Ask European Athletics Innovation Award winner Carl Askling what his achievement in 2008 brought him and he is pretty emphatic in his reply.
'Renewed energy in my career,' says the Swede.
Askling claimed top prize together with colleague Alf Thorstensson of the Karlolinska Institute at the sixth edition of the biennial awards with their project 'Hamstring Muscle Sprain in Sprinters.'
Their research, which beat out 22 entries from 12 countries, is one of the first attempts to systematically characterise and follow up a serious problem that threatens the careers of many top athletes.
The international recognition that comes with the European Athletics awards means he is now in big demand in his home country, with numerous requests for him to talk about his findings.
A recent highlight was being a part of the European Jumping Conference in Malmö. Askling will also present his research findings at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.
'I have enjoyed being able to educate others on the subject,' says Askling.
He is now working on a second project which focuses on re-injuries of the hamstring.
'The Swedish athletic association was very happy with my first project and the success it brought me, which has allowed us to move forward with a partnership for my current project.'
The Innovation Awards take centre stage again in October 2010 at the European Athletics Awards Night.
Prizes will be awarded in five different categories: coaching, technology, promotion, sustainability and an open category.
An overall winner will be selected from among each of the category winners.
Sustainability is a new category for the seventh edition, with judges looking for projects that describe the planning and implementation of measures designed to reduce environmental impact and increase sustainability of athletics events or activities related to athletics.
The Innovation Awards started out as the European Athletics Science Awards in 1998. The biennial competition is designed to encourage new ideas and recognise the success of projects that contribute to the development of the sport of athletics.