PARM Programs Sports
Move Your Body, Move Your Mind:
Ninja Warrior Olympics
Melecio M. Pena III, MD, FPARM
Last September 3, 2023, during the 25th Midyear Scientific Conference entitled “SYNCHRONY: Physiatry and Human Kinetics in Sports and Exercise”, PARM spearheaded a strengthening and conditioning program, combined with a musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) skills competition. Weaving a tapestry of physical prowess and mental strength – the challenging but fun-filled contest among PARM training institutions was entitled NINJA WARRIOR OLYMPICS. This is a breakthrough event championing the “Move Your Body, Move Your Mind” program through sports. Previously, PARM conducted a “Move Your Body, Move Your Mind” activity through dance as an exercise, entitled “So You Think You Can Dance”.
Held at the Marriott Clark, Pampanga, the sports battle featured consultants (from all chapters of NCR, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao), residents, and alumni from various PARM training institutions. The organizers were the Sports Committee Chair Noel Nathaniel Napa, MD (PARM NCR) and Co-chair Mitchelle Gabuya, MD (PARM North Luzon). Renato Jose Villanueva, MD (PARM Mindanao) spearheaded the warm-up and cool-down exercises for all participants, while June Anne De Vera (PARM STARS), Exercise is Medicine Committee Chair, supported the sports program with her active participation. Furthermore, past PARM President Renald Peter Ramiro, MD (PARM Visayas) inspired the PARM members, also with his active participation in the event, being a pioneer of the team which organized the successful PARM MOVE program.
Moreover, Jeimylo De Castro, MD, FPARM, DABRM, RMSK, CIPS – an internationally-recognized Filipino physiatrist spearheaded the MSKUS skills competition. This is a crucial part of “Ninja Warrior Olympics”, being the last and deciding pit stop of the amazing race, succeeding the physical skills’ stations. His co-chair was Paschenelle Celis, MD. The program faculty included Dorothy Dy Ching Bing-Agsaoay, MD, FPARM, RMSK, Edgar David Bionat, MD, FPARM, RMSK, and Mark Edmon Tan, MD, FPARM, RMSK.
The winning training institutions were the Philippine Orthopedic Center (3rd Place), Ospital ng Makati (2nd Place), and Philippine General Hospital (1st Place). Cheering the winners were representatives from the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and The Medical City. PARM fellows, diplomates, associates, and residents across the nation, and representing the chapters and training institutions flexed their muscles, as this event did not only enrich their physical and psychological wellness, but also fostered esprit d’ corps, team work, strategy, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, between and among the PARM family, and PARM members.
Altogether, aerobic exercises, which encompassed plyometrics, body-weight exercises, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) or circuit training, and other strengthening and conditioning exercises, circumscribed in “Ninja Warrior Olympics”, trigger the body to release endorphins. These neurochemicals create brain activities which enhance alertness, wakefulness, and happiness. Thus, exercise does not only enhance physical performance, but elevates mood as well. Again, let us all champion our mantra, “Move Your Body, Move Your Mind”.
INDOOR OUTDOOR. Transforming the indoor ballroom into an outdoor sports battle arena, PARM physiatrists walked the talk in Sports and Exercise.
CALM BEFORE THE STORM. Dr. Renato Jose Villanueva steered the PARM “gladiators” pre-competition and post-competition stretching program, discussing the benefits of warm-up and cool-down.
MEET THE MAESTRO. Jeimylo De Castro, MD (seated, middle) discussing the answers to the MSKUS skills competition. MSKUS skills competition program co-chair Paschenelle Celis, MD (standing, in black holding the mike), and program faculty Dorothy Dy Ching Bing-Agsaoay, MD (standing, in white, at the back of machine) assist.
