SL Benfica Health & Performance Congress 2026 | October 1–2, Estádio da Luz, Lisbon

Translating complex multi-disciplinary data into actionable pitch-side decisions remains the single biggest challenge in elite sport. In two weeks, SL Benfica is bringing together world-class practitioners across sports science, medicine, strength & conditioning, nutrition, and psychology for two days of applied high-performance insights.

Core Program Pillars & Speaker Lineup

1. Injury Prevention & Load Monitoring

• Prof. Evert Verhagen (UEFA / Amsterdam UMC): Decades of UEFA injury surveillance data and why prevention must be treated as a process rather than a static program.
• Dr. Robin Thorpe (Arizona State University / ex-Manchester United): Moving beyond raw GPS external loads to track internal physiological stress responses for true readiness management.
• Michael Elmer (Kinexon) & Dr. Charlie Pedlar (Orreco): Combining real-time tracking data with biological markers to personalize recovery interventions.

2. Surgical vs. Conservative Rehabilitation Pathways

• Dr. Jordi Puigdellivol (FC Barcelona) & Dr. Alexandre Fernandes (SL Benfica): Surgical vs. conservative management for proximal hamstring avulsions and rectus femoris injuries.
• Bernardo Lemos, Diogo Cunha & Gonçalo Nunes (SL Benfica): Post-surgical meniscal rehab protocols and pitch-side S-MAS return-to-play criteria.
• Dr. Sérgio Gonçalves (CUF Hospital) & Jan Jacques (SL Benfica): Multidisciplinary surgical and conservative interventions for complex groin pain.

3. In-Season Neuromuscular Performance

• César Natário (Casa Pia AC) & Tomás Freitas (UCAM Murcia CB): In-season gym programming and micro-dosing power during congested match schedules in football and basketball
• Diego Soliño (VALD Performance): Utilizing real-time force plate and NordBord data to detect neuromuscular fatigue before performance drop-offs occur.

4. Applied Nutrition, Gut Health & Sports Psychology

• Dr. Ian Rollo (GSSI) & Gabriel Martins (Team Visma | Lease a Bike): Managing GI distress under heat stress and translating WorldTour cycling carbohydrate fueling models into team sports.
• Christian Luthardt (Bayern Munich FC): Assessing psychological interventions and building resilience during elite youth-to-first-team transitions.

🎟️ Secure Your Seat

Registration is available at the €200 Standard Rate prior to event kickoff on October 1st. Lock in your place via the official SL Benfica Event Page.