Issue 1: Tuesday 21st June 2011

20-23 June 2011 Amsterdam

WCPT
Congress
News

Supported by platinum sponsors Hur, MBT and Mees

Congress opens
with a royal seal
of approval
Time momentarily stood still
yesterday as Her Royal Highness
Princess Margriet of the
Netherlands officially opened the
2011 WCPT Congress 41 years
after she opened the last such
event to be held in Amsterdam.
She inaugurated the congress
by symbolically watering a tulip
which magically blossomed into a
flower of knowledge.
In a colourful opening
ceremony that revolved around
the themes of sharing knowledge,

inspiring each other and having

fun, performers and dancers gave
spectacular demonstrations of the
beauty and power of human
movement.
Keynote speaker Lorimer
Moseley, Professor of Clinical
Neurosciences at the University of
South Australia, said that this was
his third WCPT Congress. I
remember that the previous two
were characterised most of all by
enjoying ourselves, he said.
(continued on page 2)

At the opening ceremony, acrobatics act La Vizio performed a stunning

demonstration of the power, balance and beauty of the human form.

Welcome to a historic event

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands arriving the last time she opened a
WCPT Congress in Amsterdam, in 1970 (left) and arriving at the RAI
centre yesterday, accompanied by WCPT President Marilyn Moffat.

Four days, 140 sessions, and five

thousand people to meet. The
2011 WCPT Congress lies ahead.
Delegates, speakers and
exhibitors are geared up for the
biggest world event in physical
therapy this century.
Since the first WCPT Congress
held in London in 1953, there have
been 15 congresses held by
WCPT all over the globe. This is
one of the biggest in the
confederations history.
An essential part of the

WCPT would like to thank the following platinum sponsors of World Physical Therapy 2011:

smooth-running of the congress

are the 180 volunteers.
Most of them are KNGF
members and Dutch physical
therapy students but some have
come from Nigeria, France, Ghana
and Poland. Volunteers are there
to answer delegates questions
about the congress and about
Amsterdam.
So as soon as you arrive, get
to know them, get to know lots of
other delegates, and have a great
congress!

Inside this issue

3 Ten tips for a great
congress
6 Amsterdam guide
8 Are sporting events a
missed opportunity?
10 PTs as exercise experts

WCPT Congress News

(continued from page 1)

Its an amazing opportunity to
get all these people who are
similar in one place, he said.
Professor Moseley said that an
ability to enjoy, emphathise, and
work hard were all characteristic of
physical therapists. But he
encouraged the profession to
consider whether it needed to
needed to look more at the
sensory inputs that could affect
patients perception of pain and
other sensations and not just
physical inputs.
Everything we do has the
capacity to modulate neural
representations in the brain, he
said. We need to engage the
sensory system.
He encouraged physical
therapists to understand more
about the brain, and not to think
that the physical in physical
therapy ends at the foramen
magnum.
Bas Eenhoorn welcomed
delegates on behalf of the
congresss host organisation, the
Royal Dutch Society for Physical
Therapy (KNGF).
It is a great moment for us to
be hosts here, said Dr Eenhoom,
who is President of the KNGF. He
said that physical therapy needed
a stronger position in healthcare,
and that events such as this
helped open windows and let the
world see what we do for people.
There is a lot for us to do to
prove our added value healthcare
for people, he said. We need to
show that we can do a lot to
improve the quality of life for so, so
many people.
Its a great honour that after 40
years that we are able to be your
hosts again, he said.

WCPT
CONGRESS
NEWS

Princess Margriet symbolically waters the tulip to make knowledge grow, during the congress opening ceremony.

The struggle continues, says President

Some physical therapists have to
fight to get even the most basic of
services to patients/clients, said
Marilyn Moffat, WCPT President,
at the opening ceremony.
The profession is still
struggling for recognition in many
parts of the world, she said. There
is still an immense amount to do.
She said that the growing
human and financial tolls of noncommunicable or lifestyle-related

those we serve better.

Marilyn Moffat welcomed
delegates, pointing out that around
1,800 of those attending over the
next three days have been to a
WCPT Congress before. They
know what a wonderful experience
it is, she said. Another 3,000 of
you have noted the exciting
programme offerings, have heard
of the networking opportunities,
and are here for the first time.

Physical therapists arrive

from every corner of the globe
Supported by platinum sponsors Hur, MBT and Meeus

Editor and writer: Simon Crompton (www.simoncrompton.com)

Printed by: Penfields Business Centers (www.penfields.eu)
Produced specially for World Physical Therapy 2011
WCPT Congress News, reporting on and previewing congress
events, is available on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of
congress. Printed issues are distributed to delegates.
An online edition is posted daily on the WCPT website at www.
wcpt.org
If you have any news or suggestions for articles please contact
Simon Crompton at news@wcpt.org
2

diseases such as obesity,

cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease are global concerns.
There needs to be wider
acknowledgement of the
contribution that physical
therapists can make, and are
making, to keeping populations
healthy and reducing health costs.
We all share the same
commitment to making the lives of

From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe,

physical therapists are arriving at
World Physical Therapy 2011 from
every corner of the globe. With
5,000 delegates registered and
many more expected to register on
site, the Amsterdam RAI today is
truly the point where the world of
physical therapy meets.
There are visitors from
countries where the profession is
small French Polynesia, Iraq,
Libya, Madagascar, Montenegro,
Panama, South Korea, Swaziland,
Tanzania, United Arab Emirates,

Jamaica, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Macau

and Papua New Guinea.
And there is an impressive
representation from countries
where the profession is well
established, with 200 physical
therapists travelling from the other
side of the world in Australia and
New Zealand.
Brazil, Canada, Japan, the UK
and the US all have over 200
delegates, and hundreds of
physical therapists from the hosts,
the Netherlands, are expected to
attend.

Issue 1: Tuesday 21st June 2011

Ten tips for a great congress

Youre sure to have a great
congress, but there are one two
things to know which might help
you find your feet quicker and help
you get the most out of your visit.
1. Know your way around
Take a few minutes to familiarise
yourself with the layout of the
Amsterdam RAI youll find a floor
plan on page 218 of the congress
programme. RAI Live screens
positioned around the centre will
show you your location, events,
halls, rooms and routes.
2. Ask volunteers
There are over 180 of them, all
instantly recognisable by their
orange (of course) t-shirts. Theyre
there to help you, so do ask them
questions. Even if they dont know
the answer, theyll know someone
who does.
3. Dont be daunted.
Theres a huge amount going on
at World Physical Therapy 2011,

but its not difficult to pinpoint the

things you really want to do and
see with a little bit of preparation.
So make sure you have a good
look at the programme (www.wcpt.
org/congress/programme).
4. Use the Interactive planner
Once youve found the interactive
congress planner (www.wcpt.org/
node/40473) youll come back to it
again and again. You can search
the programme for key words or
speakers, according to your
interests, and identify the full
range of sessions that may be
relevant to you.
5. Open up your mind
Theres so much going on at the
congress that it would be a shame
just to concentrate on a specific
clinical area. This is the
opportunity of a lifetime to join with
colleagues from around the world,
and consider professional issues
that affect you all. There are plenty
of discussion panels and

networking sessions that are

relevant to everyone, whatever
your work specialty.
6. Talk to people
Past delegates have told us that
they value what happens between
sessions as much as the formal
sessions themselves. A WCPT
congress is a unique opportunity
to get new perspectives, form new
networks and make new friends
from across the world. Everyones
in the same boat, so no ones
going to think youre silly starting a
conversation out of the blue.
7. Visit Dutch Village
The Dutch Village, located at a
central point in the RAI, is a
central meeting point with a typical
Dutch ambience, offering
opportunities to relax, have a cup
of coffee and browse the internet.
8. Keep in shape
There is a space for exercise
within the exhibition in Hall 3,

where you can take part in pilates,

yoga and tai chi classes during
breaks. Details will be on a
timetable posted outside the
exercise area.
9. Dont despair
If the session you wanted to go to
turns out to be full when you get
there, there are always plenty of
other sessions at the same time
some of the best sessions are
those you arrive at unexpectedly!
There will be PowerPoint
presentations available via the
WCPT website of most sessions
after congress has ended, so you
can always catch up later.
10. Remember congress
doesnt end on 23rd June
There are dozens of ways you can
continue the momentum built up in
Amsterdam. Stay in touch with
people and catch up with all the
updates and follow-up to congress
by visiting the WCPT website
www.wcpt.org

Mees healthcare creates

abilities to move your
business further on

The Mees healthcare practice is specialized

in insurances and similar financial
products for hospitals, private clinics,
INSURANCE

Mees people give you

space to move!

medical and nursing practitioners.

Are you interested? The employees of our
healthcare practice are willing to inform you!
Mees is a part of AEGON

Mees
Healthcare department
Kemelstede 4
4817 ST Breda
tel. (076)5313480
e-mail: vrijeberoepen@meeus.com
INSURANCE, PENSIONS, MORTGAGES
Mees is part of AEGON.

id5_MAD_2390354_004.indd 1

www.meeus.com

6-5-2011 10:43:42

WCPT Congress News

A new plan for PEDro

The national physical therapy
associations that make up WCPT
have agreed to try and make an
annual grant to the Physiotherapy
Evidence Database (PEDro).
This is an initiative of the
Centre for Evidence-Based
Physiotherapy at The George
Institute for Global Health in
Sydney, Australia.
Delegates at the WCPT
General Meeting, held in
Amsterdam before the start of the
WCPT Congress, spoke of how
valuable the database was in
furthering physical therapy
education, research and practice
around the world.
But the Australian
Physiotherapy Association,
proposing the motion, said its
future was threatened because of
lack of funding. The meeting
agreed to a motion strongly
recommending that all WCPT
member organisations establish
an annual grant to PEDro.
Delegates also agreed to a
motion from the Chartered Society
of Physiotherapy (CSP) in the

Japan thanks
The Japanese Physical Therapy
Association (JPTA) gave a formal
vote of thanks to the international
physical therapy community for its
support after the Japanese
earthquake, tsunami and nuclear
radiation leak. Speaking at the
WCPT General Meeting, the
associations delegate reported
that 2,500 Japanese physical
therapists have been evicted from
their homes. The JPTA continues
to provide them with support while
organising rehabilitation for
survivors of the disasters.

Record numbers
Voting delegates at the WCPT General Meeting in the Amsterdam Novotel

United Kingdom that WCPT should

encourage the rights of people
with disabilities to practise as
physical therapists around the
world.
There are added strengths to
having people with diabilities in our
profession, said CSP Chair Ann
Green. They can offer a positive
example to patients.
The General Meeting also

Your code to encouraging

greater muscle activation

agreed to reviewing WCPTs

articles of association, and further
strengthening WCPTs information
collecting and distribution role.
WCPT President Marilyn Moffat
said: As individuals acting alone,
we run the risk of being powerless,
but as a collective we we have the
strength to be a force in the
positioning of physical therapy
services worldwide.

A record number of delegations

attended the WCPT General
Meeting, with PT organisations
from 96 countries represented.
The number of WCPT member
organisations is now 106, with the
physical therapy associations from
the following countries officially
admitted to membership at the
General Meeting: Argentina,
Macau, Mauritius, Pakistan,
Paraguay, Ukraine, Belgium,
Oman and Slovakia.

The secret lies in the Instability Code

The Instability Code
In 1996, the link between instability and
movement gave us the code we needed to
increase movement in modern life and
culminated in the worlds first physiological
footwear, the MBT. Scientific studies show by
inducing movement through instability, MBTs
can help increase muscle activation, and
improve posture and balance. Applications in

therapy can include sensorimotor training1,

balance and stability training2,4, particularly when
used as a device to train the small muscles around
the ankle joint 3,4. The MBT Academy ensures
ongoing research into current and potential
applications in cooperation with international
institutions and universities. For more information
visit mbt.com

Instability Index

Engineered Instability
The Original Physiological
Footwear since 1996, engineered
in Switzerland.

Activate

Dynamic

Performance

Ultimate

Balance Training

As every individual is different results may vary from person to person.

We have designed a suite of exercises for those who simply want to

add more movement to their day, as well as specifically for therapy.
You will find more exercises at mbt.com

References
1. Korsten K., Mornieux G., Walter N., & Gollhofer A., 2008. Gibt es Alternativen
zum Sensomotorischen Training? Schweizerische Zeitschrift fr Sportmedizin und
Sporttraumatologie, 56 (4), 150-155. 2. Ramstrand N., Thuesen A.H., Nielsen D.B.,
& Rusaw D., 2010. Effects of an unstable shoe construction on balance in women
aged over 50 years. Clinical Biomechanics 25 (5), 455-460. 3. Klin, X. The MBT as a
Therapeutic Device to treat Ankle Joint Instabilities. Sports Medicine conference in
Preparation for 2010 of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine. 3-7 June 2009,
Vancouver, Canada. Podium Presentation. 4. Landry S., Nigg B.M., & Tecante K., 2010.
Standing in an unstable shoe increases postural sway and muscle activity of selected
smaller extrinsic foot muscles. Gait & Posture 32 (2), 215219.

mbt.com

Issue 1: Tuesday 21st June 2011

Four years of planning ends here

The final programme for this years
WCPT Congress is the end result
of a four-year process, devised to
make the content of World
Physical Therapy 2011 as
authoritative and finely tuned to
the needs of physical therapists
around the world as possible.
It began soon after the WCPT
Congress in Vancouver, Canada,
ended four years ago, when Ann
Moore from the UK was appointed
to guide the shaping of the
scientific programme, and WCPT
devised a survey to find out what
issues concerned physical
therapists most. The survey drew
responses from more than 1,000
physical therapists around the
world. They said that what
interested them were the
challenges of an ageing society,
the implications of physical
inactivity, new roles for physical
therapists, health promotion, the
International Classification of
Functioning and Health, and all
areas of clinical practice.
These provided the

International Scientific Committee

for the congress, which Ann Moore
chaired, with a structural basis for
planning around five core tracks:
global health, professional issues,
professional practice, education
and research methodology.
The key to organising the
Congress programme has been
trying to stay close to the here and
now of what physical therapists do,
and what they want to achieve,
says WCPTs Tracy Bury, who
worked closely with the
International Scientific Committee
on organising the programme, and
has consulted widely with physical
therapists across the world.
Weve really tried to respond
to feedback from past delegates,
and put our finger on what it is that
will appeal to new delegates, she
says. It seems to have worked.
With more than 4,500 people
already registed, a large proportion
are first time visitors.
Many of the important
professional themes are reflected
in the programmes focused

Ann Moore

symposia (thematically linked

research-focused presentations by
an international group of
presenters). There are 18 of them,
selected from 69 proposals. The
volume of high quality proposals
we received has meant that weve
been able to select the best
speakers, addressing topics that
physical therapists all over the
world want - and need - to know
more about, says Ann Moore.
But it isnt just in congresses
showpiece sessions where the

huge volume of papers submitted

has had a positive effect. The total
number of abstracts received for
platform and poster sessions was
2,885 a 30% increase on the
number submitted for the WCPT
Congress in 2007. There were
submissions from 70 countries.
The programme is very much
about meeting the needs of
practising physical therapists as
well as researchers and educators,
managers and policy makers,
says Ann Moore. Were very
hopeful that the programme will
prove the best yet.
She says whats really
enthused her about her task of
putting together the congress
programme is that she knows the
events can make such a
difference. She speaks from
personal knowledge. Shes
attended four of them.
I think its the sense of warmth,
the ease of networking, that makes
them so special. Theres that
sense of the profession standing
shoulder to shoulder.

Worlds Leading Supplier

of Equipment for
Physiotherapy and
Rehabilitation

www.hur.fi

www.hurlabs.com

Smartcard Controlled
Exercise Equipment

Easy Access Line

Wheelchair accessible

HUR Labs
Performance Testing and Training

Rehabilitation

WCPT Congress News

Ten things you have to do...

outskirts. They were developed for
corn milling, land drainage, saw
milling and other industrial
purposes, and helped shape the
country. The Molen van Sloten mill,
situated on Akersluis 10 is a 19th
century mill open daily between
10am and 4pm. You can enjoy a
guided tour and trace the history of
the mill or the life of Rembrandt.

Amsterdam isnt just a venue for

the congress: its a bustling city
knee-deep in history, culture and
entertainment.
So it would be madness to
spend all your time in a conference
centre or hotel room. Youll find
plenty of tourist information
around, and at the Amsterdam
Tourism and Convention Board
website (www.www.iamsterdam.
com). But here are some WCPT
picks of the things you should
definitely do.
Visit the house of Anne Frank
The Anne Frank House on
Prinsengracht canal is a museum
dedicated to the Jewish wartime
diarist Anne Frank, who hid from
Nazi persecution with her family in
hidden rooms. The museum shows
the hiding place, an exhibition on
the life of Anne Frank, and
highlights all forms of persecution
and discrimination. Nearby is the
Westerkerk, one Amsterdams
most famous churches.

Choosing flowers in one of Amsterdams many markets.

Stroll round Dam Square

Dam Square is the historical centre
of Amsterdam one of the most
well-known locations in the city. On
the west end of the square is the
Royal Palace, which served as the
city hall from 1655 until its
conversion to a royal residence in
1808. Beside it are the
15th-century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk

and the Madame Tussauds Wax

Museum. Opposite is the Grand
Hotel Krasnapolsky, where the
congress party night will be held.
See a windmill
You dont have to leave
Amsterdam to see one of the
Netherlands historic windmills
there are eight in the city, or on its

Browse the markets for presents

The Albert Cujip Market is arguably
the best-known and busiest
outdoor market in Europe. It
attracts thousands of visitors every
day, and is especially popular on
Saturdays. There are over 300
stalls and goods range from fresh
produce to clothes, with prices
among the cheapest in
Amsterdam. The market is located
in the Pijp district, surrounded by
many pleasant cafes and small
shops. There are a number of
regular markets in Amsterdam.
including the floating Flower
Market in Koningsplein.

Where the world of

physical therapy meets
The World Confederation for Physical
Therapy is the sole international voice for
physical therapy, representing more than
250,000 physical therapists worldwide
through more than 100 member
organisations.
WCPT is committed to forwarding the
physical therapy profession and its
contribution to global health. It encourages
high standards of physical therapy research,
education and practice.
You can find out about the wide range
of resources, information and services it
provides on its website www.wcpt.org

Every year, hundreds of physical therapists around the world publicise

the work theyre doing to prevent and treat illness and disability.
Many of them choose to do so on 8th September the date on which
the World Confederation for Physical Therapy was founded in 1951,
and which has been designated World Physical Therapy Day.
WCPT produces a range of information, support and publicity
materials to help physical therapists around the world organise
activities and campaigns. If you want to get involved, you can find
information at www.wcpt.org/wptday

www.wcpt.org
6

Issue 1: Tuesday 21st June 2011

...while youre in Amsterdam

Take to the water
Amsterdams splendid canals were
declared a UNESCO monument in
2010, and there are plenty to see
everywhere around 164 of them,
built for defence and transport in
the 17th century. Seeing
Amsterdam from the water gives a
unique perspective.There are
around 200 waterborne vessels
offering trips and entertainment,
around a fifth of them now
electrically powered, clean and
silent. Most of the bigger tourboat
companies can be found around
Central Station or in the
entertainment centre of
Leidseplein.
See a Van Gogh
The Van Gogh Museum, on
Museumplein, contains the largest
collection of works by Vincent Van
Gogh in the world. It features over
200 paintings, including the
famous Sunflowers (see picture
below) and many drawings and
letters. The museum is open daily
from 10am to 6pm, and until 10pm
on Fridays.

All life is here: get a unique

perspective on Amsterdam from its
canals

Theres a vast variety, and locals

will tell you their favourites. Twee
Zwaantjes has oom-pah-pah
singalongs, you can taste liqueurs
in Wynand Fockink, while Kamer
401 is for the young and hip musiclover. Or you could head for
buzzing Rembrandtplein. where
there are dozens of cafes to
choose from.

Get on your bike

Cycling is a very Dutch, very
effective, way of getting around
Amsterdam to see the sights, and
its made easier by the cycle lanes
that network the city. Bikes may be
rented via the RAI housing website
(www.rai.nl/hotelservice) or
through companies such as Mac
Bike (www.macbike.nl) Rent-ABike (www.bikes.nl) and the Yellow
Bike company (www.yellowbike.nl).
Pop into a cafe
Cafes and bars are central to the
Dutch way of life, open first thing in
the morning and not shut until late.

Marvel at the Masters

While in Amsterdam, you have a
rare opportunity to see works by
two of the greatest Old Masters Rembrandt and Vermeer. The
Rijksmuseum at Jan Luijkenstraat
1 (www.rijksmuseum.nl) has works
by both. It is currently being
restored, so most of its
masterpieces have now been put
together in its Philips Wing.

MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN AMSTERDAM

Rian Veldhuizen, Chief Executive

of The Royal Dutch Society for
Physical Therapy (KNGF)
One of my favourite places to bring
friends and relations when they
are in the Netherlands for the first
time is The Begijnhof (www.begijnhofamsterdam.nl/home-en). This
is one of the oldest inner courts in
the city of Amsterdam, surrounded
by historic buildings, mostly private
dwellings, centre on it. As the name
suggests, it was originally a Bguinage a place of silence for a
womens religious movement since the 14th century. You can
visit the Bergijnhof from 8am to 5pm and enjoy this quiet in the
middle of Amsterdam.
More dynamic is the Amsterdam Museum (http://
en.amsterdammuseum.nl. The rich collection of works of art and
archaeological finds, alongside modern multimedia displays,
make the past seem real.

Exercise in the park

The Vondelpark is the largest
green space in Amsterdam,
bustling with life in the summer
time and the perfect place for a
picnic, walk or jog. There are
activities such as football and
cycling, a cinema, and music,
dance and childrens events at the
open-air theatre.

WCPT Congress News

Why major sporting events could be

a missed opportunity for PT
Are physical therapists missing
out on an opportunity to educate
the public about the role of the
profession in fitness? Major
sporting events such as the
Olympic Games can be better
used to benefit the profession and
public health, panelists at a
discussion panel will propose.
Todays session (RAI Emerald
Room, 10.45), chaired by Laetitia
Dekker-Bakker, President of the
International Federation of Sports
Physiotherapy, will outline the role
of physical therapists in major
sporting events, ask how the
profession can use them to
promote health, prevent injury,
and convey key messages to the
public about the profession.
One of the speakers will be
Ella Yeung, Associate Professor at
the Department of Rehabilitation
Sciences, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University. She has
worked with various national
sports teams including the China
womens hockey team at the 2008

Olympic Games in Beijing, and

has been appointed to the Sports
Medicine Specialist team to the
China Olympic Team for the
London 2012 Olympics.
The contribution of physical
therapists is already being
recognised, she says.With the
contribution by the Hong Kong
Physiotherapists at the Beijing
2008 Olympics, the value of sports
physiotherapy service was
recognised by China National
Athletic Officials and society at
large, both in Hong Kong and
mainland China.
Apart from receiving an award
from the Hong Kong Government
to recognise our contribution, we
have also received research
funding and donations to support
research and service development
in sports rehabilitation.
With physical therapists now
becoming so widely involved in
major sporting events, she
believes there are now great
opportunities to project the image

Within the congress is a mini-city

of knowledge that every delegate
can explore. This is the poster
presentation section, located
within exhibition halls two and
three, and it has its own streets,
signposts and traffic of people.
In all, there will be 1675 poster
presentations on show - the high
number a reflection of the volume
of high quality research and
service innovation reports
submitted to the congress.
Since there is only space for
around 600 to be shown at any
one time, these will be rotated over
the three days of the congress
so make sure you check in the
programme which ones are
displayed on which days.
Each days poster displays
have been streamed into topics,
which complement the platform
sessions on the same day. Weve
tried to deliberately integrate the
themes for all the sessions, so that
people with a specific interest who
can come for only one day wont
be disappointed, says Tracy Bury,
8

WCPTs Director of Professional

Policy.
Posters with similar subjects
will be grouped together, along
aisles with signs indicating topics.
There will be boards showing
street maps and how to navigate
the hundreds of posters.
Delegates can also attend 11
poster discussion presentations,
covering over 60 poster papers,
where presenting authors present
key points from their work and
discuss them with the audience.
As with the platform presentations,
there will be awards at the closing
ceremony on the Thursday of
congress for the best poster
presentations.
One of the most motivational
aspects of the WCPT Congress is
the large number of cutting-edge
research and professional
development projects that are
presented, says Ann Moore, Chair
of the congress International
Scientific Committee. We have
the opportunity to view hundreds
of posters and speak to their

Ella Yeung

of profession, and in particular

raise awareness of its integral role
in the prevention and treatment of
sports injuries.
This congress panel session
is important, because physical
therapists who are involved in

major sports events will be sharing

a platform, she says. Sport
becomes an important part in
societybecause it captures the
attention of the public.It is an
opportunity to put the PT
profession in the spotlight.

The mini-city of knowledge

The poster presentation area in Vancouver, during the 2007 WCPT

Congress. In Amsterdam, each days displays will be streamed into topics.

authors first hand. Looking deeply

at these poster presentations
gives us wider knowledge of the
findings and outcomes of the
projects and increases the
potential for similar initiatives to
occur in other parts of the world.

In recognition of how important

posters are to the congress
programme, they will be made
available via the WCPT website
after the congress. Further details
will be provided to delegates after
the event.

Issue 1: Tuesday 21st June 2011

Trade exhibition is a
hands-on experience
for delegates
More than 180 companies are
displaying products and equipment
at this years congress exhibition
making it the largest international
physical therapy trade show in the
world.
Delegates have the opportunity
to try out cutting-edge equipment
and take part in dozens of
activities and demonstrations as
they walk around the exhibition.
There are 30% more exhibitors
than the previous WCPT Congress
in Vancouver. Many come from
Europe, but there are also
companies from Brazil, the United
States, South Africa, India,
Australia, Canada, Japan, Israel
and New Zealand.
Stuart Attwood, WCPT
Exhibition and Sponsorship
Manager, explains that exhibitors
have been attracted by the
European location and the

international standing of WCPT

congresses.
Ive been impressed by the
number of companies that want to
build innovative stands with lots of
hands-on interaction for
delegates, he says. That speaks
volumes on how much value
exhibitors are putting on this event
and the people who will attend it.
There are lots of
demonstrations, with experienced
professionals and developers on
hand to teach people how to use
the products.
Among the exhibitors are
manufacturers/distributors of
electrotherapy equipment,
teaching aids, supports,
cushioning, tapes, assessment
equipment, software, seating,
hydrotherapy equipment, plinths,
massage equipment, orthotics and
prosthetics.

Some strange onlookers as the WCPT Congress trade exhibition is set

up at the Amsterdam RAI on Monday.

There are also stands from

publishers, voluntary organisations
and national physical therapy
associations.
Delegates have the opportunity
to try out or purchase products that
are not yet widely available, or are
only normally available in some
regions of the world. This is a real
one-stop arena for physical
therapy equipment, says Stuart
Attwood.

The WCPT stand is number E5

in Hall 2, opposite the main
entrance to the exhibition area.
Delegates can find out more about
the work and initiatives of WCPT
and how to become involved in
World Physical Therapy Day.
WCPT regions and subgroups
will also form part of the WCPT
stand with staff and
representatives on hand to answer
questions about specific projects.

See how it works

ULTRASOUND // EMG // SUPPORT // TRAINING

Dynamic offers a broad spectrum of products and training enabling medical and paramedical professionals to broaden their
horizons. The Dynamic product specialists will ensure that you have a continuing depth of knowledge about their products
which will enhance your job satisfaction. They will explore with you the possibilities and values of ultrasound and EMG in your
practice. These insights are the basis of communication with your patients and your thod of daily working routine.
Come and see your possibilities and get acquainted with Dynamic. See how it works at stand number K23.

www.dynamic-bv.nl
Bedrijvenpark Twente 165L // 7602 KE Almelo The Netherlands // E info@dynamic-bv.nl // T +31 (0)546 658 580

WCPT Congress News

Physical therapists role as exercise

prescribers in a new age of disease
Sedentary lifestyles are leading to
completely new patterns of global
disease and disability. So how
does physical therapy respond to
this? A range of sessions over the
first two days of congress will
address this question, and look at
the value of exercise prescription
to promote health in the face of a
global trend towards obesity and
chronic diseases associated with
unhealthy lifestyles.
This morning, a focused
symposium on global physical
activity transitions will look at the
way that lifestyle behaviours are
changing, the implications for
health, and the therapeutic
opportunities that arise.
The session (8.30, RAI
Auditorium) is being convened by
Mark Tremblay, Director of the

A physical therapist from Taiwan

providing a fitness and lifestyle
assessment during World Physical
Therapy Day

Healthy Active Living and Obesity

Research at the University of
Ottawa in Canada, who will talk
about physical activity changes in
middle and low income countries,
with particular reference to the
emerging problems of childhood
obesity and inactivity in Kenya.
Delegates interested in
learning about lifestyle physical
activity transitions that are
occurring around the world should
attend this session, he says. We
will discuss the evidence
supporting trends towards less
physical activity and more
sedentarism, the implications and
complexities of this transition, and
how physical therapists can be
proactive to prevent, manage and
treat such behaviour transitions.
Then on Tuesday afternoon, a
discussion panel chaired by WCPT
President Marilyn Moffat will ask
whether evidence-based exercise
prescription is a fundamental
physical therapy skill which is
under-employed. One of the panel
members is Duncan Reid, Head of
Rehabilitation and Occupation
Studies at Auckland University of
Technology, who will propose that
physical therapy is more active in
delivering exercise rehabilitation to
return people back to health.
They should be prescribing
exercise to healthy populations
and those with specific disease or
injury, he says. Reid, who has
been chief physiotherapist to the
New Zealand Olympics team, is
particularly interested in returning
injured elite sportsmen and
women to competition, and also

Meet the researchers

The congress includes several
opportunities to meet informally
with international researchers and
editors to develop your skills
forresearch and writing for
publication, discuss journal
development and foster
international collaboration.
The Meet the researchers/
editors sessions will be held every
day. A chair and 16 facilitators will
lead discussions on a variety of
research and publishing topics
with the opportunity for delegates
10

to move round tables and cover

different subjects. Topics include:
writing for publication
writing abstracts
how to get started in research
research career pathways
research design questions
There are a number of
networking sessions during
congress. They offer an informal
opportunity to talk with colleagues
who share a common interest, and
to renew acquaintances from
previous congresses.

Mark Tremblay, convenor of the session on global physical activity changes.

We will discuss the evidence supporting trends towards more sedentarism.

the overlap between physical

therapists and personal trainers in
the areas of strengthening and
conditioning.
I think theres a sense that this
is an area that is poorly managed,
and that other non-physio groups
are moving more and more into the
injury rehabilitation area.
But he will also be talking about
the broader potential of exercise in
managing chronic disease. I will
use the osteoarthritic knee as an
example. We need to stay involved
over many years to reduce the
amount of deterioration in these
conditions.
The theme continues on
Wednesday, with a discussion
panel on Promoting health,
preventing disability, assessing
the role of physical therapists in

broad-based health promotion

programmes. It will be chaired by
Anders Raustorp from Sweden,
who represented WCPT at a
recent World Health Organization
meeting on childhood obesity.
Speakers include Nicola
Hunter from the UK, Jennifer
Bottomley from the USA, Andrea
Backovic Jurican from Slovenia,
Donna Bainbridge from the USA
and Dele Amosun from South
Africa.
There are a range of other
sessions concerning prescribing
physical activity to prevent and
treat disease throughout the
congress. Go to the interactive
congress planner at www.wcpt.
org/node/40473, click on search,
and type in physical activity or
another related search term.

WCPT is promoting Movement for health

Congress daily exercise programme
WCPT is pleased to offer 45 minute exercise sessions during congress. Take the
opportunity to try out a different form of exercise or new piece of equipment at one of
these sessions. All exercises are low impact and may include:

5BJ
$IJ







t






'VO'JUOFTT







t






1JMBUFT







t






:PHB
Sessions will be held in the exercise area in hall 3 of the exhibition during break times:
10:00, 12:00, 12:45 and 15:15
Participation is on a first-come first-served basis and numbers
will depend on the space requirements of the exercise.
For further information and the full timetable please see the notice board by the exercise area.
All exercise sessions are free of charge. Any voluntary contributions will go towards humanitarian support of
WCPT member organisations whose members have been affected by natural disasters.

Forthcoming events
WCPT subgroups and regions will be holding the following events:

Issue 1: Tuesday 21st June 2011

Winners of art competition go on show

The finalists for WCPTs first Art
and Health competition are on
show at an exhibition in the RAI
Ruby Lounge.
WCPT was looking for
outstanding pieces of artwork
representing the congress theme
of movement for health, in
particular representations of
human movement in health and
disease, people with functional
limitations in action and physical
therapy practice across the
lifespan
An overall winner of the
competition was chosen as well as
finalists and runners-up from each
of the four categories
(photography, painting, drawing
and sculpture).
The judging panel was
extremely impressed with the
quality of the entries and the many
creative interpretations of the
movement for health theme.
The overall winner was Lau
Kwok Hung for his sculpture
entitled Empathy, pictured right.
Hung, a 57-year old Chinese

Therapy

artist currently living in Italy, was

inspired by his own voluntary
service lending mobility to an aged
father-figure.
Empathising with a visually
and audibly impaired
nonagenarian has helped me finetune in the art of compassion. His
silhouette is so empowering that it
has become for me an emblem of
fatherhood, firmness and
faithfulness, says Lau Kwok-Hung
The winner in the photography
category was David Bevan from
the UK, a freelance photographer
who also works as a
physiotherapist.
Another physiotherapist, Jane
Simmonds from the UK, won the
painting category. She leads the
MSc in Sport and Exercise
Rehabilitation at the University of
Hertfordshire, having studied art
and design alongside her
professional work.
The winner of the drawing
category is Hanne Agerholm, a
paediatric physical therapist from
Denmark.

in Motion

Please visit us at
WCPT Congress 2011
Booth No. M14

Further information under:

www.3Bscientific.com

Visit
the Dutch
Village

Lau Kwok Hungs sculpture Empathy, overall winner of the competition.

Take a
break

Meet your
colleagues
Check
your
e-mail

Stretch
your legs

Play a
game

Exchange
ideas
Buy a
gift

Put your
feet up

World Physical Therapy 2011 is hosted

sted by

Share
all youve
heard

Make new
contacts

Meet
you
there!

Europa Foyer 2
21-22-23 June 2011
11

91

WCPT Congress News

Gala dinner
honours
the past
and todays
achievers
The World Confederation for
Physical Therapy celebrated its
first 60 years with a Gala Dinner at
the Novotel in Amsterdam at the
weekend.
Guests and WCPT delegates
from all over the world attended,
many in national dress. Among
those attending were three former
WCPT Presidents: Doreen Moore
(1970-74), Margrit List (1982-88)
and David Teager (1995-1999).
The dinner marked the
founding of WCPT in 1951 when a
group of 15 delegates from 11
national physical therapy
associations gathered for their first
meeting in a room in a
Copenhagen restaurant.
The WCPT Awards were
presented at the dinner. These
recognise outstanding
international contributions to the
profession and/or global health by
physical therapists.
The winner of the Humanitarian
Service Award, which recognises
those who have improved peoples
lives through exceptional care,
compassion, dedication and
personal commitment, was Peta
Ann Schmidt. She is a
longstanding member of the South
African Society of Physiotherapy
who, the citation said, has
continuously reached out beyond
the confines of her paid
employment to contribute time and
services to not-for-profit causes.
International Service Awards
were presented to those who had
made a significant international
contribution in the areas of
physical therapy practice,
education, research, and
administration and development.
The awards were presented to:
Eckhardt Boehl, Elisabeth Haase,
Antnio M Fernandes Lopes,
Joyce Mothabeng,Ina Diener,
Amlia Pasqual Marques, Yoriko
Taguchi, Jill Boissonnault,
Elizabeth Carrington, Olwen
Finlay, Prudence Galley,
Gwendolen Jull, Paul JM Helders
and Ann Moore.
12

Hans Krijgsman from the Netherlands talks to Sylvia Kambalametore from Malawi at the WCPT 60th anniversary
dinner and awards presentation ceremony on Sunday.

Stanley Paris receives WCPTs

highest accolade
The Mildred Elson Award, WCPTs
highest honour, has been
presented to Stanley Paris. Now
President of the University of St.
Augustine for Health Sciences,
Stanley Paris has been a driving
force in the physical therapy
profession across the world.
From New Zealand, where he
earned his physical therapist
entry-level qualification in the
1950s, to the United States of
America where he currently lives
and works, Stanley Paris has
influenced the world of physical
therapy through his writing,
teaching, clinical practice, and
advocacy efforts.

His work has truly furthered

the development of the physical
therapy profession, said WCPT
President Marilyn Moffat
presenting him with the award,
which honours sustained and
continuous leadership over a
career and a significant
contribution to the development
of physical therapy at an
international level.
Receiving the award at the
WCPT 60th anniversary Gala
Dinner, Stanley Paris drew warm
applause for his words. What Ive
learned over the years, he said,
is that the gap between nations in
terms of practice standards is

Stanley Paris pictured with former Mildred Elson Award winners Joan
Walker (left) and Marilyn Moffat.

narrowing. WCPT has helped

place the international community
of physical therapy on a more level
platform, he said.
The profession, he said, was
under-appreciated, and what was
needed was more research
showing the long-term outcomes
of physical therapy interventions
research that depended on the
profession gaining full autonomy.
Im convinced that with our
increasing emphasis on wellness,
physical therapy is equal our better
than medical and surgical care.
The future of our profession is
very bright, he said.
Stanley Paris was the founding
Chairman of the International
Federation of Orthopaedic
Manipulative Physiotherapists,
IFOMPT, and also its second
President.
He was also the founder and
President of the Orthopaedic
Section of the American Physical
Therapy Association and the
American Academy of Orthopaedic
Manual Physical Therapists. He
founded the Journal of Manual and
Manipulative Therapy.
Over his career, Stanley has
been as energetic in the pursuit of
excellence as he has in his own
many physical activities and
adventures, said Marilyn Moffat.