Background article – MEDICA 2017 -- Professional and recreational sports, exercise programs in healthcare, prevention and rehabilitation: individualization is the future. Patients and people who are active and do sports are as varied as the general population – and everyone wants to be get the support according to their requirements, needs and ability. Individualization is also a central topic in the medical sector. Digitization and the increasing amount of individual data available and new methods of analysis are opening up new ways of personalizing sports medicine and consequently medical progress. The MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE – which will be held in English – will present the latest research findings. The event will be held on November 14 and 15 during MEDICA 2017, the world's leading medical trade fair which will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany from November 13 - 16, 2017. The conference will focus on future-oriented subjects such as “Latest Innovations in Monitoring Vital Data and Sports Performance”, “Tailored Exercise Programs” and “Digital Innovations in Recreational and Professional Sports”. The topic of individualization in sports medicine will be addressed during many of the conference talks.

Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, the founder of The SUB2 Marathon Project, for instance, will present his 360 monitoring approach that is designed to help top runners complete marathons in less than two hours. Marko Yrjövuori, star trainer of many U.S. top athletes will also present the digital tools and methods for comprehensive ‘life management’ that are already available today in top sports and which will soon also be available for recreational activities. adidas will introduce its ALL DAY fitness app in Session 1 on November 14. This app is designed to assist users around the clock – it does not only help them with individual exercise programs, but also with nutrition, rest periods and yoga, for example. The app thus complements popular fitness trackers and is aimed at providing individual support in a broad section of the population.

The focus of the conference in general will be on the future of sports and sports medicine – and specifically on the question: Will it be possible to run a marathon in less than two hours? “Yes!” is what Professor Yannis Pitsiladis of the University of Brighton thinks. And – as a “‘Member of the Medical and Scientific Commission” – he should know. The official record currently lies at 2:02:57. The new world record would have to be almost three minutes faster – and that in an age in which many experts are assuming that top sports have reached the limits of what is physically possible. It is becoming increasingly difficult to set new records.

Business Affairs Homepage