NCSSR to standardise athlete medical tests
In a bid to standardise the medical assessment of athletes representing India, the Sports Ministry has directed the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) to develop discipline-specific protocols for periodic fitness reviews, which will have to be mandatorily uploaded on the National Sports Repository System.
In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports Federations (NSFs), the ministry has said that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) will coordinate the entire exercise.
“...in line with the policy framework of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which emphasises the integration of sports science and technology, it has been decided that a standardised, dynamic, and robust mechanism will be introduced for athletes representing India in international competitions,” the letter stated.
“Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR), in coordination with the concerned NSFs, will develop sport-specific fitness protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SAI shall advise the NSFs for implementation of the same after finalisation,” it added.
Currently, the fitness assessment of elite athletes, who are part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, is overseen by the Mission Olympic Cell, while the national federations also carry out such assessments during camps. But once the NCSSR comes up with the Standard Operating Procedure for it, the body would also become the sole regulator of the process. “The NCSSR will be responsible for scientific oversight, validation and periodic review of the fitness protocols and SOPs. NSFS shall ensure that fitness assessment of athletes is conducted strictly in accordance with the prescribed sports-specific test protocols, including informed consent and medical safety of athletes, at facilities of the NCSSR,” the letter stated, but did not give a clear timeline for implementation.
“All such assessment data shall mandatorily be uploaded on the National Sports Repository System (NSRS).” The NSFs have also been told to publish an Annual Fitness Testing Calendar on their respective websites in consultation with SAI. Athletes are tested quarterly for medical condition, fitness level, and biomechanics, among other aspects, especially before proceeding to major events.
The ministry has also directed the NSFs to ensure the food supplements taken by athletes are tested at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and/or the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) before being procured for consumption. This, the ministry said, is being done to “mitigate the risk of athletes consuming prohibited substances from contaminated, spiked, or mislabelled nutritional supplements.” The NSFs have also been told to maintain records of testing reports and batch details for traceability, besides continuing to create awareness among athletes, coaches, and support staff regarding the risks associated with unverified supplements. India has a massive doping problem, and the country has been topping the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Annual Testing Figures’ positivity rate for the past three years.
