Sport

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  • Return to sport
  • Rehabilitation and performance
  • Kinesiology and Biomechanics
  • Strapping
  • Muscle and tendons – ligament/muscle tear or strain
  • Overuse injuries
  • ITB Syndrome
  • Hamstring tear
  • Tennis elbow and Golfers elbow

Sport

Sport and exercise is good for us in so many ways. However, sport can have various physical demands on your body. It is vital for an elite athlete to look at all components that affect the body during training. The sportsperson is at greater risk of sustaining injuries; this may include sprains of ligaments and muscles, overuse of joints or an imbalance between muscle groups.

Physiotherapists are trained to treat acute sprains/strains as well as identify imbalance and overuse injuries. These are tackled with sport specific assessments and individualised strengthening programs. A sport specific assessment should incorporate your training program and specific technique. A tailored exercise program, specific to the individuals need is more beneficial. Every sports-person should attend to injuries sooner rather than later. Early treatment often results in a quicker return to sport.

Sports treatment and rehabilitation often includes soft tissue treatment of the affected muscle (as well as connective tissue), joint mobilisations, oedema management with electro-therapy and electrical stimulations to improve muscle activation. Strapping can be used as an added support and retraining guide. The most important treatment remains exercises and retraining of movement to return to sport.

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Return to sport

After a sport specific assessment is done, it is important to discuss the return to your sport programme. This is usually done in a team based approach that could include the athlete, coach, physiotherapist, doctor, biokineticist and psychologist. A gradual increase in the intensity of exercise is essential.

Rehabilitation and performance

To prevent recurrent injuries, complete a full rehabilitation program. Muscle imbalances and weaknesses cause dysfunction, but correcting these can prevent injuries and enhance performance. This is sport- and patient-specific, so consult your physiotherapist for tailored rehabilitation and performance-enhancing programs.

Kinesiology/Biomechanics

Biomechanics studies the mechanics of a living body, including forces from gravity and muscles on the skeleton, like the hip joint’s biomechanics. Kinesiology examines human body movement and its relation to anatomy. Biomechanics is part of kinesiology, alongside motor control, physiology, and dynamic principles.

Strapping / Taping / Immobilisation

Strapping, or taping, is used in physiotherapy to support treatment. It aids healing, enhances performance, reduces pain, optimizes rehabilitation, and prevents injuries. Strapping types include rigid, elastic, kinesiology, and athletic tape. Rigid tape controls joint movement, elastic allows some motion with stability, kinesiology supports muscle function, and athletic tape prevents injury during sports.

Ligment tear or strain

Ligaments connect bones at joints, providing passive stability. Injuries range from grade 1 to 3 tears based on severity. Grade 1 has minimal swelling, grade 2 shows more swelling and bruising, and grade 3 involves complete tears with severe symptoms. Initial treatment prevents further injury and manages pain. Physiotherapists aim to prevent re-injury through phased rehabilitation.

Muscle tear or strain

Muscles connect to bones via tendons and can suffer tears or strains, classified as grade 1 to 3 by severity. Initial treatment prevents further injury and manages pain. After, strengthening and functional restoration are priorities. Physiotherapists help patients return to pre-injury levels, identify causes, and prevent re-injury through targeted strengthening and stretching exercises.

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries in sports develop from repetitive actions, often due to incorrect technique, muscle imbalances, or weakness. Examples include rotator cuff syndrome, adductor strain, recurrent hamstring issues, tennis elbow, and patella tendinopathy. Treatment is complex, requiring full-body assessments. Physiotherapists focus on muscle and joint control to reduce strain and prevent further injuries.

ITB Syndrome

ITB syndrome, or Iliotibial Band syndrome, involves pain on the knee’s front or outside, sometimes radiating up the leg. Causes include excessive training, improper gear, or muscle imbalances. Other diagnoses must be ruled out. Treatment adjusts training, addresses soft tissue issues, and corrects imbalances through stretching, strengthening, and stability exercises for effective recovery.

Tennis elbow/Golfers elbow

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, causes pain on the elbow’s outside. Medial epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow, affects the inside. These overuse injuries stem from poor technique, grip issues, or repetitive strain, like typing. Physiotherapists use techniques to manage pain and guide exercises for recovery. Post-operative rehabilitation aids cases requiring surgery.

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