The importance of a physiotherapist By Rakesh Kumar
The importance of a physiotherapist in the management of sport teams
The team physiotherapist has became one of the most important assets any coach can have when working with a team. The physiotherapist brings dynamics to the warming up, conditioning, muscle activation as well as the recovery of the players. Due to the high intensity of matches, tournaments and training sessions a scientific approach towards the correct prevention, management and rehabilitation of sport injuries has became a necessity when managing any team.
>The scope of Physiotherapy in teams sport:
Outreach in sport:
The physiotherapist will advise the sports people and professionals linked to the team and perform any actions that help improve the conditions of avoidance of injury to the athlete.
Prevention:
The Physiotherapist in Sport should be alert to avoid as far as possible all those factors that might bring up injuries by sports in general and of each particular sport, associated injuries and / or consequences of injury primary, and its possible recurrence. This includes conditioning, training and pre-match activation.
Recovery:
The Physiotherapist in Sport should regain the functionality of the athlete as quickly as possible, accelerating the biological processes of recovery from injury, limiting his training as little as possible and ensure that they are reinstated to the team with the greatest prospects for success.
Rehabilitation:
The Physiotherapist’s aim, after recovering from injury, is to put all his effort into the regaining of muscle strength and mobility. The Physiotherapist in Sport should regain the functionality of the athlete as quickly as possible, accelerating the biological processes of recovery from injury, limiting his training as little as possible and ensure that they are reinstated into the team, with the greatest prospects for success
Teaching:
The Physiotherapist in Sport should aim to improve all the facets of knowledge that contribute to the training of top professionals in team sport.
Research:
Physiotherapists in Sport should conduct studies that can contribute to the prevention of injuries, the treatment by the physiotherapist and the enhanced performance of the team.
Stretching and muscle activation before training or matches:
• The physiotherapist is a specialist in the field of applying the correct stretching and stretching methods to prevent injury during the team warm up prior to a game.
The use of evidence based muscle activation techniques to activate local and global muscle stabilisers before a game.
Pre-Match Strapping and Treatment:
• A large percentage of players use prophylactic strapping.
• The application of kinematic taping for muscle activation.
Numerous players are playing with injuries and require treatment pre-match to improve performance.
Medical Cover at Matches and Training:
• Immediate Medical Management on the Field of play.
• Assessment and decision making on continuing play.
• Management of blood injuries, sprains, contusions and hydration of the players.
Medical Screening and Injury Prevention:
• Based on previous injuries and medical history of the player.
• Biomechanical assessment identifying weak links and treatment / rehabilitation programme.
• In season prehabilitation sessions X2 a week, small groups on rotation.
• Individual sessions.
Management and Conditioning of the team:
• Introducing players back from injury.
• Reducing volume for players with chronic injuries
• Fitness to play
• Medical responsibility to the player
Assessment and treatment of acute and chronic injuries:
• Acute Injuries require early assessment and intervention
– Anti inflammatory treatment modalities.
– Importance of compression and ice
– Intensive Physiotherapy, strengthening, mobility and regaining function.
– Rehabilitation of the injury and maintenance of full body strength.
– Prevention of recurrence by giving home exercises, stretching and proprioception exercises
• Chronic Injuries
– Ongoing management and training modifications – Ongoing rehabilitation
COMPLEMENTARY PHYSIO TIPS
1 Sheathing
A global sheathing work is recommended to strengthen the muscle chains, and the back. The strengthening of these deep muscles, in addition to their protective role, helps to cushion the stresses experienced by the joints.
2 The feet
The feet, especially during the hard-court season, must be carefully treated with massages, mobilizations and stretching of the plantar fascia.
3 Stretching
A stretching protocol is recommended for some muscles: abs, adductors, hamstrings, triceps, forearm muscles, external shoulder rotators.
4 Abs
As far as women are concerned, it is interesting to strengthen abs, while avoiding concentric contractions and promoting hypopressive exercises to protect the perineum.