With an eye on the next Olympic Games cycle, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) partnered with the National Sports Clinic and the Ministry of Health to implement a comprehensive Pre-Participation Screening Programme for athletes with prospects for international representation. According to a press release from the GOA, the programme is part of “the GOA’s strategic focus on athlete welfare, performance optimization, and injury prevention, aimed at revolutionizing the approach to athlete development and care in the nation”.
“This strategic undertaking marks a new and significant milestone in the GOA’s commitment to advancing the sporting landscape of Guyana. By implementing a scientifically-driven approach to athlete assessment and management, the program seeks to assist with enhancing training effectiveness, monitor progression, and mitigate against injuries, ultimately fostering a culture of knowledge and excellence within the sporting community”, the release said. Importantly, the GOA also revealed that the pre-screening process is a “mandatory requirement for all athletes being considered for international representation, including those receiving grant support from the GOA and athletes with prospects for representation of Guyana in international competition and Olympic cycle events. Over the last few months a structured schedule devised to facilitate the screening of athletes across various sporting disciplines was successfully undertaken, under the expert guidance of Ms. Vanessa Wickham at the National Sports Clinic, Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal”. The release further explained; “The screening sessions provide athletes with the opportunity to undergo comprehensive assessments tailored to their specific disciplines.
The objective of the program is to adopt a scientific approach to athlete development, ensuring a systematic evaluation of training regimens, progress, improving athletes and coaches’ knowledge on injury management care and prevention as a key basis for improving performance”.
Additionally, the GOA noted; “The screening process involves comprehensive history-taking and physical examinations, with a focus on ensuring both the medical and musculoskeletal health of each athlete, while also optimizing their performance and mitigating injury risks”.
Meanwhile, the process will entail the following phases in addition to Nutritional Education:
Medical Screening – Ensuring the overall health of the athlete.
Performance Testing – Evaluating key performance metrics to optimize training. Musculoskeletal Screening – Identifying any potential areas of concern in terms of injury risk and physical readiness.
Therelease further stated; “The Pre-Participation Screening is crucial in developing a robust, data-driven approach to athlete performance and injury prevention strategy. By collecting baseline data, we can track each athlete’s progress, enhance their training, and develop effective rehabilitation strategies when needed”.
Among the officials that will be directly involved in the programme from the National Sports Clinic and Ministry of Health, are a combination of medical professionals, including physiotherapists, a psychiatrist, and a medical doctor, to ensure a holistic approach to athlete health and performance.
