Sports medicine is a multidisciplinary clinical and academic specialty (sub-specialty in some countries) of medicine dealing with;

1. Health promotion for the general population
2. The diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation preceding and following injuries or illness from participation in physical activities, exercise and sport at all levels 

The scope of Sports Medicine includes;

•  Prevention of chronic diseases caused by sedentary lifestyle as a major area of increasing interest which can partially be served by expertise in sports medicine.
• Pre-participation clinical screening and examination before exercise and competition as well as medical assistance to the athletes engaged in all sports.
• The use of supplements, pharmacological agents, doping control and gender verification and its complex moral, legal and health-related difficulties.
• Special medical issues associated with international sporting events of athletes, including disabled athletes,  such as the effects of travel and acclimatization.
• Research in basic science and extensive clinical undertaken in the sports medicine domains within a great variety of specialities.

It is the recognised continental group of the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) representing Sports Medicine. EFSMA was established in Lisbon in 1997. FIMS was founded in 1924 and is recognised by the IOC, MC as the foremost authority on medical matters pertaining to sport.

• EFSMA has an active Executive Committee from 14 European countries
• The current EC was set up from representatives of 41 countries with 35 voting, (no proxies allowed), at the last Council of Delegates, Antalya (TURKEY) October, 2009
• European Union is convinced about the importance of research and community service for Sport and Exercise Medicine.
• A minimum curriculum for sports medicine in Europe was approved but this is presently not enough for countries teaching it and having places for SEM doctors on specialising
• Requirements for sports medicine centres were defined and candidates are expected to apply for recognition.

FIMS are the recognised body of sports medicine by the IOC. They were founded in 1928 and were named FIMS in 1932. They are the World body of Sports Medicine. Their mandate is to advise on the standards in Sports Medicine. Each continent has an affiliation through its continental group.

• To have Sport Medicine recognized as a specialty within the European Union and in all of Europe.
• To develop and harmonize education in Sport Medicine throughout Europe and to get Sports Medicine included in the basic curricula at all the Medical Schools and Educational Institutions.
• To be a pan-European forum in Sport Medicine for the improvement of communication between Sport Medicine Organizations in Europe.
• To coordinate European Sport Medicine actions and to cooperate with Sports Science disciplines in Europe.
• To increase understanding of the importance of physical activity and sport training for the whole European population and disseminate knowledge of the principles and methods of Sports Medicine for the prevention, the treatment and the habilitation of injuries and diseases.
• To encourage the exchange of the scientific results and experiences and to engage in common research.
• To establish common strength and propagate a Sport Medicine Code of Conduct and Ethics throughout Europe.

• An advisory body of the EU
• An independent society founded in 1958
• Answers to the European
• Commission
• Parliament
• Council

States may vote on the recommendations of the UEMS, MJC

A specialty of medicine may be set up if 2/5th of the EU countries agree i.e. 11 EU countries.

Through the work of Prof. Bachl, Prof. Pigozzi and Dr Debruyne, the UEMS has recognized and worked with EFSMA, as the lead group in Europe, to achieve the goal of having Sports Medicine recognized as a specialty in Europe.

Meeting EFSMA – UEMS Brussels, 2005-2010 Dr. Andre Debreuyne, Professor Norbert Bachl, Professor Bernard Maillet (UEMS) and Dr. Zlatko Fras (UEMS), Professor Fabio Pigozzi.

Over the past 5 years, EFSMA has worked tirelessly to achieve our goal. To date we had the following accepted by the UEMS, MJC

1. Definition Sports Medicine
2. Minimum Sports Medicine Curriculum
3. Accreditation of meetings for CME points

Over the next term, we hope to achieve;

• Training Logbook – Trainee
• Training centres -Institutions
• National Delegates
  

Brussels, 19.2.2010;

UEMS;Nicolas Christodoulou (Rehab) (President), Bernard Maillet, (Pathology), (Secretary-General UEMS)
EFSMA, MJC; Andre Debruyne (Sec), Norbert Bachl (Vice-pres.)
Observers; EFSMA,   Joe Cummiskey, Maurizio Casasco, Fabio Pigozzi
UEMS; Andreas Liveris, (Cyprus) Allergy, Despina Economoy, (Cyprus) Paediatrics

EFSMA’s aims for the next term and beyond are as follows;

• To have Sport and Exercise Medicine as a recognised speciality in Europe by UEMS
• A minimal curriculum approved by UEMS, MJC actively being taught
• Centres of excellence for SEM Clinics accredited by EFSMA
• A national manager in each country for EUMS, MJC
• A growing website of EFSMA and the EUMS, MJC, which is now in place
• Closer affiliation with FIMS, ECSS, EOC and other International bodies, inclusive of all, especially the Olympic countries of UK and Russia, European sites of the next Olympic Games, and with the most advanced and largest countries of Italy, France and Germany. (I am not sure to name countries which can be regarded negatively by others not listed)
• “Where does Europe end” close affiliation with our neighbours around the Mediterranean and beyond. Delicate issue ?????
• Biannual SEM conference, next one is in Salzburg 2011, in association with Austrian and Mid-European Rehabilitation Medicine
• A European Journal of SEM either alone or with FIMS
• E-learning, approved by EUMS, within an active Science and Education Commission
• Accreditation of scientific events for CME by EUMS

Joseph Cummiskey MD
Dublin, Ireland
President EFSMA 2009-2013