The Spark Magazine (Jun 2018)

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The Spark | Ignite/Connect/Achieve
Vital Signs
Brace Up
Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar joined the Super Eagles as
team physician since August 2010, a position which
he currently holds. He has encountered several
emergencies, including cardiac arrest on the pitch. In
this article, he shares on the importance of exercise,
using real life experiences as case studies.
- By Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar
I
started working with the Nigerian Football as far back as 2005
when I was team doctor to U20 male team to the FIFA U20
World Cup, which we played in the finals in 2005 with Samson
Siasia as the coach. It may interest you to know that I was born
and bred in Jos, though my parents were from Kano state.
During my childhood days, I was an ardent supporter of football
and I played football at school and street level. I even attended
the same primary school with the current captain of the Super
Eagles, John Obi Mikel.
I have always loved football and wanted to play. As fate would
have it that I could not, I eventually joined after completing my
service and working with the emergency department of Aminu
Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. I then got an offer to work with
the Federal Ministry of Sports, at the Sports medicine unit back
in 2002 and that is where the story began. Eventually,
I was posted to the football team.
I believe it was destiny because playing
football was something I wanted
to do but because I wanted to
pursue education, I couldn’t play
professionally, at that level. So
destiny took me back to football
through the Federal Ministry of
Sports.
As the team doctor, I am
responsible for the wide-range
of health issues, including
players’ health, their nutrition,
and medication. I advise the
players, making sure they take
proper health decisions.
Sports and exercise medicine is a new specialization of medicine
and so, it is not quite attainable in most countries. Even in
Nigeria, we do not have any institution or hospital training in
this field. One of the challenges with the uniqueness is that you
must know what you are doing because whatever you do is
subject to public discuss, and you are dealing with players who
are known at the highest level and who will be overseen by other
well-trained sport and exercise physicians and specialists. So it
is a field that you must know what you are doing right from the
word go.
I have seen a lot of players and emergencies in my career. But of
all the things I have come across, one of the highlights is saving
someone’s life; resuscitating somebody who had a cardiac arrest
in football. As part of our job in the sports medicine department
of the federal ministry, we offer medical services to Nigerian
referees when they do the annual referee screening. And it is a
rigorous event. It involves a lot of running, and those who are at
risk of cardiac issues may have sudden cardiac arrest, which may
lead to death.
I was on the touchline in one of these screening exercises and a
referee collapsed. Good thing is I was around to help in making
sure the athlete was resuscitated. He is still alive, but is no longer
a practicing referee based on our advice.
Therefore, for the average Nigerian who needs to stay healthy,
exercise is life; it is very important. There are so many
recommendations which have been instituted in several
countries, in order to maintain a normal healthy lifestyle. These
are a few:
1. Exercise for at least two and a half hours weekly. It can be
shared throughout the week. Exercise can be as simple as
taking a brisk walk, cycling, or swimming for 30 minutes a
day.
2. Do resistant exercises like lifting dumb bells 15 times, thrice
a week and/or press ups.
3. Eat a balanced diet.
4. Refrain from smoking or too much alcohol.
Studies have shown that engaging in physical
activities increases mortality, life expectancy,
quality of life and reduces the risk of getting
diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other
diseases. So it is important to have
exercise and live a healthy lifestyle.
For those interested in sport and
exercise medicine, studies can be
furthered abroad, especially in the
UK and other countries. What we
have here in Nigeria are students
coming to the sport medicine centre
at the federal ministry for clinical
attachments, especially students from
UI and OAU.
I also work with other physicians,
including the physiotherapists and
massage therapists in order to make sure that
the player’s health is optimal. And at the end, my
colleagues and I are responsible for taking decisions on players;
whether a player is fit to play or not. I also intercede between
these players and their clubs, especially those playing outside
the country, in terms of their welfare and well-being.
More on mental health? Send us your questions. See page 33
“
I was on the touchline in
one of these screening
exercises and a referee
collapsed. Good thing is
I was around to help in
making sure the athlete
was resuscitated.
“
@thesparkng
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