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AN Edinburgh Napier academic is leading a global study into the long-term health of elite athletes.

Dr Debbie Palmer, an associate professor and researcher in sports injury and illness prevention, is fronting the huge project launched today by the World Olympians Association.

The study, which will analyse the long-term health issues of Olympians, was announced in Bangkok and is supported by the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission.

Dr Palmer said: “Elite athletes are known to be exposed to high impact training and competition loads, leading to increased physiological demands that can be associated with a heightened risk of injury. This study seeks to better understand what those risks are and how they can be mitigated."

Read the article in full here.