Singapore Conference Continues Focus on Sport Technology

“A better understanding of sports training, technology and sports medicine – main themes of CDSTC 2008 – may ultimately answer any questions from the athletes or their coaches,” Dr. Van de Vliet said.

Organized by the Disability Classification and Research Centre (DCRC) Asia, which was founded by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) to grow disability sports in Asia, CDSTC brought together sports scientists, sport medicine practitioners, bioengineers, coaches, athletes and sport administrators together to encourage and promote cross-disciplinary professional exchanges and opportunities to familiarize with the various aspects of sport for people with and without a disability.

The conference took place for the first time in Singapore and hoped to “mobilize the sports movement in Asia”. DCRC Chairperson Frankie Thanapal Sinniah emphasized that disability sports research should not be done in isolation, but rather through the exchange of ideas and information among the sports industry.

As the challenges in Paralympic sports are multi-disciplinary, Dr. Peter Van de Vliet, Medical and Scientific Director of the IPC felt that more collaborative efforts need to surface among researchers, sports federations that administer Paralympic Sport, as well as the Paralympic athletes and their coaching environment. He said to elevate standards, the Paralympic Movement calls for more research and dissemination of knowledge.

“A better understanding of sports training, technology and sports medicine – main themes of CDSTC 2008 – may ultimately answer any questions from the athletes or their coaches,” Dr. Van de Vliet said.

The Disability Classification and Research Centre (DCRC) is lead by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), the national governing body of disability sport in Singapore. The DCRC is the first of its kind in Asia to develop training programmes and spearhead sports equipment research projects. To grow the pool of bio-engineers and disability sports professionals in the region, the DCRC also establishes strategic partnerships with academic and industry partners in pursuit of a transcendent and all-inclusive sports hub in Singapore. Through its role as a research and development centre, the DCRC is set to be the focus for growth in Paralympic sports in the Asian region.

For more information on the DCRC, please visit dcrc-asia.org.