We caught up with Siska to find out more about her trip.
“Almost exactly 4 years after my first visit to the esteemed Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University, I was delighted to be invited again by Prof. Dr. Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey and the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) to come for a second visit in mid-January this year. My mission: to collaborate with Prof. Goosey-Tolfrey, Dr. Tom O’Brien, Dr. Simon Briley, Dr. Thomas Rietveld, as well as the Great Britain's wheelchair rugby team, supplementing their annual screening with shoulder ultrasound assessments. This project aims not only to advance our understanding of athletic performance but also to shed light on the injury risks and shoulder tendon adaptations over time—a vital aspect of athlete well-being.
It has been truly wonderful and extremely fun to work with such an enthusiastic and multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers and athletes, all united by a shared passion for pushing the boundaries of wheelchair sports. Sharing my expertise in shoulder ultrasound assessments further contributes to the expansion of a comprehensive dataset of shoulder tendon characteristics among wheelchair athletes across various sporting disciplines.
The Institute of Advanced Studies generously financed and flawlessly organized my trip, further providing the opportunity to experience the sporting activities on Loughborough campus myself, as well as to present my work through a hybrid webinar on shoulder health in wheelchair athletes. With over 100 registered attendees, including a friendly group of in-person and extended group of online participants, the event increased my outreach and we received positive feedback from renowned coaches and athletes globally.
Moreover, thanks to Prof. Goosey-Tolfrey, I had the privilege of visiting the Matt Hampson Foundation, where I had the pleasure of meeting Matt Hampson himself and the welcoming and friendly staff. I was truly inspired to witness the beautiful setting as well as the foundation’s dedication to empowering individuals who have experienced life-changing events, especially those who have sustained injuries through sports.
The research visit provided ample opportunities for social activities and networking. Engaging with Prof. Goosey-Tolfrey's group not only enriched my own research but also fostered valuable connections within the international disability sport community. Together, we exchanged ideas, shared insights, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. I am filled with gratitude for the hospitality and the opportunity to visit the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. Our collective efforts hold the potential to not only enhance athletic performance but also to safeguard the health and well-being of wheelchair athletes.”
Thank you so much Siska for coming to visit us here at The Peter Harrison Centre, Loughborough University and sharing your skills and knowledge with both the PHC team and wider field. We all learned a lot from you and look forwards to hearing more about the findings from your upcoming research projects.