For the past 33 years, Isokinetic Medical Group has organised one of the world’s leading conferences in Sports Medicine and Football Medicine, bringing together experts, clinicians and researchers from across the globe.
This year, for the first time, the Isokinetic Conference was held in Athens, featuring an extensive scientific programme spread across eight conference halls and seven thematic tracks. The programme included keynote sessions, roundtable discussions, Next Generation Leaders meetings, oral presentations, industry workshops, scientific competitions and poster sessions.
In total, the event featured more than 500 scientific contributions and 250 faculty members, reaffirming its position as a leading international platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in sports medicine and athletic performance.
Over 85 countries united by sports medicine and performance
From 18 to 21 April 2026, the Megaron International Conference Centre welcomed nearly 3.000 participants from more than 85 countries.
Sports physicians, physiatrists, orthopaedic surgeons, strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, team doctors and other healthcare professionals came together for four days of scientific learning and professional exchange.
The conference provided a unique opportunity to share the latest research, clinical expertise and best practices in sports injury management, orthopaedic rehabilitation and performance medicine, reinforcing the Isokinetic Conference’s role as a global meeting point for the international sports medicine community.
A global reference point since 1992
Since 1992, the Isokinetic Conference has grown into a leading international reference point for the sports medicine community, particularly in the field of Football Medicine.
Over the years, the event has been hosted at some of the world’s most iconic football venues, including Stamford Bridge in London, Wembley Stadium, the legendary Camp Nou in Barcelona and the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. These prestigious locations reflect the Conference’s unique connection with elite football and its commitment to advancing excellence in sports medicine and athlete care.
The FIFA partnership and the importance of medical excellence
At the Athens Conference, FIFA once again played a key role as an official partner of the event, continuing a collaboration that has now spanned more than a decade.
As part of the programme, FIFA coordinated the meeting of its Medical Centres of Excellence, a landmark gathering dedicated to advancing sports medicine and promoting athlete health through international collaboration and shared expertise.
The meeting highlighted the importance of scientific exchange, innovation and clinical excellence in supporting athletes at every level of the game.
Alongside the outstanding organisation delivered by Isokinetic Medical Group, participants also experienced the renowned hospitality of Greece. Set against the backdrop of Athens and its clear blue skies, the Conference provided an inspiring environment for three days of scientific learning, professional networking and meaningful collaboration within the global sports medicine community.
Leading international experts in sports medicine
The Isokinetic Conference brought together some of the most respected names in global sports medicine, representing leading national teams, elite clubs, international federations and scientific organisations.
Among the keynote speakers was Daniel Martínez, physician to the reigning FIFA World Cup champions, the Argentina national football team. During his presentation, he shared insights into his work with Lionel Messi and Head Coach Lionel Scaloni, offering a unique perspective on athlete care at the highest level of international football.
The conference also welcomed Andy Massey, FIFA Director of Medical, and Andreas Serner, FIFA Medical Research Lead. Their sessions explored the medical challenges associated with major international tournaments, including FIFA World Cups, and highlighted the planning, expertise and emergency preparedness required to safeguard athlete health during global sporting events.
Elite football clubs and international federations meet in Athens
The faculty further included representatives from leading international scientific societies and medical professionals from some of the world’s most prominent sports organisations. Experts from the Argentina and Brazil national football teams joined medical staff from elite clubs including FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid, Manchester City, AC Milan, Chelsea FC and Ajax.
Also represented were the Italian and Spanish Football Federations, alongside medical specialists from the United States national basketball, baseball and handball programmes.
The scientific programme was enriched by the participation of internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeons whose careers have included the treatment of some of the biggest names in world sport, including Roberto Baggio, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Matthijs de Ligt, Riccardo Calafiori and Mattia De Sciglio.
This exceptional concentration of expertise reinforced the Isokinetic Conference’s position as one of the leading international forums for sports medicine, football medicine and athlete performance.
A strong presence from the greek sports medicine community
The Greek sports medicine and orthopaedic community was also strongly represented at the Conference, with several internationally recognised experts contributing to the scientific programme.
Among them were Lakis Nikolaou, Christos Theos, Andreas Piskopakis, Nikos Tzouroudis and Dionysios Chissas, all respected figures in Greek sports medicine and athlete care.
In addition to delivering scientific presentations, these experts took part in discussions on the future of sports medicine in Greece, including the important topic of securing official recognition of Sports Medicine as a distinct medical specialty. Their contributions highlighted both the progress achieved and the opportunities ahead for the development of the profession at a national and international level.
The contribution of Isokinetic Athens
Isokinetic Athens played an active role throughout the Conference, highlighting its commitment to clinical excellence, research and professional development.
Dr Kyriakos Tsapralis and Dr Eleftherios Alexiou, members of the Isokinetic Athens medical team, participated as members of the official faculty, contributing their expertise to the scientific programme alongside leading international specialists.
The rehabilitation specialists from Isokinetic Athens also took part in the scientific poster sessions, an area dedicated to emerging research and innovative clinical practice. Their work showcased small-scale research projects developed by young healthcare professionals, focusing on injury management, rehabilitation pathways and lessons learned from real-world clinical cases.
Their participation reflected Isokinetic’s ongoing commitment to advancing evidence-based practice and supporting the next generation of professionals in sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Return to Performance: the central theme of the conference
The central theme of this year’s Isokinetic Conference in Athens was Return to Performance.
More than a concept, it represents a modern approach to rehabilitation and sports medicine. The focus is not only on helping elite athletes, football players and professional sportspeople return to competition, but also on enabling every patient to regain their highest possible level of function and quality of life after injury.
Whether recovering from a sports-related injury or a condition that disrupts everyday activities, the ultimate goal remains the same: helping individuals return to performance in a way that is safe, sustainable and tailored to their personal needs.
This patient-centred vision reflects the evolving role of sports medicine, where recovery is measured not simply by healing, but by the ability to restore confidence, movement and long-term wellbeing.
The Isokinetic Medical Group philosophy
This vision is at the heart of the work carried out every day at the Isokinetic Centre in Athens, located within the OAKA Olympic Sports Complex, in the area of the Tennis Stadium.
What sets Isokinetic Medical Group apart is its ability to manage sports injuries and complex orthopaedic conditions through a fully integrated care pathway. This approach is embodied in the concept of a “One Stop Shop”, where patients can access every stage of their recovery journey in a single location.
From specialist medical assessment and advanced diagnostic imaging to personalised rehabilitation programmes and Return to Performance pathways, every aspect of care is delivered through a coordinated, multidisciplinary model.
This integrated approach ensures continuity of care, optimises recovery outcomes and helps patients return safely to sport, work and everyday life with confidence.
SPORT24: official media partner of the 33rd Isokinetic Conference
SPORT24 served as the official media partner of the 33rd Isokinetic Conference, providing extensive coverage of the event and its key scientific discussions.
Throughout the conference, the dedicated SPORT24 media area welcomed numerous distinguished scientists, clinicians and sports medicine experts from Greece and around the world, creating opportunities for interviews, insights and professional exchange.
Below, you can explore a selection of SPORT24’s coverage and contributions from the 33rd Isokinetic Conference in Athens.
