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| FIFA.com |
The FIFA Medical Committee met today and received an update about an initiative aimed at building stronger relationships between football teams, coaches and medical staff. A study group composed of medical and technical experts will continue the work started in March 2015 and will finalise this programme in due course.
Other items discussed during today’s meeting included the successful introduction of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programme in Canada and New Zealand as well as the statistics concerning injuries during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ which showed an overall decrease compared to the previous two editions.
Respect, competence and confidence
“We have had a productive meeting today, highlighted by the decision to approve this important new initiative '11 for coaches – recommendations for health in football teams,' said Michel D’Hooghe, chairman of the FIFA Medical Committee.
“The relationship between a team, coach and medical staff should be based on respect, competence and confidence at all times and this initiative will have a positive impact in this area,” added D’Hooghe.
Professor Dr. Jiri Dvorak, Chairman of FIFA Medical and Research Centre (F-MARC) and FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer, stressed the overhelming scientific evidence supporting the concept of prevention developed by F-MARC for football players. Appropriate preparation for the game to reduce injuries during training and matches, regular medical examinations to reduce the risk of SCD (sudden cardiac death), as well as education of doctors and sideline medical team to act accordingly if emergencies occur.
“It is our ethical and professional duty if we are called by the referee or player to run and help,” said Professor Dr. Jiri Dvorak, Professor of Neurology by specialization.
“There are also two situations we have to run on the pitch even without being called: first, any suspicion of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest); second, head injuries with possible unconsciousness. Those general rules must be respected by everybody on the bench and on the pitch. There is no doubt FIFA wants to promote football as a leisure activity that enhances health.”
The discussions of the FIFA Medical Committee today centered around the importance of the work of medical crews and their contribution to the modern game, which should not to be underestimated.
Protecting the health of players is a top priority for the FIFA Medical Committee and F-MARC.
Successful activities at FIFA tournaments
The FIFA Medical Committee also reviewed medical aspects and activities around the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
New Zealand Football and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) hosted a FIFA 11+ event during the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand in June. ACC calculate that every New Zealand dollar invested in the prevention of injuries will bring an eight-dollar saving on primary medical costs.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ was also a success in terms of medical work and prevention. As part of an importance legacy aspect of the tournament, FIFA together with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada announced the launch in Canada of FIFA 11+ in July. The FIFA Medical Committee was also encouraged by the statistics concerning injuries during Canada 2015, with the numbers of all injuries and time-loss injuries lower than the previous two FIFA Women’s World Cups. To Medical Report is available in the Technical Report (page 95).
Diploma in Football Medicine
The FIFA Medical Committee was also informed during the meeting about the Diploma in Football Medicine, an e-learning programme that will be launched on 1 January 2016 with free access. It is a standalone educational resource platform, which will offer an entry point into football medicine. Furthermore, it will offer 42 modules with content provided by F-MARC and FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence. The FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine is a great tool to gather all the relevant information concerning medicine in football for doctors, paramedics, and physiotherapists who are treating Football players as patients. Detailed information about the Diploma in Football Medicine will be published by FIFA later this year.