2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference Magazine by Sports Medicine Australia

PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

BY SPECIAL THANKS TO

Silver Sponsor

Refreshment Break Sponsor

Speaker and Session Sponsors

Find out about our Trade Exhibitors on pages 23-25.

ACSEP PRESIDENT’S WELCOME MESSAGE

The Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians is delighted to partner with Sports Medicine Australia in presenting the 2024 Scientific Conference in Melbourne. There have been many memorable combined conferences but this year’s Conference, held at an iconic sporting mecca – The MCG – promises to be the best ever.

It seems to be the perfect time of year to gather together as a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, scientists and researchers in Sport and Exercise Medicine. Thanks to the Organising committee for preparing a tremendous program, featuring multiple concurrent streams which are sure to appeal to all delegates.

I look forward to the mix of keynote presentations, workshops, practical courses, a review of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, stimulating symposia bringing together a breadth of ideas relating to key topics in SEM, innovative free papers from young researchers, a cultural safety panel discussion including First nations athletes and of course the planned social functions

Thank you to the many sponsors and exhibitors, whose participation contributes greatly to the success and sustainability of the Conference. Please make time to visit the Trade Area to take a look at the extensive range of new products and devices being showcased.

Following on from a successful 2023 Combined Conference with Sports Medicine New Zealand in Wellington, ACSEP looks forward to welcoming members and all Conference delegates to the 2024 Scientific Conference. It will be an exciting week of teaching, learning, collaboration, being challenged by new ideas and a time to catch up with friends and colleagues.

Look forward to seeing you in Melbourne.

Dr Corey Cunningham President, Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians

SMA CHAIR’S WELCOME MESSAGE

On behalf of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), I am honoured to welcome members and Conference delegates to the 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference at the historic MCG.

It is a fantastic venue for hosting such an event, surrounded by a rich tapestry of sports history and iconic sporting moments. I am sure it is an opportunity for us to mark this as one of our most memorable Conferences to date.

Our SMA team has worked hard to bring you the best from sports medicine all in one location, but this year we had the privilege of collaborating with The Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) who have been pioneers in advancing world leading training and practice in the specialty of Sport and Exercise Medicine. I sincerely thank them for their hard work and assistance in the planning of this year’s Conference as well as their members and delegates joining us for these next four days. SMA will cherish this partnership for years to come and continue to build on the incredible achievements we have been able to create together.

This year’s program is crafted with the expertise and dedication by our Conference Committee Co-Chairs, Dr Ebonie Rio, Dr Luke Kelly, Dr Laura Lallenec and Dr Liam West. With a breadth of knowledge and skill, they have formulated a program that is not only multidisciplinary but also reflects the foundations of SMA and ACSEP’s mutual values such as academic excellence, connection and holistic wellbeing.

I am delighted to welcome our esteemed Refshauge Lecturer, A/Prof Clare Minahan, a world leading sports scientist at Griffith University. Clare has a keen interest in the advancement of human performance and determinants of performance in female athletes, which will be reflected in her insightful presentation. I also am pleased to welcome the 2024 Vince Higgins Lecturer, Dr Dinesh Palipana, who is an esteemed physician, lawyer, author and disability advocate. I look forward to Dinesh’s presentation focused on the importance of being bold, embracing innovation, and championing inclusion.

Many thanks to our long-term corporate partner ASICS Oceania for their unwavering support and loyalty that has ensured the continuity of our annual Conferences. We also wish to extend our sincere appreciation to our valued partners and supporters: Strapit, Deep Heat Mentholatum, JSAMS and BJSM.

Thank you all for joining us in Melbourne this year and I hope that you enjoy everything that the 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference has to offer.

Dr Kay Copeland Chair, Sports Medicine Australia

CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS’ WELCOME MESSAGE

On behalf of the Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) and the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) Conference Committee, we warmly welcome you to the 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference. What a privilege it is to host you at the historic MCG!

We are thrilled to jointly welcome you to Melbourne this year, an exciting new landscape to offer the very best in sport and exercise medicine, sports science, sports injury prevention and physical activity. Importantly a joined conference in 2024 has enabled us to collaborate, cross pollinate and network across disciplines as well as meet old friends and make new ones.

Firstly, we would like to thank those who submitted abstracts- we received an abundance of highquality submissions this year. Secondly, we would like to thank our invited speakers who have kindly agreed to provide their time and expertise to further our learning.

With such a high number of clinical and scientific research areas and high-quality speakers, we were able to create a program that has something for everyone, showcasing the breadth and depth of talent in our field. We are excited to share these insights and innovations with you, and we hope that the diverse perspectives and cutting-edge research will inspire meaningful discussions and collaborations throughout the event.

We also welcome our interstate and international speakers who have travelled far and wide to attend and speak at this year’s Conference. It is an honour for us to be able to host you and highlight research from across Australia and the globe.

However, the Conference this year is not all work! We have created a fun social calendar across the four days. We invite you to attend the ASICS Run Club that has been a hit with attendees in previous years. There’s also our Welcome Cocktail Party, Women in SEM Event, Scientific Poster session with canapes and drinks, and our prestigious SMA and ACSEP Gala Dinners to wrap up the event.

Special thanks to all our dedicated partners, sponsors, exhibitors, and supporters without whom this event could not have happened.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to organising this Conference. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in elevating this event to its calibre of excellence.

We hope you find the 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference both memorable and enjoyable. Thank you once again for your attendance.

A/Prof Luke Kelly, Dr Ebonie Rio, Dr Laura Lallenec and Dr Liam West

Co-Chairs

2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference Committee

2024 BOARD, COMMITTEE AND STAFF

ACSEP Board

Dr Corey Cunningham (President)

Dr Saranne Cooke (Chair)

Dr Mark Fulcher

Dr Ione Patten

Dr Dan Exeter

Dr Linda Swan

Phil Calvert

Dr Pip Inge

Dr Rachel Harris

SMA Board

Dr Kay Copeland (Chair)

Tim Pain (Deputy Chair)

Professor Garry Allison

Professor Belinda Beck

Professor Gregory Kolt

Dr Laura Lallenec

Professor Anthony Leicht

Dr Samantha McLeod

STAFF

ACSEP

Kate Simkovic (CEO)

Diana Quin

Sharni Failla

Greg Vickers

Isabelle Schroeder

Luke Major

Ben Johnstone

Millie Yusnadi-O’Donnell

Fernanda Karama

Alana Leabeater

Tracy Firth

Francis Goodfellow

SMA

Jamie Crain (CEO)

Claire Taylor

Jacquie Byard

Sarah Hope

Archie Veera

Macey Fogarty

Rosie Davis

Leanne Watson

Anthony Perera

Photography

Marty Matuszewski

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER PROGRAM

TIME OLYMPIC A & B

0900 - 1645

JACK RYDER A

ACSEP sessions SMA sessions Combined sessions

JIM STYNES A

ACSEP Registrars Conference 1200 - 1330

Judges Showcase - Clinical Sports Medicine

Judges ShowcaseSports and Exercise Science

1330 - 1400 Transition 1400 - 1535

1535 - 1540 Transition

Judges Showcase - Sports Injury Prevention

1540 - 1630 Welcome to Country - Yarra Park, outside Gate 3

1630 - 1645 Transition 1645 - 1655 Conference Opening

1655 - 1830 Vince Higgins Lecture: Dr Dinesh Palipana OAMProgress favours the bold

Refshauge Lecture:

A/Prof Clare Minahan - The optimization of female athletic performance is essential to advancing human potential

1830 - 2030 Welcome Cocktail Party - Australian Sports Museum

Judges ShowcasePhysical Activity and Health Promotion

For the latest version of the program and any updates, please refer to the Conference app.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER PROGRAM

0800 - 0900

0900 - 0930 Welcome to the Conference

0930 - 1030 Keynote Session: Dr Andrew MasseyFootball: Enjoyment, competition, health (Sponsored by SMA Sports Doctors)

1030 - 1100 Morning Tea

1100 - 1230 Symposium: Dr Marc-Olivier Dube - Rethinking the way we manage acute knee injuries: ACL healing, meniscal tear rehabilitation and a new Australian knee injury registry

1230 - 1330 Lunch

SMA Free Papers: Biomechanics & motor control

Workshop: Dr Steven Duhig

- Simplifying complexity: New directions in rotator cuff assessment for overhead athletes

Olympic and Paralympic Stream: Dr Carolyn Broderick, Dr Steve Reid, Siobhan CrawshayThe multidisplinary approach (Sponsored by Sports Dietitians Australia)

SEPA Workshop: Adapting to the changing running shoe landscape: Best practices for prescription in Sports Medicine

ACSEP sessions

SMA sessions Combined sessions

Workshop: SMA/ASMF FellowsBuilding your career in Sports Medicine

1330 - 1430 Keynote Session:

Prof Lauren BallThe art and science of community health: Lessons from a living laboratory

1430 - 1500 Afternoon Tea

1500 - 1630 Invited Symposium: Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM - Emerging technologies for recovery after spinal cord injury

1630 - 1650 Transition 1650 - 1750 Keynote Session: A/Prof Prue Cormie - Exercise medicine for cancer

Symposium: Manna McLeod

- The role of the nurse in the high performance sport environment

Symposium: Dr Phillipa IngeBeyond maternity: Navigating the return to sport for female athletes

Invited Session: A/Prof Joanne Kemp - Exercise for hip pain in young adults: where are we now

SMA Free Papers: Hip morphology and pain

Biologics Panel: Dr Jane Fitzpatrick, Dr Prof Karim Khan, Dr David Humphries, Dr Hussain Khan, Prof John Orchard - The good, the bad, the ugly

5 Slides, 5 Minutes - Interesting clinical SEM cases (1500 - 1610)

Anti-Doping Updates: Dr Sue White, Dr Adam Deacon, Dr Kira James (1610 - 1740)

Female Health Abstracts: Registrar

SMA Free Papers: Physical activity and health promotion

JSAMS Editorial Board Meeting ASICS Session: Dr Chris Bishop, Dr Ebonie Rio and Nicki Quigley - The role of heel gradient technology in football boots (soccer and football)

SMA Free Papers: Elite athlete health and injury

Knee Abstracts: Registrar

Symposium: Paula Peralta - Paralympic athletes. Paris, a practical approach

ACSEP Free Papers: Medical

SMA Free Papers: Clinical shoulder Workshop: Dr Sarah Yong - Hand and wrist injuries in sport: The challenges and a brief survey of common injuries across a sporting spectrum

1800 - 1930 Women in SEM Event - Jolimont Foyer, Pullman on the Park Hotel (Offsite) - Included with ACSEP Conference registration

1900 - 2200 ASMF Fellows Dinner (by invite only) - Committee Room by Grossi, MCG

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER

PROGRAM

0800 - 0900 Workshop: Melissa Haberfield The role of health and exercise professionals implementing injury prevention programs in community sport

0900 - 0930 Transition

Workshop: Dr David Samra - Compartment testing: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (Sponsored by Rehacare)

0930 - 1030 Keynote Session: Prof Martin HägglundTargeting a holistic approach to prevention of injury and health problems in youth sports

1030 - 1100 Morning Tea

1100 - 1230 Symposium: Prof Kay Crossley Promoting women runner’s health and running participation: The TRAIL-W project

1230 - 1330 Lunch

Symposium: Dr Tania Pizzari Treatment algorithms for shoulder instability: Operative vs. non-operative management

1330 - 1430 Keynote Session: A/Prof Brent EdwardsUsing materials science to inform athletic training load and injury risk

Workshop: College updates + Q&A

• CEO Update

• CPD Update

• Curriculum Update

Elite Sport Challenging Situations Panel: Dr Sue White, Dr Sharon Flahive, Dr Andrew Massey, Dr Paul Blackman, Dr Michael Makdissi

Paediatric Sports Medicine: Dr Damien McKay, Dr Carolyn Broderick, Dr Loretta O’Sullivan-Pippia

Workshop: Prof George MurrellShoulders 101

ACSEP sessions

SMA sessions Combined sessions

Workshop: Kieren Morgan Rehabilitation strategies after lisfranc injury with tightrope fixation: Balancing return to play and return to performance

SMA Free Papers: Assessment and monitoring for performance and health

SMA Free Papers: Hip FAI and dysplasia

1430 - 1500 Afternoon Tea

1500 - 1630 Symposium: Dr Andrea Mosler - Keeping football players on the pitch (Sponsored by JSAMS)

1630 - 1650 Transition

1650 - 1750 Symposium: Dr Joshua HeereyManagement of hiprelated pain in active adults: Current evidence and clinical considerations

1730 - 1800

Symposium: Dr Jessica Orchard & Prof Tim Meyer - Current debates around screening athletes for cardiac disease

SMA Free Papers: Female health Symposium: Dr Steve Reid & Sarah Direen - Pressure injuries and skin health in para sport

Invited Session: A/Prof Brent Edwards - Applied modeling of stress fractures in running (25 minutes + Q&A)

1800 - 1930 Scientific Poster Session - Harrison Room (Sponsored by SEPA)

Invited Session: Dr Ruth ChimentiAchilles tendinopathy: Key indicators of recovery or decline

SMA Free Papers: Tendons

Invited Session: A/Prof Clare Minahan - Menstrual cycles and macrocycles: Basics, myths, research, and emerging topics

SMA Free Papers: Sports science

SMA & ACSEP Free Papers: Back pain and bone stress

SMA & ACSEP Free Papers: Cardiovascular and thermoregulation

SMA Free Papers: Musculoskeletal surgery

SEPA AGM

SMA & ACSEP Free Papers: Concussion

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER PROGRAM

0800 - 0900 Workshop: A/Prof Kerry Peek - Is nurture more important than nature? Spotting at risk head injury situations in men’s and women’s football (soccer)

0900 - 0930 Transition

0930 - 1030 Keynote Session: Dr Ruth Chimenti - From pain to performance: Integrating multimodal treatments for tendinopathy (Sponsored by Compounded Pain Solutions)

1030 - 1100 Morning Tea

1100 - 1230 Symposium: Kellie WilkieAthletic Low Back Pain (LBP): what we know and what do we need to know to optimise the recovery of athletes with LBP?

Workshop: Dr Sarah Warby - Dynamic ultrasound assessment and conservative rehabilitation of posterior/ inferior shoulder instability Cultural Safety - Panel Presentation: Learnings from First Nations Athletes (0830 - 1030)

ACSEP Free Papers: Biologics, Bone and OA

Lydia Williams, Chad Wingard and Paul Vanderburgh

Workshop: A/Prof Deirdre McGheeAssessment and treatment of breast injuries in contact sports: A workshop for doctors, physiotherapists, and sports trainers

SMA Free Papers: Female performance and health

ACSEP sessions

SMA sessions Combined sessions

Workshop: Dr Martin Lindley - Unlocking the secrets of breath: Exhaled volatile organic compounds and exercise metabolism beyond VO2 max

Workshop: Michael Huckstep - General MSK radiography: Strengthening clinical communication between referrers and x-ray – a radiographer’s perspective

SMA Free Papers: ACL Medical Issues in Sports Medicine: Dr Ilana Gory, Dr Barbora Paldus, Dr Andrew Teichtahl

1230 - 1330 Lunch

1330 - 1440 SMA Free Papers: Knees

1440 - 1500 Transition

SMA Free Papers: Hip structure and function

The Female Athlete: Dr Rachel Harris, Dr Kay Crossley, Dr Brooke Patterson, Dr Pip Inge

Invited Session: Prof Martin Hägglund - 20+ years of injury surveillance in toplevel football: what have we learned?

SMA Free Papers: Sports injury prevention

SMA Free Papers: Neuroplasiticity and injury

1500 - 1630 Best of the Best Awards - Olympic B Conclusion of ACSEP Conference 1830 - 2300 ACSEP Conference Gala Dinner - Melbourne Museum (Offsite)

1900 - late SMA Gala Dinner - Members Dining Room

Symposium: A/Prof Mandy Plumb - How do you provide sport science and sport medicine services to young female athletes who are living in regional, rural, and remote communities?

ACSEP Medical Abstracts: Registrar

For the latest version of the program and any updates, please refer to the Conference app.

MEETINGS AND SOCIAL PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER

0830 SMA Board Meeting - Jameson Black Barrel Suite, MCG

1000 ACSEP Board Meeting - Lindsay Hasset room, MCG

1830 Welcome Cocktail Party - Australian Sports Museum, MCG

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER

0600 ASICS Run/Walk Club - Gate 3, MCG

1230 JSAMS Editorial Board Meeting - Jim Stynes A room, MCG

1240 ACSEP Professional Standards Committee Meeting - Olympic A room, MCG

1800 Women in SEM Event - Jolimont Foyer, Pullman on the Park Hotel

1900 ASMF Fellows Dinner - Committee Room by Grossi, MCG (by invite only)

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER

0630 Pilates with BARED - Fort Green Studio, Level 1, 97 Swan Street, Richmond. Register here

0700 ACSEP Research Committee Meeting - East Melbourne Library

1230 Afternoon Golf - Commonwealth Golf Club (bus departs from the Pullman on the Park Hotel)

GENERAL INFORMATION

VENUE

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Brunton Ave, Richmond VIC 3002

CONFERENCE LANYARD

All delegates will receive a Conference lanyard with name badge upon registration. This conference lanyard is the official pass and must be worn to obtain entry to Conference sessions and associated activities.

SPEAKER PREPARATION ROOM

The Speaker Preparation Room is the Olympic Lounge.

If you are presenting a free/oral/podium paper OR a workshop/symposium with slides, please report to the speakers preparation room (Olympic Lounge) the day before your scheduled presentation to upload your PowerPoint slides. This is to ensure all audio visual requirements are in order and that your presentation is successfully loaded.

Please also note:

• Your presentation must be on a memory stick/USB device

• You should have a backup of your presentation

• You will not be able to use your own laptop computer for presentation

• If there is content you don’t want shared on social media, please clearly mark slides with a ‘no sharing’ symbol and advise the audience. Otherwise, photographs of content (except results findings) is shareable on social media.

Please head to the speaker prep pages below for further information.

• ACSEP Speaker prep page

• SMA Speaker prep page

GETTING TO THE VENUE

More than three million people visit the MCG each year. There are a variety of ways to reach the famous stadium.

Ride share/Taxi

Ask to be dropped at the corner of Jolimont Street & Jolimont Terrace

Tram

• Wellington Parade - Exit station, walk through the park towards the MCG

• Olympic Park - Disembark at Rod Laver, walk up the ramp to footbridge to the MCG

Train

• Richmond Station - Exit station, cross Punt Rd, walk towards the MCG via Brunton Ave

• Jolimont Station - Exit station, walk 120 meters through Yarra Park to the MCG

GENERAL INFORMATION

CONFERENCE PARKING

• Federation Square - Corner of Flinders & Swanston St

• City Square - 202-208 Flinders Lane

• Melbourne & Olympic Parks - Entrance D off Olympic Boulevard

• Metered Parking -Available on Jolimont St, Jolimont Tce, Clarendon St

MOBILE PHONES

Please respect the presenters and all other Conference participants by ensuring your mobile phone is switched off or set to silent while you are in a session.

WIRELESS INTERNET

There is FREE Wifi at the MCG. You can connect to “MCG FREE WiFi”. No password is required.

ATM

The MCG is a cashless venue, but if you do need cash, ATMs can be found:

• Inside the venue near Bay M12, Bay 34 and Bay 52

• Outside the venue at Gate 1, Gate 3 and Gate 7

EMERGENCY POINTS/EVACUATION PROCEDURE

Please visit MCG’s Emergency evacuation procedures for more information.

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)

Please see the MCG Responder Venue Map for location and information on AEDs. If you need urgent first aid assistance, please find an SMA, ACSEP or MCG staff member on site.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Get the latest updates and join the conversation by using the official Conference hashtag across social media: #SMAACSEP2024

@SMA_News @ACSEP_

@sports-medicine-australia

@acsepsem

@sports_medicine_australia @acsep_

@sportsmedicineaustralia @theACSEP

Please note that the 2024 SMA & ACSEP Conference social media campaign is based on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Please follow #SMAACSEP2024 for more information.

SHOW SPECIAL - 20% OFF ALL TAPES & GREENTECH SAMPLES FOR ALL DELEGATES

DELEGATE NETWORKING ACTIVITIES SPOTLIGHT

ASICS Run/Walk Club

Start your day with the ASICS Run/Walk Club!

ASICS has always believed in the positive benefits of movement on the body, and the mind. It’s why they’re called ASICS - Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or a Sound Mind in a Sound Body.

This year, we are thrilled to have ASICS Ambassador and marathoner, Reece Edwards, host the run.

• Thursday 17 October: 6:00am - 6:45am | Meet outside Gate 3 of the MCG

The run group will head to the Tan Loop and back, while the walk group will explore the MCG. Get active ahead of the Conference’s clinical program which starts from 8:00am.

You’ll get to test out the all-new GEL-KAYANO™ 31, GLIDERIDE™ MAX, SUPERBLAST™ 2, METASPEED™ SKY, and METASPEED™ EDGE during your run or walk. #RunWithASICS All participants will also receive a free gift from ASICS.

Thank you to ASICS SMSB (Sound Mind, Sound Body™) for their unwavering support.

Golf Afternoon with ACSEP President, Dr Corey Cunningham

For those lucky enough to secure a spot, the bus will depart from The Pullman on the Park, East Melbourne, at 12:30pm on Friday 18 October, heading to the Commonwealth Golf Course. The return trip is scheduled at 6:50pm.

Please note, this event is fully booked.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILES

Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM

Emergency Physician, Gold Coast University Hospital

2024 Vince Higgins Lecture

Dr Dinesh Palipana was the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland. Dinesh is a doctor, lawyer, disability advocate, and researcher. While in medical school, he was involved in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury.

Dinesh works in the Emergency Department at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He is a researcher and senior lecturer at Griffith University. Dinesh is a researcher in spinal cord injury. He is a doctor for the Gold Coast Titans physical disability rugby team. Dinesh was a senior advisor to the Disability Royal Commission. He is an ambassador to the Human Rights Commission’s Includability program, a founding member of Doctors with Disabilities Australia, an advisory board member to HealthyLife and a John Monash Scholar.

Dinesh was the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Junior Doctor of the Year in 2018. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019. He was the third Australian to be awarded a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award. He was the 2021 Griffith University Young Alumnus of the Year. Dinesh was the Queensland Australian of the Year for 2021. In 2022, Dinesh was listed as number 33 in the Courier Mail’s top 100 power list for Queensland’s most influential in health and wellbeing. His autobiography, Stronger, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2022.

Associate Professor Clare Minahan

Applied Sports Scientist, Griffith University

2024 Refshauge Lecture

A/Prof Clare Minahan is an applied Sports Scientist with interests in the advancement of human performance and a key focus on the determinants of performance in female athletes. She has documented unique responses to exercise in female athletes including locomotor movement patterns, muscle damage, thermoregulation, and immune function.

Clare has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, has successfully supervised multiple post-doctoral fellows and PhD students to completion, and is currently supervising ten post-graduate students embedded in Australian high-performance sport organisations. These context specific partnerships provide the avenue for vigorous academic research and direct applied sports-science translation. Clare’s research continues to influence a new generation of exercise and sport professionals to seriously consider the physiology unique to female athletes.

In 2021, Clare was recognised by Exercise & Sports Science Australia as one of three Female Leaders in Exercise & Sports Science, in 2022 was named the Research Lead of the AIS’s Female Performance & Health Initiative, and in 2023 was named in the top-100 female sport innovators in Australia by the ASTN.

Clare applies her knowledge of female athletes to lead the development, implementation, and delivery of ‘GAPS’; an inclusive sports pathway program for emerging and para-sport athletes in developing countries of the Pacific. GAPS has been highly successful and is now formally recognized and supported by the Commonwealth Games Federation as their flagship sports development initiative for women in developing countries of the Commonwealth.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILES

Associate Professor Brent Edwards

Exercise Scientist, University of Calgary

Dr Brent Edwards is an Associate Professor and UCalgary Research Excellence Chair within the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary with joint appointments in the Cumming School of Medicine and Schulich School of Engineering. He is the Associate Director of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, a founding member of the newly formed Department of Biomedical Engineering, and an Executive Council Member of the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health.

Brent was named Co-Director of the Human Performance Lab at the University of Calgary in 2022 and has served as Secretary General for the International Society of Biomechanics since 2017.

Brent’s research examines the fundamental mechanisms of fracture and fatigue in bone associated with mechanical loading and therapeutic drugs. This work spans multiple dimensional scales, from basic experiments at the tissue level that enhance our understanding of the mechanical fatigue process, to clinical treatments and interventions to improve tissue quality and decrease fracture risk.

Brent’s lab is internationally renowned for their work focused on stress fracture prediction, which combines biomechanical experimentation with advanced medical imaging and computational modeling to investigate in vivo bone mechanics in a non-invasive and subject-specific manner.

Professor Lauren Ball

Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist, The University of Queensland

Prof Lauren Ball is an accomplished research leader capable of building multidisciplinary teams that develop innovative solutions to complex problems. She has earned an international reputation for improving health of communities by creating knowledge, translating it into real life scenarios and evaluating improvements for people, health care providers and funders.

Her work spans primary care, community care, hospital services, allied health, health promotion and wellbeing and health policy.

Lauren’s clinical background is as an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian and Exercise Physiologist, which has driven her to have a deep understanding of the way health professionals and their services enable health and wellbeing in people, groups and communities. Her research career to date has been exemplary, as evidenced by multiple awards and accolades, including two NHMRC fellowships, a national award for excellence in PhD supervision, fellowships of learned societies and several awards for research excellence.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILES

Associate Professor Prue Cormie

Exercise Physiologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

A/Prof Prue Cormie is an accredited exercise physiologist whose research and clinical work focuses on the role of exercise in the management of cancer. She aims to enhance the lives of people with cancer through innovative research and effectively translating research into practice. Her track record includes over $4.5 million in competitive research grant funding, over 90 refereed publications, over 50 invited conference presentations and many invited seminar presentations including a TED talk.

Prue has produced influential research exploring the efficacy of targeted exercise prescriptions in counteracting significant side effects of cancer and cancer treatments.

Prue was the inaugural Chair of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Exercise Cancer Group and is the lead author on the COSA position statement on exercise in cancer care. She is involved in national and international consortiums and her work has been recognized through numerous awards.

Prue is the founder of EX-MED Cancer a not-for-profit organisation that provides best practice exercise medicine services to people with cancer. A core component of Prue’s work is invested to translating research into practice for meaningful improvements in health care services for people with cancer.

Dr Andrew Massey

Medical Director, FIFA

Dr Andrew Massey is the Medical Director at the governing body of world football, FIFA. He joined FIFA in 2020 to lead the medical department and is involved in preparing the medical infrastructure with FIFA, from World Cups to grassroots football.

Prior to joining FIFA, Andrew was Head of Medical Services at Liverpool F.C. responsible for the medical, physiotherapy and sport science departments. He joined Liverpool F.C. in 2023 and was part of the backroom staff during the successful Champions League and Premier League campaigns. Prior to joining Liverpool, Andrew was the National Team doctor at the Irish Football Association between 2008-2013.

Andrew began his career in the game as a professional footballer and combined this with his studies in Physiotherapy. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and commenced a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy. He then completed a qualification in Strength and Conditioning before studying Medicine in the United Kingdom. After graduating from Medicine, he completed an MSc in Sports Medicine, and an MSc in Medical Ultrasound and was awarded a Fellowship of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, and a Fellowship of the Faculty of Medical Leadership. He also holds membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK), and is an Honorary Fellow of the AECC University. He is currently studying for a Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Science and an MSc in Medical Education.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILES

Professor Martin Hägglund

Physiotherapist, Linköping University

Martin Hägglund is professor and subject responsible for physiotherapy at the Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.

Martin is a senior researcher in the Football Research Group (FRG) that has led a large-scale injury surveillance study in professional football in collaboration with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since more than 20 years; the so-called UEFA Elite Club Injury Study. He is the chair of the Sport Without Injury Programme (SWIPE) at Linköping University, a research programme focusing on injury and illness prevention in sports.

Martin’s main body of work has involved team ball sports, with a focus on football (soccer). He has extensive international research collaborations and is currently involved in several national and international injury prevention projects. His main research areas are in sports injury epidemiology, injury prevention and implementation, and return to sports, and has published more than 130 peer-reviewed research articles in the sports medicine field.

Martin frequently speaks at international sports medicine congresses, and is medical research advisor for the Swedish Football Association and Swedish Olympics.

Dr Ruth Chimenti, DPT, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa

Dr Ruth Chimenti, DPT, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science at the University of Iowa. She received her clinical degree from Washington University in St. Louis and her PhD from the University of Rochester in New York.

Her work focuses on the evaluation of underlying mechanisms that contribute to pain and disability in foot and ankle musculoskeletal conditions as well as the development of treatment strategies that are tailored to individual needs to optimize clinical outcomes.