The South African Rugby Union will trial new IRB player safety protocols in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, which kicks off tonight when the Vodacom Blue Bulls host GWK Griquas at Loftus Versfeld (kick off 19h10).

Pitch Side Concussion Assessment (PSCA) Protocols will be in place as part of a global initiative designed to further enhance player welfare with improved concussion management of elite players.

The PSCA works like the blood bin. Players suspected to be suffering from concussion are removed from the field to take a standardised objective assessment test. If a “suspected concussion” is confirmed IRB Regulation 10 applies and the player is removed from the remainder of the match. The test takes no more than five minutes.

The recommendation to remove the player can be made by the referee, the independent match day doctor or the player’s team doctor.

The PCSA was successfully applied in the recent Junior World Cup in South Africa. Five players underwent the test; two were cleared to return to play and the other three were permanently replaced.

The temporary replacement for a player undergoing the PSCA protocols may not take penalty kicks or conversion kicks at goal during the five minutes he is allowed to be on the field. When the replacement becomes permanent he may kick at goal as normal.

IRB Chief Medical Officer Martin Raftery said the medical teams of rugby would play a key role.

“For the first time we are able to deliver a standardised procedure of assessment that replaces an on-field ‘on the run’ assessment and is based on medical best practice. It provides an extra layer of protection for our players and delivers the ability for the match doctor and the team doctor to make an assessment in a controlled environment,” he said.

“It is important to remember that these trials will only operate at the elite level of the game where there are experienced doctors present.”

SARU’s current BokSmart and IRB concussion regulations and guidelines apply for players at the non-elite level.

If a player is clearly concussed or demonstrates signs and symptoms of possible concussion – then a concussion is suspected and the player must be removed for the remainder of the match.

The ‘Return To Play’ guidelines must be implemented before this player is allowed to return to contact/match rugby.

These guidelines and much more information on concussion and concussion management can be found on the BokSmart website www.boksmart.com or on the IRB’s website under Player Welfare www.irb.com

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

Well done to Louise Kent from Port Elizabeth who won the overall BJSM cover prize (against all nations) – an Amazon voucher.!

1) Position Statement of the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) on the use of supplements in sport in ADULTS

Supplement availability and use by consumers across all walks of life are ever-increasing. The products that collectively form the sports supplement industry are typically also referred to as “dietary (or nutritional) supplements”, “ergogenic aids”, “health supplements” or “sports supplements”. The sporting population in particular offers a lucrative market for ‘designer sports supplements’ with a range of ingredients and alleged benefits. Aggressive marketing of these products at school, recreational and elite-level has led to large numbers of consumers willing to pay for and use these products in the hope of enhancing various aspects of human physiology, exercise capacity and ultimately sporting performance .

Download and view the complete document

2) Position Statement of the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) on the use of supplements in sport in school-going YOUTH

Supplement availability and use by school-going youth (<18 yrs) are increasing and it is clear that children are exposed to these products and substances at younger ages than in years past 1. This is of great concern in lieu of the increase in the number of detrimental health effects and positive doping tests related to supplement use.

Download and view the complete document

3) SAIDS Practical Guidelines

The SAIDS Position Statement and Practical Guidelines were borne out of a deep concern regarding the growing number of reports of health harming effects and positive doping cases related to the use of supplements in adults and youth (including ‘dietary’, ‘performance-enhancing’, ‘sport supplements’). The aim of these documents and resources is to create awareness and education with regards to minimising the risks associated with sports supplement use in children and adolescents.

Download and view the complete document

Dear Friends at South African Sports Medicine Association,

Unlike past medicine’s discouragement of physical activity during treatment, today’s doctors recognize its beneficial impact on patients, even those suffering from serious diseases like mesothelioma. Many mesothelioma patients today enjoy an improved quality of life and survival rate by maintaining a healthy exercise regimen, which professionals can help devise. These regimens can complement a course of treatment and fight its negative side effects, including pain, emotional distress or fatigue.

My name is Sarah Anderson and I am the Communications Director for Mesothelioma Symptoms. We have an excellent resource for you to take a look at today. www.MesotheliomaSymptoms.com is an extensive database of information and resources for patients and their families to better understand the Symptoms of Mesothelioma and the various aspects of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, as well as mesothelioma life expectancy.

Thanks again,

Sarah Anderson
Communications Director

Please download in PDF format below.

  Drugs in Sport List 2012

Prof Wayne Derman presents

A Professorial beer on the Mediterranean

The South African contingent

]]> http://www.sasma.org.za/?feed=rss2&p=858 0 http://www.sasma.org.za/?p=836 http://www.sasma.org.za/?p=836#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:14:06 +0000 SASMA Editor http://www.sasma.org.za/?p=836 Opening by His Royal Highness Prince Albert

The Grimaldi Forum

Scenes from Monte Carlo

SOUTH AFRICAN SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATION “FROM BASICS TO BRILLIANCE – WORLD CLASS IN AFRICA”

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

The Committee invites the submission of abstracts for oral and poster presentation. The closing date for the submission of abstracts is 31 July 2011.

The theme of the Congress is “From Basics To Brilliance – World Class In Africa”

All abstracts must be submitted on-line to sonja@londocor.co.za
and please CC Jon Patricios jpat@mweb.co.za and Kea at kea@londocor.co.za

All appropriately submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific committee. Authors must indicate their preference for oral and/or poster presentation, but the final decision on the format of presentation rests with the scientific committee. All abstracts received will be acknowledged, and authors will be sent acceptance or rejection letters by 30 August 2011.

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

1. Each abstract must clearly state the following:

a) Abstract title
b) Name and list of author(s). The name of the presenting author must appear first in the list of authors.
c) Affiliations of author(s).
d) Contact details of first author (telephone numbers, e-mail address, etc)
e) Preferred format of presentation (oral or poster)

2. Abstracts must be typed in English, single line spacing, Arial font.

3. The body of the text must not exceed 450 words (this is excluding the information listed in point 1).

4. Please adhere to the following format:

a) Introduction: should be brief and informative and state the aim of the study;
b) Methods: include description of subjects and research methodology;
c) Results: outline the findings of the study supported by statistics as appropriate.
Do not use figures, graphs or tables in the abstract. The data provided must be
sufficient to permit peer review of the abstract;
d) Conclusion: provide summary and relevance of the main findings.

5) All accepted abstracts will be published in the abstract handbook without further editing.
Abstracts that do not adhere to the specified format cannot be included in the handbook.

Prizes will be awarded for best oral and best poster presentations for young researchers

Position: LECTURER (1 POST) 50% APPOINTMENT and LECTURERS/SENIOR LECTURERS (2POSTS)

Description:

The Faculty of Health Sciences invites applications for the above positions within the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. The Centre was established in 2008 to develop innovative and relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, foster research and provide service to individuals and communities in the fields of exercise science and sports medicine.

The Centre aims to accommodate professionals engaged in preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative care, contribute to the academic endeavour of the University, enhance performance of athletes at all levels, and promote and utilise exercise for the management and prevention of chronic disease and disability.   The Centre interfaces with national and international sporting bodies, contributes to identification of talent, and provides scientific and medical support.

The Centre is seeking to appoint suitable candidates in (1) a part-time lecturer post    (2) two full-time lecturers at lecturer or senior lecturer level

The successful applicants should ideally be available to assume duties immediately but no later than 30 June 2011.

Requirements for the positions include:

·         A Masters degree for the lecturer position/s and a  Doctoral level qualification in exercise science and/or sports medicine and/or biokinetics or another field of exercise/sports science for applicants for the senior lecturer position/s

·         Evidence of above average to superior teaching and research ability

·         Evidence of capacity for curriculum development

·         Excellent command of the English language.

·         Evidence of interpersonal and managerial skills and sufficient academic and professional standing to command the respect and confidence of members of the Centre and Faculty.

Responsibilities will inter alia include, teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students, involvement in the planning of innovative teaching programmes, promotion and supervision of research and attending academic and administrative meetings.

Appointees will be directly responsible to the Centre Director and will assist the Director in the administration and management of the Centre. In particular the lecturers will assist with the implementation of the Centre’s strategic, academic, financial and human resources plans.

Remuneration is dependent on qualifications and experience. Closing Date: 2011/03/11

For more information Contact: LOUISE VAN ZYL

Telephone: 0117172748

Email:louise.vanzyl@wits.ac.za

To apply: Submit a covering letter, detailed CV with names, addresses and contact numbers of three referees (including e-mail addresses) as well as certified copies of degrees/diplomas for lecturer/senior lecturer position to: Louise van Zyl, Human Resources Officer

Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Resources Department .Tel: +27 (0)11 717 2748. Fax to e-mail: +27 (0)86 55 333 97. Email: louise.vanzyl@wits.ac.za

Alan Kourie
Since completing my MBBch at Wits, I have gone on to do my internship at Tygerberg and my community service in a small farming town called Greytown in the Natal midlands where I was introduced adventure sport. I then ventured further rural to a place called Manguzi on the Mozambique border. Following this I locumed around Ireland before basing in Dubai for 2 years to help set up and run the emergency centre in the Medi-clinic venture there.I was involved in the Dubai 7′s and the ATP tennis. I currently work at the Constantia Sports Medicine centre at Constantiaberg medi-clinic and am team doc for Santos. I love traveling and go crazy for just about any sport but my passions at the moment are adventure sport, mountain biking and of course golf. Even though we have extensive room for growth in the field of Sports Medicine we have the opportunity to explore new frontiers and make a difference. It’s an exciting time and I can offer a young, explorative and holistic approach.

Mike Posthumus
Dr Mike Posthumus (PhD) is a research fellow at the UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM). Mike received his PhD for a thesis entitled “Genetic Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures”. Mike completed an undergraduate degree in human physiology and biochemistry at the University of Cape Town and all his post-graduate training at ESSM. Mike completed a Leverhulme Research Fellowship in the UK after completing his PhD. Mike has published several peer-reviewed research papers and has presented at several international sports medicine conferences. Mike is also actively involved in the SA Rugby ABSA BokSmart injury prevention program.

Sharief Hendricks
I graduated Cum Laude with a B.Sc in Sport and Exercise Science at UWC  in 2006. In 2007, I obtained my Honours in Physiology at the UCT. I continued my studies in 2007 in Exercise Science at UCT and upgraded to PhD in 2010. I have published in International peer-reviewed journal, presented at 4 international conferences (1 as a guest speaker) and twice at an annual local conference. I have been invited to act as a reviewer for the Journal of Sport Science, International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching and South African Journal of Sports Medicine. Apart from my academic career, I was selected for WP under 21 (2006), and UCT Varsity Cup (2009).

Sunita Potgieter
I am a registered dietitian specializing in sport nutrition. I completed my Master’s degree at the end of 2008 and am currently a registered PhD student at Stellenbosch University. My main research focus areas involve endurance sport as well as nutritional supplementation, especially the use of caffeine in sport and performance. I am a lecturer at Stellenbosch University and I practice as a dietitian at Stellenbosch University Sport Performance Institute (SUSPI) as well as in the Strand area. I am a triathlete and have completed several Olympic and Ironman distance events, earning a World Championship slot in my age group in 2008.