MONDAY NIGHT INJURY CLINIC

The Sports Injury Clinic holds a regular Monday night injury clinic. Between 6pm and 8pm clients can receive injury management from the weekend’s activities at a reduced rate, phone 9783 9990 anytime on Monday to secure your time.

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 Australian Football Injuries

Facts on Australian football injuries

Australian football is one of the most popular sports in Australia, with thousands playing and watching the sport each year.
Statistics from the Exercise Recreation and Sports Survey (ERASS) conducted in 2004 showed an estimated 205,500 Victorians aged 15 years and older played football in the 12-month period prior to being surveyed.
Australian football is a contact sport that often results in injuries from tackling, kicking, running, handballing, marking and constant physical competition for the ball.

How many injuries?

• From 2002-2004, 3,472 people were admitted to Victorian hospitals while 9,562 people visited emergency departments for football-related injuries.
• 50% of hospital-treated injuries occur to players aged 15-24 years.
• 96% of all injury cases are male.
• Recent studies have indicated that the rates of injury in junior football, particularly Auskick, are very low.

The causes and types of injuries

• Common causes of injuries are being tackled, hit/struck by another player, hit by the ball and falls.
• Injuries are more likely to occur in the first four weeks of the playing season.
• 40% of hospital-treated injuries are wrist, hand, finger and forearm fractures, dislocations and sprains.
• Injuries to the thigh, knee, lower leg and ankle are most common in non-hospital-treated injuries.
• Overuse injuries occur frequently among higher level and older players.
• Sports medicine clinics most commonly treat knee and ankle sprains.

Factors increasing your injury risk

• Having had a sports injury in the previous 12 months.
• Being aged 25 years or older.
• Playing in midfield positions.
• Persistent back problems diagnosed by a health professional.
• Increasing age and decreasing quadriceps flexibility, for sustaining hamstring injury.
• A history of two or more injuries to the lower body, in the previous football season.

Factors decreasing your injury risk

• Playing football in the last 12 months.
• Excellent stamina.
• Cooling down after training sessions.
• Playing a modified rules version at junior level.
• Participating in one or more hours per week of weight training during the season, to decrease the risk of lower body injury.

Safety tips for footballers

Good preparation is important

• Undertake training sessions prior to competition to ensure readiness to play.
• Undertake pre-season training to improve strength, flexibility, stamina, agility and balance. A trained coach or fitness advisor can guide you in the right direction.
• Before playing competitively learn, practise and use correct skills and techniques.

Providing a safe environment

• Check the ground to remove or cover hazardous objects e.g. broken glass or sprinkler heads.
• Cricket pitches should be covered with a soft surface.
• Fences should be a minimum of three metres from the boundary line.
• Goal posts must be padded with high-density foam, at least two metres high and with 35 millimetres thickness. Padding should be in good condition and replaced when worn or damaged.
• Qualified first aid personnel, first aids kits, ice packs and a stretcher should be available at all times.
• Telephone access, to contact emergency services, is essential.

Pre-game safety

• Complete a warm up including stretching, slow jogging and running activities, with and without a football.
• Eat a balanced, nutritional diet.
• Drink water before a game or training session.
• Avoid drinking alcohol 48 hours before a game.
• Seek professional advice about the most appropriate boots to wear for playing conditions.
• Wear sunscreen and re-apply during breaks on sunny days.
• Be aware of game rules, play fairly and respect opponents and umpiring decisions.

Game safety

• Wear a mouthguard, preferably custom-fitted, at all times.
• Protective headgear, ankle braces and thigh protectors can protect players with a history of head, ankle or thigh injuries.
• Drink water during and after a game or training session.
• Umpires should enforce game rules at all levels.
• Avoid drinking alcohol after a game.

Modify rules and equipment for children

• Games for children and teenagers should be played in accordance with the National Policy for the Conduct of Junior Football established by the Australian Football League.

If an injury occurs

• Players should seek prompt attention from qualified first aid personnel.
• A health professional should make the decision whether an injured player returns to the field.
• Ensure players are fully rehabilitated before returning to play after injury.

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

A PRO-ACTIVE 2008 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 2008 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.

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