Central Queensland University students are encouraged to broaden their experience in sports medicine and science by attending the first Central Queensland Sports Medicine and Sports Science Conference to be held in Rockhampton.

Doping in sports will be a key issue addressed at the conference to be held in Rockhampton on July 12 and 13.

Focusing on sport and health issues relevant to the Central Queensland community, the conference has attracted high profile guest speakers including Dr Rob Weatherby, CEO of Doping for the Sydney Olympics. Dr Weatherby was responsible for the blood and urine testing of the Olympic athletes.

Dr Weatherby will speak about anabolic steroids – how they work, side-effects (positive and negative) and how they are detected by testing blood and urine.

The conference has been coordinated by three key health and sports bodies: Central Queensland University’s School of Health and Human Performance, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery – Rockhampton Hospital, and Sports Medicine Australia – Central Queensland branch.

Other topics to be discussed include nutritional supplements, treatment for cartilage injuries, principles of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, nutrition and sports psychology, sports injuries and biomechanics.

Workshops will be held on nutritional case studies, taping in sports, stretching, warm ups and cool downs.

Head of the School of Health and Human Performance at CQU, Dr Peter Reaburn said the conference was a first for Central Queensland, but hopefully not the last.

“We hope to bring together state-of-the-art science and the coalface practitioner,” Dr Reaburn said.

He said the conference aimed to attract medical practitioners, allied health professionals, sports coaches, sports trainers, sports scientists, health and fitness industry professionals and exercise and sport science students to address current issues in the fields of sports medicine, sports science, health and fitness.

“For medical professionals it is a chance to gain CME [Continuing Medical Education] points in their own backyard,” Dr Reaburn explained, “and for sports coaches, trainers and fitness industry professionals a chance to accumulate re-accreditation points.

Orthopaedic surgeon at Rockhampton’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr Erik Hohmann said he was pleased to be able to provide the Central Queensland sports and health sectors with an opportunity to network and hear some of Australia’s leaders in the industry.

Conditioning coach for the Sydney Swans Aaron Murphy and nutritionist for the Brisbane Broncos Holly Frail will make presentations throughout the conference, along with Director of Orthopaedics at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Dr Kevin Tetsworth.

Dr Hohmann said that, along with these high profile, nationally recognised speakers, the conference would also feature specialists from the Central Queensland region.

He said Central Queensland was lucky to have some quality health and sports facilities to be proud of including CQU’s School of Health and Human Performance and the sports clinic based at the Rockhampton Hospital.

“Our region has the expertise to diagnose and treat sports injuries at the highest level,” said Dr Hohmann, who has practiced orthopaedic surgery at Europe’s leading orthopaedic sports medicine centre.

“We also have a regional university that provides teaching in sports science and specialises in biomechanics and exercise physiology." Clinical biomechanist from CQU and one of the inaugurators of the conference Adam Bryant said he was keen to showcase the region’s knowledge in the area of sports injuries and biomechanics.

He said he had been coordinating a seminar and discussion session for the conference which would focus on sports injuries and biomechanics of the knee.

Central Queensland University students are invited to attend the conference. Concession rates will apply for students.

For more information and registrations phone Kim Gohdes on 4930 9813 or email k.gohdes@cqu.edu.au.