A living laboratory: where research informs practice and practice informs research.
who we are |
The ISEM Living Laboratory is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Practice located in Stellenbosch, catering to every sports medicine and performance-related need. We aim to treat the individual as a whole and take a multi-disciplinary approach, allowing for constant collaboration between exercise specialists, leading to the promotion of best clinical practice and research.
Our experienced staff and state-of-the-art equipment are waiting for you! We offer a variety of medical examinations, injury and illness prevention and management, and performance tests to suit the needs of any athlete or individual, no matter your sports participation level or experience. |
our SERVICES |
CLinical services
sports medicine consultation with Comprehensive Medical screening
Our specialist Sport and Exercise Medicine Physicians are the best point of contact for anyone who needs a diagnosis, has a serious long-term injury or illness, has struggled to get results with other treatments, or simply to improve their health or performance. They will provide you with an expert assessment, determine the most appropriate management plan, and guide you to the best possible recovery. body composition analysis: Inbody assessment
What we do: The InBody device will determine body weight, the quantity, distribution and percentage of body fat, hydration status and recommended energy intake unique to the individual. Specialist parameter measurements will also be evaluated, including segmental lean muscle mass and intra- and extracellular water. A comprehensive 2-page report will be provided. Is this for me? If you would like to have a current, accurate, and detailed description of your body composition, then this is for you! Or if you are looking to make changes to your diet or exercise routine and are curious about bodily changes, for example in muscle mass or body fat percentage, history tracking of your data over a period of time will provide you with valuable data as far as progress is concerned. resting and stress ecg
A Resting ECG is a simple, quick and painless test. The resting ECG can detect certain heart conditions such as hypertrophy of heart, ischemia, myocardial infarction, sequelae of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, etc. Stress/Exercise ECG testing allows the assessment of the response to increasingly strenuous exercise and includes heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and exercise capacity to be assessed as a screen for cardiovascular disease. Lung FUnction Testing
Many individuals, and in particular athletes, experience airway narrowing during exercise. This can be because of asthma or other pulmonary diseases/complications. This group of tests assess how well the lungs work by measuring lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange, at rest and during exercise. Gait Analysis and retraining
What we do: Orthotics will be placed in your normal running shoes and you will be required to walk and/or run on a treadmill or solid ground for 2 minutes. The orthotics will provide valuable feedback regarding objective biomechanical data that cannot be observed with the naked eye. The results will be translated to clinical data within a neat and graphical report, which will enable the physician to propose appropriate recommendations. Is this for me? Whether you are a competitive athlete, an individual wanting to begin your running adventure, or a runner currently experiencing some uncertainty regarding your running style, gait analysis can be used to analyse features of your running and walking gait, allowing for recommendations of suitable running shoe types and to assess (and address) any imbalances. 24 Hour blood pressure monitoring
24 hour ecg monitoring
ankle brachial index (abi)
An ABI test is a simple way for a physician to check how well your blood is flowing and to compare the blood pressure in the upper and lower limbs – in other words: an ABI test will check for any blockages in the arteries of the arms and legs. Most individuals will have an ABI test to check for peripheral artery disease (PAD). DIAGNOSTIC MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound scanning can aid in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal conditions and injury specific presentations. This will ensure that the optimal treatment plan is implemented, accelerating recovery and return to exercise. PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
PRP is a blood therapeutic method that we use to stimulate a healing process in damaged or injured tissues. We use PRP to treat many conditions, these include tendinopathies, osteoarthritis, acute and chronic muscle strain injuries, acute joint injuries, and joint osteochondral injuries. CORTISONE
We offer cortisone injections to relieve short and long-term pain, and inflammation in various localised areas of the body, such as the shoulder, foot, knee and hand joints. Cortisone injections can be used to help many conditions, including bursitis, tendinitis, impingements, and several types of arthritis. SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Shockwave therapy is a mechanical stimulus applied to tendon, bone or muscle and is particularly effective at treating tendinopathies, plantar fasciitis and epicondylitis. The type, duration and frequency of treatment will vary depending on the structure injured and the intended effect induced. performance testing
We offer a range of lab-based tests to measure important aspects of performance such as maximal oxygen intake, lactate threshold and running economy. If you are training for an event or want to perform at a higher level, these assessments will highlight what you need to reach your goals and allow us to develop tailored training plans.
maximal performance test (VO2max)
What we do: We perform a progressive-step exercise test to exhaustion, in running, cycling and arm ergometry. Gas exchange, lactate concentration and heart rate are measured throughout the test. With this, a full report will be provided with VO2max and lactate threshold calculations. In addition, the results will be discussed, and a training intensity zones table will be provided based on speed and heart rate. Is this for me? If you are a competitive level athlete who requires higher accuracy for your training, in addition to assessing your fitness and progression over time. If you are not sure, please speak to one of our consultants who will guide you. Metabolic profile and running economy (submaximal)
What we do: We perform a submaximal progressive-step exercise test, in running, cycling or arm ergometry. Gas exchange, lactate concentration and heart rate are measured throughout the test. With this, exercise efficiency and fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates are calculated. In addition, the results will be discussed, and training and nutritional recommendations will be provided based on the results. Is this for me? Competitive endurance athletes who want to measure their efficiency and substrate utilization across different training intensities. Combined full performance testing
What we do: This test combines the Maximal performance test and the Metabolic profile and economy test to provide a comprehensive assessment of fuel source use for elite athletes. The results will be discussed, and a training intensity zones table will be provided based on speed, heart rate and substrate utilization. Is this for me? If you are a competitive level endurance athlete who requires higher accuracy for your training, specific measurement of exercise economy and fuel source, in addition to assessing your fitness and progression over time. This is a fundamental test for elite or professional endurance athletes. packages and programmes
pre-season screening
What we do: Medical examination, Cardiac screening (resting/stress ECG), Anthropometry (InBody), Strength, power and acceleration measurements, Functional movement assessment, Lung function, ABI, as well as a discussion of your results and recommendations along with a full report. Is this for me? If you are a competitive level athlete, it may be important to ensure that your body is functioning optimally, both physically and physiologically, prior to undertaking a period of intense training. Health and wellbeing assessment
What we do: Our expert team can assess your lifestyle, advise and help you achieve a healthier way of living and improve your wellbeing. Our services will include cardiac screening, blood tests, musculoskeletal examination and exercise tests. All of this is aimed at providing a clear plan of action for you to improve your health and enhance your lifestyle. Is this for me? Are you interested in understanding your health and wellbeing? Are you looking to improve your lifestyle habits? If so, this assessment will provide a comprehensive view of your health and advice on how to take care of your body. executive medical assessment
Our Executive Medical Assessments allow for the early detection of disease, in order to seek early intervention and improve an individual's quality of life. Anyone that is concerned about the health or would just like to get a snapshot of their current medical and disease risk profile should book for an Executive Medical Assessment. For more information, click here. |
our sport and exercise medicine specialists |
There are two leading Sport and Exercise Medicine Physicians at the ISEM Living Laboratory, with a number of additional physicians and exercise physiologists working within the Practice.
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Professor Wayne Derman (MBChB, BSc (Med)(Hons), PhD, FACSM) is Director and Chair of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Stellenbosch University. He is also Director of the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and Co-Director of the South African IOC Research Centre for Injury Prevention and Protection of Health of the Athlete.
He provides specialist Sports Medical consulting services to members of the South African Rugby, Soccer, Cricket, Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Teams, International Elite athletes, as well as members of the public.
Professor Derman has played an important role in clinical support for South Africa’s athletes at International level. He fulfilled the positions of Chief Medical Officer for the South African Team to the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Medical Officer for the South African Paralympic Team to Beijing in 2008 and Chief Medical Officer for the South African Paralympic Team in London in 2012. He is presently a member of the International Paralympic Committee’s Medical Commission. In December to May 2002, he served as Flight Surgeon to Cosmonaught Mark Shuttleworth during the “First African in Space” mission in Russia and served as the Medical Officer for Cape Town for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Having diverse interests, he has been awarded many accolades in his career ranging from a Fellowship of the American College of Sports Medicine; the Val Schreire Award for the Outstanding Investigator in the Cardiovascular Field in Southern Africa; the Paul Harris award from Rotary International for community contribution; to a Mondi Award nomination for journalism. In December 2004, Professor Derman was named recipient of the Department of Health and Health Professionals Council award for Excellence in Health Care in South Africa.
He provides specialist Sports Medical consulting services to members of the South African Rugby, Soccer, Cricket, Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Teams, International Elite athletes, as well as members of the public.
Professor Derman has played an important role in clinical support for South Africa’s athletes at International level. He fulfilled the positions of Chief Medical Officer for the South African Team to the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Medical Officer for the South African Paralympic Team to Beijing in 2008 and Chief Medical Officer for the South African Paralympic Team in London in 2012. He is presently a member of the International Paralympic Committee’s Medical Commission. In December to May 2002, he served as Flight Surgeon to Cosmonaught Mark Shuttleworth during the “First African in Space” mission in Russia and served as the Medical Officer for Cape Town for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Having diverse interests, he has been awarded many accolades in his career ranging from a Fellowship of the American College of Sports Medicine; the Val Schreire Award for the Outstanding Investigator in the Cardiovascular Field in Southern Africa; the Paul Harris award from Rotary International for community contribution; to a Mondi Award nomination for journalism. In December 2004, Professor Derman was named recipient of the Department of Health and Health Professionals Council award for Excellence in Health Care in South Africa.
Dr. Pierre Viviers (MBChB, MMedSc, MSc (Sports Med), FACSM) is a full-time staf member and Senior Director of Campus Health Service (CHS) at Stellenbosch University. He is a certified medical doctor with post graduate qualifications in Sport and Exercise Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and Past-President of the South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA). He holds an academic appointment in the SU Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, where he teaches Sport and Exercise Medicine for post graduates in the Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine (ISEM).
Pierre presents yearly at various international conferences and serves on the editorial boards of two highly rated international journals in the field of sport science and medicine. His research interest lies in community sport and lifestyle medicine. Since his appointment at CHS in 2002, Pierre serves on various institutional bodies and task teams. He was appointed at Eendrag as Residence Head in 2013 and lives on campus with his wife Susan with their two well-known Retrievers, Zara and Bently.
Book an appointment |
location |
The ISEM Living Laboratory is based at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS)
1 Krige Road, Stellenbosch, 7600 |
additional information |