1. HSC PDHPE – CQ3 DP2
CQ3 – What role do preventative actions play in enhancing the wellbeing of the athlete?

2. What role do preventative actions play in enhancing the wellbeing of the athlete?
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
sports policy and the sports environment
rules of sports and activities
modified rules for children
Matching of opponents, eg. growth and development, skill level
use of protective equipment
safe grounds, equipment and facilities
critically analyse sports policies, rules and equipment to determine the degree to which they promote safe participation, eg heat rules, rugby union scrum rules

3. 2. Sports policy and the sports environment

4. 2. Sports policy and the sports environment
The presence of sporting policy and a safe playing environment are two key areas in injury prevention in sport.
Sports clubs, schools and government agencies involved in providing physical activity need to provide safe environments in which athletes, coaches, officials and spectators can participate safely.
There are many hazards that can put an athlete at risk, and it is the responsibility of these institutions to ensure that hazards are minimised to prevent any form of injury.

5. 2. Sports policy and the sports environment
To provide a safe sporting environment, institutions must have clear, specific policies, and make sure that these policies are followed. Egs include:
maintenance of playing areas and equipment
qualifications of coaches, staff and officials
first aid
duty of care
codes of conduct for players, officials, spectators and parents
risk management procedures in the event of an emergency injury prevention.

6. 2. Sports policy and the sports environment
Policies should be written, distributed and continually reviewed to ensure that safety is always paramount. Institutions can contact specific sports associations for guidance on developing policies for the needs of their participants, including general organisations such as Sports Medicine Australia, and sport-specific bodies such as the NSW Touch Association or Hockey NSW.

7. Rules of sports and activities

8. Rules of sports and activities
When participating in a sport, players must respect the rules that govern that sport.
Players who disregard the rules place themselves and others at unnecessary risk of injury.
If the very nature of a game or activity is dangerous, there are likely to be stringent rules to help minimise the chances of serious injury.

9. Rules of sports and activities
In rugby league, for example, rules governing tackling outlaw dangerous tackles, such as head high or spear tackles.
Responsibility is placed on the officials and coaches to ensure that the players under their control and care participate in the right spirit and do not intentionally infringe the rules.

10. Rules of sports and activities

11. Rules of sports and activities

13. modified rules for children

14. modified rules for children
The modification of game rules for children has resulted in a lowering of the risk of injury to players.
In some cases, this modification has involved the design of completely new games that develop the basic skills of the original games.
Examples of these games are kanga cricket, mini basketball, mini/mod league, walla rugby and minky hockey.

15. modified rules for children
Examples of rule changes include:
kanga cricket — no fielder is allowed within 10 metres of the batting wicket
walla rugby — no pushing in scrums and no lifting in line- outs.
In addition to the development of modified games, there are less extensive changes to the rules of adult games that are implemented at different age levels.
To prevent overuse injury in fast bowlers in cricket, players under 19 years of age are restricted in the number of successive overs they are allowed to bowl, and must be given adequate rest between spells.

16. matching of opponents, eg growth and development, skill level

17. matching of opponents, eg growth and development, skill level
A child’s readiness for sporting competitions can be measured according to the child’s physical abilities or according to emotional readiness.
Opponents are generally matched according to age. From the point of view of sports medicine, factors other than age should also be considered.
Variations in size and strength (growth and development), as well as motor skills should also be taken into account.
Children should be matched against each other so that children develop their skills and have fun, rather than receive an injury and be disappointed, which can cause them to ‘drop out’ of sport.

18. matching of opponents, eg growth and development, skill level
In many competitions, a grading system that promotes even competition is in place.
Unfortunately, this relies upon the competition having a sufficient number of teams or individuals, and in some areas, there are insufficient numbers of participants to implement such a scheme.
A grading system that encourages even competition not only reduces risk of injury, but also promotes enjoyment and enthusiasm.

20. From the article on ‘Fotu’, debate whether or not he should be forced to play in his age category or weight category. Justify your reasons.

21. use of protective equipment

22. use of protective equipment
Prevention is better than cure, and many injuries can be prevented by the use of appropriate preventative equipment.
With professional sport becoming more financially attractive to the elite performer, the loss of potential earnings associated with injury provides motivation for the athlete to take every preventative measure available.

23. use of protective equipment
In most cases, the wearing of protective equipment is voluntary and the athlete takes personal responsibility for injury prevention. In supervising children, however, responsible adults have a duty of care.
The basic purposes of protective equipment are:
absorb and disperse energy from a direct blow (for example, mouthguards and helmets)
to deflect a blow and protect against sharp instruments (for example, a chest guard in fencing)
to limit excess movement (for example, studs in football boots and joint harnesses/braces).

24. use of protective equipment
Apparel and protective guards
The most common pieces of protective equipment used in sport today are those designed to protect the head and neck, eyes, body, teeth and feet. eg
Helmets
Mouthguards
Shoulder pads and shin pads
Joint harnesses and braces
Footwear

25. safe grounds, equipment and facilities

26. safe grounds, equipment and facilities
Grounds and facilities should be designed and maintained to provide a safe playing environment. Safe grounds are characterised by a level and firm playing surface that is free of obstruction.
Any fixture that is integral to the game, such as a goal or net posts, should be well padded for both training and playing.
The ground should also be well secured from spectators, and positioned a safe distance from fencing or other obstructions.
It should be well lit if required for play or practice at night.

27. safe grounds, equipment and facilities
In gymnastics, sufficient mat support is necessary to prevent injuries from falls. Equipment should be suited to the size and ability of the user.
When the nature of the surface is changed by weather conditions, additional dangers need to be assessed for injury risk.

28. safe grounds, equipment and facilities
Appropriate facilities should also be provided. Hygienic change rooms that are clean, tidy and of adequate size are required. A well-stocked first aid room is required for the immediate management of injury. The safe design and positioning of fields and courts reduces risk of injury to participants.
Courts and fields should be:
positioned far enough apart to prevent games or players clashing
positioned away from other dangers, such as roads, rivers, dams, cliffs, trees, fences, walls and buildings
designed in a north–south direction to prevent the vision of players being impeded by the sun
fitted with padding where necessary (for example, on goal posts)
constructed on even ground and not have hard or rough surfaces (especially if contact with the ground is likely).

29. safe grounds, equipment and facilities
All equipment should undergo regular maintenance and safety checks.
Large equipment (such as goal posts) should be securely anchored, stable and well padded.
Temporary structures should be of sound construction and properly erected, especially if they are to support body weight.
Equipment should also be suited to the size of the user. Smaller equipment must also be properly maintained. Such equipment includes rubber grips on bats and racquets, and buckles and belts on safety equipment. Any protective equipment, should be properly fitted and in sound working order.