Specialist GP in musculoskeletal medicine Arthritis Research Campaign

Specialist GP in musculoskeletal medicine

Arthritis Research Campaign

Part-time (2 days/week) for 5 years

£40,000 per year for the 2 days

The Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) seeks to appoint a specialist GP to help build on its work to date in providing educational material for GPs on musculoskeletal disorders and to ensure that the charity increases its role as a key source of resources in this area

The successful candidate will be a qualified doctor with at least 5 years’ experience working as a GP principal or equivalent and with clinical experience of working as a specialist GP in musculoskeletal medicine. A higher degree, relevant research experience and qualifications in musculoskeletal medicine or rheumatology would be desirable.

The person appointed will be advised and informed by the arc Education Strategy Committee but will report to the Education Manager at arc head office, Chesterfield. The role will be based at the appointee’s own location, but a minimum of one day/month spent at arc head office will be required. Duties and responsibilities will include:

• To provide advice to head office staff responsible for the section(s) of the arc website for primary care doctors
• To provide advice to the Education Manager on research projects relating to primary care
• To evaluate musculoskeletal on-line modules and provide recommendations to arc on the value of arc participation, and to participate in any subsequent development of material as required
• To have a function in the leadership of commissioning defined research studies on primary care
• To develop and assist in the delivery of event-based educational activities for GPs.

For an application pack please email Beverley Sewell on b.sewell@arc.org.uk

Completed applications must be submitted by 9 November and interviews will be held in Chesterfield between 9.30am and 2pm on Tuesday 24 November

Let’s Get Moving - introducing a new physical activity care pathway

The new Let's Get Moving (LGM) physical activity care pathway is based on the principles of the NICE public health guidance 2006: Four Commonly Used Methods to Promote Physical Activity, which endorses the delivery of brief interventions for physical activity in primary care as both clinically and cost effective in the long term.

The launch of LGM provides a unique opportunity to embed the promotion of physical activity at the very core of the NHS, offering a major opportunity for health professionals to make a significant difference to the health of our nation.

The Secretary of State for Health would like PCT's to consider the benefits of including physical activity in their 2010/11 commissioning proposals.

This link helps you help patients find places where they can exercise

Job Title: DOCTOR FOR MENS ENGLAND UNDER 21 TEAM The Football Association

Job Title: DOCTOR FOR MENS ENGLAND UNDER 21 TEAM

Reports To: TEAM MANAGER AND COACH HEAD OF MEDICAL SERVICES ITINERANT STAFF

Job Purpose: To co-ordinate and deliver medical support for the England Men’s U-21 International Team.

The role involves liaison and rapport with England Team Management, Coaching and Support Staff, in addition to the FA Medical Department..

• Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of players both on and off the field
• Liaise and report on injury status to Physiotherapists/Doctors at individual Clubs
• Lead in the management of medical emergencies
• Maintain and regulate player medical records in accordance with professional guidelines
• Responsibility for maintaining, and preparing Medical and First Aid equipment on pitch side,
Dressing Room and hotel/accommodation
• To prepare and deliver, on occasion, medical presentations to players and coaching staff to
enhance education and awareness of common medical problems
• Continually review and appraise best medical practice with regard to medical care of
international teams
• Establish and maintain close liaison links with football club medical and physiotherapy staff
• Help to maintain close links with various departments(e.g. educational/CPD) within the FA and
the English Institute of Sport
• Act as a conduit between the various agencies both within and without the FA on medical and
physiotherapy matters

Jobs Reporting Into The Job Holder: Physiotherapist, Itinerant Staff (masseurs, osteopaths, podiatrist) working with team


Key Accountabilities:

To monitor, co-ordinate and deliver medical support to the under-21 England Men’s Team, at various training camps, and at tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, and UEFA European Championship.

To liaise with medical and physiotherapy staff at Premiership and Football League Clubs regarding players, and to assist staff at the FA, and at clubs with sourcing best practice
To contribute to the contents of an FA Medical and Exercise Science Department Internet Website

Enhanced CRB Check Required: YES

Key Internal Relationships

Senior management and coaching staff of the England Men’s U-21 Team
Other itinerant staff with that team
Head of Medical Services
Head Physiotherapist to England Senior Men’s Team
Head of Club England Operations
Anti-doping Unit

Key External Relationships

Premiership and Football League Clubs Medical and Physiotherapy Staff
UK Sport Anti-doping unit



WHAT IS NEEDED TO CARRY OUT THE ROLE?

Person Specification (Key Skills And Experience Required):


Essential

Must be a Medical Practitioner registered and licenced to practise in the U.K.
Must have Experience of working in Football at a high level
Must have an in-depth knowledge of

Professional Football
Profiling and screening of players
Injury prevention strategies
Injury management and cutting edge practices
Injury rehabilitation


Desirable

Ability to work under pressure
Ability to understand different cultures of medical care at different football clubs and accommodate this when delivering care in this role
Ability to liaise with Club England staff outside of the medical team

Please note that this role requires the successful candidate to undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check.


For an informal discussion about the role

please contact Dr Ian Beasley Head of Medical Services The FA, 08440 980 8200, 07956466724

Celtic Football Club Doctor

Celtic Football Club Doctor

Full-time, salary negotiable + benefits

Responsible for the health care of all players at Celtic Football Club,
reporting directly to the Football Manager.

Main Responsibilities:

· In charge of all aspects of players’ healthcare and injury profiles
· Management of medical department and personnel, ensuring that the best medical care is provided by all the medical staff
· Pro-active screening of players to help prevent future injuries
· Pre-signing medicals
· Providing medical reports on current injuries
· Attending all first team games to provide emergency cover, home and away
· Arranging medical cover for all games
· Management of medical budget
· Liaison with the medical brokers on a regular basis with to provide private medical insurance for players
· Liaison with medical insurance companies regarding injury claims
· Responsible for the maintenance of medical facilities at Celtic Park and at Club Training Centre in Lennoxtown

The successful applicant will have relevant general practice, accident and emergency, consultancy and/or sports medicine experience, ideally having previously worked within the football industry. They will also be confident and assertive, possess effective people management skills, be highly organised and familiar with budgetary control processes.

Please send CV to hr@celticfc.co.uk or write to:

Mike Hayes, Head of HR, Celtic Park, Glasgow G40 3RE

Deadline for applications is 2 October 2009



CELTIC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Jacob Patijn's Reproducibility Workshop

“Test the Test”
Do your own original research - at home or in the clinic!
This practical one-day course provides the blueprint for research into the reliability of clinical signs and reproducibility of clinical tests. It is an ideal opportunity for every practitioner and student in Rheumatology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Sports and Exercise Medicine or Chiropractic, to get on the fast track and learn how to validate the clinical tools we are using.
Get the know-how
at Jacob Patijn's
Reproducibility Workshop
A special one day workshop run by BIMM and IAMM for all aspiring evidence based practitioners. Put your favourite clinical test to the test - get results the same day! Publish tomorrow - well almost.... Further info attached.
Saturday 31st October 2009
9:30 -21:00
London College of Osteopathic Medicine
8 Boston Place London - £195

PROGRAMME OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE FOR RELIABILITY IN
MANUAL/MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE: REPRODUCIBILITY AND VALIDITY
The British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine
J acob Patijn's
Reproducibility Workshop
Do your own original research - at home or in the clinic! This practical one-day course provides the blueprint for kappa-studies (Interrater-reliability). It is an ideal opportunity for every practitioner and student in Rheumatology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Sports Medicine or Chiropractic to get published research and to validate the tools we are using. Cost for day £195.


BOOKING FORM
Title …………………. Name........... ………........................................................................................
Surname ………………………………...……………………………………………………………
Address ............................................................................................................ ….............................
...............................................................................................................................................
Post Code ............................................. Telephone Number...………............................ …..........
Email ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Current Position …………………………………………………………………………….……
Cheque Enclosed payable to BIMM £
Please return to: BIMM, PO Box 1116, Bushey, Herts. WD23 9BY Call number below to pay by credit card.
Tel:0208429910 E-mail: deena@bimm.org.uk Web: www.bimm.org.uk

Introduction

This is the first one day course organised by the FIMM Academy. The present course is based on the complete revised version of the Reproducibility and Validity Protocol. To understand the goals of this course, a small history of the background of this protocol and a brief overview of the past Academy is essential.
The former Scientific Committee of the formulated the problem with respect to diagnostic procedures in Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine (M/M M). The present Academy adopted the starting point as a base for ist present and future activities. This problem is summarised in the statement:
There are many different schools in Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine in many different countries of the world, with many different diagnostic procedures and many different therapeutic approaches.
The consequences of this defined problem for our profession is five-fold:
At first, most schools within M/M M have not validated yet their own characteristic diagnostic
procedures in the different regions of the locomotion system. Therefore reproducibility, validity, sensitivity and specificity of these diagnostic procedures is still lacking.
Secondly, at present time, all the different schools within M/M M with their own arsenal of diagnostic procedures still coexist. Because of lack of good reproducibility, validity, sensitivity and specificity studies, mutual comparison of diagnostic procedures between schools is impossible. Scientific information exchange and fundamental discussions between these different schools, based on solid scientific reliability studies, is almost impossible in the present situation.
Thirdly, the absence of reliable diagnostic procedures in M/M Medicine leads to heterogeneously defined study populations in efficacy trials. As well as positive proven published efficacy studies as negative ones, can be due to a subpopulation in the heterogeneous study population, which is responsible for the final outcome of the efficacy study. Comparison of efficacy trials in these heterogeneous study populations with the same therapeutic approach (for instance manipulation) and different unreliable diagnostic procedures, is by definition impossible.
Fourthly, unreliable diagnostic procedures of different schools, ill-defined therapeutic approaches and low quality study designs are the main causes some of the weak evidences of proven therapeutic efficacies in M/M Medicine.
Fifthly, If the present situation is allowed to continue, it will lead to a slowing down of the badly needed process of professionalisation of M/M Medicine in general and its education systems in particular. Outside the development of complete revised Reproducibility and Validity Protocol in M/ M M, the Academy has also developed protocols for efficacy in M/M M. In this way the Academy wanted to provide the National Societies of the FIMM with the proper tools to perform reproducibility and efficacy studies. The Academy wants to emphasise that good reproducibility of diagnostic tests in M/M Medicine has the first priority. This kind of studies is easy and cheap to perform and form the best base for mutual discussion between schools in M/M Medicine. Co-operation and active involvement of the National Societies of FIMM is indispensable and crucial for the future work of the Academy.
Implementation of the developed protocols is one the key activities of the Academy. The first most logical way is to disseminate and implement the Academy Reproducibility and Validity Protocol through educational boards of the National Societies of the FIMM. Training its members to perform reproducibility studies, because they are the experts in the diagnostic field of their own schools, has the first priority. By doing so, they will professionalize their education system in a evidence based way. Diagnostic procedures become transferable and will lead to mutual discussions based on scientific results.

Jacob Patijn, Scientific Director FIMM Academy

FIMM ACADEMY OF MANUAL/MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE
PROGRAMME OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE FOR RELIABILITY IN
MANUAL/MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE: REPRODUCIBILITY AND VALIDITY

Format Instructional Course
The format of this course is to train in particular the members of educational boards. In addition, other interested participants, scientists and students in the field of M/M Medicine are welcome
Step by step the different phases of a reproducibility study will be elucidated. Presentation of theoretical aspects of the reproducibility study and its statistic methods will be will be relieved by practical presentations of the course leaders and practical training sessions of the participants. An active participation of the participants is of course mandatory. The theoretical base for this course is formed by the complete revised version of the Reproducibility and Validity
Protocol. Examination tables are available for the training sessions. Participants are asked to wear suitable underwear for the training sessions in which they have to practise on each other.
Equipment: one stage examination table, 30 persons 10 examination tables, a beamer, a overhead projector Totally estimated course duration: about 11 hours
In the syllabus the hand over of all the presentations will be included. It provide the participant to make notes in every stage of the course in relation to the shown slide.
In the syllabus, a study form is included to record the findings of a particular training session. Also a copy of the complete revised version of the Reproducibility and Validity Protocol is included in the syllabus.

Main Aims of the Course

The main end goals of this course are:

1. Educational Boards, scientist and practitioner in the field of M/M Medicine become convinced of the necessity to perform reproducibility studies as first priority
2. Knowledge of the different phases or periods of a reproducibility study
3. Knowledge of the pitfalls of a reproducibility study
4. Master the statistic method of the kappa value a the best measure for inter-observer agreement
5. To perform a reproducibility study of the diagnostic procedures of their own educational system
6. The professionalisation of the education system in a evidence based way In the presented programme below, issue goals will be mentioned related to every separate issue of this programme.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF MANUAL/MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE
PROGRAMME OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE FOR RELIABILITY IN
MANUAL/MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE: REPRODUCIBILITY AND VALIDITY

PROGRAMME
09.30 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 10.15 Presentation: Welcome and Introduction (PowerPoint 01)
Issue goals: Information about the background of the course, the previous work of the
Scientific Committee in the past, the end goals of the course, overview of
the course.
10.15 – 11.15 Presentation: Theoretical Background Reproducibility Studies (PowerPoint 02)
Issue goals: Explanation of the theoretical background and statistics used in
reproducibility studies. The difference between reproducibility and validity of
a diagnostic procedure, different kind of data in this kind of studies and their
special statistics, kappa value as the used measure for reproducibility in the
course.
11.15 – 12.15 Practical Training: Interobserver Agreement (PowerPoint 03)
Issue goals: Estimation of the interobserver agreement by the participants of a chosen
test, to become aware of different performances in observers of the same
test , to realise its consequences for a reproducibility study with respect to
the details of the performance of a diagnostic procedure. A overall
agreement figure is calculated in two studies.
12.15 – 13.00 Coffee Break/ Small Lunch
13.00 – 13.15 Presentation: Reproducibility Protocol (PowerPoint 04)
Issue goals: Explanation of the different phases of the Academy Reproducibility Protocol.
Logistics of a reproducibility study
13.15 – 14.30 Practical Training: Training Period: hypothesis of a test t(PowerPoint 05)
Issue goals: Based on the tests of the previous interobserver agreement session and
other tests from M/M Medicine, participants have to learn the distinction
between hypothesis of a test and the test procedure as such and its
judgement in daily practice. Participants have to learn to reach a consensus
about the performance, the new hypothesis and the judgement of tests.
14.30 – 15.00 Tee/Coffee Break
15.00 – 16.00 Practical Training: Training Period of Protocol: Test Procedure (PowerPoint 05a)
Issue goals: Based on the tests of the previous hypothesis morning session , the
participants have to become familiar with the fact that minor details of test
procedure are decisive for the overall agreement in a reproducibility study.
16.00 – 16.15 Presentation: Overall Agreement Period of Protocol: theory (PowerPoint 07)
Issue goals: Theoretical aspects of the overall agreement in a study. The necessity of a
substantial agreement for the rest of the study. training period of the
protocol with respect to statistics in reproducibility studies. Example of
studies are presented.
16.15 – 17.00 Practical Training: Overall Agreement Period of Protocol (PowerPoint 08)
Issue goals: To perform an overall agreement period of the protocol and to reach a
substantial overall agreement of over 80%.
17.00 – 18.30 Dinner
18.30 – 19.00 Presentation: Study Period, Statistics and Publication of Protocol: theory
(PowerPoint 09)
Issue goals: To learn the 50% prevalence method in reproducibility studies. To perform
simple analysis of the results of a study. To become familiar with the
condition for proper publication.
19.00 – 20.30 Practical Training: Semi-quantification of different categories of tests: training
(PowerPoint 10)
Issue goals: To learn the problems of quantification of the tests out of daily practise and
those which are taught in educational courses in M/M Medicine.
20.30– 21.00 Evaluation Forms and Closure
The course is evaluated by a questionnaire to improve future courses.

RFUW England Team Doctor ( Part Time Sessional)

These are exciting times in rugby in England with England hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup in August 2010.

The Role will be responsible for providing a world class medical service to the England team as part of their preparation for the world cup. you will lead a highly motivated medical team and work closely with a multi-disciplinary team delivering the full range of services to the England Elite players.

You will play a vital role in the England squad ensuring the health and fitness of players within the squad, co-ordinating their treatment where necessary and liaise closely with the English institute of sport staff to discuss treatment of players.

The role covers both pitch side and off field care and the successful applicant will be confident in injury diagnosis, advice, treatment and management of players.

Significant evening and weekend work along with travel in the UK and Europe to cover all key events is required. Full details of dates required are on the Job description and these are in addition to on-going weekly co-ordination.

Further Information

Click here or see below for a full job and person spec.

Please send your detailed CV and covering letter to Kelly Rainey, RFUW, Rugby House, Rugby Road, Twickenham, TW1 1DZ or by email to kellyrainey@rfu.com. Please include the name of two referees, one of whom should be your current employer.

Closing date 2 pm 7.10.09.

Interview date 20.10.09 Venue Twickenham

All applicants must complete the RFUW equity monitoring questionnaire, available via this link and return with their application.

The Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure applies to this post.


JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title England Squad Doctor

Responsible to Head of Medicine

Term of Appointment Nov 2009 – Sep 2010

Salary £275 per day

Hours of Work Approx 85 days (see below for detail)


Job Purpose

To deliver a World Class Medicine service to the England squad.


Main Duties


1. To provide injury diagnosis / advice / treatment / management at training and match weekends.

2. Lead the RFUW medical team at training and competition sessions.

3. Manage player prehab and rehab programmes and co ordinate all medical information on England Elite squad players including production of the weekly update of players for coaches.

4. Co ordination of English Institute of Sport (EIS) information to the RFUW.

5. Immediate care of injuries at training and pitch side for matches.

6. Liaison with Premiership medics regarding elite squad players.

7. To participate as part of a multidisciplinary team that will lead to the effective development of WC rugby programme.

8. Run regular clinics at Twickenham for London based players.

9. Regular meetings with Head of Medicine to review protocols and discuss treatment plans of players.

10. To provide reports and monitoring and evaluation reports as required and maintain appropriate records for treatments.

11. Attend squad case conferences.

12. Maintain knowledge and learning development in relation to current and innovative practice in the field.

13. Ensure medical equipment is maintained to appropriate standards with regular checks.

14. At all times to observe and abide by the RFUW rules, regulations and codes of conduct to avoid bringing the game or the RFUW into disrepute.
Dates & Hours of Work:


General weekly cover of approx 6-12 hours.

Significant evening and weekend work along with travel in the UK and Europe to cover for all key events as per dates below:

11.11.09 – 15.11.09 England v New Zealand
18.11.09 – 22.11.09 England v New Zealand
19.12.09 – 20.12.09 England Training Camp
02.01.10 – 03.01.10 England Training Camp
30.01.10 – 31.01.10 England Training Camp
05.02.10 – 07.02.10 Six Nations
12.02.10 – 14.02.10 Six Nations
27.02.10 – 01.03.10 Six Nations
06.03.10 – 07.03.10 England Training Camp
12.03.10 – 14.03.10 Six Nations
19.03.10 – 21.03.10 Six Nations
01.07.10 – 07.07.10 England World Cup Training Camp
12.07.10 – 15.07.10 England World Cup Training Camp
22.07.10 – 28.07.10 England World Cup Training Camp
02.08.10 – 05.08.10 England World Cup Training Camp
09.08.10 – 15.08.10 England World Cup Training Camp
16.08.10 – 06.09.10 World Cup

It is understood that the individual may not be able to attend all of the World Cup Training Camps and there is some flexibility of cover by other Doctors, to be discussed.


Person Specification

E = Essential
D = Desirable


Qualifications

E Fully registered with the general Medical Council
E Diploma or MSc in Sports Medicine
E PSITCC/REMO/AREA or equivalent qualification
E Appropriate medical indemnity for working with sports teams


Experience

E Experience working in elite sport
E Evidence of competency in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic medicine
D Experience working with female athletes
D Experience working with team sports
D Experience working with rugby


Personal Qualities

D Management and leadership skills
E Excellent verbal and written communication
E Excellent interpersonal skills
D Confident and outgoing personality
D Self-starter - able to work on own initiative
E Clear thinker, able to exercise good judgement under pressure
E Good team player, able to motivate and prepared to support others
E Flexible and adaptable

Senior Medical Officer Manchester City FC - Salary circa £140k

Senior Medical Officer Appointment c £140K
Manchester City Football Club is looking for a Senior Medical Officer to manage medical services for the football club and to lead medical developments. This is a very interesting, challenging and inspiring time in the Club’s history.
The successful candidate will provide expert medical advice for all player issues and work in partnership with a variety of related disciplines.
Significant and extensive medical experience will be a requirement of this job as will top level medical qualification and multi disciplinary management skills.
For a detailed job description and person specification providing you with further information, and to apply, please contact Ciara Duffy, HR Department, City of Manchester Stadium, Sport City, Manchester. M11 3FF.
Email Ciara.Duffy@mcfc.co.uk
Closing date: Wednesday 8th July 2009
Manchester City Football Club actively promotes equal opportunities in employment and welcomes all applications.
A person spec will be sent seperately via the discussion list.

Sport and Exercise Medicine Update 2009 10.9.09 RCP London

Sport and Exercise Medicine Update 2009

Thursday 10 September 2009

At The Royal College of Physicians
11 St Andrews Place, Regent's Park, London



P R O G R A M M E



09.30 Registration

10.00 Professor Mark Batt Exertional Lower Leg Pain; Is it all Shin
Splints?

10.30 Professor Damien Griffin Sports Hip Injuries

11.00 Dr Ian Male Safeguarding the Young Athlete

11.30 Coffee

11.45 Professor Nicola Maffulli Overuse Injuries in the Young

12.15 Professor Stewart Hillis Cardiac Rehabilitation

12.45 Lunch

13.30 Dr John Somauroo Sudden Death in Sport

14.00 Professor Angus Wallace Soft Tissue Shoulder Injury

14.30 End


CPD Points – 4 CPD points have been granted for this Course.


All FSEM Members/Fellows -
Cheque = £45, Online payment: a) debit card = £45, b) credit card = £46.12
Non-Members/Fellows -
Cheque = £85, Online payment: a) debit card - £85, b) credit card = £87.12

Cheques

All cheques should be made payable to: “FSEM (UK)”

Online payments

Online debit card / credit card facilities are available on our website at: http://www.fsem.co.uk/site/2504/default.aspx

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (UK)
6 Hill Square
Edinburgh, EH8 9DR, SCOTLAND, UK.

or e-mail it to: r.capaldi@fsem.ac.uk

Sports Shoulder Conference 18-21 June 2009

There are still a few places left for the 2009 Wrightington Sports Shoulder Conference.

We have a large international faculty of surgeons, therapists, sports physicians and coaches with expertise in sports shoulder treatment.

Current concepts and the latest advancements in managing sports shoulder problems will be discussed.

The course includes Live Surgery, Rehabilitation workshops, Case Discussions and Lectures.

This years faculty includes:

• Joe DeBeer - South Africa - shoulder surgeon


• Prof Ann Cools - Belgium - Professor of Physiotherapy


• Guiseppe Porcellini - Italy - shoulder surgeon


• Dan Guttman - USA - shoulder surgeon


• Ehud Rath - Isreal - sports surgeon


• Paolo Paladini - Italy - shoulder surgeon


• Nick Grantham - UK - Strength & Conditioning trainer


• Jo Gibson - UK - Shoulder Therapist


• Stuart Cosgrove - UK - physiotherapist specialising in strength athletes


• David Jones - UK - Sports Physician, English Institute of Sports


• Jonathan Harris - UK - Musculoskeletal radiologist


• Local faculty: John Haines, Ian Trail, Anthony Hearnden, Rob Conlon, Sarah Russell


• Course Convener - Lennard Funk

The full programme can be downloaded here

In order to ensure plenty of opportunity for participation and discussion, we will restrict delegate numbers. Therefore, early application is recommended in order to avoid disappointment.We hope to see you there!
Click here for a Registration Form
Or contact Mavis Luya:
upperlimb@wrightington.org.uk
+44 (0) 1257 256248

ACSM PARTNERSHIP WILL COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, GET KIDS ACTIVE

ACSM and Youth Fitness Coalition join to promote youth fitness

INDIANAPOLIS– In an effort to decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity and promote physical activity to children, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has announced a partnership with the Youth Fitness Coalition (YFC). This partnership will feature ACSM’s Exercise is Medicine™ initiative, designed to encourage America’s patients to incorporate physical activity and exercise into their daily routine, and YFC’s signature program, Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously).

Created in 1989 by physical education teacher Len Saunders as a method of motivating children to exercise, Project ACES Day takes place on the first Wednesday each May as part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and National Physical Education Week. In the past, it has been labeled as “the world's largest exercise class.” Project ACES Clubs continue to promote physical activity all year long by pledging to create youth fitness programs in their schools.

"For more than 20 years, Project ACES’ programs have been organized and conducted by the YFC and have involved millions of children, parents and teachers in every state and more than 45 countries,” said H.J. Saunders, YFC Founder and President.

Project ACES Day on May 6 coincides with Exercise is Medicine™ Month, a time for physicians, health and fitness professionals, the public, and supporting organizations and their constituents to recognize, emphasize and celebrate the valuable health benefits of exercise on a national scale.

In 2008, many states, including Florida, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Connecticut and Iowa proclaimed May as Exercise is Medicine™ month. Several cities also have pledged support by creating events featuring the initiative's principles, including Indianapolis; Tallahassee, Fla.; Eugene, Ore.; and several cities in Texas.

“The principles of Exercise is Medicine center around the importance of physical activity,” said Robert Sallis, M.D., FACSM. “Project ACES really fits well with the goals of Exercise is Medicine, and I think this will be a very valuable tool in our effort to reach out to children and their parents worldwide.”

The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 engage in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening exercises.

“This partnership is an important action item in a long list of steps we’re taking to address the issue of youth fitness and health, and is indicative of our commitment to the issue at large,” said James R. Whitehead, ACSM Executive Vice President. “Exercise is Medicine is the perfect venue for our involvement with Project ACES.”

For more information on Exercise is Medicine™ and how to get involved with Project ACES, visit www.exerciseismedicine.org and www.projectaces.com.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 35,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

The Youth Fitness Coalition is a New Jersey-based non-profit organization committed to combating childhood obesity by making exercise programs fun and by educating children, parents and teachers about the importance of lifelong fitness and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Stingers

Volume 90, Issue 3, Pages 402-406 (March 2009)

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Christopher J. Standaert, MD, Stanley A. Herring, MD

Stingers are a common injury in contact sports and are characterized by acute lancinating pain in 1 upper extremity with or without associated weakness and neck pain. Appropriate on-field evaluation is necessary to identify the extent of injury and rule out structural injuries to the head, spine, or shoulder girdle. Although athletes can often return to play after a single acute event that resolves rapidly, those who have recurrent events, persisting pain, or strength deficits require a thorough diagnostic evaluation before return-to-play decisions can be made. In some circumstances, players sustaining a single stinger or multiple recurrent stingers may be permanently removed from participation in collision or contact sports.

A Prospective Study of Postconcussive Outcomes After Return to Play in Australian Football.

Am J Sports Med. 2009 Feb 9.

Makdissi M, McCrory P, Ugoni A, Darby D, Brukner P.

University of Melbourne.

BACKGROUND: Decisions regarding safe return to play after concussion in sport remain difficult. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a concussed player returned to play using an individual clinical management strategy is at risk of impaired performance or increased risk of injury or concussion. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: All elite Australian football players were followed for 4 seasons. Players were recruited into the study after sustaining a concussive injury. Outcome measures included performance statistics (disposals per hour match-time), injury rates, and recurrence of concussion on return to play. A subset of players had brief screening cognitive tests performed at baseline and after their concussion. Noninjured players matched for team, position, age, and size were chosen as controls. RESULTS: A total of 199 concussive injuries were observed in 158 players. Sixty-one concussive injuries were excluded from analysis because of incomplete data (45 players) or presence of concurrent injury (16 players). Of the 138 concussive injuries assessed, 127 players returned to play without missing a game (92%). The remainder of concussed players returned to play after missing a single game (8%). Overall, there was no significant decline in disposal rates in concussed players on return to competition. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in injury rates between concussed and team, position, and gamematched controls. In the subset of players who had completed screening cognitive tests, all had returned to their individual baseline performance before being returned to play.

CONCLUSION: Return to play decisions based on individual clinical assessment of recovery allows safe and appropriate return to sport following a concussive injury.

Return-to-Play Criteria After Athletic Concussion

Lester Mayers, MD

Arch Neurol. 2008;65(9):1158-1161.

Management of a sport-related concussion, especially involving return-to-play decisions, is one of the most important challenges confronting sports medicine professionals. Current guidelines result from thoughtful consensus recommendations by expert committees but are chiefly based on the resolution of symptoms and the results of neuropsychological testing, if available. Adherence to this paradigm results in most injured athletes resuming competition in 1 to 2 weeks.

Author Affiliation: Athletics Department, Goldstein Fitness Center, Pace University, Pleasantville, New York.

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Alterations to locomotor navigation in a complex environment at 7 and 30 days following a concussion in an elite athlete.

Brain Inj. 2009 Mar 9:1-8

Alterations to locomotor navigation in a complex environment at 7 and 30 days following a concussion in an elite athlete.

Fait P, McFadyen BJ, Swaine B, Cantin JF.

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.

Primary objective: To compare the locomotor capacity during (1) unobstructed walking and (2) the circumvention of fixed obstacles with and without a simultaneous visual task in an elite athlete before and after a sports-related concussion. Research design: Case report. Methods and procedures: Gait analysis and clinical neuropsychological measures were taken pre- and at 7 and 30 days post-injury in an 18 year old male junior hockey player. The task consisted of walking along an unobstructed or obstructed path with or without a visual interference task. Measurements included dual tasks costs, response errors, maximal gait speed and minimal clearance with the obstacle. Main outcome and results: Although the athlete was symptom-free and neuropsychological test results returned to baseline relatively quickly, he showed continued errors in the interference task, abnormally small obstacle clearance distances and decreased maximal gait speed up to 30 days after the concussion.

Conclusions: Concussion can result in persistent planning and attention deficits in ecologically valid, complex environments. This report suggests that functional assessment within an ecological context could be an innovative way to evaluate concussed athletes before sending them back to play, even in the absence of medically related symptoms or abnormal neuropsychological test results.