Held for the first time this year, the National Üsküdar University Symposium on Physiotherapy in Sports took place at Üsküdar University NP Health Campus. Leading figures in the field of physiotherapy and national athletes from various disciplines attended the symposium.
At the symposium, which was also attended by 6-year-old national ice skater Zeynep Yağmur Yılmaz, national tennis player Yankı Erel stated that he encountered physiotherapy after a severe injury, and national volleyball player Beytullah Hatipoğlu added that a physiotherapist who develops themselves and expedites return to the field instills confidence in the athlete.
Speaking at the symposium, Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, said, “Physiotherapists are extremely successful in helping a person with restricted movement become self-sufficient.”
The opening speeches of the 1st National Üsküdar University Symposium on Physiotherapy in Sports were delivered by Dr. Lecturer Fatih Kavak from Üsküdar University Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “It is very important that physiotherapists help people get back on their feet after injuries.”
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, began his speech by stating that sports are a universal value. Ertekin said, “No matter where you are in the world, it is one of the activities performed without any distinction between believers-non-believers, men-women, language, or religion.” He continued:
“Sometimes we do sports individually, sometimes collectively. Even when people find it difficult to come together, you see that it is an important value that brings many people together in international competitions and personal contests.
In countries where sports are widespread in society, we observe very positive effects on general health. Sports are also extremely important for preventive health. I recommend everyone to choose a sport they can do throughout their lives and continue it. You will be happier, your spirit will be healthier, and your human relationships and lifespan will improve. Of course, while engaging in these sports activities, unwanted injuries sometimes occur. At this point, our physiotherapist colleagues step in. Especially today, it is very important that they help people get back on their feet after engaging in sports or suffering various injuries. Physiotherapists are extremely successful in helping a person with restricted movement become self-sufficient.”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci: “Physiotherapy is an indispensable aspect of sports.”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, stated that the increasing prevalence of sports today and its transformation into an occupation and interest for people working in various fields demonstrate that sports are indeed an important phenomenon. He said, “Although sports are accepted to have emerged as a means of escaping work through play, they are seen to have gained golden value in terms of economic, legal, and international peace. In this sense, sports have become a multifaceted social pride, and its main actors are undoubtedly the athletes.”
Emphasizing that sports are beneficial for both physical and mental health, Prof. Dr. Deniz Demirci added, “However, sometimes we may encounter injuries or pain while playing sports or after. This is where physiotherapy comes into play.
Physiotherapy is a treatment method used to prevent and heal injuries. By using the scientific elements of movement, it alleviates pain in the body, increases flexibility, and strengthens muscles. It helps athletes recover faster while also assisting in preventing future injuries.
They create treatment plans tailored to individuals' needs or the needs of the athletes they work with, and these plans encompass many different techniques, from exercises to manual therapy. However, physiotherapy can be used not only in case of injury but also to enhance sports performance. Especially professional athletes work with physiotherapists to achieve a stronger, more balanced, and flexible body. This allows them to perform even better on the field and on stage. Physiotherapy is an indispensable aspect of sports.”
Dr. Lecturer Fatih Kavak: “Athlete health is a matter of great importance to physiotherapists.”
In his opening speech, Dr. Lecturer Fatih Kavak from the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation emphasized that athlete health is a topic of utmost importance to physiotherapists. He said, “Sports physiotherapy is the best indicator of the importance Turkey gives to its athletes, both at the national team level and club level. We are in May, celebrating the 105th anniversary of Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day, which Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gifted to the youth and our nation, in the second century of our Republic, which we proudly completed its first century. Sports cannot be considered merely a superiority of physical ability. Understanding, intelligence, and ethics also contribute to this work. We commemorate our ancestor and martyrs with gratitude, who enlightened us with the words, ‘I love the intelligent, agile, and ethical athlete.’”
Dr. Lecturer Fatih Kavak also individually thanked the physiotherapists and athletes who contributed to the symposium.
6-year-old national ice skater Zeynep Yağmur Yılmaz also at the symposium…
Among the athletes attending the symposium, 6-year-old Zeynep Yağmur Yılmaz, who has achieved national and international success in the Minors Category Ice Skating Competitions, stated that she receives physiotherapy support to prevent injuries. Yılmaz also said, “I have been doing this sport for 2 and a half years. I am taking Russian language lessons to better understand contemporary art, gymnastics, algorithms, and Russian ice skating coaches.”
National tennis player Yankı Erel: “I encountered physiotherapy after a severe injury…”
Wimbledon Doubles Champion and National Tennis Player Yankı Erel also explained that he encountered physiotherapy after a severe injury. Erel said, “I had a bilateral stress fracture in my back, and I rushed a bit to return to the court. I sustained a bad injury. I wore a brace for 3 months and hardly left the house. I was not supposed to walk. We started 3-4 months of physical therapy. I played my first tournament 10 months later. It was both a good and bad experience. By experiencing such an injury before turning professional, I understood what I needed to pay attention to.”
National volleyball player Beytullah Hatipoğlu: “A physiotherapist who develops themselves and expedites return to the field instills confidence.”
Galatasaray Men's Volleyball Team Captain and National Volleyball Player Beytullah Hatipoğlu said he used to experience frequent ankle injuries and continued:
“After working on ankle mobilization with a physiotherapist, I started experiencing fewer injuries. Of course, I saw the benefit of physiotherapy. We want to stay away from the field as little as possible. We want to be returned to the field quickly. A physiotherapist who continuously develops themselves and expedites return to the field instills confidence.”
The best in physiotherapy gathered
At the 1st National Üsküdar University Symposium on Physiotherapy in Sports, Dr. Physio. Rıdvan Seyhan gave a presentation on 'Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Football', Physio. Büşra Kavak on 'Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization', Dr. Physio. Burcu Kocabey on 'Ankle Instabilities', Physio. Anıl Temel on 'Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Tennis and Ice Skating', Dr. Physio. Adem Çalı on 'Return to Sport and Athlete Stories', Physio. Yalçın Ayhan on 'Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Volleyball', Specialist Physio. Murat Erdem on 'Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Basketball', Physio. Zafer Aksungur on 'Manual Therapy Applications', and Prof. Dr. Physio. Defne Kaya Utlu on 'Tendons and Their Training'.
Following the symposium, plaques of appreciation were presented to the speakers.