Required skills

communication skills to

convey information to athletes about injury and illness prevention strategies

liaise with appropriate allied health and medical personnel

problemsolving skills to

identify appropriate preventative methods and interventions

adapt measures in response to ongoing surveillance

identify and report issues related to implementation of injury prevention strategies

assess the need for referral and reassessment of athlete injuries and illness

language and literacy skills to access record and interpret information about injuries related to specific sports and their causes

teamwork skills to liaise with health personnel and follow instructions as required

selfmanagement skills to

recognise and work within own professional roles and responsibilities

review and reflect on own performance

Required knowledge

principles of biomechanics to enable the application of appropriate techniques and strategies to minimise sports injuries

pathology of injury and injury response and the phases of healing and repair to enable appropriate exercise prescription to aid healing

common causes of musculoskeletal injuries in relation to athletes in a particular sport

defined roles and responsibilities of the coach and their ethical and legal limitations to enable understanding of work parameters in implementing injury prevention and management strategies

anatomy and physiology to enable an understanding of the impact of preventative measures

benefits of different approaches to minimise sports injuries such as neuromuscular and plyometric training

the immune system and its response to exercise

common illness that affect athletes and related preventative strategies

organisational policies and procedures to enable athletes to implement strategies in a professional and supported manner

available support services to assist athletes

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

research cause and prevalence of commonly occurring injuries and illnesses to develop prevention strategies for athletes

implement injury and illness prevention strategies and monitor and adjust the effect of interventions within the parameters of own accepted roles and responsibilities

ensure screening and treatment is in line with organisational policies and procedures including antidoping

evaluate and reflects on own performance in implementing and evaluating prevention strategies

select and adopt communication strategies appropriate to the information needs of athletes to convey information clearly and accurately

make modification to athlete training and competition program to assist them to manage injury and illness

work with appropriate medical and allied health personnel to provide support and advice to athletes

develop a rapport with athletes and encourages them to clarify information and access support

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

liaison with relevant support personnel over a period of time to advise athletes on injury and illness prevention to demonstrate competence and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a high performance sportspecific training or competition setting or environment

organisation sports policies

elite athletes and support personnel

relevant senior personnel and medical and allied health professionals

sources of information about sports injury prevention strategies

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of consultation with athletes to apply and review strategies to support them to maintain optimum health

observation of interaction with athletes and support personnel including discussions and implementation of strategies to minimise illness and manage injury

records of screening outcomes and modifications to athletes training and competition programs

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of common injuries and preventative methods

portfolio of research and presentations on sportspecific illnesses and injuries

portfolio containing evidence of injury and illness prevention and management strategies developed for specific athletes

thirdparty reports from support staff detailing examples of interactions and discussions with athletes such as the implementation of strategies to support athletes manage injury or illness

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SISSSCO Work collaboratively with support personnel

sportspecific units of competency

Data may include:

Injuriesmay include:

Risk factors may include:

Preventative measuresmay include:

Medical or allied health personnelmay include:

Best practice guidelinesmay include:

Injury prevention training programsmay include:

Common illnessesmay include: