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Q&A


APPLIANCE OF


SCIENCE


The Sports Science Institute of South Africa can identify the need for a piece of research, commission it, produce it and then apply its fi ndings directly at its site and through its outreach work. Kath Hudson talks to chief operating offi cer Brent Walsh about this unique facility


What’s your background? I started at the institute in 1998, as an intern, having completed my honours degree in Sports Science and Biokinetics: a unique qualifi cation in South Africa to provide intervention through movement and exercise, to rehabilitate and train a broad range of clients. A year later I was employed, having completed the qualifi cation requirements. Through time I have channelled my energy into the business aspects of the institute.


When and why was SSISA set up? The Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) was the brainchild of two leaders in their respective fi elds. Professor Tim Noakes is an


internationally respected sports science


academic and researcher who was looking for an opportunity to expand his Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Research (ESSM) Unit of the University of Cape Town into new premises. Morné du Plessis is one of South Africa’s most acclaimed Springbok rugby captains turned businessman who, having previously been isolated through the apartheid regime, wanted to provide infrastructure and support for the new era of South African sport.


What does the institute offer, and how has it evolved over time? Although the initial focus was primarily on sporting performance, it took less than 18 months to make the facility fully accessible to the general public for both


medical and wellness services, with more of a community focus.


Medical services include orthopaedic consultation, radiology and surgery, sports physicians, physiotherapy, biokinetics, dietetics, sports psychology, sports vision testing and training, and podiatry. The wellness offering includes a fi tness centre: a 1,500sq m, state of the art facility with the usual mix of free weights, cardio, swimming pool, yoga/pilates studio. As many of our members come through referral programmes, they tend to be slightly older and higher risk, but our retention rate is exceptional for the industry: 70–75 per cent. The gym is an important commercial arm for us, helping to fund work such as the outreach projects.


There’s a medically supervised risk


stratifi cation and reversal programme, as well as short-term programmes catering for specifi c groups (weight management, children, triathlon, boot-campers, one-to- one training opportunities). High performance sports services remain critical to the image of the institute, and SSISA currently services a multitude of sporting federations in South Africa, with several Olympic heroes based here. But all elements of the offering are equally important in maintaining the complete brand experience in our facility. Application of science in our service delivery, on all levels, underscores all activity.


The fi tness centre receives lots of referrals, so members tend to be older and higher risk 58 Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital


What about the research arm? The University of Cape Town’s Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Research Unit, while being a university entity, is


March 2013 © Cybertrek 2013


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