Train smart and stress-free. NOC of Belarus hosts sports medicine seminar

The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus played host to an educational seminar titled “Train Smart: A Course in Sports Literacy” on 4 December. The event, held as part of the 3rd international scientific and practical conference Applied Sports Science: Traditions, Realities, Prospects, featured leading specialists in sports medicine.

The participants were welcomed with opening remarks by Dzmitry Dauhalionak, Vice President of the NOC of Belarus, Sergei Kovalchuk, Sports and Tourism Minister, and Vladimir Karanik, Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Experts from Russia and Belarus, the People's Republic of China, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Switzerland discussed modern methods for diagnosing and correcting athletes’ psychological states during the competitive period, as well as the effectiveness of AI technologies for monitoring athletes’ nutrition.

“Science is coming to athletes, and athletes are coming to science. Together, we are striving to solve a wide range of current issues that will help them prepare for important competitions. We teach how to take tests correctly, tailor nutrition, and address psychological aspects. The conference gathers about 300 participants annually, and we consistently receive positive feedback from coaches, athletes, and doctors. We are always open for consultations,” said Irina Malevanaya, Director of the National Research and Treatment Center for Sports.

“Success in sports is 45% comprised of medical and biological support. The psychological component is also crucial. Everyone is familiar with burnout, irritability, and lack of concentration. This is exactly what was discussed today at the conference in Minsk. The athletes themselves actively participated in the conference and, using practical examples, analyzed various states they must learn to manage,” said Boris Polyaev, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and President of the Russian Association for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation of Sick and Disabled Persons.

The specialists were addressed by renowned Belarusian athletes Kiryl Maskevich and Ignat Golovatsiuk, who spoke about their methods of pre-competition preparation and psychological self-control before major events.

“For victory, we, athletes, need three components: physical preparedness, technical-tactical skill, and psychological readiness. Not every athlete handles the emotional load well; often, everyone learns from their own mistakes. Today at the conference in the NOC, we specifically examined different models. It turned out to be interesting and informative,” noted Ignat Golovatsiuk, a multiple World Cup medalist in speed skating.

The National Research and Treatment Center for Sports, together with domestic and foreign manufacturers, also held an exhibition featuring mobile applications for psychological assessment and nutrition planning, while experts from the Association of Sports Psychologists led master classes for athletes.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus