SONAFE lead group at Polyclinic Rio 2016. Left to right: Felipe Ferreira Tadiello, lead manager, Christiane Guerino Macedo, Mario Bizzini, Leonardo Trocoli de Medeiros, and Luciana de Michelis Mendonca, SONAFE president.

Mario Bizzini, IFSPT EB visited on August 12th the Polyclinic at the Olympic Village, meeting his Brazilian Sports PT friends Felipe Tadiello and Luciana de Michelis (the current president of Sport Physical Therapy Group in Brasil - SONAFE> www.sonafe.com.br - a recent new IFSPT member).

Felipe Tadiello was the person in charge of organization of the sports physiotherapy at the Polyclinic of Rio 2016, where more than 800 physiotherapists (the majority were from Brasil, Argentina, Chile, and 15% are international) were involved. All of them were volunteers, and underwent a rigorous selection process (in total there were almost 3000 interested Brazilians sports PTs who participated at several "pre-olympic" educational courses across Brazil). Among these 800, also those sports PTs working at the training and competition (stadiums, training facilities) and those available in case of emergencies or else (medical responders) were included.

The well-equipped fitness center.

According to Luciana, the other important driving force within SONAFE, and Felipe, these 2 years of intensive preparation work toward the Olympics (the story was also feature on the WCPT website http://www.wcpt.org/news/brazil-olympics-August16 ) and the RIO 2016 experience represent an important legacy for the future of Brazilian sports PT!
 

At the Polyclinic different treatment options were offered to the athletes (and this not only for those nations arriving without their own medical team): sports physiotherapy, electrotherapy, sports massage, cold water immersion, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, and a department for insoles and braces.

Reception.

Cryotherapy.

Here is an example of a working day (August 11) at the Polyclinic: 72 athletes were treated by sports PTs, 62 received sports massage, 22 were seen by osteopaths, 15 by chiropractics and 108 (!) did cold water immersions. Moreover, in the Polyclinic there were also available: dental clinic, eye clinic, MRI and X-ray, plus an emergency clinic (all areas with specialized MDs). All illnesses and physical problems, injuries (and subsequently treatments) were systematically recorded in a special online system, which was monitored by Felipe Tadiello and Mary Elaine Grant (Dublin, IOC Physiotherapy responsible).

Left to Right: Mario Bizzini; Marie-Elaine Grant (Ireland, IOC Physical Therapy Responsibility); Felipe Tadiello (Brasil, Head of PT services at the Polyclinic, Olympic Village, Rio 2016).  

This was part of the comprehensive IOC injury documentation system (Injury Surveillance System) at the Olympic Games, coordinated by a research group with Dr. Lars Engebretsen and Roald Bahr (IOC Research and Oslo Sports Trauma & Research Center).

A view down a hallway of the polyclinic.

 

Mario Bizzini encourages a young FIFA demonstrator. 

Smiles all around for this group of soccer players! 

If you would like to take your skills to the world, this is the pathway you should choose! Registered International Sports Physical Therapists (RISPT) are immediately recognized as individuals possessing the knowledge, experience and skills to work in the worldwide field of sports.  

While RISPT status does not license an individual in other countries, it does notify that the individual has achieved the highest level of qualification in his or her country.

Currently, members of the following member organizations are able to apply and receive acceptance immediately.

- Australia 

- Denmark 

- Ireland: Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Level 3 Accreditation in Sports Physiotherapy 

- New Zealand: Complete the Specialisation Pathway through the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. Must complete specialisation in the Musculoskeletal Category. Applications for NZ Board MSK Specialty must have a sports focus with evidence provided.    

- Sweden 

- The Netherlands 

- United Kingdom: Continuing Professional Development Level 3, Gold 

- United States: APTA Sports Certified Specialist

Cost for registration is only 50 euros and is good for five years. Renewal is available for 20 euros. A certificate will be emailed to you in order that you may print and display it.

Note: All applications will be approved by the member organization before granting registration. Please allow for ample time for your member organization to respond to IFSPT inquiries. We also appreciate submission applications only from those pre-qualified as listed above.

Register today and be recognized for your accomplishments as an international sports physical therapist!

Follow this link for more information! 

This intensive three-day course will feature a golf medicine symposium on Day One, followed by an educational session and welcome reception sponsored by Theraband.

Day Two brings hands-on labs, themed sessions and a keynote speech by Richard Parks, famed extreme athlete from Wales.

Richard Parks is a former Wales international rugby union player turned Extreme Environment Athlete. He now spends his life taking on expeditions and challenges, which push the boundaries of human performance.

As a professional rugby player and back row forward, Richard made a name for himself as a hard and prolific tackler, representing Wales and The Barbarians. During his professional career spanning 13 years, he played for Pontypridd, Leeds, Perpignan and Newport Gwent Dragons. He won the Principality Cup with Pontypridd and The Powergen Cup with Leeds.

Following his forced retirement from rugby, Richard made history twice with two incredible feats of endurance; a world first expedition called the 737 Challenge, where in July 2011 he became the first ever person to climb the highest mountain on each of the world's 7 continents and stand on all 3 poles (the North Pole, the South Pole and the summit of Everest) within 7 months. Richard is now in the Guinness World Records for this feat

In January 2014 he became the first Welshman, and the fastest ever Brit, to ski solo, unsupported and unassisted to the South Pole.

Utilising both his commercial and performance experience, Richard proudly serves his country as a Sport Wales board member.

He recently launched his own BBC television series. You may learn more here.

Day Three focuses on more sessions and labs, including a return to play session presented by IFSPT members.

Your new knowledge can be put to use immediately in your daily practice upon your return. This is a fantastic opportunity for our newest member organizations, Canada and Brazil, to meet fellow members and the IFSPT Executive Committee!

Special pricing for IFSPT members, too...a discount of $50 USD from regular rates. Register with a colleague, and receive an additional $40 USD off each registration. Be sure to select the IFSPT Member or IFSPT Member Bring a Friend option when registering.

A block of reduced-price hotel rooms are also available. See the TCC website for the agenda and all the details.