Redponding to Injuries and Medical Conditions in Sport

Question 1

Define ‘SALTAPS’

Answer 1

Protocol for the assessment of a sporting injury: stop, ask, look, touch, active movement, passive movement and strength testing

Question 2

Explain SALTAPS

Answer 2

• Stop - stop the game if a player is injured and observe the injury
• Ask - ask questions about the injury, such as where does it hurt, what type of pain is it, which way did you fall?
• Look - search for specific signs such as bruising, swelling, broken skin, bleeding or foreign objects
• Touch - gently palpate the injured area to identify painful regions and inflammation
• Active movement - ask the player whether they can move the injured area without your assistance
• Passive movement - if there is active movement, gently move the injured area through its full range of motion
• Strength testing - ask the player to stand, lift or put pressure on the injured area if they can

Question 3

Define ‘PRICE’

Answer 3

Protocol for the treatment of acute injuries: protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation

Question 4

Explain PRICE

Answer 4

• Protection - protect the injury and the person from any further damage. Stop playing and use padding, splints or crutches to get off the field of play
• Rest - allow the injury time to heal and prevent further damage
• Ice - apply ice indirectly to the skin to reduce inflammation and pain. 10 mins on 60 mins off
• Compression - compressing the injury with tear tape, crepe or a stretch bandage will help to reduce swelling
• Elevation - raise the injury above the heart level to reduce blood flow to the area, thus reducing swelling

Question 5

List the concussion ‘six Rs’

Answer 5

Protocol for the recognition of concussion: recognise, remove, refer, rest, recover and return

Question 6

Explain the concussion six Rs

Answer 6

• Recognise - parents, players, coaches and officials should all be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion
• Remove - if a player has a concussion or suspected concussion, they must be removed from the field of play immediately
• Refer - if removed from the field the player should be referred immediately to a qualified healthcare professional who is trained in evaluating and treating concussion
• Rest - players must rest from exercise until symptom free and not be left alone for the first 24 hours
• Recover - players must fully recover and be symptom free before considering a return to play. Adults minimum 1 week, U18 minimum 2 weeks
• Return - to complete a safe return to the field the player must be symptom free, have written authorisation and complete the ‘graduated return to play’ protocol