injury prevention, responding to injuries and medical conditions in sport

intrinsic factors

extrinsic factors

individual variables

previous injury

posture and alignment issues

age

nutrition

training effects

poor preparation

inadequate fitness level

inappropriate flexibility level

poor technique and training

incorrect equipment and clothing

warm up and cool down effectiveness

inappropriate intensity, duration or frequency of activity

  • an athlete should never return to training after an injury until declared fit
  • injuries can cause a loss of connective tissue strength, imbalance between muscle groups, decreased joint stability etc
  • different leg lengths, scoliosis cause biomechanical changes requiring connective tissues to handle forces in unnatural ways
  • increases injury risk as bone tissue loses strength and as connective tissue suffer overuse, wear and tear they become more prone to injury
  • is important for injury prevention and recovery
  • protein for growth and repair of cells and tissues
  • carbs for energy production to reduce the onset of fatigue
  • fats for protection and cushioning
  • vitamins and minerals for bone growth and repair

  • increase the risk of injury


  • running a marathon without the appropriate training will result in catastrophic injury


  • if the intensity, duration or frequency of training or ability of opponents are too high it can lead to injury
  • early fatigue can lead to a poor technique, wrong decisions and a drop in performance
  • lead to poor joint stability and a limited range of motion
  • too much flexibility can also lead to poor joint stability

SALTAPS

PRICE

Six R's

S - stop = stop the game if a player is injured and observe the injury

A - ask = ask questions about the injury

L - look = search for specific signs such as bruising, swelling, broken skin etc

T - touch = gently palpate the injured area to identify painful regions

A - active movement = ask the player whether they can move the injured area through its full range of motion

P - passive movement = if there is active movement, gently move the injured area through its full range of motion

S - strength testing = ask the player to stand, lift or put pressure on the injured area if they can

Protection = protect the injury and the person from any further damage

  • stop playing and use padding, splints or crutches to get them off the field of play

Rest = all the injury time to heal and prevent further damage

Ice = apply ice indirectly to the skin to reduce inflammation and pain

  • 10 mins of application repeated after 1 hours break

Compression = compressing the injury with tear tape or stretching bandages will help to reduce the swelling

  • monitor the tightness of the compression

Elevation = raise the injury above heart level to reduce blood flow to the area

Recognise = parents, players, coaches and officials should all be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion

Remove = if a player has concussion or suspected concussion, they must be removed from the field of play immediately

Refer = if removed from the field of play, the player should be referred immediately to a qualified healthcare professional who is trained in treating concussion

Rest = players must rest from exercise until they are symptom free and not be left on their own for the first 24 hours

Recover = players must full recover and be symptom free before considering to play

  • adults must take at least a week and under 18's two weeks before seeking authorised return from a professional

Return = to complete a safe return the player must be symptom free, have written authorisation and complete a protocol