Empowering Athlete Well-being: Aspetar's Vision Embodied in "Enhancing the Safety of Sports Supplements in Qatar"

Aspetar, the Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital convened a workshop dedicated to "Enhancing the Safety of Sports Supplements in Qatar," bringing together crucial stakeholders, suppliers, and sports supplement professionals. This gathering marked a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to advancing athlete well-being.

Held on 28th August 2023 at Aspetar, the workshop provided an invaluable platform for interactive discussions, knowledge exchange, and strategic exploration, all aimed at addressing the critical issues surrounding the safety of sports supplements. These conversations were dedicated to raising awareness among professionals and stakeholders concerning the paramount importance of safety standards, knowledge dissemination, and informed decision-making.

"At the core of Aspetar's mission is the aspiration to help athletes realise their maximum potential. This mission is intricately tied to creating an environment where athletes' safety, health, and aspirations take precedence. With this ethos driving us, Aspetar organised this workshop which reaffirmed our commitment to athletes' well-being," stated Jwaher Al Neama, Head of Nutrition at Aspetar.

Unlike events exclusively catering to athletes, "Enhancing the Safety of Sports Supplements in Qatar" directed its focus toward vendors, suppliers, and professionals actively involved in supporting athletes' performance. This deliberate approach ensured that those directly engaged in athletes' support systems were equipped with the knowledge and strategies necessary to ensure safe practices.

The workshop's agenda was meticulously crafted to tackle critical aspects of sports supplement safety. It began with the definition and classification of sports supplements and an exploration of the challenges faced by athletes in this domain. Participants engaged in discussions concerning the risks associated with untested supplements, followed by strategies to guarantee safety and quality control for vendors and distributors.

 
The event introduced the concept of third-party testing, emphasising its pivotal role in upholding rigorous safety standards. Conversations encompassed not only the risks but also the potential benefits of sports supplements, fostering a comprehensive understanding.

Aspetar's experts from the Sports Nutrition Team spearheaded interactive presentations, sharing insights garnered from their extensive experience. The workshop concluded by underscoring the significance of providing athletes with consistent guidance and summarising the key takeaways.

Aspetar envisions that "Enhancing the Safety of Sports Supplements in Qatar" will act as a catalyst for positive change, leading to elevated safety standards for sports supplements in the market. This initiative stands as a testament to Aspetar's unwavering commitment to empowering athletes to make informed decisions, ultimately enhancing their performance and overall well-being.

Aspetar is a world-leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, with a world expert team, the hospital has provided top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the-art facility that sets new standards internationally.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC. In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a reference collaborator centre by the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health Ministers Council and “The IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health” in 2014. 
In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”. In the same year, the hospital also achieved obtained-on December 15 the Accreditation Canada International (ACI) “Platinum Level”. 

Aspetar is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.