Care for the athlete does not end on the field: Umag held a panel as part of the project "Show your heart"

A panel discussion titled "Show Your Heart," part of a health-preventive initiative, took place in Umag during the Plava Laguna Croatia Open tennis tournament. The event focused on the importance of preventive medical check-ups, proper nutrition, quality sleep, physiotherapy, and healthy lifestyle habits for athletes. Organized in collaboration with the Croatian Football Association and the First Sports Betting Company PSK, the panel aimed to highlight how athlete care extends beyond training sessions and competition fields. The discussion was moderated by Aleks Buvač, editor and founder of the Ofenziva portal, and featured experts from various areas of sports medicine and health. Dr. med. Ivana Marić, a specialist in occupational and sports medicine from the Vaš Pregled Center for Work and Sports Medicine, emphasized the need for parents, children, and coaches to recognize certain symptoms promptly. She noted that chest pain, palpitations, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness during physical activity should always be addressed immediately. According to Marić, involving other specialists can confirm whether everything is fine rather than overlooking potentially serious issues. While many conditions today are attributed to stress and fatigue, correctly so in 95 percent of cases, it's crucial to address the remaining five percent adequately to ensure both the benefits of check-ups and long-term athletic success. Ana Tomazin, a nutritionist and ultramarathon runner, spoke about the diet of athletes, hydration, supplementation, quality sleep, and daily habits that influence long-term sports performance and overall health. She recommended that athletes carry isotonic drinks during training sessions lasting more than an hour, as they contain sodium and carbohydrates essential during physical exertion. Tomazin clarified that there is no need to demonize carbohydrates since they are vital during training. She also pointed out that fats are not inherently bad and play a crucial role in an athlete’s diet, particularly omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, she warned against consuming them during training because they slow digestion, which could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and force an athlete to stop their session or competition. Ivana Palčić, the official physiotherapist for the ATP tournament in Umag and founder of ReLab Physiotherapy and the ReBella Longevity Centre, highlighted the importance of injury prevention, timely recognition of overtraining, and special attention to children and young athletes. She noted that modern athletes are well-prepared to avoid injuries altogether, though the differences depend largely on age. In children, overuse syndromes and certain soft tissue issues are more common, while adults often face degenerative conditions and overuse syndromes caused by bone and cartilage changes. Palčić mentioned that people have been seeking help much earlier in recent years, coming forward at the first signs of discomfort rather than waiting for problems to become severe, allowing most issues to be resolved effectively. The collective message from the panel was clear: caring for an athlete does not begin or end on the field. Preventive check-ups, proper nutrition, quality recovery, and early identification of health issues are just as important as training itself. Healthy habits must be developed from an early age. Alongside the panel discussion, attendees of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open had the opportunity throughout the day to receive free medical consultations, ECG tests, blood pressure measurements, blood sugar level checks, oxygen saturation assessments, and body composition analysis. The ECG test was highlighted as the most critical examination, as the main goal of the project is to prevent sudden cardiac death. Other health conditions and states, according to the panelists, can be monitored, controlled, and assessed over time to determine their severity. The event underscored the growing emphasis on holistic approaches to athlete wellness, integrating medical expertise with practical advice on nutrition and recovery. It reflected broader trends in sports medicine towards proactive health management, ensuring that athletes maintain peak performance through comprehensive care strategies. Attendees were given access to a range of health services designed to detect potential risks early and provide personalized guidance tailored to individual needs. This approach aligns with increasing awareness among sports organizations and governing bodies regarding the significance of preventative healthcare in sustaining athletic careers and minimizing the risk of serious health complications.