Directors of Sports Sciences Application and Research Centers Gathered at the 23rd International Sports Sciences Congress

Within the scope of the 23rd International Sports Sciences Congress held in Erzurum between 1–4 December 2025, a special meeting titled “Digitalization in Sports Sciences” was organized, bringing together—for the first time in Türkiye—the directors of Sports Sciences Application and Research Centers. The main agenda of the meeting included digital transformation in sports sciences, data-driven performance analysis, strengthening inter-center collaboration, and establishing a national culture of joint scientific work. Representing our university, Dr. Halil Korkmaz, Director of the Istanbul Gedik University Sports Sciences Application and Research Center, participated in the meeting and presented the center’s ongoing digitalization projects, performance assessment infrastructure, and research activities. Additionally, two oral presentations were delivered during the congress: the study titled “Analysis of Foot Pressure Distribution in Natural and Aligned Stance Positions in U12 Basketball Athletes” highlighted the relationship between posture and performance in young athletes, while “The Effect of Occlusal Splint Use on Foot Loading Mechanics” examined the biomechanical link between oral health and postural stability.

Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Sports Sciences Application and Research Center at Erzurum Atatürk University, where potential collaborative research opportunities and shared infrastructure possibilities were discussed. As a result of these evaluations, several key decisions were made: establishing a unified coordination structure among university-based sports science centers across Türkiye, developing stronger cooperation mechanisms with institutions—particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports—regarding athlete health, performance assessment, and quality standards, and initiating plans for a national workshop with the participation of all center directors. Dr. Halil Korkmaz emphasized the significance of uniting center directors for the first time in the field of sports sciences and expressed his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Fatih Kıyıcı, Director of the Sports Sciences Application and Research Center at Erzurum Atatürk University, for his invitation and leadership in hosting this meeting. Moving forward, our university’s Sports Sciences Application and Research Center will continue to strengthen national collaborations in digital performance analysis, athlete health, and multidisciplinary research within the shared vision shaped by this congress.