The USMST and Professional Gratification

WALKING THE TALK

Physicians have an interesting background when it comes to defending the public health and engaging in health promotion activities.  Take smoking cigarettes, for example.  While this week marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark Surgeon General's report on smoking and health (published 1964), some of us can remember magazine ads of that time-period showing the wise-old white-coated doctor lighting up in his leather-bound office chair, promoting the supposed health benefits of smoking Newport Lights!  Now after decades of exposure to fervent anti-smoking messages, the tobacco industry's 'next generation of smokers' is smaller than ever.  

Next think about the obesity epidemic.  Many of us think we should lose a few pounds.  More and more physicians are discussing body mass index (BMI) and recommending weight loss and describing the health benefits.  Yet many physicians are themselves overweight or obese.  The same can be said about getting the recommended weekly amount of exercise?  Quite a significant percentage of exercise-prescribing physicians do not get the recommended amount themselves.   

What does it mean to our patients when we, as physicians, do not embrace our own teachings?  I think it means a lot.  We know that a person is 8x more likely to try and quit smoking cigarettes when counseled to do so by their physician as compared to a family member.  That's powerful.  However, I imagine the smell of smoke on my breath or clothes would dilute that message.

I recently stayed at a hotel that also hosted a regional dance competition, and there were hundreds of very athletic young women participants.  I was impressed, however, that these slender and strong dancers invariably were accompanied by a set of portly and stout family parental figures.  And I thought to myself, "what message do we send to our youth, as parents or teachers or physicians, when we fail to practice what we preach?"  The clear message is, it's great to be active when you're young, but adults are too busy to exercise and eat right.  Someday, when I am given the choice to live as I want, without anyone pressuring me to live and behave a certain way, I can be fat too.

TAKING ACTION

As an established mid-career physician two-years into a new privately held business, I recognize that I am very fortunate to have the flexibility to refine my practice direction.  Together with my wonderful partner, Gary Chimes, we are dreaming big as to how we as sports and musculoskeletal specialists can best serve the health needs of our community.  We truly hope to elevate the standards of health and well-being of the greater Eastside community.  And we understand that part of doing so involves demonstrating our own personal commitment to health and fitness.

SOCCER FOR HEALTH

And this brings me to the highlight of this post.  I just finished a fabulous weekend in Los Angeles at a 'tryout' for the US Medical Soccer Team (USMST).  The US Medical what, you ask?  That's right, you read correctly, the US Medical Soccer Team.  This fabulous not-for-profit organization was created approximately 5 years ago by two soccer-devotee physician friends.  A German physician told them about the World Medical Football Championships, and how about 8 other countries had been gathering each July for a combined conference (The Global Conference on Health and Medicine in Sport) and mini-World Cup event where national teams of physician footballers compete for glory and bragging rights.  These two visionary American physicians recruited other physician footballers (FYI around the world, soccer is referred to as 'football') from around the nation, and have been competing at the World Medical Football Championships ever since.

The physicians of the USMST are a special group in that the mission of the organization includes health promotion.  The team presently convenes for training and community service events 3 times per year, and these events are held on both coasts and somewhere in the central US.  

I learned about the team while attending the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conference in June 2013.  The ACSM solicited the USMST to partner and collaborate on spreading the message that "Exercise is Medicine."  They signed a formal memorandum -- I attended this ceremony.  I then joined the team for their practice at the Indiana University stadium field, and I was immediately hooked!  I kept in touch with the team leaders, and was invited to their tryout in LA this past weekend.

In addition to a weekend of intensive soccer training, this gathering involved a health promotion event at the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach.  In collaboration with the LA Galaxy (MLS team), we put on a dynamic and interactive program for children ages 6-16.  There were stations teaching about healthy eating and nutrition, why exercise is good for you, and we taught kids how to exercise.  The event built on past USMST events, and by all accounts was a great success.

Our weekend of training was expertly guided by a professional coach.  With most of the team at or older than the age of 40, we perservered through approximately 9 cumulative hours of intensive training.  By hour 3 it wasn't pretty.  Our moans and groans began to overshadow the roars of the airplanes landing at nearby LAX.  Though through all of the muscle cramping and arthritic joint aching, it became clear that this is a group of physician players with great devotion and heart.  

This year the World Medical Football Championships will be in Brazil, concurrent with the actual FIFA World Cup.  For this reason, getting a spot on the USMST roster is competitive.  Should I be called upon, I would feel lucky to be included.

It bears mentioning that this is not only a group of doctors who play soccer, these are physician leaders.  The USMST wants to make a difference in the health and well-being of Americans.   And they are partnering with the ACSM, and other organizations, to do just that.  Presently the USMST is self-funded.

Please see the organization's website for additional information -- www.usmst.org

I am so excited to find another outlet to practice what I preach...and it doesn't hurt that I may earn the opportunity to represent my country playing soccer in so doing....