SPORTS INJURIES AND RISK MANAGEMENT

RISK MANAGEMENT Any physical activity can pose a risk to the participant. Risk management is the process of measuring or assessing risk and then developing strategies to manage the risk. RISK – is the chance of something happening. It is measured in terms of likelihood and consequences.

RISK MANAGEMENT What could go wrong? What protections do you have in place to prevent likely occurrences? What will you do if it happens? Some suggested steps in the risk management processes are:

RISK MANAGEMENT - PROCESSES Identification and assessment of possible risks Creating a plan Identification of possible actions available Implementing the plan Risk avoidance Ongoing monitoring Risk reduction Evaluation of the plan

A practical example A practical example such as being injured by making contact to a goal post could be useful in gaining an understanding of likelihood and consequence. An e.g. of reducing the likelihood is that the number of players allowed in the goal square be restricted (rule change). Reducing the consequence could see a club padding the goal posts.

Risk management It’s not just about injury and injury prevention, risk management encompasses such areas as the facility, environmental and equipment safety, coaching, an athletes physical preparation procedures and health policies.

Risk management – the Australian standards (www.ausport.gov.au)

What could go wrong? (In training and recovery) Identify three things that could go wrong in training? 2. Identify two things that could go wrong in recovery? 3. Explain the preventative actions you could take to avoid the factors identified in 1 and 2 causing things to go wrong in training and recovery.

What could go wrong? (In training and recovery) Inadequate pre participation screening Inability to get medical assistance Coaches’ conduct and coaching practices Return to training following an injury Program design Not providing sufficient recovery Activities and equipment Environmental conditions

What can be done? (to avoid things going wrong)

Policy development and documentation

Risk management practices some examples Adequate supervision Proper instruction Sound planning Warning of inherent dangers A safe environment Teaching of the rules of sport esp. safety Evaluate athletes injuries or limitations Proper classification (e.g skill level vs. age) Counselling and info on drug use Keep up to date with current practices in coaching and sport Appropriate first aid

Risk management procedures In addition to the development of policy, the development of procedures in a range of areas is a useful action to take. Areas include: Screening (pre participation) Athlete preparation Injury management Facility and use of equipment (inspections) Prevention and treatment of environmental stress factors

Test your knowledge The personal training sector of the fitness industry is going through a boom time. The industry is growing by 6-10% a year according to VICFIT. Victoria has 380 fitness centres and more than 60 personal training studios. There are more than 120 fitness courses offered by 21 institutions and more than 1500 students are set to graduate this year. Identify the potential risks for clients working with a personal trainer. In which areas would policy be necessary to reduce the likelihood of risk for fitness centres and PT studios? What type of pre-participation screening would you recommend for clients? List 3 procedures you would recommend the centres adopt to reduce the likelihood of injury from participation in training.

SPORTS INJURIES - DIAGNOSIS Accurate and speedy diagnosis of sports injuries is vital for correct training and recovery. Some injuries need to be diagnosed by medical personal whilst others can often be diagnosed and treated by first aiders or a sports trainer.

Medical diagnosis needed..

Modern diagnostic tools Sports medicine specialists use some of the following to assist in diagnosing an athlete – be aware of these (read page 316 LIU) X rays CT (computer tomography) MRI’s Ultrasound electromyogram

Serious injuries DRABC St Johns Ambulance emergency action plan for dealing with an emergency situation can be used on conscious and unconscious patients. Become familiar with the plan (Page 317 LIU)

Sports injuries in training, competition and during recovery SALTAPS Another method of assessing sporting injuries commonly used in Australia. (Page 318 LIU)

DOMS Delayed onset muscle soreness is a condition that occurs after strenuous, unfamiliar exercise. It affects muscle fibres, resulting in localised pain and discomfort. It is commonly felt after extensive endurance activities and explosive eccentric contractions e.g. plyometrics. Eccentric contractions require the actin and myosin to separate forcefully therefore creating high tension in the muscles and therefore causing muscle soreness. 24-72 hours after the event the pain / discomfort peaks.

DOMS To lessen the severity of DOMS: Stretching – cool down (at least 30 sec’s) Cryotherapy – cold to reduce inflammation e.g ice bath Ultrasound – physio’s or sport med staff Anti inflammatory drugs Exercise – low impact, non weight bearing. Training – specific eccentric work can gradually be introduced to protect against DOMS in the future.

ASTHMA Common (30% of Australians) Narrows the trachea and bronchus restricting movement of O2 into and around the body. Can be triggered by: -allergies -dust -smoke -emotion -cold -sudden unusual exercise

EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA Can be managed by athletes – medication Continuous exercise is more likely going to cause an attack than intermittent activities. Exercise benefits the asthmatic and regular training can reduce the number and severity of attacks. Page 322 of LIU

OVERUSE AND CHRONIC INJURIES Rest and recovery in between training is essential to prevent overtraining and injury. If high workloads and low levels of rest are the norm the athlete may end up with an overuse injury, especially adolescence (hormones of puberty make them more susceptible). Some common e.gs – shin splints, osteitis pubis, tennis elbow, patella tendonitis, stress fractures, achilles tendonitis (LIU page 324-327)

Recovery from injury Know the following: RICERS – rest, ice, compression, elevation, referral and stretch. HARM – do not apply HEAT, consume ALCOHOL, no RUNNING, avoid MASSAGE Surgery Counselling.