University of Technology Sydney

92564 Sport and Exercise Medicine

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 92521 Functional Anatomy
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject examines the management (recognition, treatment and prevention) of injuries related to sport, the workplace and physical activity. Emphasis is placed on immediate recognition and on-site treatment of injuries and the role of the exercise scientist in rehabilitation and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. The subject has a strong focus on preparing graduates with the relevant theoretical and practical skills that can be utilised in the fields of exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, exercise rehabilitation, along with on-field roles with sporting teams.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Critically appraise the mechanisms of injury, methods of diagnosis, choice of treatment and expected functional results of injuries related to sport, the workplace and physical activity
B. Create effective injury prevention and management programs utilising a inter-disciplinary approach
C. Select the requisite contemporary skills to effectively deal with various injuries in sport, the workplace and physical activity
D. Evaluate risks and hazards that specifically contribute to sport and exercise injuries and integrate effective strategies to prevent their occurrence

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Take personal, social and ethical responsibility for their contribution to sport, exercise and health (2.0)
  • Engage in research and critical thinking to integrate diverse knowledge and develop creative, effective and evidence-based solutions (4.0)
  • Adapt to diverse industry contexts to enable optimal and sustainable sport, exercise and health outcomes (5.0)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject incorporates a range of leaning activities to engage students with the content.

Lectures will provide students with a detailed understanding of the many factors relevant to the acute care and management of musculoskeletal injury. Each lecture details the principles of sport and exercise medicine, principles of injury prevention, on-field first-aid and injury assessment techniques, and on-field acute injury management. Online lectures will give students the opportunity to view lectures at a time and location that suits their busy schedules. These lectures will provide an equivalent learning outcome to the traditional face-to-face lectures, whilst giving students added flexibility with their learning.

The knowledge developed in the lecture will be further explored in the practice-oriented tutorials. Each tutorial session provides students the opportunity to develop industry-specific practical skills when working with clients who may be susceptible to sustaining a musculoskeletal injury, or who have sustained an acute on-field injury. Tutorial sessions will involve brainstorming sessions, development of specific practical skills relevant to sport and exercise medicine, small-group work problem solving tasks and case studies. Due to the practical nature of the subject, students are required to wear appropriate loose-fitting gym clothing and footwear in all classes to ensure optimal participation in every activity. Pre-learning tasks are designed to introduce students to the weekly topics, and provide background expectations for the content.

A major component of the assessment for the subject is the practical viva exam. In this authentic assessment item, each student will be presented with an individual case study involving a simulated real-world injury scenario that requires the student to answer various questions from the examiner, and demonstrate various practical skills that have been developed throughout the session.

Feedback will be provided to students throughout the session via several mediums. Each week students will complete pre-class activities and peer feedback will be central to the review of this content in the tutorial time. The tutorial coordinator will also provide feedback and discussion about these formative tasks where appropriate and will also lead debriefing discussions at the conclusion of each class. The tutorial activities provide the opportunity for students to receive low stakes feedback. There will be a high concentration of low-stakes feedback in the early weeks of the Session to enable students to understand the foundation concepts of the subject and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to approach the more complex cases covered in the second half of the Session. The assessment items will be marked using a rubric which will be provided to students, along with written feedback about their work.

Content (topics)

  • Understand biomechanical principles and analyses to provide a scientific approach to examining the aetiology of injury and injury prevention strategies.
  • Conduct and interpret basic biomechanical assessments relevant to client’s needs.
  • Understand acute and chronic adaptations to exercise to maintain specific aspects of health, fitness and performance, with special reference to returning-to-play.
  • Describe the effects of immobilisation and injury on the musculoskeletal system and understand effective rehabilitation programs based on best-practice.
  • Apply the principles of the exercise science disciplines to assess movement and identify causes of dysfunctional movement patterns and unsafe exercise techniques.
  • Analyse and evaluate results from flexibility and posture testing, and summarise the related implications for exercise prescription.
  • Common processes and equipment for conducting accurate and safe health, exercise and sport-related assessments.
  • Identify components of the musculoskeletal system and describe their operation and inter-relationships with other body systems
  • Injury prevention, management and treatment, including detailed analysis of repair processes.
  • Principles and practices of taping for injury prevention and management.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Oral Viva Assessment

Intent:

The oral viva assessment will assess students’ ability to identify signs and symptoms of a variety of sports-specific injuries, implement treatment solutions and devise management strategies for care of injured athletes.

Weight: 40%

Assessment task 2: Final Examination

Intent:

This exam is designed to assess students understanding of the content delivered across the entire session.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C and D

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

2.0, 4.0 and 5.0

Weight: 60%
Length:

2 hours

Required texts

Brukner, P. & Khan, K. 2017, Clinical Sports Medicine, 5th Edn, McGraw-Hill, Australia.

Students are advised to acquire their own copies of this text.

This is the same textbook used in 92562 Exercise Rehabilitation.

Copies of this text are available at the UTS library.

All additional readings, other than text books, will be available via links from within Canvas. The required weekly readings for this subject will be advised on Canvas prior to the lectures and tutorials. Please bring the readings to the tutorial class in the week required.

NB: It is essential that students complete all required readings. The required readings will be considered assumed knowledge for tutorial classes and the examination.

Recommended texts

Abrahamson, E. & Comfort, P. 2010, Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention, Wiley-Blackwell, New York, USA.

Anderson, M.K. & Parr, G.P. 2011, Fundamentals of Sports Injury Management, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, New York, USA.

Flegel, M.J. 2014, Sports First Aid, 5th edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois.

Houglum, P.A. 2010, Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries, 3rd edn, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, USA.

Kendall, F, McCreary, E et al, 2005, Muscles, Testing and Function, 5th Edn, Lippencott, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.

Marieb & Hoehn, 2016, Human Anatomy & Physiology, 10th Edn, Benjamin Cummings, Sydney.

References

Journals
American Journal of Sports Medicine
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Journal of Applied Biomechanics
Journal of Human Movement Studies
Journal of Orthopaedics and Sport Physical Therapy
Journal of Sport Nutrition
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
Journal of Strength and Conditioning
Peak Performance

Websites
www.ama.com.au
www.ausport.gov.au
www.coachesedge.com.au
www.cochrane.org
www.drsref.com.au
www.eurekalert.org
www.gnc.com
www.healthinsite.gov.au
www.johnorchard.com.au
www.kneeguru.co.uk
www.medicineau.net.au
www.mja.com.au
www.pubmed.com
www.sportsci.org/
www.sportsmart.org.nz/injuries
www.sportsmed.org/

Other resources

UTS Student Centres
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, old exam papers, academic writing guides, health literature databases, workshops, a gaming room and bookable group study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with all your questions.
W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.