The University of Madeira, through the Department of Physical Education and Sport, together with Funchal City Council, the Portuguese Football Federation, the Madeira Football Association, Regional Sports Directorate, Interactive Technologies Institute (ITI), Research Center in Sports Sciences and the Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) is organising the Football is Medicine 2026 conference. This is one of the world’s leading scientific events in the field of sports science.
This year, we propose to organise a scientific event with a special focus on the following themes:
- Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Fitness;
- Cancer, and Other Patient Groups;
- Mental Disorders and Wellbeing;
- Recreational Team Sports;
- Wellbeing and Health in Children and Youth;
The Football is Medicine 2026 conference aims to promote scientific networking and the debate of ideas through conferences, symposium, free oral communications and poster presentations. It also aims to promote technical and professional development through workshops aimed at sports agents. The main aim of this conference is to highlight the health benefits of practising recreational sports, such as football, so that people can age healthily and prevent and manage non-communicable diseases.
Organizing Committee
Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, University of Madeira and Interactive Technologies Institute
Cíntia França, University of Madeira and Interactive Technologies Institute
Francisco Teixeira, University of Madeira and University of Coimbra
Francisco Santos, University of Madeira and University of Coimbra
Francisco Martins, University of Madeira and University of Coimbra
Guilherme Saldanha, University of Madeira and University of Coimbra Institute
Honorato Sousa, University of Madeira
Nuno Nisa, University of Madeira
Helder Lopes, University of Madeira and Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development
Rui Ornelas, University of Madeira
Hélio Antunes, University of Madeira
Duarte Sousa, University of Madeira
Luís Esteves, University of Madeira
Rui Mâncio, University of Madeira and Portuguese Football Federation
Beatriz Peres, Interactive Technologies Institute
Paulo Nascimento, Interactive Technologies Institute
Hildegardo Noronha, Interactive Technologies Institute
Paulo Bala, Interactive Technologies Institute
Sandra Olim, Interactive Technologies Institute
João Brito, Portuguese Football Federation
André Seabra, Portuguese Football Federation
Hugo Sarmento, University of Coimbra
Diogo V. Martinho, University of Coimbra
Adilson Marques, University of Lisbon
Krzysztof Przednowek, University of Rzeszów
Andreas Ihle, University of Geneva
Scientific Committee
Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, University of Madeira and Interactive Technologies Institute
Cíntia França, University of Madeira and Interactive Technologies Institute
Peter Krustrup, University of Southern Denmark
Malte Nejst Larsen, University of Southern Denmark
Morten Randers, University of Southern Denmark
Kristina Pfeffer, University of Southern Denmark
Magni Mohr, University of the Faroe Islands
May-Britt Skoradal, University of the Faroe Islands
Felipe Lobelo, Emory University, Atlanta
Susana Póvoas, University of Maia
João Brito, Portuguese Football Federation
Paula Carroll, South East Technological University, Ireland
Maysa Sousa, University of São Paulo
George Nassis, University of Kalba
Anne-Marie Elbe, Leipzig University
Carlos Castagna, University of Rome
Mihaly Szerovay, University of Jyväskylä
Zoran Milanovic, University of Nis
Daniel Parnell, University of Liverpool Ioanis Fatouros, University of Thessaly