Medical & Sports Sciences Committee Meeting

Medical & Sports Sciences Committee Meeting Lausanne – 2 November 2007     The FITA Medical & Sports Sciences Committee (MSSC) held its annual meeting on 27 and 28 October 2007 in Lausanne, Switzerland.   During these two days the Committee Members Karol Hibner (POL), Emin Ergen (TUR), Carlos Hermes (GUA), Jean-Claude Lapostolle (FRA), Nancy Littke (CAN) and Ex-Officio Staff Member Françoise Dagouret worked on current activities and projects in the area of medical and sports sciences which include:   Ø      the publication of the latest developments in Sport Medicine and Science in Archery, in particular in the area of psychology, mathematical models and muscular activation strategies, Ø      the creation of specific webpage dedicated to Sport Medicine and Sciences in archery, with an easy and user-friendly access from the FITA website, where MSSC documents, references, recommendations could be found Ø      a pilot project consisting in offering physiotherapy service at one FITA World Cup Event and one Continental Event in 2008, in order to check such a service can effectively respond to the needs of participant teams who do not have their own physiotherapist, Ø      the publication of an official recommendation on the issue of sun exposure in archery, further to review of existing epidemiologic evidence (see below)   Around the table: Emin Ergen, Carlos Hermes, Jean-Claude    Lapostolle, Nancy Littke, Karol Hibner and Françoise Dagouret    The MSSC is also involved in anti-doping matters, and on that subject:   Ø      has acknowledged the report on the FITA anti-doping program presented by Françoise Dagouret, Ø      has acknowledged the progress made in anti-doping programs at continental level, in particular in COPARCO, thanks to Carlos Hermes, and EMAU, which has updated its anti-doping rules in the past year, and has nominated Dr Stefano Osele (ITA) as FITA liaison. The MSSC has expressed its grateful thanks to Stefano for his efficient cooperation. In the next months FITA will encourage similar progress and awareness in the anti-doping area in Asia, Oceania and Africa, Ø      has made a review of the FITA Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) policy, taking into consideration the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Medical Information Guidelines, Ø      has acknowledged the progress report made by Emin Ergen and has worked on the research project on the possible performance-enhancing effects of benzodiazepines in the sport of archery. This project involves cooperation between FITA, the WADA accredited-laboratory in Ankara, the Hacettepe University School of Sport Sciences and Technology, and the Turkish Archery Federation. A first study involving 12 Turkish elite and club level archers is planned in February 2008.   In addition, the FITA MSSC has proposed six bylaw changes to FITA Council, in the current FITA anti-doping rules and medical provisions on gender verification. And Dr Emin Ergen will represent FITA at the IOC annual meeting of Olympic IFs Medical Committee Chairpersons to be held on 29 November.   FITA Medical & Sport Sciences Committee recommendation on sun exposure issue in archery:   Archery may necessitate prolonged exposure to the sun in summer and archers must avoid painful sunburn which may adversely affect their performance.   Furthermore, epidemiologic evidence suggests that ultraviolet radiation (UVR), from sun exposure and sunburns during early life, is associated with increased risk of melanoma and other skin cancers in adulthood.   Therefore:   1)     Archers, referees, field crew, volunteers and coaches should be made aware of hazards of excessive UV radiation through educational activities. Adequate sunscreens, suitable sport dress (including hats and sunglasses) offer high-quality protection against UV radiation. 2)     Local environmental characteristics regarding sun and heat should be carefully monitored by the organizing committee and necessary precautions should be taken accordingly. Adjusting training and competition schedules to accommodate times of low sun exposure is strongly recommended.   FITA MSSC 28 October 2007