Bangkok Hospital’s Sports and Exercise Medicine Institute, or BASEM (Bangkok Academy of Sports and Exercise Medicine), recognized as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, hosted an intensive fitness checkup for 17 Thai youth footballers from the BDMS Presents Bundesliga Dream project before their three-week training session with top German football clubs.
Honored by Air Marshal (Special) Dr. Paisal Chantarapitak, Chairman of the Medical Committee, Football Association of Thailand, Director of the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence (FMCE), and Advisor to the Director of Bangkok Hospital, he welcomed and introduced basic knowledge in sports science, especially in football, termed by FIFA as Football Medicine, which is essential for footballers to improve their fitness, strength, performance, and reduce injury risks. He also briefed on training guidelines for becoming a professional footballer by Coach Hara Isara Sri Tharo, head coach and coach of the Thai national football team, and Dr. Pakaphan Isarakraisil, team doctor for the Thai national team and BASEM on injury prevention in football athletes.
Fitness checks were conducted using the Fit for Performance Test by the BASEM team, including Balance Test for balance testing, Sit and reach test to measure the flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings, Submaximal VO2 Max test to measure maximum efficiency of oxygen transportation from the blood to the muscles for improved athletic performance, Isokinetic Test to measure muscle strength, and Body Composition (Inbody) to measure various body compositions such as fat, muscle, etc., for planning exercise, weight control, and nutritional status.