1. FQ4 HOW IS INJURY REHABILITATION MANAGED? RETURN TO PLAY

2.  Indicators of readiness to return to play  Pain free  Degree of mobility  Monitoring progress  Pre-test  Post-test  Psychological readiness  Specific warm-up procedures  Return to play policies and procedures  Ethical considerations  Pressure to participate  Use of pain killers

3.  If an athlete returns to training and competition too soon after an injury, they run the risk of re-injury.  In some instances, medical clearance must be given before an athlete can return to play, for example, a boxer who has been knocked unconscious on several occasions. RETURN TO PLAY

4.  An athlete is ready to return to competition when they are able to perform all the skill and fitness components of their sport. The injured area should have:  elasticity and flexibility in the injured muscles  strength in the surrounding muscles to support joints during movement  full range of movement  no pain. INDICATORS OF READINESS TO RETURN TO PLAY

5.  To ensure the injured area has returned to its normal functioning may need to conduct sport-specific tests to measure athlete’s fitness and skill ability e.g. Beep test for hockey player.  Research sport-specific skills tests MONITORING PROGRESS (PRE AND POST-TEST)

6.  Athletes may feel that they may lose fitness, or their spot in a team, if they do not participate in training sessions.  Trauma from sustaining the injury may affect an athlete’s ability to participate e.g. The aerial skier who crashes tearing ACL may be hesitant to train.  Coach should ensure that any negative thoughts do not contribute to further injuries. PSYCHOLOGICAL READINESS TO PLAY

8. PROGRESSIVE REHABILITATION

9.  Pressure to participate in sporting events comes from a number of sources including team-mates and coaches.  Some individuals feel the need to get back to the field of play quickly for financial reasons. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

10.  Some elite players may have injuries heavily strapped, while others are given injections to prevent pain from pressure or impact on the injured area.  In children and young adults, parents and inexperienced coaches or trainers can cause additional injury by applying undue pressure to the athlete to play if they have not fully recovered from their injury.  Coaches and sports practitioners have a duty of care to support athletes in undertaking full rehabilitation procedures. This means supporting athletes to take the time to let their injury heal naturally, and not use pain killers to enable them to return sooner. PRESSURE TO PARTICIPATE

11.  Some injuries, regardless of ethical issues, require following documented procedures before returning to participation.  If concussion occurs, the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) should be used to assess the player and seek medical advice. Refer to handout.  The test includes a memory, cognitive and neurologic screening test. PRESSURE TO PARTICIPATE

13. GUIDELINES FOR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN BOXING

14. THE MANAGEMENT OF CONCUSSION IN AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

16. CRITICAL INQUIRY

17. APPLICATION QUESTIONS