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by Richard Dwight

A comprehensive seminar on sports medicine for medical practitioners and others involved in the subject, was organized by the Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association (SLSMA) under the sponsorship of Nestle and held recently at the Goldi Sand Beach Hotel.

Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, the President of the SLSMA, in his introductory address said that the ten year old association conducting its tenth seminar, is recognised by the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) and as well by the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine (AFSM) with three members serving on the committee of the AFSM in Maj. Gen. (Dr) C. Thurairajah, as Vice President of AFSM, Prof. Rohan Jayasekara, on the Education Commission of AFSM and Dr. B. J. C. Perera as the Chairman of the Liaison Committee of the AFSM.

All this must have stood in good stead, for the Sri Lanka Sports Medicine Association, to successfully bid to host the 6th Asian Congress of Sports Medicine here, from the 9th to the 12th October 2003, which must surely be regarded as a rare privilege for Sri Lanka.

Prof. Jayasekara, emphasised on the importance of awareness among professionals, sportsmen/women and the general public, in that sports medicine does not simply mean the treatment of sports injuries, but a wide range of sub disciplines of sports science and sports medicine. The Plethora of which is wide ranging going on the slogan 'music is for most, sports is for all' to cover anatomy and Biomechanics, Sports Psychology, Sports Medicine, injuries, nutrition, children in sports, female athlete, disabled athlete, aquatic sports, doping, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and yet others.

Dr. C. Thurairajah dwelt on the fieldside assessment of sports emergencies, touching generally on emergency and first aid treatment, along with concussion assessment.

Participants he stressed could get injured through either body contact sports or non body contact sports - where physical injuries may be caused to limbs by dislocations and fractures, to the eye, nose and ears. The denial of oxygen even for four minutes to a particular section of the brain, through damage to the throat or airpassage, could cause that part of the brain to die he said. Dr. Thurairajah felt that an examination of the injury must be quickly made, to decide whether after first aid, the player could continue in the game, or be subject to prolonged treatment at home or even in hospital. Evaluation of concussion should be monitored even after the injured has gone home.

Dr. Hilarian Cooray the General Secretary SLSMA spoke on the management of oral and facial sports emergencies under the categories of soft tissue, hard tissue and denta, while Dr. Duminda Munidasa touched on the respiratory tract diseases on exercise, where oxygen that is necessary is constantly being burnt up by exercising the muscles and, has to be replenished by adequate nutrients - Asthmatics he said should be encouraged to participate, for it does them good, but in acute cases the respiratory weakness ought to be closely assessed.

Care must be taken he explained, in the treatment of asthma, to avoid drugs that are banned for competition. On the role of footwear in sports, Dr. Lalith Wijeyaratne was of the view, that since the ankle and feet are directly involved and in constant use, that it was necessary to have the right sole and shoe to be effective on fitness and performance and as well assist in shock absorption. Foetal growth and development, genetics along with breast feeding and weaning came within the purview of Dr. Windcer Perera under the subject Nutrition and sports (children). In this thought provoking beneficial seminar Dr. Ananda Perera made the opening remarks whilst the closing remarks were voiced by Dr. K. Sri Ranjan.

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