The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) has been officially recognised as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health – one of nine worldwide.
A special plaque was unveiled this week at the NCSEM’s East Midlands hub based at Loughborough University by Andrew Honeyman, Head of Olympic and Paralympic Legacy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
In terms of the IOC remit, the NCSEM will research, develop and implement effective prevention and treatment strategies for sports-related injuries and health problems over the next four years. The NCSEM joins an international network of expert scientists and clinicians who will be able to focus their efforts on research which optimises the health of athletes.
The plaque unveiling on Tuesday (26 July) followed an introduction by Loughborough University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Teaching Professor Morag Bell and Professor Mark Lewis, NCSEM Operations Director, in front of an invited audience from sporting bodies and the wider NCSEM network. Also giving presentations on the day were Professor Elizabeth Goyder on the research happening in the Sheffield consortium and Dr Akbar de Medici, who gave an update on the activities in London.
Dr Uğur Erdener, IOC Medical Commission Chair and Executive Board member, said: “We are delighted to have appointed nine highly qualified centres from the four corners of the world to assist us with our mission.
“These centres have all demonstrated that they are at the forefront of research in sports medicine and are committed to our shared goal of using knowledge and resources to ensure the athletes’ wellbeing so that sportsmen and women can perform at their best level with minimal risks to their health.”
Professor Mark Lewis, who is also Dean of Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the NCSEM. As a London 2012 Olympic legacy, research surrounding athlete health is one of our key areas of work. To be recognised for this research so early on is a reflection of the calibre of our members; the researchers, universities, trusts and collaborators. This accreditation will allow us to build on what we already do and to extend and further develop our research activities.”