The María Cano University Foundation, Popayán Campus, in alliance with the Mayor’s Office of Popayán, held the National Congress on Optimal Performance for Athletes on November 21 and 22.

On Thursday, November 20, a press conference was held at the María Cano University Foundation – Popayán Campus, with the special participation of the city’s mayor, Juan Carlos Muñoz, the Secretary of Sports and Recreation, the campus director, and the congress speakers. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the speakers of the National Congress on Optimal Performance for Athletes: Training, Strategy, and Emotions, an academic space that brought together national and international experts.

Campus director Rosa Ángela Macías delivered the welcome remarks, highlighting the importance of these interinstitutional alliances with the Mayor’s Office of Popayán to strengthen continuous education, promote the transformation of lives and territories through education, and demonstrate that Popayán guarantees high-quality events that contribute to peacebuilding.

The invited speakers at the congress were:

• Fabián Vargas, ESPN panelist and AFA-certified soccer coach

• Diego Barragán, Colombian soccer coach

• Jaime de La Pava, Colombian soccer coach

• Fabián Muñoz, physiotherapist, PhD in Sports Science

• Carlos Alejandro Albán, surgeon and Master in Alternative Medicine

The event took place on November 21 and 22, concluding with a practical session on the playing field led by the speakers who work professionally as soccer coaches. This activity integrated the theoretical concepts shared during the presentations, creating a highly positive experience for all participants and strengthening professional competencies.

During Dr. Albán’s presentation, a practical exercise was conducted measuring calorimetry while participants performed guided activities on a stationary bicycle, both with and without oxygen assistance, using a portable concentration device.

The congress also featured a representative with the María Cano seal: alumnus Roberth Fabián Muñoz Ortiz, a physiotherapist from the first graduating class of the Popayán Campus, Master in Comprehensive Athlete Care, and PhD in Sports Science. He shared his knowledge and experience on key topics in sports rehabilitation and habilitation.

The María Cano University Foundation highlights the success of this event and reaffirms its commitment to comprehensive education and the strengthening of academic spaces that transform lives.

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