8th International DESA Conference
The Netherlands September 6-9, 2006
Papendal,the Dutch Olympic Training Center was a perfect setting for an International Meeting of DESA affiliated organizations in Europe. Participation in organized sports in The Netherlands is very popular. Papendal is the center of the National Sports Federation which fosters programs among approximately 10,000 member sports clubs throughout the country.
Participants from 10 countries, including Kazakhstan, Bolivia, Azerbaijan, and Australia, were treated to a well planned and well managed conference. The Italian diabetes and sports organization, ANIAD, was the most represented with 40 members attending.
At the kickoff gathering Wednesday evening, Sep 6, the participants formed a reception committee for a group of Italian cyclists who crossed the Alps in a 1100 km bike ride to the conference from Rome. Led by Pierpaolo De Feo, MD, the group of diabetic cyclists made quite a statement by their feat and the imprinted message on their shirts "Changing Diabetes" Dr. De Feo also announced the plans for an international diabetes bike race to be held in Tuscany in October 2007.
Dr. Leo Heere, MD, medical director of the Olympic Training Center, was chairman of the Organizing Committee. Dr. Heere has been an instrumental leader in developing the International DESA movement since 1985, and is a role model for all those who have diabetes and participate in competitive athletics, having himself completed 80 marathons.
Leo Heere, MD
From Dr. Heere's introduction..."The conference theme, Diabetes, exercise and sports, a health(y) challenge was chosen as we are confronted with a global challenge of treating millions of people with diabetes. Exercise and sports are cornerstone treatment options. Addressing them in a scientific way and applying exercise and sports in daily practice is among the goals of the The Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association: a heath challenge as well as a healthy challenge."
Note: PDF files of presentations can be viewed at www.diabetessports.nl
The first day was devoted to scientific sessions on the current research on exercise and Type 1 DM. Dr. Per-Henrik Groop from Finland presented some preliminary findings from a massive study now underway in Finland. Over 2000 participants are involved in this multi-year study that includes prescribed levels of exercise. This study, when completed, is expected to confirm, with quantitative scientific evidence, the benefits of exercise and diabetes treatment. David Marrero, PhD from Indiana University presented the physiology of exercise induced hypoglycemia, and Bruce Perkins, MD from Toronto gave an excellent presentation on pump therapy to maximum advantage.
Following the lunch break, there were parallel sessions on continuous glucose monitoring during a bike ride by the President of IDAA Germany, Ulrike Thurm; French guidelines on scuba diving by Alexis Tabah; and the showing of a very dramatic and professionally produced film developed by Gerardo Corigliano, MD and ANIAD on the International Snow Leopard Expedition Type 1 2005 (ISLET 2005) which followed the expedition in their ascent of Pik Lenin in Kyrgyzstan. (The expedition featured three mountaineers and previous DESA Athletic Achievement Award winners, Marco Peruffo of Italy, David Panofsky of the USA and Nikki Wallis of Wales). Contact the DESA office for access to this terrific DVD."
Other sessions were chaired by Helga Smidtman, Erik Pinxter, MD and Rypke Postma on such topics as motivating inactive children, the importance of protein in active diabetics, and developments in insulin delivery.
On Thursday evening, participants attended the awards presentation banquet honoring the winners on the 2006 DESA Athletic Achievement Awards sponsored by LifeScan. The recipients of this years awards were: Jordan Perlman, Kerry White and Travis Pasco. Johan Desmedt, Director of LifeScan for The Netherlands, presented the awards.
Jordan Perlman Kerry White Travis Pascoe with
(at left) Johan Desmedt, Director of LifeScan, The Netherlands
The scientific sessions on Friday, Sep 8, focused on type 2 DM and exercise. Presentations by Ellen Blaak and Hans Keizer presented two current research projects at Maastricht University, The Netherlands, on lifestyle intervention and exercise studies in the type 2 DM participants. Stephan Praet, MD presented preliminary findings from the Dutch ELDiaS study. Afternoon parallel sessions included presentations in Dutch and English on multidisciplinary treatement of obesity in patients with type 2 DM; physiological aspects of physical training on perphere insulin sensitivity and further details on the Maastricht study in formulating exercise programs for type 2 patients.
Saturday, Sept 9, was devoted to sports and exercise. Over 500 participants took advantage of the many Papendaly facilities for demonstrations and participation in a variety of sports. Over 100 bicycles were on hand for touring the huge complex.
A traditional highlight was the soccer match of Italy vs ROW (Rest Of the World) held in the morning. The Italians always present a formidable challenge but this year they had a ROW team that threatened their world dominance. The ROW team captained by Ulrike Thurm of Germany and with able players such as goalkeep Tuguy Esgin of Australia, Rick Philbin of the US, Bruce Perkins of Canada, and an unnamed torpedo from Kazakhstan jumped to an early 2-0 lead. Italy, seldom accustomed to such an opponent, fought back and in the last minute of the match scored the winning goal for a final score of 2-3. Congratulations Italia!
Captain Ulrike Thurm coaching strategy to the ROW team
All who attended conference will attest that it was a great success. Thanks to all of the sponsors for their support. The people of The Netherlands were wonderful as well.