Physiotherapy facilities, equipment and personnel Essay Example
Physiotherapy facilities, equipment and personnel Essay Example

Physiotherapy facilities, equipment and personnel Essay Example

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  • Pages: 11 (2860 words)
  • Published: September 20, 2017
  • Type: Research Paper
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In accordance with Coughlan, Fullen, & McCarthy (2007), engagement in sports such as football augments the probability of experiencing injuries. It is the duty of regulatory bodies and all individuals involved in sports to mitigate this risk through the implementation of injury prevention and management measures.

The lack of medical equipment and professionals in recreational rugby clubs in Ireland was pointed out by a study in 2007. In Maltese football clubs, medical support primarily comes from physical therapists, but can also include support from doctors, first aiders, and managers. The state of physical therapy in amateur football in Malta is unknown, as there have been no studies on the topic. The Malta Football Association's website is the only source of information on physical therapy in Maltese football, and it mentions that their clinic offers various physiotherapeutic modes, specifically the BIODEX an

...

d TECAR systems.

The availability of medical support and comparison with the Malta Football Association is difficult to establish in football nines private clinics. Similarly, Coughlan et al. (2007) found that the medical support in Irish Rugby Union nines was unknown, and there was no medical management program for recreational participants. To address this issue, the researchers conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study of all amateur nines affiliated with the Irish Rugby Football Union. The study included participation from the entire available sample, although it did not specifically target physical therapists or team physicians but rather honorary secretaries.

The reason it was likely done in this manner is because the researchers did not assume that every club had medical personnel available, but an honorary secretary would always be available for all clubs. However, even though the entire sample wa

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used, the response rate was low. Only 47.7% of the sample completed and returned the survey. Recruiting medical personnel for sports clubs is not always easy due to various factors, as explained by C. Bulsara (2010), where medical officers did not find the lack of medical equipment motivational or conducive to their role in the club. O.B.A.

Owoeye, S.R.A. Akinbo, O.A. Olawale, B.B. Tella, N.M. Ibeabuchi ( 2013 ) conducted a study using self-administered questionnaires to gather information about the availability of medical support for athletes. The researchers found that many teams did not have access to qualified medical personnel and instead relied on unqualified individuals and masseurs.

In a study conducted by O.B.A. Owoeye et al. (2013), it was discovered that participants in the study may have mistakenly identified masseurs and traditional bone compositors as qualified health professionals. These participants often referred to both qualified and non-qualified medical attendants as physical therapists, nurses, or physicians. Consequently, there is a possibility that the survey over-reported the presence of qualified health professionals while under-reporting the unqualified ones.

, 2013, p. 80) (cite ref no?) In the same survey, it was discovered that less than 50% of football participants studied received medical attendance during both training and matches (73.1% and 52.1%, respectively, referring to the number of participants without medical attendants present). The inefficiency in communication between physical therapists and club administration may be one of the contributing factors for the existence and effectiveness of these facilities. C.

According to Bulsara (2007), only 9% of medical officers reported satisfactory communication with training staff and nine functionaries. In the same study, medical officers also expressed a need for improved club facilities and

better communication with other healthcare providers such as physical therapists. Two common themes emerged from the three studies reviewed: ineffective communication between medical staff and club administration, and a lack of qualified personnel. While the football club may have dedicated treatment and rehabilitation suites, their presence does not guarantee that they are fully equipped. This aspect was not taken into consideration in the study conducted by Coughlan et al. (2007).

In this survey, the mention of specific equipment used by physical therapists was lacking. The majority of medical and physical therapy facilities discussed in the literature reviewed mainly focus on first aid equipment, treatment suites, and rehabilitation suites. S. Athanasopoulos et al. (2007) noted the use of various physical therapy equipment by the participating physical therapists, such as ultrasound, taping, 10s, laser, electric stimulators, and cryotherapy. As most injuries were acute, the need for diathermy and heat equipment was not significant.

The investigation carried out by S. Athanasopoulos et al. (2007) may have delved deeper into the impact of age on both the location and nature of injuries.

The study's inclusion of multiple sports limited the observation of other variables, which could have reduced the relevance of the observations. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that participants in this study varied in age from 15 to 72 years old. The frequency of physiotherapy modes was assessed on a daily basis. Furthermore, all participating physical therapists were volunteers, indicating their motivation to contribute. However, their diverse exposures and experiences with sports physical therapy may have led to different approaches when treating identical injuries.

The text suggests that different approaches to treatment may have resulted in under-reporting of various mode demands. This

could be attributed to the physical therapists' diverse nationalities, which may have led to different training procedures and treatment approaches but with the same objective (citation needed?). The article titled "The Physical Therapist, The Manager And The Footballer’s Position On Physical Therapy And Injury Prevention" emphasizes the importance of a strong connection between the football player and their physical therapist for effective treatment and rehabilitation. It is also crucial for players to receive appropriate knowledge and advice on training techniques and injury prevention. Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding the level of involvement by the Maltese club's physical therapist in this aspect. However, all teams participating in the conferences discussed in Section XIII of Rules Governing Member Clubs (MFA 2013) have qualified managers accompanying them.

The current level of awareness among Maltese coaches regarding techniques and injury prevention is not known. One effective method to decrease the risk of injuries is by having a physical therapist present during training sessions. This would enable the therapist to stay updated on any occurring injuries and provide preventive measures. It is crucial because past injuries can significantly increase the likelihood of future ones, as demonstrated in a 2006 study conducted by M. Hagglund, M. Walden, and J. Ekstrand. The study revealed that elite athletes who had previously suffered from groin, hamstring, or knee injuries were two to three times more susceptible to experiencing a similar injury in the subsequent season.

The survey conducted by O.B.A. Owoeye et al. (2013) emphasized the higher significance given to team physicians compared to squad physical therapists. Physical therapists were mentioned as the only squad medical member, highlighting their importance within the team.

A study

by Athanasopoulos et al. (2007) focused on the motivation and satisfaction of physiotherapists in their occupation. The study did not investigate a football conference but instead an Olympic event, in which the physiotherapists participated voluntarily. The physiotherapists' perspective on their role in this particular study may have differed from that of a physical therapist affiliated with a club, as the physical therapy services were planned four years in advance and involved consultation with the previous Olympic event's physical therapy manager.

Local amateur and youth football clubs in Nigeria are faced with a problem of lack of support (O.B.A. Owoeye et al. 2013). This results in the clubs not being able to allocate sufficient financial resources towards investment in physical therapy facilities or medical personnel, let alone having appropriate interventions during times when most injuries can occur, such as training sessions, as reported by S. Athanasopoulos et al.

During preparation for the 2007 competition, the percentages were higher: 83.6% for preparation, 12% for competition, and 0.9% for warming-up. (Source: L.B. del Pozoa, C.A. Perezb, G.R. Benzanillaa, A.M.)

According to Fernandez, Villac, and Sanchez (2014), conflicting results were found for the number of injuries among First Division and Second Division participants. In the First Division, more injuries occurred during matches (33) than during preparation (23). However, in the Second Division, more injuries happened during preparation (34) compared to matches (11). These findings indicate that the presence or absence of medical personnel can affect football players' behavior in terms of injury prevention.

According to a study by O.B.A. Owoeye et al. (2013), fewer football players wear shin-guards during practice compared to matches. Attending every practice session may not be feasible for all

nine physical therapists, particularly if the team trains daily. Typically, medical personnel are involved with the team due to their passion for the sport. However, this level of commitment can have adverse effects on their personal lives, especially when there are limited incentives provided for working with the team.

Bulsara (2010) suggests that the insufficiency of proper resources for workers extends beyond mere monetary compensation (C. Bulsara, 2010).

Further Remarks

O.B.A. Owoeye et al.'s research offers additional viewpoints.

The studies conducted by S. Athanasopoulos et Al. (2007), M. Hagglund (2006), and (2013) did not include keywords.

However, in a pilot survey by O.B.A. Owoeye et al. (2013), it was only mentioned that a survey was conducted.

Preventive Exercising Programmes And Their Efficaciousness

There has been a limitation in the evaluation of the effectiveness of preventive exercising programmes for various writers due to a lack of high-quality, evidence-based research focused on specific populations of football participants. A.M.C.

Beijsterveldt, Horst, de Port, and Backx (2013) state that football injuries are one of the most common in sports. However, there is insufficient evidence on whether preventive training programs effectively reduce injury rates. To address this gap, van Beijsterveldt and colleagues conducted a systematic review.

In 2013, a study was conducted to analyze and evaluate six different studies that used the PEDro scale to assess the statistical significance and internal validity of the studies. These researches focused on various exercise programs aimed at preventing injuries in football players from different populations. The selected studies were conducted between 2000 and 2010, and the authors identified two studies of high and moderate quality that demonstrated statistically significant results. The remaining four studies showed an overall preventive effect.

However, one

of those studies had a statistically insignificant outcome, while the other three studies were categorized as having low, moderate, and high qualities.

FIFA's the11 and the11+ injury prevention exercise programs.

The Malta Football Association, which has been affiliated with FIFA for the past 54 years (FIFA, 2014), did not mention anywhere on their website the use of the11 or the11+ injury prevention exercise programs. A. Junge, M.

Lamprecht, H. Stamm, H. Hasler, M. Bizzini, M.

Tschopp, H. Reuter, H, Wyss, C. Chilvers and J. Dvorak (2010) introduced the 11 hurt bar plan as an exercise program for recreational association football participants. This plan includes 10 evidence-based or best-practice exercises and also emphasizes Fair Play (A. Junge et al., 2010, p.58).

The same writer also states, as cited in J. Dvorak, A. Junge, 2005, that this hurt bar exercise programme was specifically designed to reduce common and severe injuries in association football players, such as ligament injuries in the knee, ankle strains, hamstring strains, and groin strains. Additionally, the 11 hurt bar exercise programme was available in five languages. The 11+, on the other hand, included two additional languages for a total of seven languages (FIFA, 2014). The 11+ differed from its predecessor by incorporating varying levels of difficulty to allow for variety and progression (M.

Bizzini, A. Junge, J. Dvorak (2013) found conflicting results in their review of the literature on FIFA's the11 and the 11+ exercise programs compared to previous studies conducted by A. Junge et al.

(2010) and the works of M.R. Krist, A.M.C. new wave Beijsterveldt, and F.G.J. Backx, G.A.

Both De Wit (2013) and A.M.C. van Beijsterveldt et al. (2013) center their attention on FIFA's the11 exercise program, but

they approach it from different angles. De Wit conducts an examination of the program, whereas A.M.C. van Beijsterveldt et al. found that only two out of the six analyzed studies demonstrated a noteworthy reduction in injuries.

The two mentioned studies did not have an impact on FIFA's the11 training program. According to A.M.C. van Beijsterveldt et al.'s (2013) research, the results of the only two studies that utilized the11 training program were not statistically significant. However, A. Junge et al.'s findings contradict this conclusion.

(2010) discovered that the11 resulted in a decrease of 11.5% in injury rates during matches and a 25.3% decrease during training for teams. It is worth noting that these studies had varying sample sizes and included both male and female participants. On the other hand, A.M.C. van Beijsterveldt et al. (2013) found no statistically significant reduction in lower limb and overall injuries among female football players.

A study conducted by A. Junge et al. yielded conflicting results. In 2010, they found a significant reduction in lower limb injuries among male recreational football players nationwide.

(2010) found that there was a higher occurrence of injuries during matches (72%) in comparison to the study conducted by S. Athanasopoulos et al. (2007), which reported that only 12% of injuries happened during competitions. It is important to note that these differences may be due to the different sports being analyzed. M.R. Krist et al.

< p > In a study conducted in 2013, it was found that there was no significant difference in the number of injured participants between the experimental and control groups, with 60.5% and 59.7% respectively. Football has various mechanisms of injuries, and this literature review focuses

on two main types as reported by A. Junge et al. (2010) and O.B.A. < /p >

According to Owoeye et al. (2013), two types of mechanisms were identified as causes of injuries: contact and non-contact. A study by A. Junge et al. found that teams following the 11 exercise program had a lower rate of non-contact injuries.

In a study conducted in 2010, Beijsterveldt et al. compared the effectiveness of two different exercise programs for injury prevention. The first program, called A.M.C. new wave, had an injury hazard ratio of 0.67, which was not found to be statistically significant. However, this program performed even worse in a group of female football participants, with an incidence hazard ratio of 1.20, which also lacked statistical significance.

According to new wave Beijsterveldt et al. (2013), there is a need for more high-quality studies to investigate the optimal type and intensity of exercises in a general training program for a specific population in terms of gender, skill level, and age. This is to effectively reduce the occurrence of injuries in association football. A.M.C. new wave Beijsterveldt et al.

, 2013, p.264 ) citation ref no.
The Influence of a Football Player's Professional Position on Injuries
Football is played at various levels. In Malta, most players are amateurs, with a combination of professional and semi-professional participants. However, there hasn't been an official source or study regarding the numbers and total participants. Research conducted by L.B. examined this aspect.

According to del Pozoa et Al. (2014), the professional position of football players may impact the occurrence of injuries. In their study, the First Division had a total of 56 injuries, while the Second Division had a lower

number of 45 injuries. L.B. del Pozoa et Al. (2014) also emphasized the need for further research.


Overall Effects Of Decrease In Hurt Incidence

Injuries in football players, particularly in a country with public health care like Malta, have various effects on different socio-economic levels.

These injuries can lead to increased government healthcare cost and increased stress on the clubs to replace the injured players, possibly resulting in more stress on the club funds. This could then result in reduced availability of financial resources to invest in physical therapy facilities, potentially creating a vicious cycle. Additionally, depending on the severity of the injury, the injuries lead to loss of working days for these players as they are primarily non-professionals and rely on other sources of income for their daily lives. According to M.R. Krist et al. (2013), an injury prevention exercise program like the 11 could help reduce injury incidence and severity in adult male soccer players.

However, the survey results revealed that although there was no significant difference in direct healthcare costs between the experimental and control groups, there was a significant difference in indirect non-health attention costs. M.R. Krist et Al. (2013) suggested that these cost differences could also be attributed to a lower number of knee injuries in the intervention group compared to the control group. In comparison to this study, a similar study conducted by A.

Junge et Al. ( 2010 ) conducted a nationwide campaign with a large sample size. They found that the implementation of the11 had an impact on healthcare costs and population-based insurance data. However, no specific monetary figures were provided.

Limitations Of The Available Literature

The purpose of this literature review was

to critically analyze the research literature related to my study. The databases used for this review include SPORTDiscus with Full Text ( EBSCO ), SpringerLink ( MetaPress ), PubMed, Academic Search Complete ( EBSCO ), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials ( EBSCO ), and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews ( EBSCO ).

Although Google Scholar was used as an additional resource, the literature mentioned in this chapter was not found through Google Scholar. The following keywords were used to search for the analyzed literature: football, physical therapy installations, football installations, football physical therapy, association football, association football physical therapy, and sports physical therapy.

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