module specification

This module is intended to serve as an introduction to Sports Therapy. It covers the core theoretical and practical competencies of a Sports Therapist including; first aid, application of effective sports massage and the fundamentals of a clinical examination and assessment.

Principles of massage therapy, ethical considerations, hygiene and contraindications to massage LO1

Emergency aid and trauma management including, but not limited to; basic first aid, cervical injury management, concussion guidelines, wound and peripheral fracture management, onwards referral and return to play decisions LO2

Soft tissue injury – pathophysiology, causes, types, healing and possible complications LO3

Introduction to theoretical principles of clinical examination and assessment techniques LO3

Practical application of objective clinical examination techniques including; effective patient handling and communication, active and passive joint movements, manual muscle tests and accurate palpation of specific anatomical structures LO4

Fundamentals of clinical note taking and legalities within sports therapy LO3, LO4

The role of a Sports Therapist in clinical environments and as part of a multi-disciplinary team LO3, LO4

The students will be taught using a variety of teaching methods including; lectures, practicals, seminars, online videos, small/large group work, role playing and on-line quizzes.

The formal lectures will cover the theoretical underpinning of the concepts of Sports Therapy practice covered in this module. This underpinning will then be applied and discussed in the practical sessions.

Weblearn will be used extensively to provide the students with appropriate learning materials, as well as online quizzes and video resources to enhance students learning and engagement.

Students’ study responsibilities are articulated in the Student Charter, which is available via the London Metropolitan University’s website.

On completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an appropriate, relevant and ethical sports massage treatment with an understanding of the benefits of massage application
2. Demonstrate effective emergency aid and trauma management in a sport and exercise context
3. Provide appropriate theoretical understanding of the foundations of Sports Therapy
4. Demonstrate safe and effective patient handling of a clinical examination and assessment

First aid practical; Students will administer appropriate immediate care, including application of basic first aid

Massage practical; Students will plan and effectively demonstrate an appropriate suite of massage techniques, followed by a verbal explanation of the theory underpinning its application

Examination and assessment practical; This will assess the students’ ability to apply the principles of an effective clinical examination and assessment to both the upper and lower limbs

Written exam; This will assess the student’s theoretical understanding of the foundations of Sports Therapy

Tutorial attendance; Students will be required to attend a minimum of 80% of the tutorial sessions in this module in order to successfully complete the module

This module is pass all components for students on BSc Sports Therapy and BSc Sports and Dance Therapy, secondary to professional body requirements. A mark of between 35% and 39% (or when a mark of 37% is achieved upon implementation of the 2017 University grading scheme) may be compensated by other components if the performance in practical components is safe.

Textbooks:
Core Text:

Brukner, P. & Khan, K. (2017) Clinical Sports Medicine, McGraw Hill.

Cook, E. and Holey, E. (2011) Evidence Based Therapeutic Massage. A Practical Guide for Therapists, Elsevier Health Sciences.

Fritz, S. (2013) Sports and Exercise Massage – Comprehensive care for Athletics, Fitness and Rehabilitation, Elsevier Health Sciences.

Gross, J., Fetto, J. and Rosen, E. (2009) Musculoskeletal Examination (3rd edition), Wiley-Blackwell.

Hollis, M. (2009) Massage for Therapists; A guide to soft tissue therapy (3rd edition), Blackwell Publishing, UK.

Miller, M. and Berry, D. (2010) Emergency Response Management for Athletic Trainers, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

Palastanga, N., Field, D. & Soames, R. (2016) Anatomy & Human Movement: Structure and Function, Butterworth Heinemann.

Journals:

American Journal of Sports Medicine

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Clinics in Sports Medicine

Journal of Applied Biomechanics

Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Websites:

Visible Body

Electronic Databases:

PubMed

SPORT Discus

Science Direct