Final Conference held in Zagreb

On Saturday, December 16, 2024, the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel in Zagreb hosted the final conference of the two-year Erasmus+ project Wushu Elixir 2.0 – Developing Life Force. This initiative represents an enhanced continuation of the Wushu Elixir 1.0 project, previously implemented by the Croatian Wushu Federation and the partners.

The project brought together Wushu federations from Serbia, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain, engaging over 350 elderly participants in its activities. Participants underwent testing before and after four months of training. In addition, more than 200 professionals, including doctors, physiotherapists, kinesiologists, and Taichi trainers from the five participating countries, were educated as part of the program.

The scientific research, led by Prof. Milan Milošević, head of the Sports Medicine Department at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, yielded remarkable results. These findings demonstrated significant improvements in physical and mental health parameters among participants and were published in an international medical journal for physical medicine and rehabilitation following the first phase of the project.

The conference featured insightful lectures by Prof. Milošević; Gordana Vešligaj Kos, B.Sc., a master of physiotherapy and osteopathy; and Dr. David Beckwee, a distinguished rehabilitation specialist and doctor of physiotherapy from Belgium. Their contributions added substantial value to the event and laid a promising groundwork for future collaborations and projects.

The Wushu Elixir 2.0 project underscores the effectiveness of sports, particularly disciplines like Taichi, in enhancing the health and quality of life of the elderly.

The conference also welcomed representatives from the City of Zagreb, the Croatian Olympic Committee, and the Sports Association of the City of Zagreb, fostering the establishment of new partnerships and the exploration of future joint initiatives.

With its exceptional outcomes, this project has set a strong foundation for further collaborations and innovative approaches in the fields of health and sports, promising continued progress in addressing the needs of aging populations.