PhysioUpdate 20th June 2023

Technological advances in healthcare must not widen divisions between the ‘healthy haves’ and ‘unhealthy ‘have nots’ in society, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation warned today (13 June). Matthew Taylor called for vigilance in the area as the foundation unveiled findings from a research study that was conducted on its behalf by Ipsos, supported by Google.

This found that most respondents who took part in a survey said they would happily use health technology if it meant they could avoid going into hospital. The survey – conducted among 1,037 members of the public – reflects an increasing appetite among patients to use technology to self-manage their care, and more broadly, to take more responsibility for their own health and that family members, the foundation suggested.

Physiotherapist Osman Hassan Ahmed is one of 31 expert researchers and clinicians who have written a paper that unveils updated recommendations on caring for athletes who have, or who are at risk of, concussion. The consensus statement on concussion in sport took more than five years to complete and is based on evidence gathered and distilled by more than 100 international experts.

The authors suggest an interdisciplinary working group should be set up to guide research studies into the possible long-term effects of concussion on health. Among a host of recommendations on rehabilitation strategies, the statement recommends cervico-vestibular rehabilitation – physiotherapy exercises to reduce symptoms and improve function for those experiencing dizziness – for those with neck pain and/or headaches lasting for more than 10 days.

Dr Hussain is based at the physiotherapy department at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and the Football Association Centre for Para Football Research in Burton upon Trent. His PhD, which he completed at the University of Otago in New Zealand in 2012, was titled ‘The development of an early educational programme for adolescents with a concussion'.

The group’s statement – published today (15 June) in the British Journal of Sports Medicine – is based on outcomes that were formulated at an international Conference on Concussion in Sport, which was held in Amsterdam last October.

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) is holding an online conference next month to celebrate its golden jubilee (50th anniversary). The event – titled Golden Jubilee Conference: Seeking gold standards – takes place on 1 July from 8.30am-2pm.

Speakers will tackle topics such as: playing surfaces and risk of injury; gender inclusive sport; gold standard of neck strengthening, shoulder training through calisthenics and minimising injury risk to the shoulder while maximising athletic potential; and speed and movement in end stage rehabilitation. 

2023 is a unique year for ACPSEM as we celebrate our golden jubilee. Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success

Confirmed speakers

Ben Ashworth is a consultant on shoulder performance problems. He has master’s in both physiotherapy, and strength and conditioning and is currently engaged in a PhD in the area of shoulder performance monitoring at Liverpool Hope University. Ben’s research is an extension of recently published research that focused on using force platforms for shoulder testing.  

Sheree Bekker is an associate professor (senior lecturer) in injury prevention in the Department for Health at the University of Bath. Dr Bekker’s transdisciplinary research takes a feminist approach to sport and exercise medicine, with specialisation in sports injury prevention. Her current research has two key strands: understanding the influence of gendered environments on sports injury, and conceptualising gender inclusive sport.

Alan Murdoch is head coach at Speedworks Bath, a company that helps athletes with acceleration, speed and braking strength. His areas of expertise include speed coaching and the implementation of speed and movement within end stage rehab.

Charli Robertson is undertaking a full time PhD at the University of Bath as part of the Professional Rugby Injury Surveillance Project, examining injuries on differing pitch surfaces in professional men's rugby union. Her research interests include the epidemiological study of sports injuries, injury prevention and athlete health. She has also just recently started a post-doctoral research associate position in sports medicine at Ulster University.

Tim Stevenson is an athletic performance consultant, shoulder strength and conditioning specialist and co-founder of Dynamic Shoulders and School of Calisthenics. He has worked in elite sport since 2008, coaching athletes to European, Commonwealth, World and Paralympic success. 

Mark Matthews is a lecturer, researcher and course director of the MSc programme in Sports and Exercise Medicine at Ulster University. Since graduating in New Zealand, he has gained extensive clinical experience working with various national and international sport teams and athletes. He currently acts as physiotherapist with Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team.

Fees: £55 (non-members); £35 (members); £20 student members)

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