RETURNING TO PLAY IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF WAITING FOR THE ANKLE INJURY TO HEAL. ACTIVE REHABILITATION WILL ENSURE THAT THEY ATHLETE'S INJURY HAS RECOVERED AND THE SKILLS AND FITNESS ARE BACK TO PRE-INJURY LEVELS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE ATHLETE, MEDICAL STAFF AND COACH AGREE ON THE ATHLETES READINESS TO RETURN.
An athlete's readiness is generally measured and determined by...
- indicators
- monitoring progress
- psychological readiness
- specific warm up and procedures
- return to play policies and procedures
- ethical considerations
An athlete's readiness is generally measured and determined by...
- indicators
- monitoring progress
- psychological readiness
- specific warm up and procedures
- return to play policies and procedures
- ethical considerations
Indicators of readiness to play
Being Pain free, Having mobility, completion of basic skills tests and the ability to effectively participate in skills and drills as required by all athletes in team competition.
RETUNING TO PLAY TO SOCCER...
Monitoring Progress
Monitoring progress of the athlete involves pre and post testing of the athlete's physical and psychological state through visual observation, interviews/discussions and/or the observation of video footage as the feedback received during the monitoring of progress is a positive step in getting the athlete back to the field. A soccer player suffering a grade two ankle sprain on a representative or professional level may film a training session of themselves going through various agility tests, sprint tests and fitness tests so that after the session they can view their progress, and gain feedback regarding where they're at in terms of readiness to return.
Psychological Readiness
To prevent recurring injury, psychological readiness underpinned by a positive outlook is imperative to return to play. Due to the in-severity of a grade two ankle sprain in terms of psychological readiness, the athlete generally should be psychologically stable to return to play. If the athlete is traumatised by her/his experience, they may partake in counselling to help ease and optimise their mind frame to return to play eventually.
Specific warm-up procedures
When returning to play, the athlete should dedicate specific warm up procedures to prepare the ankle for game-like conditions. The athlete may undergo various PNF ankle stretches by including plantar flexion, dorsi flexion, inversion and eversion type stretches prior to the match or training session. The athlete must also ensure their ankle, along with the full body muscles are warm, stretched and ready for physical activity to prevent any further injury.
Return to play policies and procedures
Some sports clubs have various rules and policies regarding the player's wellbeing, implying that the athlete can not return to play until they are injury-free rather than slightly healed. For an ankle sprain, most clubs will not have a policy regarding player wellbeing, as their focus may be drawn to a more serious injury. For example, the Australian rugby league recommends that if a player has suffered memory loss or loss of consciousness as a result of a head injury they may not return to pay for 1-2 weeks.
Ethical Considerations
An athlete must be able to personally choose when they return to play, however may be conflicted by various pressures from others or external factors. Ethical considerations and questions need to be fully explored as poor decision making can have consequences that may impact on performance or a long time to come.
Coaches and sports administrators have a duty of care to support athletes in undertaking full rehab procedures by supporting athletes in undertaking full rehab procedures by supporting athletes to take the time to heal their ankle sprain naturally and not use pain killers to allow them to return earlier.
Competing at a professional level, the athlete may feel pressured to return to play from sponsors, coaches and fans, which may influence the longevity of their recovery process. Returning to play too soon on the basis of pressure to participate from external forces may cause the athlete to worsen their ankle sprain, and possibly tear the ligament.
An athlete may also draw on painkillers to satisfy their pain in attempt to fasten to healing process. This is difficult for an athlete accept that using pain killers as an attempt to get over their injury is unnatural and heightens the chance of accumulating further injury for themselves. Therefore, coaches, fans and the media, only to name a few influences must have full understanding of the athletes personal decision to return to play so that they do not resort to painkillers and pressure to play.
Being Pain free, Having mobility, completion of basic skills tests and the ability to effectively participate in skills and drills as required by all athletes in team competition.
RETUNING TO PLAY TO SOCCER...
- Certain performance tests are recommended to undergo so that judgements on the basis of performance can be made as to whether the athlete is physically ready to to return to play so that any weaknesses detected can be worked on and improved. For example, agility tests and weight bearing tests.
- The athlete's elasticity within the muscles of the ankle should have dramatically improved as if the ankle is healed well enough for the athlete to return, the new tissue has been lengthened and stretched, promoting lengthways elasticity and flexibility. e.g. as done is rehabilitation procedures, partake in various stretches like eversion and inversion to test the ankles elasticity.
- The new tissue in the ankle joint will have improved in strength and will be able to support the body in stressful movements. e.g. to test the strength of your ankle, try standing half way off the edge of a stair, and lower and raise your foot placing the bulk of your body weight on your ankle.
- The athlete has gained full mobility, particularly in terms of agility tests and short, sharp, explosive movements.
- The ankle is now pain-free
- Importantly, the athlete must be able to balance on the injured ankle; as until this function is achieved, the rehabilitation process is not complete. e.g. balance on one foot for 30 second intervals.
Monitoring Progress
Monitoring progress of the athlete involves pre and post testing of the athlete's physical and psychological state through visual observation, interviews/discussions and/or the observation of video footage as the feedback received during the monitoring of progress is a positive step in getting the athlete back to the field. A soccer player suffering a grade two ankle sprain on a representative or professional level may film a training session of themselves going through various agility tests, sprint tests and fitness tests so that after the session they can view their progress, and gain feedback regarding where they're at in terms of readiness to return.
Psychological Readiness
To prevent recurring injury, psychological readiness underpinned by a positive outlook is imperative to return to play. Due to the in-severity of a grade two ankle sprain in terms of psychological readiness, the athlete generally should be psychologically stable to return to play. If the athlete is traumatised by her/his experience, they may partake in counselling to help ease and optimise their mind frame to return to play eventually.
Specific warm-up procedures
When returning to play, the athlete should dedicate specific warm up procedures to prepare the ankle for game-like conditions. The athlete may undergo various PNF ankle stretches by including plantar flexion, dorsi flexion, inversion and eversion type stretches prior to the match or training session. The athlete must also ensure their ankle, along with the full body muscles are warm, stretched and ready for physical activity to prevent any further injury.
Return to play policies and procedures
Some sports clubs have various rules and policies regarding the player's wellbeing, implying that the athlete can not return to play until they are injury-free rather than slightly healed. For an ankle sprain, most clubs will not have a policy regarding player wellbeing, as their focus may be drawn to a more serious injury. For example, the Australian rugby league recommends that if a player has suffered memory loss or loss of consciousness as a result of a head injury they may not return to pay for 1-2 weeks.
Ethical Considerations
An athlete must be able to personally choose when they return to play, however may be conflicted by various pressures from others or external factors. Ethical considerations and questions need to be fully explored as poor decision making can have consequences that may impact on performance or a long time to come.
Coaches and sports administrators have a duty of care to support athletes in undertaking full rehab procedures by supporting athletes in undertaking full rehab procedures by supporting athletes to take the time to heal their ankle sprain naturally and not use pain killers to allow them to return earlier.
Competing at a professional level, the athlete may feel pressured to return to play from sponsors, coaches and fans, which may influence the longevity of their recovery process. Returning to play too soon on the basis of pressure to participate from external forces may cause the athlete to worsen their ankle sprain, and possibly tear the ligament.
An athlete may also draw on painkillers to satisfy their pain in attempt to fasten to healing process. This is difficult for an athlete accept that using pain killers as an attempt to get over their injury is unnatural and heightens the chance of accumulating further injury for themselves. Therefore, coaches, fans and the media, only to name a few influences must have full understanding of the athletes personal decision to return to play so that they do not resort to painkillers and pressure to play.