Athletic Injury Assessment and Management

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
SPSC 3276
Descriptive
Athletic Injury Assessment and Management
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Contact Hours

2 hours lecture/week

2 hours lab/week

OR

Hybrid: 2 hours lab/weekl; 2 hours online/week

Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Hybrid
Learning Activities
  • Lecture
  • Discussion groups (in-class and on-line)
  • Practical application
  • Self-study
  • Reading assignments
  • Instructor tutoring
Course Description
This course examines concepts associated with recognition and prevention of common injuries resulting from physical- or sports-related activities. Students will learn basic injury management techniques through a practical component, including assessment, acute treatment, recommendations for appropriate referral, and sport/activity re-entry.
Course Content

1. Team approach to delivery of injury care

1.1. The field of athletic training

1.2. The role of the athletic trainer and allied health professionals involved in the care and prevention of sports injuries

1.3. Standard of care guidelines

2. Prevention action planning

2.1. Principles of preventing athletic injuries:

2.1.1. Rules and regulations

2.1.2. Education

2.1.3. Physical conditioning

2.1.4. Injury patterns

2.1.5. Emergency action plan

2.1.6. Facility

2.1.7. Injury management

2.1.8. Equipment

3. Acute and chronic tissue response

3.1. The physiology of trauma

3.1.1. Acute vascular response

3.1.2. Proliferation phase

3.1.3. Tissue maturation

3.2. Life threatening and emergent conditions

3.2.1. Spine management and pre-hospital care

3.2.2. Traumatic brain injury and concussion protocol

4. Etiology of injury

4.1. Role of functional mechanics

4.1.1. Assessment

4.1.2. Recommendations

4.2. Basic mechanical forces and loads and apply basic physical principles

4.3. Etiology and pathology of common acute and chronic injuries including:

4.3.1. Structural locations

4.3.2. Mechanisms

4.3.3. Functional implications

4.3.4. Classification

4.3.5. Recognition

5. Management of injury for upper and lower appendicular, axial, systemic, and environmental conditions

5.1. Initial management principles

5.1.1. Methodical injury evaluation

5.1.2. Functional anatomy

5.1.3. Joint stability and range of motion

5.2. Application of standard sports aid including:

5.2.1. Standard acute practice

5.2.2. Care of overuse and chronic injury

5.2.3. Psychosocial intervention in care

5.2.4. Basic sports aid supplies including padding, tensoring, wrapping

5.2.5. Appropriate mode of referral

5.3. Criteria for re-entry to sport

5.3.1. Re-conditioning exercises

5.3.2. Basic sports aid supplies including padding and adhesive protection

5.3.3. Prophylactic taping

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:

  1. Recognize the functional movement patterns of various body joints and how mechanical forces applied to the body will affect the architecture of those joints.
  2. Recognize intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors associated with common activity and sport-related injuries and demonstrate components of an injury prevention plan by considering these risk factors in the plan.
  3. Recognize and manage life-threatening and emergent conditions in physical activity and sport-related situations by creating an emergency action plan.
  4. Demonstrate basic assessment techniques used to evaluate and manage acute and chronic activity-related injuries.
  5. Gain experience with basic prophylactic/support taping methods.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of athletic re-entry principles to allow a participant back into activity following injury.
Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the start of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Practical Application Projects (3) 15-35%
Mid-term exam 0-30%
Final exam 0-30%
Practical exam 10-25%
Preparation and participation 0-15%
  100%
Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

1. Anderson, M. Foundations of Athletic Training: Prevention, Assessment and Management, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia.

2. 1.5” athletic tape (such as COACH by Johnson & Johnson recommend for quality). Students will be required to buy their own taping material for skills practice inside and outside the classroom.

Certifications/Conference requirements:

As part of the course, instructors and students may engage in extra-curricular certification processes that overlap with the curriculum of the class. Fees for professional certification, where applicable, will be borne by the student. Potential certifications relating to this course include:

1. Sport Med Safety Certification

2. First Aid and CPR training

Prerequisites

60 credits, including one of BIOL 1109 or 1103, and one of BIOL 1209 or 1203, with C- or better