rn to a physiotherapist. However, there are five main theoretical approaches of immediate concern to the Sports Physiotherapist. These are, as Galley and Forster suggest:
1. Anatomical- Describes the structure of the body and its parts and their potential for movement.
2. Physiological- Studies the processes involved in the initiation, continuation and control of movement.
3. Psychological- Examines the sensations, perceptions and motivations that stimulate movement, and the neurological mechanisms that control them.
4. Mechanical- Considers the force, time and distance relationships involved in body movement.
5. Socio-cultural- Considers the meanings given to various movements in different human settings.
Although these differing approaches are often taught as separate subjects, a physiotherapist will need to have a good overview of each so that the areas can be linked up wherever possible so that a wider appreciation of movement and its control is achieved.
Athletics as a sport covers such a broad scale of events, injuries may occur in a massive array of places. 'However, as more time is spent training rather than competing, most of the injuries occur in the legs.¡ (Read and Wade 1997, P181). A Sports Physiotherapist will need to have a substantial knowledge of all types of injuries that may occur within the athletics/running field. It is from this assumption that this report will base its investigation into how a physiotherapitst contributes towards education, injury prevention and injury rehabilitation within an athletics/running environment.
The role of a Physiotherapist as a educator/trainer is perhaps a limited one. They do have an important part to play however, as their knowledge is essential for the safe participation of athletes in athletics as a sport. Essentially, the Sports Physiotherapist will need to 'Review previous injuries and counsel athletes to assess personal status for safe participation¡ (Anders...