2017_09_22_MED_entrevista_pablo_montero

Sport is essential in his life. Pablo Montero, student sixth year of Degree in Medicine, tells us how, since he was a child, sport has taught him to manage his time and financial aid to disconnect from programs of study. He has always been interested in student representation, and this year he has been elected sports delegate of the School of Medicine at the University of Navarra. 

What has it meant for you to be elected sports delegate?

I had been looking forward to it for a long time. Sports have always been a very important part of my life, including these years at university. I have always liked student representation, and when the opportunity arose this year I was delighted to accept the position. Being my last year at university I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to live experiences that I won't be able to have in the future.

How will you combine being a sports delegate with your programs of study?

I think it is very important to have something else to disconnect from programs of study, and since I was a child, sport has taught me how to manage my time. Medical students spend too much time in front of a book, and in many occasions it is beneficial to go out, disconnect and change the environment to make better use of the time at work.

Do you practice any sport? Which one?

I have played many sports throughout my life, but the one I have dedicated the most time to is undoubtedly soccer. I started playing goalkeeper on a regular basis at the age of five like many children, joining a team with my friends from high school. When I was 18 I came to Pamplona and was lucky enough to join the University soccer team, until two years ago when I had to quit due to several shoulder injuries. Then, talking with the coaching staff of the team, I had the opportunity to remain linked to the team as goalkeeping coach. I also took the opportunity to train myself as much as possible in the basic concepts of Sports Medicine to be able to help my teammates as much as I could.

What does it mean to you to do sports in your daily life?

Sport gives you a lot of things, and many of them are very useful in the life of a doctor. You learn to work as a team, to be constant and fight for your goals, to put yourself in the other person's shoes and offer your financial aid when they need it. In addition, some of my best friends I have made while playing sports. As future doctors, we cannot ignore the role that sport plays in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and in the prevention of diseases, unfortunately very prevalent in our environment.

In what way do you relate sport and medicine?

I understand that both are totally complementary: Medicine needs sport and sport needs Medicine. Regular sport provides greater health benefits than any of the most common drugs. It drastically reduces the risk of suffering from many of the diseases that cause the greatest mortality in the developed world.

In addition, with the finding of the different physiological mechanisms related to physical activity, it has been possible to perfect training methods. Thanks to advances in diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation, athletes with serious injuries have been able to continue to enjoy their activity.

Do you already have an idea of how to 'exercise' your new position?

My first task is the organization of the sports activities that will take place on the day of patron saint of the School. I think it will be a very interesting program and from here I encourage all colleagues to come on October 18 to enjoy it.

I have had some project in mind for some time now and, from my current position, I think I will be able to try to do it more easily. Medical students are always very interested in sports, and Sports Medicine is one of the most popular subjects among students at School. That is why I wanted to collaborate in the creation of the new subject of Sports Medicine that has started this semester, with a very interesting agenda adapted to the demands of the students.

I believe that the School of Medicine has to take advantage of the opportunity offered by being in a University with such a powerful Sports Service , and vice versa. In addition, the Clínica Universidad de Navarra is investing in sports, with its recent partnership with a reference club in the city such as Osasuna. I think that, from this triangle, very good opportunities can arise that will make it easier for the students of the School to complement their training in that aspect, and I will try to work in that sense throughout this year.

But, above all, I will try to encourage all the students to learn about the work of the Sports Service and all the activities they organize. From my own experience I think it is a great opportunity to enjoy sports and meet people in a very healthy environment.

You are about to finish your programs of study from Degree Do you already know what you want to specialize in?

Luckily I have many options open to me at spanish medical residency program. Each specialization program has very interesting aspects and less interesting aspects. What I would like is to be able to continue to be related to sports medicine. Not as specialization program, which unfortunately is in the process of disappearing, but having a direct relationship with the sport. And fortunately I think there is the opportunity to do so through almost any specialization program.