Learning never stops: Doc Deja o relishes a very enriching sports medicine conference in Madrid

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman Rhoel Deja o, a well known sports medicine doctor, relishes a very enriching experience at the 32nd International Football Medicine Conference in Madrid, Spain just recently. The annual event organized by the Isokinetic Group brought together leading experts in sports medicine, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, physiotherapy, and performance science all over the world.

As a sports medicine specialist, I make it a personal mission to stay updated on the latest trends, evidence-based practices, and innovations in my field. This continuous learning allows me to apply global knowledge to the care of my local patients and athletes, Said Deja o.

In the Philippines, we still face significant limitations such as limited access to advanced diagnostic imaging, high-end rehabilitation technologies, structured return-to-play protocols, and integrated multidisciplinary support systems. Despite these constraints, being informed of international standards empowers me to innovate and adapt strategies that fit our unique context, he added.

While the conference centers around football, Deja o said the insights and discussions extended far beyond the sport as the clinical strategies, scientific research, and innovations shared are highly relevant across all athletic disciplines.

Football, being the most widely played and studied sport globally, generates an exceptional volume of data and research in sports medicine. Its high physical demands, injury risks, and worldwide following have driven progress in areas like injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization - developments that translate well into other sports. As such, the conference serves as a global platform for the advancement of sports medicine as a whole.

Interetingly, this years edition was held at the stunning C vitas Metropolitano Stadium in the Spanish capital, making the experience even more memorable.

Deja o said a unique aspect of the purposeful gathering is that the main lectures were delivered right in the stadium itself, with participants seated in the stands. Such immersive format creates a powerful link between theoretical knowledge and its application in the high-performance sport environment.

It feels so unreal to be mingling with, talking to, and directly asking questions of world-renowned experts and the very authors of landmark research studies in sports medicine, Deja o continued.  Engaging in such firsthand interactions not only deepens my understanding but also reinforces the global standard we aspire to achieve in our local practice.

Looking back, Deja o shared that one of the highlights of his journey was being named one of the 10 finalists in the Best Case Presentation competition during the 2019 London edition of the conference - an honor given among thousands of global submissions. That recognition affirmed his commitment to advancing clinical practice and contributing to global dialogue.

Over the years, I have also built meaningful relationships and collaborations with global leaders in the field, most notably Dr. Francesco Della Villa, Medical Director of the Isokinetic Medical Group in Bologna, Italy. I had the privilege of training under his guidance in 2023 at their headquarters, where I gained invaluable insights into world-class sports medicine systems and methodologies, Deja o said.

At the end of the day, every insight, experience, and connection I gain through this journey ultimately serves one purpose: to elevate the standard of care I provide and positively impact the lives and performance of the athletes I am honored to serve, Deja o ended.