1. Sports Therapy Trevor Langford, Dip, HND, BSc (Hons), MSST
Middlesbrough Football Club
Teesside Sports Injury Centre

2. Academic Profile
HND in applied Sport Science at the University of Teesside in 2005 gaining a distinction.
BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy at Teesside in 2007 gaining a First Class Hons degree.
Now doing MSc in Sport and Exercise at Teesside focusing on Sports Therapy related topics.

3. Current Employment Current
Sports Therapist – Middlesbrough FC (Academy)
Sports Therapist – Teesside Sports Injury Centre (TSIC)
Fitness Trainer – University of Teesside
Recent
Sports Science support – Great Britain rowing squad
Research assistant – University of Teesside (20 hours per week)
Sports Therapist – Middlesbrough FC (reserves) - Voluntary

4. What is Sports Therapy
Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is specifically concerned with the prevention of injury and the rehabilitation of the patient back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability.
It utilizes the principles of sport and exercise sciences incorporating physiological and pathological processes to prepare the participant for training, competition and where applicable, work.

5. A Sports Therapist:
Has the knowledge and ability to provide first aid and attend to injuries in a recreational, training and competitive environment.
Has the knowledge and ability to assess and, where appropriate, refer on for specialist advice and intervention.
Has the knowledge and ability to provide sports massage pre and post activity.
Has the knowledge and ability to implement appropriate rehabilitation programmes.
Has the knowledge to utilize sports and exercise principles to optimize preparation and injury prevention programmes.

6. Specialist Areas Anatomy and physiology Field work
Examination and assessment of an injury
Soft tissue manipulation (including sports massage)
Peripheral and spinal mobilisations
Biomechanics and movement analysis
Treatment using electrotherapeutic modalities
Rehabilitation specific to functional requirements
Psychological aspects of sporting injuries

7. Sports Therapy Common Questions
‘Shall I do Physiotherapy because I can gain chartered status through the health professions council (HPC), although I ultimately want to work within sport’?
‘Will the job opportunities increase for graduate Sports Therapists’?
‘Can I call myself a Sports Therapist if I have completed a weekend course or a diploma’?
‘Will the Society of Sports Therapists gain recognition by the Health Professions Council’?

8. HPC Regulation
In May 2006 the Health Professions Council (HPC) formally agreed that Sports Therapy should be regulated in the interests of public protection.
Regulation by the Health Professions Council will change the way the public perceive Sports Therapy.
Possible recognition by private health insurers.
Protection for the public by ensuring that Therapists are graduate Sports Therapists.
Although it is not likely to happen until around
The growth of institutions offering a Sports Therapy degree programme clearly reflects the popularity of the need for Sports Therapy to be regulated by the HPC.

9. Current Institutions
University of Teesside * University of Chichester *
University of Huddersfield
University of North London *
Newcastle College
University of central Lancashire
Leeds Metropolitan
Coventry University
University College Birmingham
University of Bath
Edge hill University
University of Hertfordshire *
University of Kent
University of Worcester
* In 2003 only 4 institutions ran a Sports therapy Course. Phenomenal growth in 5 years.

10. Job Opportunities To work in a clinic doing: Musculoskeletal screening
Rehabilitation of acute/chronic injuries
Prehab (preventing injuries from occurring)
To work with a team/athlete
Immediate management of acute injuries
Same as the above
Work at sporting events performing pre/post event massage.

11. Advice to graduate Sports Therapists
Develop the ability to network and create contacts.
Gain further qualifications i.e. Fitness instructor certificate.
There is always somebody younger with more qualifications pushing you further.
Offer your services and become recognised in your region.
Show enthusiasm to work in your field.
Get out and market yourself.
Don’t go down a different line until Sports Therapy jobs opportunities arise as there are already jobs out there, you just need to get out there.
Examine and assess as many different injuries as possible.
Attend conferences to develop networks nationally.

12. Advice to prospective students
Seek some practical and field experience to make sure you want to work in sport as opposed to allied health.
Does the University offer a clinical work placement. If so look at the potential work placements near to the University of choice prior to commencing the course.
Research the facilities on offer i.e. The learning resource centre, rehabilitation facilities and isokinetic equipment.
Do other courses to compliment the Sports Therapy qualification.

13. Personal Qualities Required

14. Future Plans
Work as a Lecturer in Sports Therapy at a higher education institute.
Become more involved at MFC, TSIC and GB rowing.
Interested and keen to do a PhD in the prevention of Sports Injuries.
Keen to undertake BASES accreditation .
Attend further courses and conferences related to the treatment and management of sports injuries.

15. Any Questions? Please feel free to contact me at t.langford@tees.ac.uk
Society of Sports Therapists