Optima
AISP

Adolescents In Sports Program

Optima Sports Medicine has a program and a team of health professionals, specifically dedicated to addressing the needs of adolescents playing sport - whether it is at a social level, school PE class level, state level or international level. This program is called the Adolescents in Sports Program (AISP).

Optima Sports Medicine - AISP is committed to making a positive contribution to the total education and health of adolescents. Adolescence is a phase of rapid growth and development between childhood and adulthood. Optima Sports Medicine believes that the needs of adolescents are unique and their management requires specialised Physiotherapists who are highly skilled and have extensive knowledge and experience when dealing with clients of this age.

Why we have a program specifically for adolescents playing sport?

Adolescence is a phase of rapid growth and development between childhood and adulthood.

There is growth and development occurring in all body systems including the neuro-musculo-skeletal system (nerves, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and bones). There is also lots of development, growth and changes occurring at a psychological level - adolescents are: trying to find their place in this world, within the family unit, at school, amongst their friends etc; they are establishing their value and belief systems; they are becoming more aware of themselves, particularly in relation to others - peer pressure and body image etc.

Added to this are the loading issues that occur during adolescence: adolescents are required to sit for long periods, often at desks not ergonomically design; they often have to carry heavy school bags as well as sports bags, lap tops etc; they are rapidly changing from one sport to the next; they are often playing and training for sport at loads similar to that expected of professional, fulltime athletes; there is enormous pressure to achieve both on the sporting field and academically; school sport is finite in nature - i.e. there is often only one chance to play in the 1st team.

Therefore, the needs of adolescents are unique; adolescents should not be treated simply as big kids or little adults. The management of the adolescent playing sport thus, requires highly specialised knowledge, skills and experience.

Our Team

Our team is made of clinicians from across the various disciplines at Optima Sports Medicine including: physiotherapy and sports physiotherapy; podiatry; sports doctors; remedial massage therapy; dietetics etc; as well as sports trainers. Our sports trainers are all university students mostly from physiotherapy and human movement degrees and such are of a very high standard. We also have a team of visiting specialists and consultants that ensure our adolescents have quick and stress free access to the most appropriate treatment.

Our Aims

The primary aim of Optima Sports Medicine's Adolescent in Sport Program is injury prevention and education.

The second aim is to enhance performance of individual players and the team as a whole.

Thirdly, we aim to assess and treat any injuries, pain or poor movement patterning that does occur, as soon as possible. Thus enabling a more rapid and safe return to sport, limiting the effects of injury on the team and preventing re-occurrence of injury.

Our Values and Principles

Optima Sports Medicine - Adolescent in Sport Program (AISP) clinicians, sports trainers and staff will show understanding, compassion, empathy and respect towards adolescents and their unique needs, concerns and development.

Optima Sports Medicine - AISP is committed to providing the highest level of client care through a multi-disciplinary team approach. Education and communication will be paramount in the delivery of our services.

Optima Sports Medicine - AISP is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all adolescents/children who use our services and our clinicians, sports trainers and staff will ensure that adolescents/children are kept safe from harm when in our care.

Optima Sports Medicine - AISP is committed to the ongoing education and development of our clinicians, sports trainers and staff.

Our Services

Optima Sports Medicine - AISP has a range of services, across a number of disciplines available to individuals and/or schools and sporting clubs.

We tailor make our programs to the individual and specific needs of the athlete and/or school/sporting club.

Below is a summary of services and levels of involvement from which to design your unique package. This list is extensive but by no means exhaustive, if you have a specific requirement not listed, we would be more than happy to discuss this.

Assessment and Treatment

Clinic at Your School - particularly for boarding schools
Triage at Your School - a quick assessment of injuries from weekend sport
Treatment at Our Rooms - full detailed assessment and treatment

Screenings

Pre-participation screenings
Individual Athletes/Students
Teams

Education/Training/Seminars/Workshops

Target Groups

Staff
Coaches
Parents
Students
Health and PE classes
Teams

Topics

Specific Injuries/Conditions
Specific Sports
Injury Prevention
Performance Enhancement
Recovery
Strapping workshops
First Aid/Sports Medicine workshops/courses
Cooking workshops/demonstrations

Resources

Brochures/booklets/handouts
School Magazine Articles
Posters

Sports Medicine Coverage

At School/Club sporting events
Home game day coverage
Individual teams

When do I need to get help?

If you sustain any injury, it is always best to get professional advice as soon as possible. Seeking help early allows for earlier and more accurate diagnosis which in turn enables the correct treatment and/or referral to take place as soon as possible, thus limiting time out of sport/activity and ensuring a safe and speedy return to sport/activity.

Sometimes you may not actually have an injury, but have some pain that has developed over time, again, the soon you see professional advice, the soon we can diagnose the problem, start treatment and prevent the problem becoming worse.

We can also help you when you don't have any injury or pain. If you don't feel like you are performing as well as you could; you are tight and/or weak; you feel not as coordinated as you once were or you would like to be; you are tired and fatigued etc; we can do a detailed assessment, work out why you are feeling the way you are and then put a plan of action in place.

If you are unsure if you need help or of whom you should see, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What do I do if I get injured?

Hopefully if you are mentally and physically prepared, recover well after each game and are eating well, injuries should be avoided or kept to a minimum. However, sometimes injury does occur and you need to manage it well so that you don't cause further damage and delay the recovery.

The First 48 - 72 Hours

RECIPE

Relative rest (don't do anything to aggravate the injury)
Elevation (above level of heart)
Compression (firm, but not too tight) ACE or Eloflex Bandage
Ice (20 minutes every two hours, crushed ice in wet towel)
Pain limited exercise - as prescribed by your sports physiotherapist
Exercise - as above

Do no further HARM

Heat (this includes heat rubs/hot baths etc)
Alcohol
Run or other aggravating activities
Massage

Sports Physiotherapist

90% of injuries seen on the sporting field are soft tissue, i.e. sprains, strains, etc. Sports Physiotherapists are specialists in treating soft tissue and sporting injuries and do not require a referral from a doctor

How much activity/sport should adolescents do?

Physical activity is good for you in so many ways. It can provide a huge range of fun experiences, make you feel good, improve your health, and is a great way to relax and enjoy the company of your friends.

Physical activity, where you are on your feet, is particularly important for adolescent girls; together with a good diet, high in calcium, helps build strong bones and to prevent stress fractures and osteoporosis.

The Australian government has put out physical activity recommendations for 12-18 year olds. The recommendations are as follows:

• At least 60 minutes of physical activity per day
• This can be build up over the day, it doesn't have to be done all at once
• It should be of moderate (eg brisk walking, dancing, cycle with friends) to vigorous (eg football, netball, running, swimming laps) intensity
• Vigorous activities are those that make you huff and puff
• Try to include 20 minutes or more vigorous exercise 3-4 x/wk

For more information go to www.healthyactive.gov.au

Sometimes injury or pain will prevent you from exercising and being active. Seeing your sports physiotherapist for assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation early, will help to ensure that you are able to be active and to meet these recommendations.

These are the minimum recommendations; some adolescents involved in competitive sport will actually do too much sport. Doing too much sport can lead to injury, poor performance and have a negative effect on your health and your participation in sport and activity later in life. Your sports physiotherapist and/or sports doctor can give you advice regarding the amount and intensity of various sports that would be appropriate for your age and development.

Below are some signs and symptoms that may indicate you are doing too much and/or are not recovering enough. If you think some or all of these signs and symptoms apply to you, it would be advice to see your sports physiotherapist or your sports doctor

• legs feel heavy
• legs are sore
• you feel tired
• generally don't feel well
• lack motivation
• lack concentration
• low self esteem
• aggressiveness
• poor eating habits
• poor sleep patterns
• loss of appetite
• loss of body weight
• increase in resting heart rate
• technique poorer compared to usual

CODE OF CONDUCT

This code of conduct applies to all Optima Sports Medicine - Adolescent in Sport Program clinicians and sports trainers, particularly in reference to sports medicine coverage, assessment and treatment at school/club sporting events.

This code of conduct is developed in accordance with the Commission for children and young people and child guardian Regulation 2001.

This code of conduct is designed, not only to protect adolescents and children, but also to protect the integrity of all Optima Sports Medicine clinicians, sports trainers and employees.

1. All Clinicians will abide by their respective professions' code of ethics and code of conduct and the code of practice as set out by the relevant state registration board
2. All sports trainers will abide by the SMA Sports First Aider/Sports Trainer code of ethics
3. All clinicians and sports trainers will comply with the "Statement on sexual relationships between health practitioners and their patients"
4. All staff and clinicians dealing with adolescents/children outside the clinics, must hold a "Blue Card"
5. All clinicians, sports trainers and staff shall treat all adolescents/children with understanding, compassion, empathy and respect at all times. Adolescents/children shall be spoken to in an age appropriate manner and communication should also include parent/carer. It is not appropriate to use condensing language, highly technical language, foul language, suggestive/overly friendly language or to raise your voice
6. Physical contact is an integral part of healing and the provision of sports medicine services, it is not appropriate for any physical contact to occur outside of this context
7. Whilst it is common and acceptable to assess and treat on the field and in open medical rooms at sporting events, there are times when assessment and treatment needs to be carried in a private and confidential manner, the adolescent's/child's right to privacy must be respected. When one on one treatment is necessary, the adolescent/child must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent or carer
8. No clinician or sports trainer will treat adolescents/children in change rooms or dressing rooms without the presence of another adult irrespective of gender; it is preferable, where available, to treat in a dedicated sports medicine area/room in an open environment.
9. When travelling with adolescents/children in sporting teams, clinicians and sports trainers should be accompanied by another adult, preferably a teacher/coach or parent.
10. Clinicians, sports trainers or staff should not transport adolescents/children in their own vehicle, if in an emergency this does happen written permission must be obtained and adolescent/child must be accompanied by another adult
11. All clinicians, sports trainers and staff must maintain professional boundaries when dealing with adolescents/children - these limits form the basis of a relationship of honesty and integrity, creating a safe space for treatment. Dual relationships are not appropriate. That is, where a professional relationship exists, other kinds of relationships must be avoided. Organised social functions are an important part of working with sporting teams and schools, these social contacts must be conducted in ways that do not confuse the patient about the professional relationship. These professional boundaries apply to both the client and their immediate family. Optima Sports Medicine does not in anyway encourage individual contact between clinicians, sports trainers or staff and patient outside of the clinic or sporting event.
12. Optima Sports Medicine - AISP clinicians, sports trainers and staff shall act in a manner which reflects well of Optima Sports Medicine - AISP; they shall be professional and punctual at all times
13. Breaches in this code of conduct will be taken seriously, they will be dealt with on an individual basis by Optima Sports Medicine - AISP management. Breaches may result in cessation of involvement with the adolescent in sport program and may also result in notification of to the relevant registration board and to the department of child safety.

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