A summary of the topics includes: Strengthening and conditioning for rehabilitation and injury prevention; Evaluation and management of spinal and peripheral sports injuries including muscle, tendon, neural tissue and joint injuries; Biomechanical evaluation of the upper & lower limb; Lumbopelvic motor control for the athlete; Manual therapy including manipulation and mobilization with movement; Clinical psychology in rehabilitation and performance; Sports dietetics for performance and rehabilitation; Taping for injury prevention, pain-relief and others

This comprehensive four-week programme provides clinicians with intensive tuition in an integrated approach to sports physiotherapy for the spine, pelvis, and extremities. This course will be offered on an annual basis, initially commencing in October 2010. For specific dates regarding course commencement please see the section titled programme dates later in this brochure.

The primary aim of the programme is to present a systematic and integrated approach to the management of the injured athlete from acute on-field management, moving through to treatment in the clinical environment, and finally rehabilitation via sports specific programmes including return to sports protocols. Our integrated approach incorporates the joint, muscle and neural systems to provide a more functional and comprehensive approach to the management of a range of neuromusculoskeletal conditions in sport. This clinical programme is closely complemented by tutorials addressing the pathophysiology of muscle and tendon soft tissue injuries, the biomechanical evaluation of the upper and lower limb, as well as the psychology in rehabilitating and optimizing performance. We also include an overview of the importance of nutrition in rehabilitation and improving performance.

This is a unique opportunity to be educated and closely supervised by our respected team of clinical educators led by Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists Kim Robinson and Toby Hall. Our Perth team of invited faculty members includes experts in the field of Sports Physiotherapy such as Jenny McConnell, Dr Peter O'Sullivan, Chris Perkin, Paul Tucker, Lyn Watson, Craig Purdham, Dr Steve Edmondston, Dr Diana Hopper, Vikki Negus and Boris Kazakov among others. The syllabus will address all body areas to include the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, shoulder girdle, upper limb, pelvis and lower limb. This syllabus integrates a range of concepts to present a holistic approach to assessment and management.

Kim Robinson and Toby Hall are the coordinators of the programme but have been guided in the planning process by Specialist Sports Physiotherapists working at an elite level with a range of sports clubs and teams. Both Kim and Toby are also Fellows of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, they have over 50 years clinical experience and have taught manual therapy for more than 20 years at a postgraduate university level. In addition for the last 15 years they have been teaching manual therapy courses to physiotherapists around the world. Toby and Kim teach some components of assessment of the spine, as well as manual therapy intervention, including high velocity thrust.

Participants are provided with extensive pre-course reading material and handouts to cover all aspects of the programme. Varied teaching formats, including powerpoint presentation, video, practical demonstration and group activity facilitate the learning and clinical reasoning processes. Patients, where possible, will be presented to the group to illustrate the clinical application of the approach.

The programme begins with an introduction to the principles of management of the injured athlete progressing from acute on-field management to treatment in the clinical environment through to rehabilitation of sports injury using specific programmes including return to sports protocols. In addition the programme will address the principles of exercise physiology for training strategies for anaerobic and aerobic sports, strength and conditioning programmes for injury prevention and rehabilitation of injured athletes.

Massage is a commonly used but a poorly applied modality. The scientific evidence for pre and post event massage for the athlete will be presented. A four-stage deep dynamic soft tissue mobilization framework has been developed to treat muscle and connective tissue pathology. Deep dynamic soft tissue mobilization consists of a static component, which utilizes several traditional massage techniques and a dynamic component, involving reciprocal inhibition and eccentric loading. This theoretical model will be placed in clinical context and practical application demonstrated and practiced.

Groin pain is a common complaint for running/kicking/swimming athletes and differential diagnosis of the pelvis, hip and groin complex is critical. Accurate diagnosis will lead to a more successful rehabilitation programme. We will present a clinical approach to assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for the weekend of elite athlete.

Biomechanical analysis of the functional kinetic chain is an important aspect of injury management and injury prevention as well as achieving optimal performance in sport. Jenny McConnell is a world leading authority on the knee and shoulder, and a Specialist Sports physiotherapist having published extensively. She is also a clinician who works extensively with athletes from a basic to an elite level. Jenny will provide significant input into the programme, with a workshop on lower limb biomechanical evaluation from the pelvis to the foot together with management incorporating EMG biofeedback labs, exercise prescription, taping, and manual therapy. This is a refreshingly clinical approach with a strong research backing, that Jenny will address during her presentations.

Injuries of the spine are common in sport and can be complex. A systematic integrated neuromusculoskeletal evaluation of the lumbar spine/pelvis, and cervical spine will be presented. This approach will incorporate evaluation of posture, dynamic control, combined movements, spine segmental mobility and pain provocation tests. Specific reference will be made to common clinical presentations where essential differential diagnosis for neural tissue disorders will be required. We will highlight critical evaluation procedures to identify the presence of neural system sensitization in contrast to axonal damage and denervation. Management will incorporate a variety of manual therapy approaches including among others mobilization with movement and manipulation. In addition spine rehabilitation approaches for return to sport using a variety of different strategies will be discussed.

The thoracic spine/rib cage may be considered the forgotten region in sports physiotherapy and is often neglected and poorly managed. Optimal thoracic spine function is essential for maximum athletic performance and is particularly important to optimal function of the shoulder girdle, cervical spine and pelvic girdle. A comprehensive approach to evaluation and management of disorders of the thoracic spine and cage will be presented to include a variety of manipulation techniques.

Headache is a common problem for the general public but it can also impede athletic performance. We present a systematic approach to the evaluation of the upper cervical spine, which can be applied to evaluate the involvement of the neck in a range of different headache disorders. Toby Hall and Kim Robinson have published widely on the examination and treatment of the upper cervical spine for headache. They have also worked closely with Dean Watson a specialist in the area of headache management.

Curtin University based Specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist Professor Peter O’Sullivan and his colleagues have developed a validated classification system for motor control impairment of the lumbopelvic region. This process of evaluation has achieved world recognition. Analysis of motor control is an essential component of the assessment of athletes with spinal disorders. Appropriate application can lead to enhancement of treatment outcomes and athletic performance. This information will be presented in a logical format that can then be applied to a range of spinal problems. The evidence underpinning this system will also be presented.

Lyn Watson’s approach to assessment and management of the shoulder is well known and respected around the world. Using this methodical approach the sports physiotherapist will be guided through evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation and return to sport. This approach can be applied to the weekend warrior or the elite athlete and will impact profoundly on treatment and rehabilitation outcomes. Following these sessions other presenters will elaborate on the rehabilitation of the shoulder complex in specific sports where recalcitrant shoulder problems can impede optimum performance. Return to sport is often a challenging time for both athlete and clinician and we demystify this as much as possible.

Through his work at the Australian Institute of Sport and his close involvement with world leading research into tendon, bone, and muscle pathology Specialist Sports Physiotherapist Craig Purdham presents the state of the art in the clinical management of sports injuries. If your clinical practice requires you to treat patients with injury to tendon, muscle, or bone, your clinical skills will be enhanced by Craig’s stimulating presentation. Craig will discuss current research addressing the pathomechanics of tendinopathies differential diagnosis, predisposing factors, clinical features, imaging techniques of lower and upper limb tendinopathies, detailed assessment, early and long-term rehabilitation, strengthening program, correction of the predisposing factors and return to sport.

Taping is a commonly employed technique in sports physiotherapy, but the scientific rationale for taping is generally not well understood. This will programme will clearly present a logical and clinically rationale for the use of taping. Taping techniques for injury prevention, post injury recovery, biomechanical re-alignment, neuromuscular re-education improving motor control, pain management and postural correction will be presented. Effective taping is a clinical skill that will optimize athletic performance and enhance injury management. Presenters will demonstrate a variety of taping techniques for the spine and extremities.

For athletes, injury can be psychologically challenging and understanding the psychology of injury is an important part of managing the injured athlete. Mental skills training and the psychology of enhanced performance is also an important tool that the Sports Physiotherapist should be able to call on. A clinical psychologist specializing in the sport will present this important session.

Another means of improving performance and optimizing recovery from injury may be through a better understanding of nutrition. Our faculty sports nutritionist works closely with athletes competing at all levels. His expertise in this very specialized area will further complement our exciting and extensive programme.