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NOTES
How are sports injuries classified and managed?
Ways to classify sports injuries
Direct and Indirect
Direct
Caused by forces generated from outside the body
Fractures, dislocations, sprains, bruises
Example Shoulder dislocation caused by a tackle in rugby
Indirect
Caused by intrinsic forces (force within the body)
Result of inadequate warm up, ballistic movements, excessive
movements, fault in execution
Result in sprains (ligaments), strains (muscles and tendons),
damage to body structure (tearing muscles)
Example sprinter tearing a hamstring during a race
Soft and Hard tissue
Soft tissue
Injury to tissue, other than bones and teeth, can be caused by
external or internal forces
Acute occur suddenly (sprains, strains, dislocation
subluxation, torn cartilage, contusions and abrasions)
Chronic - prolonged
Examples spraining ankle during soccer due to poor surface,
bruising due to direct force of hockey stick
Hard tissue
Cause damage to bones and teeth
Bruising of the bone or periostitis (bleeding between outer
lining of bone and underlying compact bone, impact to the
shin), dislocation, fractures
Specific example dislocated shoulder due to direct impact of
another in football, fracture due to landing heavily on hand in
netball
Overuse
Over use
Caused by overuse of specific body regions over long periods
of time
Strains
Occur when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn
Pain, bleeding, discolouration
Impact with player or object may can cause a contusion
(bruise)
Inflammatory response
Control of bleeding
Treating shock
Use of splint of bandage to immobolise the area
Medical assistance
Dislocations
Assessment of injuries
TOTAPS (Talk, observe, touch, active movement, passive movement,
skills test)
Management
If seizures occur daily, avoid collision sports
Other players, parents or supervisors should be present and
know what to do if a seizure occurs
Swimming alone, scuba diving and rock climbing should be
completely avoided if they lose control and go unnoticed, it
may lead to serious injury or death
Overuse injuries (stress fractures)
Fractures/Bone density
Options available:
Endurance activities such as walking, cycling, swimming
Cycling and swimming = good because bicycle and swimming
provide support
Low impact and balance activities, such as aerobics
Low range strengthening exercises focusing on the limbs,
trunk and back
Programs are to be avoided if they include:
Activity of high intensity
Exercises with high resistance
Flexibility/Joint mobility
To be
Options available:
Walking, cycling swimming, flexibility classes and aqua
aerobics
Water exercises not weight bearing increase in bone +
muscle mass
Prevent falls by increasing balance and stability
Female athletes
Eating disorders
May
Pregnancy
Considerations/Implications:
Exercise in the cool of the day
Consume adequate water to avoid thermal stress, which can
affect the development of the foetus
Exercise at comfortable pace
Avoid jumping and jarring movements
Resistance training assist women to tolerate heavier body
and altered centre of gravity
Resistance training carefully supervised to ensure proper
breathing (avoid holding breath increases blood pressure)
Warm up
Stretching
Cool Down
Rules of sport assist the flow of play and protect players from
injury
Rules are enforced by the referee or umpire promote safety
within the game
Injury has the potential to cause permanent damage rule
infringements must be dealt with, such as rugby in head high
tackles
Essential that the athletes safety is the highest priority
Matching of opponents
Refers to growth and development as well as skill level
Grading of competition leads to safer participation
Grading is done by both age and skill level
Use of protective equipment
Environmental considerations
Temperature regulation
Progressive mobilization
Treatment
Is used for the immediate treatment of injuries
Reduces pain, swelling and blood flow
Ice should be applied for 20 minutes every hour for up to 4
days
Heat treatment
Heat should not be applied till after bleeding and swelling at
the site halts
Heat treatment promotes blood flow, movement and mobility
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