Return to Play

Question 1

When should athletes return to play?

Answer 1

UNTIL INJURY IS FULLY HEALED!!!

Question 2

What are the indicators of readiness to return to play?

Answer 2

1. Elasticity
   - New tissue stretched, promoting lengthways elasticity & resultant flexibility
2. Strength
   - New tissue is strong & able to support body in stressful movements
3. Mobility
   - Gained full movement, terms of agility
4. Pain free
   - Injury is pain free during both light exercise & and strenuous work
5. Balance
   - Able to balance body on the injured limb

• Until balance is done, rehab is not complete

Question 3

How to measure Mobility?

Answer 3

• Ask an athlete
• Biometrical analysis
• Goniometry Metre

Question 4

How to monitor progress?

Answer 4

Pre tests are taken to compare to the fitness levels after rehab to make sure you are back to where you originally started

Establishes if an athlete has lost fitness components such as speed & agility

(SPORT SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS)

Question 5

What is an example of how to monitor progress?

Answer 5

If knee ligaments were damaged,

• agility test such as illinois test

Question 6

Why is it important to compare test results?

Answer 6

• What fitness components have been lost
• Effectiveness of data
• Physical readiness

Question 7

What should the tests incorporate?

Answer 7

1. Speed
2. Strength
3. Agility

Specific to injury and sport

Question 8

Psychological readiness

Answer 8

Positive outlook & strong self confidence

Sports psychologists, doctors, trainers need to assess

Need a balance of motivation, self assurance, common sense to return to play

Question 9

Specific warm up procedures

Answer 9

Specific to injured area

Avoid reinjury

Sprinter incurred hamstring injury
- Stretching exercises to both quads & hamstrings

Question 10

HAMSTRING TEAR - SOCCER

Answer 10

Lunges (Walking, reverse)

Reaching for toes

Kneeling hamstring stretch

Isometric knee flexion

Force plate isometric single-leg bridge

Question 11

Policies and Procedures AMATEUR

Answer 11

Decision made by individuals in consultation with doctor, physiotherapist, or sports trainer

Question 12

Policies and Procedures PROFESSIONAL

Answer 12

TYPICAL PROTOCOL
Strapping/bracing, Fitness assessment, specific test results, Participation in a range of sport specific movements

Returning too soon can be expensive

Coaches and trainers also have their own set of criteria, varies one sport to another

Question 13

Outline 2 examples of return to play policies from 2 different sports: AFL

Answer 13

1. REST = 1-2 DAYS
2. Recovery
   i) daily activities
   ii) light aerobic exercise 50-60 MHR
   iii) moderate exercise 60-80 MHR
   iv) high intensity exercise Max heart rate

Progress if
- All recovery is done for symptoms & signs at rest & high intensity training

• Have returned to school or work (without any need for modifications);

3. Graded loading program - 7 days

i) non contact activity
ii) limited contact activity
iii) full contact activity

4. Unrestricted return to play

Question 14

Outline 2 examples of return to play policies from 2 different sports: NRL

Answer 14

1.

Question 15

Ethical considerations

Answer 15

Pressure to participate
Use of painkiller

Question 16

Paracetamol

Answer 16

Taken to address headaches or soreness around bruises

Question 17

Prescriptions painkillers

Answer 17

Injected into injured site to mask pain

Desensitise the area to pain and can lead to further damage without the athlete knowing which can prolong the healing process

Question 18

What is pain?

Answer 18

Pain is the bodies response to tissue or organ damage

It tells us that what is happening is causing harm and should be stopped

Question 19

If further rupture occurs what will happen?

Answer 19

Permanent mutilation of fibres will occur