Sport Science - Sports Injuries Task 3

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Sports Injuries – Task 3

SALTAPS is the abbreviation for a sports medicine regime invoked when a player is injured. The protocol is targeted at coaches/officiators rather the field first responder. It stands for:

  • Stop Play
  • Ask the player -- evaluate for pain and for orientation/confusion
  • Look -- at the limb and evaluate the appearance of the injury
  • Touch -- the injury if the player will allow this.
  • Active Movement -- can the player move the limb?
  • Passive Movement -- if you move the limb does it hurt? Is there sufficient range of motion?
  • Stand Up -- can the player really play, or are they denying the extent of the injury.

The PRICE regime is a simple 5 step protocol that even an untrained person can use to minimize the effects of immediate injury. The earlier the PRICE regime is adopted the better. The PRICE regime is a protocol that should be used immediately when an injury occurs and prior to being treated by Emergency Professionals or prior to receiving treatment from a Physiotherapist or Sports Medicine professional.

  • Protect your injury from further harm.
  • Rest the injury initially, and then re-introduce movement so you don't lose too much muscle strength.
  • Ice should be applied to your ankle to reduce swelling and bruising. You should not apply ice directly to your skin as it can give you an "ice burn" - place a cloth between the ice and skin.
  • Compress your ankle by bandaging it to support the injury and help decrease swelling.
  • Elevate your ankle by resting your foot above the level of your heart and keep it supported.
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Example #1 Ankle Sprain:

  • An ankle sprain is a generic term for over exertion of the muscles, tendons ligaments and nerves surrounding the ankle.

  • The course of action depends on the severity of the injury. A minor sprain is when a ligament is stretched or partially torn. In severe sprains the ligament is completely torn. Sometimes the end of the bone to which a ligament is attached can crack.

  • When you sprain your ankle there is sometimes a snapping or popping sound and a feeling of "giving way" as a ligament is torn or bone ...

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