Enric Clos Sansalvador graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), in the class of 2010. He holds a PhD in Medicine and Translational Research, and completed a master’s degree in Sports Physiotherapy and Readaptation to Physical Activity and a master’s degree in Translational Research in Physiotherapy, both at the GImbernat University Schools. he started working as a physiotherapist in the Vic OAR football team and is currently one of the five sports physiotherapists in Girona’s first team. We talk to him to find out what it was like to be an undergraduate student at UVic and to hear about his experience as a sports physiotherapist
When and why did you decide to study Physiotherapy?
When I was little, my passion was football and sports, despite having suffered several injuries. At that time, the physiotherapist at my club, Jordi Valbuena, was treating me and he became a source of inspiration. Although I was only ten years old, I became interested in the world of sports physiotherapy and decided that in the future I wanted to help other young footballers to avoid the injuries I had suffered. This is how my interest in sports physiotherapy emerged, which marked the beginning of a path that has brought me here.
Do you think the job of sports physiotherapist has the visibility it deserves?
It is complicated. Despite the resources allocated to it, especially by the Catalan Government, sports physiotherapy is not addressed sufficiently in the public health sector. Optimal conditions for employees, and therefore users, are often conspicuous by their absence. Public physiotherapy focuses mainly on traumatology and the sports part is practically overlooked. These shortfalls in the public sector mean that we end up resorting to private resources, and this is where we can find the strongest centres and the best trained professionals.
"Despite the resources allocated to it, especially by the Catalan Government, sports physiotherapy is not addressed sufficiently in the public sector"
How do you remember your time at the UVic and what do you value most about it?
I would highlight the closeness between teachers and students. The treatment of students was personalized, almost like in a secondary school. In addition, I have fond memories of the people I met in the bachelor’s degree. We were quite a large group in class but we all got on very well and in fact I still keep in touch with some of them.
What has been your path in the world of sports physiotherapy?
In the fourth year of my degree, I started as a sports physiotherapist in Juvenil A of OAR Vic football club, supporting the first team that was competing in the Segona Catalana league. After finishing my degree, I had the opportunity to join the Unió Esportiva de Vic and after almost three seasons I had to leave mid-season to focus on my doctoral thesis and other responsibilities.
And once you had started your doctoral thesis?
After completing the first year of the thesis, I returned to football, firstly at Manlleu and then at Girona, with Juvenil A. Then Covid-19 interrupted what was my second season in this team. But when the competition could resume, I joined the first team at Girona again, which was then in the Second Division. We reached the promotion play-off to the First Division, but we lost it against Elche, and as we weren’t promoted I went down to the feeder team to coordinate the medical part of youth football. After a season with the feeder team, I had the opportunity to leave for the Arab Emirates. It was an experience with many contrasts and I was only there for one season.
"The world of elite sport is very volatile and it was my turn to experience how life can change from one day to the next"
So you ended up returning to Girona Futbol Club?
The truth is that the world of elite sport is very volatile and it was my turn to experience how life can change from one day to the next. As soon as I came back from the Arab Emirates, I had the opportunity to rejoin Girona, in the first team, and that is where I have been up to now.
What essential skills are needed to become the physiotherapist of a first division team?
You need to focus on what depends on you, like your attitude and your work. The key is to show a good attitude day after day, understand the world of football, and be humble and consistent. This is what elite sport demands.
And the main difficulties of being the physiotherapist of this team?
In the world of elite sport, rigorousness is often self-imposed. However, Girona is a team with very good organization, a work group that is well trained and very humane. Situations are resolved through dialogue and complementing each other. The Girona team is easy to work with, there are good leaders and things function well.
Being in constant contact with Girona’s first team players must allow you to adopt a joint routine with them... What is it?
We have a dressing room with players from many countries, which means different ways of doing things, and different personalities and profiles. It is essential to understand the individual needs of each player, taking into account their cultural context, language and other factors. Although it was a bit difficult at the outset, over time a good mutual understanding has been established and the cases are handled individually, in the best way.
"The best memory I have, without a doubt, is my return to Girona last year"
What would you highlight most about your career as a member of the Girona squad?
What surprised me the most when I first arrived at Girona was the willingness of everyone in the team to help their teammates. There is a sincere and true cohesion. In a world with many egos, it is difficult to find this human quality in a work team. They welcomed me very well from the first moment and I have always felt at home there.
If you had to give any advice to undergraduates it would be…
That they are clear about the direction they want to take within physiotherapy, as there are several specialties. It is important to choose your own path and train in the field of physiotherapy that you like. I would also tell them that the attitude you have in daily life is relevant because, beyond technical knowledge, having a positive and empathetic attitude towards patients is an essential requirement to be a good professional.
Is there any anecdote from your work that has affected you particularly or that you remember with special affection?
The best memory I have, without a doubt, is my return to Girona last year. Being part of this great human team again has been one of the work experiences that has made me happiest.