You thought that sports medicine was only intended for professional athletes? Think again.
Although it does help professional athletes to improve their achievements without damaging their bodies, it also helps amateur
athletes - children, adults and even those who suffer from chronic illnesses – to make their exercise safer and more effective.
Dr. Ron Golan, Medical Director, Meuhedet Sport
Sports medicine has developed considerably in recent years, and currently it covers all areas connected with physical activities
and is aimed at athletes at all levels - both amateur and professional. Furthermore, sports medicine helps the general public:
it deals with the contribution of physical activity to treating and preventing illnesses, and thus contributes to the quality
of life of everyone who suffers or is liable to suffer from pulmonary and heart diseases, overweight, diabetes, hypertension,
arthritis, and more.
Tests carried out at Meuhedet Sport - the Meuhedet Sports Medicine Institute – enable personal individual tailoring of the most
appropriate physical activity to the individual physical and health status. These tests often help to improve the effectiveness
of treatment of physically active people suffering from injuries and various illnesses.
There are many professionals active at Meuhedet Sport, dealing with many areas of medicine and specializing in applying the field
of physical activity. The sports physicians at the Institute are among the most senior and experienced in Israel, who also serve
as physicians of the Premier League teams and clubs. They have experience with both children and adults, and specialize in fields
such as the rehabilitation of pulmonary and heart patients, and treatment of metabolic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes.
These physicians, together with the other professionals at the Institute - physiotherapists, masseurs, a nutritionist specializing
in weight control and treatment of athletes, and professionals of physiology of stress and training theory - make up a unique multidisciplinary
professional team, present only at Meuhedet.
Who are the professionals making up the multidisciplinary team at Meuhedet Sport?
Sport physicians
- sports physicians usually evolve from fields of general medicine, family medicine or internal
medicine. Sports physicians treat all areas of sports medicine. They examine patients, refer them for appropriate tests and
treatments, and provide guidance with regard to physical activity. Training in sports medicine takes between 2 to 4 years,
and in some countries there is an officially recognized specialization in this field. In Israel, multi-year courses are held
for follow-on studies in sports medicine, whose graduates work at the athletes testing stations, and also an advanced fellowship
providing greater professionalism in the field.
Some sports physicians evolve from orthopedics, after training in sports injuries. They diagnose and treat injuries caused by physical
activity, or those making it hard for the patient to be physically active. For example, the specialist orthopedist at Meuhedet Sport,
Dr. Michal Glodwirth, has broad experience and understanding of the mechanisms of sports injuries, including surgeries and other invasive
treatments for athletes.
Physiotherapists
- physiotherapists treating sports injuries undergo special training in treating athletes, and additional sport medicine
training. They constitute the cornerstone for treatment for sports injuries.
Sports masseurs
– the masseurs use techniques that include, among others, pressure, stretching, energetic movements, moving
joints, and light vibrations to tissues. This method of massage originates in the field of competitive sport, where the athlete is forced
to carry out extended and continuous physical activity (in football and basketball, for example), or strenuous activity over several hours
or heats (such as in tennis and athletics). Sports massage is intended for those engaged in high intensity sport or physical activity.
The aim is to leave the body in a state of "high muscle readiness", so that the tissues and muscles receive a regular supply of blood,
bringing them oxygen and nutrition and removing cell excretions.
Sports nutritionist
- the role of the nutritionist is to supervise the weight and energy sources of those engaging in physical activity.
She adapts the nutrition to the unique needs of the client in different situations: during the competition season; under varying loads; and during
recovery from training or from injuries and overload. She also ensures that no long-term damage is caused by poor nutrition or incorrect use of
supplements. Our nutritionist, Ms. Ayelet Azrad, has considerable experience in the field, working with children and adults and with sports teams
in different fields.
Stress physiologist
- the physiologist analyses the patient's physical activity profile, and the responses of his or her body systems to physical
effort. At Meuhedet Sport the physiologists carry out special tests, including a test to measure maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max), and a test to identify
lactic acid threshold (lactate threshold; LT). These tests allow them to diagnose physical problems and provide answers to questions such as why the patient
suffers from shortness of breath during exertion, why his or her pulse is so high during exertion, what level of effort should the patient exert in order to
improve or maintain physical fitness and good health, how many calories does the patient burn when resting or during exertion, and whether the patient has
a metabolic problem preventing weight loss.
On completion of the tests, the physiologists outlines guidelines for the patient's physical activity, helping him or her to plan a safe, effective and
personally adapted training program. Consultation with a physiologist can help everyone, from beginning amateurs to professional athletes - including people
suffering from chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hormonal problems.
Who needs sports medicine services?
Professional athletes
- these athletes have special needs, requiring constant follow-up in all areas of sports medicine. They need to consult with
stress physiologists and physicians, receive physiotherapy and massage for prevention and treatment, are under nutritional supervision, and also use the
services of sports psychologists. Since they often operate at the limits of their physical ability, their bodies face health challenges and they need
more frequent monitoring and treatment. Professional athletes also need to undergo an annual qualification test to engage in competitive sport, as set
out in the Sports Law. Based on these tests, which can be carried out at Meuhedet Sport, authorizations to exercise at gyms and health clubs are also issued.
Amateur athletes
- these are athletes who integrate sports into their everyday lives for pleasure and maintaining health. The need for achievement
pushes them to participate in competitions and improve results, and they make use of sports medicine services as necessary - for example, to treat injuries
or try and improve their achievements. Since they devote less time to regular training by comparison to professional athletes, they are liable to suffer from
repeat injuries, in particular if they have not properly completed rehabilitation from previous injury.
Beginning athletes
- most of these are middle-aged or older, deciding to begin physical activity after never having engaged in it, or at least after
having taken a lengthy break. A number of reasons may underlie this decision: family, social or image pressure; the desire to become more fit, lose weight,
tone their body, or improve everyday functioning; and the need to reduce the risk of various chronic illnesses. Such people often look for a quick fix to
their problems, and are liable to overextend themselves, which may lead to injuries. Therefore, before starting physical activity it is worthy they make use
of sports medicine services to review their health state, rule out risk factors for illness and injury, and receive guidance with regard to the desirable
degree of exercise and appropriate nutrition.
Children
- most children and teenagers are less active today than in previous generations. They have a greater tendency to be overweight,
and as a result to avoid activities and sports, and develop more injuries that prevent them from carrying out regular physical activity. Naturally, there
are also active children and teens, who regularly take part in sports - sometimes in groups or teams. These children tend to suffer from injuries and burnout
due to overload - and as a result they have special needs, such as guidance with regard to appropriate load, treatment to prevent injuries, and nutritional
support. Sports medicine might also help parents of athletic children, who sometimes express anxiety from the scale of their children's activities and fear
the effect that it may have on their physical structure.
Women
- women have special needs in sports, in particular during and after pregnancy, and after menopause. Among others, they face
hormonal changes that interfere with their concentration and physical activity, and are more exposed to the danger of bone mass depletion. Women are also
frequently exposed to stress related to toning and weight loss, and therefore make greater efforts than men to lose weight, and sometimes even suffer from
eating problems. Nonetheless, the number of women engaging in physical activity in gyms is ever increasing, and these women need guidance to maintain proper
nutrition and avoid injuries as a result of over exercising.
Meuhedet Sport Services
| Physiology services |
| At rest test |
What does the examination include? Filling out a medical questionnaire, measuring height, weight, percentage of fat and respiratory functions,
full physical examination, ECG and resting blood pressure.
Purpose of the examination: Testing fitness for engaging in professional sport.
For whom is it intended? Young athletes (under the age of 17-y).
When: Before the beginning of a season and after an illness or significant medical intervention.
|
| Regular stress test |
What does the examination include? Similar to the at rest test, with the addition of a stress test including ECG and blood pressure under
stress (ergometry).
Purpose of the examination: Testing fitness for engaging in professional sport.
For whom is it intended? Adult athletes (over the age of 17-y).
When: Before the beginning of a season and after an illness or significant medical intervention. |
| Combined stress test |
What does the examination include? Regular stress test, with the addition of lactate threshold (LT) and maximal oxygen uptake
(VO2 max) tests.
Purpose of the examination: Determining the athletes' maximum aerobic capacity and the threshold of stress at which they begins to tire.
The results are analyzed and serve as the basis for consulting athletes regarding their fitness and their training program (including loads
and pulse ranges for training).
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes.
When: Once a year – before starting training, or at the height of the season, or when there is a significant change in fitness or function. |
| RMR (resting metabolic rate) test |
What does the examination include? Testing metabolic rate at rest.
Purpose of the examination: Caloric guidance for reducing, increasing or maintaining weight. This test can be combined with VO2 Max and LT.
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes.
When: Once a year - before starting training, or when there is a significant change in fitness or function. |
| Clinical test |
What does the examination include? Examination by a sports physician, including specific blood tests.
Purpose of the examination: Investigating routine medical problems, problems of over-reaching and over-training,
and combined sport/medical problems.
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes.
When:At the end of preparations for a season (setting a full medical-physiological profile) or when there is a significant change
in fitness or function. |
| Advice for building a training program |
What does the examination include? Advice (after carrying out a combined stress test and orthopedic examination).
Purpose of the examination: Giving advice and guidance for building a training program according to physiological parameters.
Goals are set according to the objectives – reducing fat mass, increasing muscle mass, improving aerobic and anaerobic abilities
and increasing strength.
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes, people suffering from chronic illnesses, and people with disabilities.
When: Before starting training, or when there is a significant change in fitness or function. |
| Orthopedic, physiotherapy and massage services |
| Orthopedic consultation |
What does the examination include? Examination by an orthopedist to diagnose deficiencies and injuries to bones and muscles.
Purpose of the examination: Giving recommendations for treating sports injuries and guidance in the rehabilitation process.
For whom is it intended? Anyone suffering from a sports injury.
When: Following an injury or suspected injury.
|
| Initial physiotherapy consultation |
What does the examination include? In-depth survey of the area of the injury, listening to the patient’s complaints, and review
of medical documents and previous tests.
Purpose of the examination: Formulating guidelines for further treatment and adapting a rehabilitation and training program for athletes.
For whom is it intended? Anyone suffering from a sports injury.
When: Following an injury or suspected injury. |
| Physiotherapy treatment |
What does the examination include? A survey of the area of the injury, individual physiotherapy treatment or series of treatments.
Objective of the treatment: Rehabilitation of damage from an injury.
For whom is it intended? Anyone suffering from a sports injury.
When: Following an injury or suspected injury.
|
| Orthopedic examination |
What does the examination include? Survey of the movement system, joint stability, ranges of movements, balance between the limbs,
symmetry, and more.
Purpose of the examination: Creating a personal physiological profile and defining basic capabilities; setting personal goals; following
up performance and achievement of the set goals; adjustments to the personal training program; following up meeting the training load; and
preventing regression in ability and injuries.
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes.
When: Once a year - before starting training, or when there is a significant change in fitness or function. |
| Sports massage |
What does the examination include? Massage using different techniques, such as pressure, stretching, energetic movements, light
vibrations of tissues. Treatment is given on a one-time basis or as part of a program.
Objective of the treatment: Support of body recovery or preparation for physical activity, mainly when the athlete has to carry out
continuous and lengthy physical activity.
For whom is it intended? People engaged in sport or physical activity.
When: Mainly after great effort or as part of recovery.
|
| Sports nutrition services |
| Initial nutritional consultation (one time) |
What does the examination include? A personal interview and guidance towards diagnosis and recording eating diaries;
analysis of eating diaries and comparison of current consumption of essential food elements with individual’s needs; comparison
of calorie consumption and expenditure and setting targets; measuring body fat percentage and setting targets.
Objective of the consultation: Creating a nutritional profile for the athlete and preparing a personal tailored menu, taking
into account professional and personal constraints (needs that have been determined, personal preferences, schedule, personal
circumstances, etc.).
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes.
When: Once, or at the start of each season (for a team).
|
| Continued nutritional consultation |
What does the examination include?
1. Routine follow-up – a monthly meeting for measuring fat percentages and body weight, assessment of status, and solving specific problems.
2. Special activities – adapting menus to exceptional situations such as travelling abroad, competition, training camp, or injury.
Objective of the consultation: Following up implementation of the personal program and achievement of its objectives.
For whom is it intended? Professional athletes.
When: Once or twice a month, or as decided by the group's professional team. |
