Metro

Tuesday February 24, 2009

Former athletes who are now coaches get pointers on sports medicine

By NG WEI LOON


We do not want them to give up sports because of injuries... DR ASTON NGAI SENG HUEY

FORMER athletes venturing into coaching after their competitive careers, have picked up several pointers on sports medicine through the weekly lectures and workshops conducted in collaboration with the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) Sports Goodwill Ambassadors programme.

At the weekly two-hour sessions which began on Feb 14, sports physician Dr Aston Ngai Seng Huey has been guiding the participants at his newly set up sports clinic in Petaling Jaya.

According to the 40-year-old former National Sports Institute (NSI) sports doctor, the inititive is an educational programme to enable the rookie coaches as well as the public to gain sports science knowledge so that they can prevent and cope with sports injuries.

The course outline over the four-week period includes safer sports participation, managing sports injuries, common sports injuries and injury rehabilitation.

The series will wrap up with another two separate sessions, on taping exercises for the lower limb followed by the upper limb.

Considering that adults above 40 years are the high-risk group, Dr Ngai said it was important that they opt for suitable physical activities.

“It is important to create awareness that they have to aim for a progressive and gradual improvement. We do not want them to give up sports because of injuries.

“But, if they have sustained injuries, we will assist them to get back to full mobility. We want them to go out there and enjoy sports again. “Although it is not possible to strive for absolute injury-free, we can take preventative measures to reduce the risk,” he added.

In a bid to promote sports, Dr Ngai recently took the bold step of establishing his clinic to offer his services to a wider audience.

Proper strapping: The participants will also be learning the taping techniques in two separate sessions.

Going on his own would enable him to devote more time as well as share his sports science experience and expertise with others.

“Working with elite athletes during my tenure with the NSI from 1997 to 2005, we were required to be performance-orientated in getting the athletes back in action. Apply­ing a similar approach, we found that recreational and junior athletes also recuperate faster when they are given a specific target to meet in their recovery process,” he added.

Helping patients to get back on their feet and perform to their true potential is the most rewarding part of the job for Dr Ngai.

“It’s more than winning medals at major competitions. It is about building a long-lasting relationship with them. Even after they have retired as athletes, we are still maintaining the ties with them.

”We are delighted that we are continuing to play our role in developing sports at recreational and grassroots levels,” Dr Ngai said.

For details, visit www.drastonsportsclinic.blogspot.com or e-mail draston@gmail.com.

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