Physiotherapy Support for Adaptive Sports from CIU

Asst. Prof. Dr. Hülya Özbeşer, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Health Sciences, shared information about the protocol established between the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department and the Foundations Wheelchair Basketball Team, which is affiliated with the Disabled Sports Federation. Stating that “According to the protocol, physiotherapy and rehabilitation support continues to be provided voluntarily,” Özbeşer added, “Within the framework of this protocol, the CIU Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department has been conducting performance assessments for the athletes at the beginning of the season for the past two years, providing physiotherapist support during competitions, and offering rehabilitation support when necessary.”

Özbeşer noted that “Our faculty members Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Miçooğulları and Dr. Physiotherapist Batuhan İ. Dericioğlu attended the classifier course organized by the Turkish Physically Disabled Sports Federation Presidency on 19–20 September 2025 and shared their experiences with the athletes and team management.” She added that they “continue to actively serve as physiotherapists for the team in both national and international competitions.”

Özbeşer stated that “At the beginning of the 2025–2026 season, as was also the case last year, performance assessments were conducted at Atatürk Sports Hall by a team composed of our faculty members and students.” Highlighting that the performance assessments included evaluations of important components of athletic success and performance such as muscle strength, grip strength, flexibility, anaerobic power, speed, agility, proprioception, accurate pass tests, and accurate shooting tests, Özbeşer said, “With the analysis of these comprehensive assessments, athlete profiles were created, and the findings were shared with the team management and put into practice.” She added, “Based on the data obtained, the aim is to structure training programs in line with their purpose, increase training efficiency, and enhance team performance and success in a sustainable manner.” Özbeşer concluded by stating, “As the CIU Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, we will continue to uphold our social responsibilities.”