MONDAY NIGHT INJURY CLINIC

The Sports Injury Clinic holds a regular Monday night injury clinic between 6pm and 8pm, phone 9783 9990 on Monday to be directed for your attendance. Our Physiotherapist will assess, treat and direct a rehabilitation program for your players immediately as well as an active management plan to avoid spending more time than is necessary the on sidelines. On the day of assessment our physiotherapist will contact and report to the injured players coach or manager by phone or email to report findings and outcomes. You will also have immediate access to Sports Medicine Doctors for assessment and investigations if required. A monday night injury clinic session is fully covered by your private health fund with no gap to you, or in the event you don't have private health insurance the cost is $20.

PREVENTING BASKETBALL INJURIES

Facts on basketball injuries

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Australia with players of all ages and skill levels participating.

Statistics from the Australian Sports Commission’s 2004 survey showed an estimated 508,000 Australians aged 15 years and older played basketball in the 12-month period prior to being surveyed.

Basketball is a dynamic game of speed with frequent and aggressive body contacts that can result in injury.

How many injuries?

• From 2002-2004, basketball injury statistics recorded 907 Victorian hospital admissions and 3,426 emergency department presentations.
• From 2002-2003, one in every 523 basketballers was admitted to a Victorian hospital.
• The rate of injury for basketballers is 14 injuries per 1,000 hours played.

The causes and types of injuries

• Common causes of injuries are falls, player contact, awkward landings, abrupt changes in direction and being hit by the ball.
• Injuries to the lower body, namely ankle sprains, are most common.
• Previous ankle injury, wearing shoes with air cells in the heel and not stretching during warm up increases your risk of ankle injury.
• Injuries to the hand, fingers, head, face and teeth are also common.
• Knee injuries account for the most time lost in training and games.
• Females are at higher risk of knee injury than males.
• Overuse injuries are most common in higher level players due to the duration and intensity of play.

Safety tips for basketballers Good preparation is important

• Undertake training prior to competition to ensure readiness to play.
• Always warm up, stretch and cool down.
• Undertake fitness programs to develop strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.
• Gradually increase the intensity and duration of training as this will help reduce the risk of injury.

Good technique and practices will help prevent injury

• Know the rules and play fairly.
• Learn and practise correct passing, jumping, landing and shooting techniques.
• Be aware of the dangers of using basketball equipment inappropriately.
• Know your physical capabilities and choose activities appropriate to your fitness level.
• Coaches and officials should undertake regular certification and education to ensure their injury prevention knowledge is kept up-to-date.
• Officials should enforce game rules.

Wear the right protective equipment

• Wear a mouthguard, preferably custom-fitted, at all times.
• Wear shoes designed specifically for basketball.
• Consider preventive ankle bracing if involved in jumping and rebounding frequently or if you have a history of ankle injury.

Check basketball environment for hazards

• Check and maintain the playing surface to remove hazards e.g. stones, wet surfaces.
• Backboards and baskets should be of a high standard and securely mounted.
• Backboards, their supports and walls should be suitably padded.
• Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls and fixtures. Refer to FIBA rules at www.basketballvictoria.com.au for further information.
• If installing a ring at home ask a suitably qualified person such as a building professional to assess the safety of your installation.
• Do not fix a basketball ring or backboard to brickwork.

Modify rules and equipment for children

• Juniors should be matched for competition on physical maturity and skill level.
• Encourage children to take part in Aussie Hoops Oz Ball and Skill, Fun & Play programs, as well as the McDonald’s® Hoop Time program to develop good skills and techniques.

Other safety tips

• NEVER hang or swing on a basketball ring.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.
• Drink water before, during and after play.
• Do NOT play in extreme heat or wet conditions. Where possible games should be rescheduled.
• Coaches, players and parents should be aware of heat illness symptoms.
• Qualified first aid personnel, first aid kits, ice packs and a stretcher should be available at all times.
• Telephone access, to contact emergency services, is essential.

If injury occurs

• Injured or bleeding players should be removed from the court immediately.
• Injured players should seek prompt attention from qualified first aid personnel.
• Ensure players are fully rehabilitated before returning to play.
• A brace should be worn for at least three months after serious joint injuries.

This article was provided by SmartPlay, to see the original document click here.

MOVING MARCH 2008

Dear valued customers, we are please to inform you that we will be moving to a much larger and more convenient premises in the future. Although we are moving, it is only 20meters to the right. Currently, we are located at 361, the new location will be at 365-367 Nepean Hwy, Frankston. The new premises will have more treatment rooms, larger rehabilitation studio and pilates facilities as well as much more easily accessible car parking spaces.

A PRO-ACTIVE 2007 FOR YOUR CLUB

The Sports Injury Clinic gives you tips and offers services that can help your club be pro-active in preparation on the training track and ultimately lead to improved performance on the field.

Ground conditions affected by the drought are just one of the challenges we face during 2007 in getting your players up to peak condition.

However, with The Sports Injury Clinic’s AFL approved programs and player management systems, we can implement effective strategies for your club in a structured and pro-active way, 7 days a week.

Some of the concerns coaches consistently raise with us include injury reoccurrence, non structured training nights and rehabilitation programs.

The Sports Injury Clinic can address all these issues positively, working within your current club infrastructure.

What can we do for your club?

Assistance 24 hours a day

Your club will have access to an on-call physiotherapist who will give immediate assistance for players coaches and trainers 24 hours a day. Just call 1800 351 421 for on-the-spot advice.

Exercise Physiology

The Sports Injury Clinic’s qualified Exercise Physiologists can come to your club and conduct specialist training sessions. They can also assist with structuring your training year based on prior knowledge of football injury and best outcomes. Exercise physiology sessions are also available on-line for your club during training and specialist injury sessions. (i.e. Hamstrings, groins, quads, knee/ankle injury.)

Injury Updates

You will receive 20 Injury Updates per year which will give you facts and information regarding certain injuries for use by coaches and players.