AETF Anti-Doping & Health Promotion Committee Meets in Warsaw to Advance Education, Research and International Cooperation
From 26 to 28 June 2026, members of the AETF Anti-Doping & Health Promotion Committee gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for the Committee’s in-person strategic meeting of the current term. The three-day programme combined scientific exchange, strategic planning, and discussions on future international cooperation aimed at strengthening athlete health, clean sport, and evidence-based practice across the AETF community.
The meeting began on Friday evening with a guided walk through the historic centre of Warsaw, providing Committee members with an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships while exploring the cultural heritage of the Polish capital. The day concluded with a welcome dinner, creating an excellent setting for informal discussions before the official programme.
On Saturday, the Committee travelled to Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa, where members were welcomed by Professor Jacek Wąsik. The programme included a comprehensive presentation of current scientific research in biomechanics and martial arts, with particular emphasis on Taekwon-Do-related studies, injury prevention, performance analysis, and evidence-based coaching.
Committee members also visited the University’s research laboratories, where they met Professor Wąsik’s research team and learned about the institution’s ongoing scientific projects in the fields of biomechanics, martial arts, and human movement analysis. The programme included demonstrations of the laboratory’s advanced research equipment, and Committee members had the opportunity to participate in selected biomechanical assessments and practical tests. Experiencing these technologies first-hand provided valuable insight into modern methods of evaluating athletic performance, movement efficiency, and injury prevention, highlighting how scientific evidence can support athlete health and safety within AETF. The visit further strengthened the cooperation between AETF and Jan Długosz University while demonstrating the value of closer collaboration between sport organisations and academic institutions in advancing evidence-based practice.
At the invitation of Professor Jacek Wąsik, the meeting was also attended by Professor Michalina Błażkiewicz, Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw. Professor Błażkiewicz presented her research interests and discussed opportunities for future scientific collaboration with AETF. Her academic work focuses on the interdisciplinary integration of biomechanics, mathematics, and physiotherapy, particularly in the quantitative analysis of human movement and the application of advanced biomechanical methods to support health, rehabilitation, and sports performance. Her participation further strengthened the scientific dimension of the meeting and opened new perspectives for future cooperation between AETF and leading academic institutions.
The final part of the meeting was dedicated to the Committee’s strategic work. Members reviewed ongoing activities, discussed the implementation of the Committee’s educational programme, and agreed on priorities for the coming months. Particular attention was given to the further development of educational programmes on concussion awareness and management and mental well-being, recognising both topics as essential components of a comprehensive athlete health strategy and important priorities for the Committee’s future educational activities.
A key part of the Sunday morning session focused on the development of a Europe-wide anti-doping education programme for the AETF community. Committee members reviewed the educational opportunities offered by WADA’s ADEL (Anti-Doping e-Learning) platform and agreed that the AETF education programme will build upon these resources while incorporating AETF-specific content.
The Committee also discussed the possibility of requiring athletes to complete a designated WADA ADEL course and present the corresponding certificate during competition registration as a condition of participation. Since similar requirements have already been successfully introduced in other international sports, the proposal will be further evaluated as a potential future standard for AETF competitions.
Later that day, at the invitation of Professor Michalina Błażkiewicz, representatives of the AETF Anti-Doping & Health Promotion Committee had the opportunity to visit her research laboratory at the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw. During the visit, Professor Błażkiewicz presented the laboratory’s research facilities, ongoing scientific projects, and innovative methods used in the biomechanical analysis of human movement. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, discuss potential areas of future cooperation, and further strengthen the growing partnership between AETF and leading academic institutions in the field of sports science.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a roadmap for the Committee’s upcoming activities and a shared commitment to further strengthening education, research and international cooperation across the AETF community.
The Warsaw meeting marked an important milestone in the Committee’s work, reinforcing its commitment to building strong partnerships with academic institutions and international organisations while developing practical initiatives that benefit athletes and National Associations throughout Europe.
