About the specialty group

The International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (ISEPA) is a worldwide federation representing national organisations of sports physiotherapy. It supports member organisations and their members in serving athletes of all ages and abilities through excellence in education, research, practice, and clinical specialisation. ISEPA aims to be the international resource for sports physiotherapists, promoting sports physiotherapy through the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Sports Federations (ISFs) and other professional organisations.

ISEPA was established over 25 years ago as the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT). Since then it has grown into a global organisation, representing sports physiotherapists and member organisations across diverse regions, cultures, and professional contexts. As the organisation and the profession continued to evolve, the organisation made the decision in 2026 to transition from IFSPT to ISEPA. This change is intended to enhance clarity, alignment, and international recognition, while maintaining continuity with the organisation’s values, mission, and purpose.

Objectives

The objectives of ISEPA are to:

• promote sports physiotherapy worldwide
• advance the professional interest and stature of sports physiotherapy worldwide
• improve the quality of sports physiotherapy worldwide through improving knowledge, skills, and professional responsibility
• facilitate efforts to conduct research, to promote evidence based sports physiotherapy
• encourage communication and exchange of educational and professional information through various mediums
• promote international harmonisation in order to achieve the overall mission of the ISEPA

The specialty group aims to carry out these objectives by:

• carrying out the functions of World Physiotherapy as set forth by the bylaws and in policy statements as they relate to the ISEPA
• giving support to World Physiotherapy in events and matters where sports physiotherapy is involved
• developing, promoting, monitoring and updating high international core standards of sports physiotherapy by setting competencies and standards; developing clinical guidelines, protocols and a code of ethics; establishing a recognised body of knowledge; encouraging participation in evidence based practice
• encouraging international scientific research and promoting opportunities for the spread of knowledge
• encouraging communication and exchange of information between member organisations and their members, students, teachers and programmes
• encouraging working visits between members of member organisations
• facilitating the development of international networks of all specialty areas in which sport physiotherapists practise 
• developing a list of ISEPA registered sports physiotherapists
• facilitating job rotation
• promoting communication and cooperation with other health care professionals, organisations, agencies and professional associations in areas of mutual interest.