Armed Forces Medical College

The Department of Sports Medicine at the Armed Forces Medical College was established in 2014, following approval from the erstwhile Medical Council of India and the Government of India for the introduction of a MD programme in the subject. Conceived with the objective of developing and improving sports related health infrastructure in the country, the three-year MD programme was started with an intake of two residents per year. The first batch joined on 28 July 2014, under the leadership of Brigadier S. N. Bhaduri, the department’s first Head of Department.

In its formative years, the department functioned from a limited space located above the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. As clinical services expanded alongside academic and training activities, the department’s requirements grew steadily, necessitating progressive relocation. It subsequently operated from the former surgical skills lab before finally moving to its present location in the South Campus of AFMC in September 2024. The dedicated OPD services were started at CH SC and MH Kirkee in the year 2024 for benefit of the clientele.

At its current location, the department has continued to expand its facilities. The Biomechanics Laboratory has been developed to include facilities for gait and posture analysis, force plate assessment, VO2 max estimation and foot pressure evaluation, which are routinely used for human motion analysis and identify biomechanical factors contributing to injury and musculoskeletal illness. The Exercise Rehabilitation Facility has similarly evolved, incorporating specialised spine, hip, and knee biofeedback systems, along with electromagnetic resistance-based training equipment, which has augmented the ability to prescribe tailored exercise prescriptions and teach the correct exercise form to help the patients get the most output for their time and effort. Additional manpower which includes a qualified biomechanist, strength training and conditioning consultant has been hired for improving the quality of training and consultation to the patients and dependent clientele. A dedicated seminar room with AV aids as well as physical tests demonstration room has been created within the available infrastructure in last one year.

The department at its new location has designed and installed more than 40 posters which are scientific evidence based for promoting awareness about exercises and musculoskeletal injury prevention for education the visiting population.

The Department of Sports Medicine focuses on the promotion of physical activity, along with the prevention and management of sports and exercise-related injuries enabling individuals to return to their peak performance. Care is provided across a broad spectrum, extending beyond competitive sport to include recreational exercise and individuals of all ages who use physical activity to improve health and quality of life.

The department manages both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and addresses concerns related to training, exercise and physical performance. Injury mechanisms are evaluated through detailed clinical and biomechanical assessment, following which individualised exercise-based interventions are prescribed to address identified factors and support long-term musculoskeletal health.

In addition to this, the department has been the first to develop a series of educational videos aimed at promoting health and physical well-being among government employees on the Karmayogi platform. These videos are highly viewed and has received extremely positive feedback. Patient-oriented videos demonstrating exercise prescriptions for common musculoskeletal conditions have also been created and made easily accessible. through web links and QR codes, supporting better understanding and adherence to prescribed exercises. The department has also developed video lectures on the topic “Sports Injuries of Knee: Rehabilitation” which are hosted on the SWAYAM portal which is also a AICTE approved FDP course.

The department is actively involved in training medical officers from the three services through 08 weeks onsite IASM certified comprehensive capsule course in sports medicine thereby contributing to injury prevention and promoting physical activity among the clientele especially trainees and recruits.

The Post graduates of the department perform medical cover duties for multiple sporting events including the prestigious annual AFMC marathon and are also a part of multidisciplinary teams aiding the elite athletes in performance and guided rehabilitation. The department is also involved in introducing the concepts and nuances of sports medicine to undergraduates as part of elective subject training and on completion of internship as part of capsule course.

To develop a comprehensive, evidence-based, and future-ready centre that enhances the health, performance, and operational readiness of Armed Forces personnel while contributing to national sporting excellence. In the short term, the department aims to establish robust clinical services for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports and musculoskeletal injuries. It is the endeavour of the department to integrate structured sports medicine training into undergraduate (MBBS) teaching through clinical exposure and workshops and actively promote health and physical activity through fitness screening, injury prevention programs, and wellness initiatives. Simultaneously, it seeks to develop research capacity focused on injury patterns, performance optimization, and rehabilitation outcomes in military populations. In the long term, the department envisions evolving into a nationally recognized Centre of Excellence in Sports Medicine, offering advanced postgraduate programme and international collaborations, while developing state-of-the-art sports diagnostics, biomechanics, rehabilitation and performance laboratories. It aims to lead large-scale health promotion and physical optimization programs within the Armed Forces and extend outreach to the wider community.