High performance athletes and medicine

The High Performance Athletes and Medicine course equips healthcare professionals with a deep understanding of medication management in elite sports. Through six in-depth units, participants explore various drug categories, their applications, and how to address specific health challenges faced by athletes.

Unit 1: Analgesics in Sports
- Overview of common pain relief options, including paracetamol and co-codamol.
- Discussion of controlled drugs and emergency medications like Entonox and Penthrox.
- Practical strategies for avoiding misuse or over-reliance on analgesics pre- and post-match.

Unit 2: NSAIDs in Athletic Performance
- Insight into commonly used NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac.
- Risks of routine or prophylactic use, including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects.
- Best practices for short-term use and alternatives for managing inflammation and pain.

Unit 3: Antibiotics and Infection Management
- Key antibiotics for respiratory, urinary, and skin infections, including penicillins and macrolides.
- Addressing side effects like gastrointestinal upset and risks such as tendon rupture from fluoroquinolones.
- Tailored antibiotic use in wheelchair athletes and during international travel.

Unit 4: Gastrointestinal Medications
- Commonly used medications such as loperamide, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and rehydration agents.
- Managing GI conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, including TUE requirements.
- Strategies for preventing gastrointestinal distress in endurance athletes.

Unit 5: Mental Health Medications
- Use of sedatives, SSRIs, and stimulants in elite athletes.
- Balancing treatment for mental health conditions while minimising side effects on performance.
- Navigating ADHD treatment and therapeutic use exemptions for medications like methylphenidate.

Unit 6: Specialised Cases in Acute and Chronic Illness
- Management of conditions like diabetes mellitus with insulin, and supplementation with vitamin D and iron.
- Comprehensive guidance on corticosteroid use and anti-doping compliance.
- Practical advice for supporting athletes with chronic illnesses during competition.

This course includes:
- Case Studies: Practical insights into real-world challenges.
- Anti-Doping Compliance: Detailed guidance on therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) and navigating international regulations.
- Practical Applications: Tailored approaches to medication management for high-performance athletes.

Whether managing a local sports team or preparing athletes for global competitions, this course provides the critical expertise needed to ensure safety, performance, and compliance in sports medicine.