Dr Karen Holzer - Sports Physician

Dr Karen Holzer is an extremely experienced, accredited and well known Sports Physician based in Melbourne.

She has worked extensively with athletes at all levels, from the occasional recreational athlete through to the elite international athlete.She receives great satisfaction helping each individual at whatever level they may be, achieve their own personal goals and aspirations.

Karen is unique in that she has a PhD and post Doctorate in Exercise-induced Asthma and breathing difficulties. She is recognised world wide as a leading researcher and clinician in this area. She played a major role in the preparation and management of the Australian Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, at which the air pollution and consequent airways complications were the major concern.

Karen has worked as a team doctor for a variety of sports at the Domestic, State, National and International levels including Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and Olympic Games, an accomplishment that very few Doctors have achieved.

Unlike most Sports Physicians, Karen has a strong basis in treating both medical and musculoskeletal issues.  She has extensive experience in treating:

1. Exercise-induced Breathing Issues
2. Iron Deficiency
3. Lethargy
4. Recurrent infections
5. Female issues – menstrual, weight, pregnancy, bone density
6. Weight issues
7. Tendinopathies
8. Acute and overuse injuries

 Karen has special interests in the care, both medical and musculoskeletal, of:

1. Endurance Athletes – open water swimmers, road cyclists, distance runners, triathletes, ironmen & women and rowers
2. Swimmers
3. Track and Field Athletes
4. Track Cyclists
5. All Ball Sports – Basketball, Football, Rugby, Soccer, Netball, Tennis & Hockey.

Furthermore, as an extension of Karen’s extensive work in cardiorespiratory performance in athletes, Karen has a special interest in altitude training and its impact on performance and VO2 max testing.