facets of these fields - from elite performance to community participation in sport, physical activity and their impact on individual and public health. be active ‘09 showcases the latest developments through keynote and invited presentations, symposia, practical workshops, free papers, posters and a trade exhibition. It will also provide extensive networking opportunities. The anticipated outcome of be active ‘09 is to assimilate, interpret and share scientific evidence with key stakeholders who are in a position to develop recommendations concerning effective policies and programs within their own jurisdictions.

Submission of Abstracts will open in January 2009 and close 31 March 2009. be active ‘09 will be held 14 – 17 October 2009 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. More information is available at www.beactive09.com

 

7 April 08 Record Number of Abstracts submitted for National Conference

More than twice the number of abstracts were submitted for this year's SMA national conference - the Asics Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, Hamilton Island 15-18 October - than were submitted for the last boutique national conference in 2006. For more details on the Conference visit www.sma.org.au/ACSMS/2008/

 

3 April 08 Unique Role Delineation Agreement

Exercise Physiologists and Dietitians have a reached a unique agreement defining their respective and complementary roles in the treatment of chronic disease. For more details, click here to read the Position Statement.

Call for a national approach to address Drowning

The need for a national approach to address drownings – particularly those that occur away from beaches - has been prompted by an article in the April edition of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (JSAMS). According to the JSAMS article, 90 per cent of drownings occur away from beaches. For more information visit www.sma.org.au/mediareleases/ and www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/14402440

 

12 Feb 08 Smartplay Ad

Sports Medicine Australia has just released it's latest Community Service Announcement (CSA). The new CSA looks at Smartplay, SMA's injury prevention program to be rolled out nationally later in the year. The ad features Asics ambassador, John Steffensen and will be seen on television screens across the country soon. This ad will endeavour to further increase SMA's profile and capture a similiar buzz from the well-received Sports Trainers Community Service Announcement that was released last year. Click here to watch the ad.

 

4 Feb 08 Hot weather guidelines

On Monday 4th February the updated Beat the Heat - playing and exercising safely in hot weather fact sheet, was launched by Kate Ellis, the Commonwealth Minister for Sport, and Michael Wright, the South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. Click here to read the joint media release. The fact sheet was updated to coincide with the release of a special edition of the Journal of Sports Medicine and Science, devoted exclusively to exercising in hot weather. Click here to view SMA's resources for individuals and clubs regarding playing and exercising safely in hot weather.

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport January 2008 - Heat Stress in Sport Edition

Click here to view the Contents outline and article summaries from the Special Heat Edition of JSAMS.

 

10 Dec 07 New National figures show we're still not moving

Despite extensive education campaigns and millions in government spending, nearly half of all Australians (47 percent) are still not sufficiently active for good health.

Alarming new research – the first national survey of physical activity levels across the whole of Australia for six years - has found that one in five Australians (19 percent) fail to walk even 10 minutes continuously in one week.

The research, published in the Pfizer Australia Health Report and produced in conjunction with Sports Medicine Australia, suggests that long hours at work, increasingly lengthy commute times and lack of recreational facilities in the workplace are playing a significant role in promoting sedentary behaviours.

Click here to view full media release or click on image to view the full Health Report.

 

22 Oct 07 be active '07 Conference wrap-up

be active '07 was held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 13 - 16 October and was a great success for SMA and the presenting partners of this 4-conference combined event.

The Conference Program and all abstracts will be published as a special electronic edition of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (December 2007 edition).

A full list of Conference Award winners plus a selected photographic record of the event can be found by clicking the “Conference” button.

New Fellows

Three new Fellows were admitted to Fellowship of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation at the Conference. They were:
- Ms Maria Constantinou
- Ms Marilyn Feenstra
- Mr Paul Fleet.
More details can be found by clicking the “ASMF Fellows” button.

ASICS Medal

The ASICS medal was awarded to Dr Dennis Taaffe from the University of Queensland for his research paper "Physical activity, physical function and incident dementia in elderly men". For a full list of award winners click on the Conference button.

 

13 Aug 07 Around Promoting Sports Trainers

SMA has commissioned the production of two Community Service Announcements - one promoting Sports Trainers and one SMA members. The Sports Trainers CSA can be viewed at http://www.sma.org.au/sportstrainers It may be necessary to download some free software to view the CSA. Your computer will prompt you about the steps for doing this.

 

21 May 07 Promoting Sports Trainers

SMA has commissioned the production of two Community Service Announcements - one promoting Sports Trainers and one SMA members. The Sports Trainers CSA can be viewed at http://www.sma.org.au/sportstrainers It may be necessary to download some free software to view the CSA. Your computer will prompt you about the steps for doing this.

 

27 Apr 07 Get smart with "Get Smart"

‘Get Smart’ is a modular, on-line course in injury prevention developed by SMA’s Western Australia branch for people with no prior knowledge or experience. To access the course go to www.smawa.asn.au or email getsmart@smawa.asn.au

 

7 Mar 07 Health Conference Central

Health Conference Central is a new central reference site that health professionals worldwide can utilise to find out what's on in Australia and New Zealand and to book their place at an event. Health Conference central is a "one-stop shop" for delegates to book their place at a conference and find and arrange accommodation, air fares and car hire. They also aim to become the central reference and connection site for Australian and New Zealand professional and consumer associations, government health departments, Area and District Health Services, individual hospitals and commercial companies servicing the health industry. To view the site, click on the Quick Link to Health Conferences Central below, or to view a chronological list of up-coming conferences, click on the following link www.healthconferencecentral.com.au/search.php

 

1 Mar 07 Supporting Healthy Eating

Australians eat a massive 2.7 million meals each day at fast food restaurants and other take-away food outlets, so any move to provide healthier eating options in these circumstances must be supported. This is why SMA has provided unequivocal support for the National Heart Foundation (NHF) initiative that has seen nine healthier meal options made available at McDonalds restaurants. To read more about the Heart Foundations's Tick program and what is actually changing at McDonalds, click here.

 

30 Jan 07 Avoiding Heat Illness

Vigorous exercise places some people at risk of heat illness, especially in hot weather. If untreated, heat illness can lead to the more serious and potentially life-threatening condition of heat stroke. By understanding the causes of heat illness health professionals, coaches, players and anyone involved in sport or physical activity can help prevent heat illness. Sports Medicine Australia members have used their experience and knowledge to produce policies, guidelines and simple advice on avoiding heat illness. For more information click here.

 

11 Dec 06 Sport Health goes full text on-line

Sport Health, Sports Medicine Australia’s quarterly magazine for both members and the general public, covers topical issues in sports medicine and science and tries to present them in a more accessible manner for the lay reader.

Back issues of Sport Health will now be available for viewing or download from the SMA website. Click here to see the issues available. Currently the 2005 and 2004 editions are available and other editions will be added periodically.

 

13 Nov 06 National Conference Outcomes:

The SMA National Conference was held at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort in Fiji from 19 – 21 October.

The Conference Program and all abstracts will be published as a special electronic edition of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (December 2006 edition).

A full list of Conference Award winners plus a selected photographic record of the event can be found by clicking the “Conference” button.

New Fellows

Three new Fellows were admitted to Fellowship of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation at the Conference. They were:
- Dr Shane Brun
- Dr Brendan de Morton
- Professor Kerry Mummery.
More details can be found by clicking the “Fellows” button.

Certificates of Appreciation

Certificates of Appreciation for service to SMA were awarded at the Conference to:
- Professor John Hart (President, 1985 - 1986)
- Dr Peter Larkins (President, 1994 - 1997)
- Dr Paul McCrory (Sport Health Editor, 1998 - 2002; Conference Chair, 2002)
- Dr John Orchard (Sport Health Editor, 2004 - present; JSAMS Assistant Editor, 2001 - 2004)
- Dr Margaret Torode (Conference Co-Chair, 1996 - 1997; Medicine & Science for Women in Sport Committee Chair)

 

29 Aug 06 Sports Medicine Australia/Pfizer National Survey of Physical Activity.

National research figures released on Monday 28 August by Sports Medicine Australia and pharmaceutical company Pfizer, reveal more than half adult Australians are insufficiently active for health benefit, despite the millions being poured into educating the public on the importance of a healthy active lifestyle.

The findings show that even more Australians than previously thought – up to 60 percent  - are not doing enough activity for optimal health (thirty minutes of moderate intensity activity on at least 5 days per week).

Almost one in three of those surveyed said they were sitting most of the time in their job, indicating little opportunity for physical activity during working hours.  And the picture outside working hours is not that much brighter.  Only one in 10 Australian adults say they play any organised sport and around three quarters of parents reveal that their family does not play sport or do any physical activity together. So much for the parental role model!

For more information about the Survey results and to access copies of the Media Release, the Pfizer/SMA Health Report on "Healthy Sport & Exercise" or for other information about becoming more physically active, CLICK HERE.

 

17 Aug 06 Testosterone and the Tour de France have been in the news lately.
What is Testorone and what does it do?

Testosterone is the principle androgen and is responsible for the development of the primary sexual charactisitcs in utero and during the neo-natal period. It is also responsible for the development of the secondary sexual characteristics around the time of puberty and contributes to the increase in height and amount of skeletal muscle at that time. Testosterone has been shown to have an effect on aggression, probably due to direct stimulation of brain receptors. It also plays a role in sexual orientation.

For more information click here to view an extract form 'Drugs in Sport: a health professionals handbook'.