By: Dr. Ebby Waqqash Mohamad Chan
The Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) is taking significant strides in enhancing the well-being of Malaysian military medical personnel through its Knowledge Transfer Program (KTP) Internal Grant. Under the banner of “Injury Prevention Strategies for Malaysian Military Personnel,” this initiative, led by Project Leader Dr. Ebby Waqqash bin Mohamad Chan, has brought together a team of experts from the Faculty of Sport Science and Coaching, including Dr. Ali bin Nadzalan, Dr. Nurul Fadhilah Abdullah, Dr. Mohansundar Sankaravel, and Dr. Neni Widiasmoro Selamati.
The program is specifically designed for Malaysian Military Medical Personnel from various centers across Malaysia, including Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan (HATMIZAN). Colonel (Dr) Mohd. Fazlizam Ahmad, Head of Rehabilitation Department at HATMIZAN, is a key collaborator in this endeavor, demonstrating the commitment of the military community to this initiative. The central objective is to equip military members with the principles and practices of strength and conditioning to enhance physical performance and minimize the risk of injuries. The program was held as part of the World Physiotherapy Week celebration, featuring two workshops: “Physical Conditioning for Injury Prevention” and “Sports Massage and Taping.” These workshops took place on September 13 and 14, 2023, respectively, at the Rehabilitation Department of Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Upon completing the program, participants will have gained vital knowledge and skills to prevent injuries. These encompass a wide range of areas, including understanding basic human movement patterns, designing functional training exercises, applying stretching techniques effectively, prescribing tailored exercise routines, mastering sports massage techniques, and proficiently using sports taping methods.
The positive impact of this program extends to the promotion of a physical conditioning certificate for military personnel and the endorsement of UPSIDE Isotonic drinks for military sports events. Additionally, the Special Interest Group (SIG) Conditioning from FSSKJ is working on a comprehensive online course (level 0-3) in strength and conditioning, with the Armed Forces of Malaysia (ATM) expressing keen interest in enrolling their officers. Furthermore, ATM has already shown interest in promoting UPSIDE isotonic drinks at their sporting events, as demonstrated by their presence at recent events in Sungai Udang, Melaka, including the Malaysian Orienteering Tournament and the ATM Boxing Tournament in late September 2023. This program exemplifies UPSI’s commitment to empowering the military medical community and fostering healthier lifestyles while contributing to a safer and more resilient Malaysian military force.