The County Government of Uasin Gishu has welcomed the introduction of a specialized sports science care programme that aims to provide professional medical management of injuries for sports professionals.
United States Life University has collaborated with the University of Eldoret to introduce the Chiropractic Sports Science Program.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor (DG), Engineer John Barorot, who hosted officials from the US University, led by the varsity’s Vice President for Global Initiatives, Dr. John Downes said the programme will be of particular advantage to athletes in the athletics-rich – North Rift region.
The program comes as a prop to sportspersons who have had to agonize as they stay out of active competition due to layoffs arising from injury.
World 800-metre record holder, David Rudisha, is one such athlete who was forced to retire early due to persistent injuries.
Engineer Barorot said the program will be very helpful for athletes who have been forced to retire early due to lack of specialized care in cases of injuries.
“Generally, most of our athletes when they are injured or fall sick access attention from general physicians who may not be having specialized know-how,” said Barorot, adding that the introduction of the program in the region will hopefully inject new impetus in sports.
The DG also noted that the program is expected to work towards controlling the use of banned drugs and performance-enhancing substances that have been on the increase among some athletes.
“Some of our athletes have in the past been introduced to some drugs ostensibly to cure some infections, little do they know some of the drugs they are given contain elements blacklisted in sports,” he added.
Dr. Downes proposed the need to introduce chiropractic care in a sportsperson’s training routine, just like diet and nutrition, to help identify and arrest problems early, should they arise, and most importantly, introduce treatment and management at early stages.
Chiropractor care is specialized attention to ensure the body functions are at optimal performance by using spinal manipulations to relieve pain in joints and muscles. The manipulations increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles experiencing pain.
By Kiptanui Cherono
