28 July 2025

On Monday 28 July 2025, the first session of the 21^st Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science organized by the Sport Unit of the Athens Institute took place from 10:00 to 11:30, featuring an engaging series of presentations moderated by Ingrid Brenner, Associate Professor at Trent University, Canada.

The session showcased a diverse range of research contributions from international scholars and professionals, highlighting critical intersections between sports science, health promotion, and technology.

• Spiro Doukas, Associate Professor at American Public University (USA), presented on “The Health Promotion Impact of Sport Mega-Events on Host City Residents.” The research explored the broader public health implications and community benefits derived from hosting large-scale sporting events.

• Jeannette Ziady from Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa, delivered a compelling analysis on “The Musculoskeletal Injury and Fitness Profiles of Vocational Dancers,” shedding light on the physical demands and injury risks within professional dance communities.
• Johanna Gerken, German Sports University Cologne, Germany, presented an innovative study titled “Visuomotor Adaptation of Martial Arts Specific Movements in Virtual Reality.” The research emphasized the potential of immersive technologies in enhancing sport-specific training.
• Closing the session, Robert Scales, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness at the Mayo Clinic, USA, offered valuable clinical insights in his presentation “Exercise Physiology for Clinical Populations: Lessons Learned from Mayo Clinic,” drawing on extensive experience with patient-centered exercise programs.

The session provided a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange across continents, disciplines, and perspectives, reaffirming the importance of global collaboration in advancing sport and health science.