Over 1,000 participants from various medical specialities attended the event
38th International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) World Congress of Sports Medicine concludes in Dubai with 13 Key Recommendations
The Congress honoured outstanding scientific research with three prestigious awards
Faris Al-Mutawa: Major international events find greater opportunities for success and excellence in the UAE
Abdullah Al Rahoumi: Recommendations from scientific events serve as a valuable legacy for researchers and specialists
The 38th International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) World Congress of Sports Medicine concluded on Sunday after four days of activities at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 24 to 27 October, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee. The Congress attracted over 1,000 participants from various medical fields worldwide, with 130 speakers across 13 sessions, presenting 304 research papers and concluding with 13 key recommendations.
The Congress was organised by the National Olympic Committee through its Sports Medicine Committee, in cooperation with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the Emirates Physiotherapy Society, and the Emirates Society of Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine.
The recommendations called for promoting a global alliance for physical activity and exercise, emphasising the urgent need to combat physical inactivity through a worldwide coalition of stakeholders. Another recommendation addressed the role of artificial intelligence and technological innovation in enhancing athlete well-being, with discussions on AI and machine learning algorithms for injury prediction and management.
Further recommendations included a holistic approach to pain management, highlighting the importance of an integrated framework combining physical therapy, medication, psychological support, and lifestyle interventions. The Congress also emphasised the need for specialisation and standardisation in sports medicine globally, advocating the development of universally applicable protocols and training guidelines to ensure consistency in sports injury treatment and prevention.
Other recommendations included advancements in sports science, particularly in football, with discussions on research shaping training and recovery methods across various sports. Another recommendation proposed establishing collaborative sports medicine centres for research and data-sharing, fostering global cooperation among physicians and researchers to enhance healthcare for athletes.
Participants highlighted the latest research on concussion assessment, prevention, and treatment, underscoring concussion management as a critical issue in sports. Further attention was given to athlete health under extreme environmental conditions, such as high altitudes and extreme temperatures, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to find innovative solutions to challenges in sports medicine.
The Congress featured discussions on emerging technologies, including telehealth, wearable devices, advanced data analytics, and augmented and virtual reality applications. It encouraged networking among researchers by providing platforms for presenting research, such as poster presentations and presentation competitions, supporting the growth of research-driven solutions in sports medicine.
The final recommendations stressed the importance of engaging with local and international communities. Awareness initiatives were highlighted, focusing on the role of sports medicine in enhancing athlete performance and well-being. Platforms for continued dialogue and knowledge-sharing, including seminars and online forums, were established to support ongoing collaboration, keeping the community engaged with emerging issues in sports and medicine.
Al Mutawa Honours Outstanding Researchers at the Closing Ceremony of the FIMS World Congress of Sports Medicine
His Excellency Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee, along with Dr Hashel Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Sports Medicine Committee, and Dr Abdullah Al Rahoumi, Vice Chairman of the Sports Medicine Committee, honoured winners of the Aspetar Award, the FIMS Award, and the Young Researcher Award on the final day of the 38th FIMS World Congress of Sports Medicine in Dubai.
The Aspetar Award recognised four research topics, including the study by Polish researcher Emilia Zawieja on the effects of betaine supplements on athletic performance, testosterone, and inflammatory cytokines among speed and strength athletes; a study by Swiss researcher Alejandro Culebras on high rates of ramp lesions among patients undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery, with a notable increase in revision cases (a prospective study of 302 patients); a study by Italian researcher Elena Barletta on immune-inflammatory proteomic profiling among elite athletes, amateur athletes, and non-athletes; and the study by Jordanian researcher Dania Nazeeh Ibrahim, titled The Effect of Hypoxia on Muscle Activation During Incremental Exercise at Equivalent Relative Intensity.
The International Federation of Sports Medicine Award was presented to Dr Jana Schellenberg from Germany for her research on cardiac function post-SARS-CoV-2 infection in elite athletes, and to Dr Mohammed Aldosari from Saudi Arabia for his study assessing physical activity levels among e-sports players at the E-Sports World Cup in Riyadh.
The Young Researcher Award was presented to Dr Kanzy Yasser from Egypt for her research on the future of sports and exercise medicine, and to Nimishaanth SS from India for his study on comparative lower limb acceleration among female rowers in India.
Al Mutawa also honoured partner companies and sponsors at the Congress’s closing ceremony.
Reflecting on the Congress, Al Mutawa stated, “Major international events continue to find opportunities for success, excellence, and sustainability in the UAE, thanks to the nation’s vast resources and unique global reputation in hosting events at all levels. Staging the Congress under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum illustrates the NOC’s commitment to hosting scientific gatherings, and benefiting from fruitful experiences and shared expertise that enrich these gatherings, especially with the presence of high-profile figures in the fields of sports medicine, aiming to enhance the health, physical, and mental fitness of athletes.”
He added, “The Congress provided a platform to share the latest research and best practices in sports medicine and science, benefiting local professionals and institutions by exposing them to global advancements. The Congress is recognised as a significant event in medical and scientific research, bringing together doctors, researchers, and experts worldwide.”
Abdullah Al Rahoumi commented, “The recurring recommendations generated by scientific events in sports constitute a valuable legacy for researchers and specialists, opening doors for further applications, experience sharing, and skill development through contributions from elite participants who have enriched various sectors with their studies and research."
He concluded, “The Congress has strengthened the UAE’s international reputation as a centre for excellence in medicine and scientific research, while also promoting medical tourism by attracting doctors, researchers, and medical professionals and raising awareness of healthcare services.”
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