Become an Elite SPORTS THERAPIST elite athletes require elite therapists train train athletes in the gym or on the field run the team warm up and cool down treat treat athletes on the field first aid/first response to injury rehabilitate sports and remedial massage techniques strength and conditioning training strapping and taping injury management/prevention programs 1
comparison of sports therapy Course Duration: 1 year full time Entry Requirement: Interest in Sport Average Annual Salary: $61,000* Career Outcomes: Work with sporting teams, multi-modality clinics, strength and conditioning coaching or all three combined. Be a Sports Trainer with a sporting team and provide "on the field" first response Be a Strength & Conditioning Coach in Gyms Work with Physiotherapists and Doctors to assist with athlete injury and rehabilitation management. Be a qualified Remedial therapist in a multi-modality clinic sport physiotherapy Course Duration: 7 years full time Entry Requirement: OP 2 (as per UQ) Average Annual Salary: $63,000* Career Outcomes: Rehabilitation in Hospitals or Private Practices exercise science Course Duration: 4 years full time Entry Requirement: OP 5 (as per UQ) Average Annual Salary: $53,000* Career Outcomes: Health and fitness centres, sport science academia. Common with Sports Therapy: Bioscience knowledge & athletic movement assessment personal training Course Duration: Up to 6 months Entry Requirements: English literacy, 16+, interest in fitness It's a well recognised qualification Excellent skills in injury management Mostly targeted at hospital-based care Common with Sports Therapy: Injury Management, Rehabilitation and First Aid. The difference is the severity of the injuries that a Sports Therapist can assist with (limited), compared to a Physiotherapist. Excellent knowledge of sport and activity science application Predominantly theoretical and conceptual based learning. e.g. lectures and prescribed texts Science application in sport is largely done in laboratory settings The difference is that Sports Therapy is more based on competency e.g. learning by doing. More involved with gyms, on the field or stadiums through internship experiences. Incredibly popular course Quick and easy way to get into the health and fitness industry Lacking skills beyond the basics (e.g. injury management and athlete screening Average Annual Salary: $46,000* The difference is that Sports Therapists have a more detailed knowledge of human Career Outcomes: Work in a gym or as a anatomy & physiology, Sports and Remedial private trainer (self-employed). Massage techniques to aid in recovery and Common with Sports Therapy: Teach & improve performance and also provide onfield sports first aid. develop fitness programs * 3 The following figures have been obtained from the Queensland Government 'Job Outlook' website and payscale.com as of 15/06/2015
role of the SPORTS THERAPIST A Sports Trainer's competencies A Remedial Therapist's competencies Train Treat Rehabilitate pre-season screening advanced first aid & trauma care sports & remedial massage sports nutrition strapping & taping sports rehabilitation strength & conditioning physical therapy coaching exercise prescription As revealed in the image, the Sports Therapy qualification gives the individual a greater scope of practice, compared to that of a Sports Trainer. Sport Therapists play an integral role in the complete management of athletes prior to, during and post 'game-day'. 6
Graduate with 5 qualifications after 1 year of full time study to become an Elite SPORTS THERAPIST HLT52015 Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT42015 Certificate IV in Massage Therapy SIS30813 Certificate III in Sports Trainer HLTAID006 Advanced First Aid Level 1 Strength and Conditioning course outline Sports First Aid The Sports Therapist is often the first responder in first aid situations. You will have the knowledge and skills to manage first aid situations sufficient to carry out an initial assessment to stabilise a patient until further help arrives. Clearly and accurately conveying information regarding the nature of injuries is essential in the effective management of an injured athlete. With knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, the Sports Therapist is able to understand the impact of sports injuries on the body and the most effective management of those injuries. You will be able to provide first aid techniques to manage commonly occurring soft and hard tissue sports injuries, enable the safe transportation of injured athletes where appropriate and when necessary, recognise the signs and symptoms of shock, and identify contraindications and precaution in higher risk and potentially life-threatening situations. Advanced First Aid completed through one of Q Academy's industry partners. Managing Sports Injury Beyond the initial management of sports injuries, the Sports Therapist can provide invaluable assistance to health care professionals with ongoing management of the injured athlete. From minor cuts and abrasions where diagnosis is not indicated, to post-surgical intervention, the Sports Myotherapist is well equipped to help the athlete return to active participation and optimal functional through appropriate, professional and safe rehabilitation programs. 4
course outline Sports Nutrition Whether working independently or as part of a team, a Sports Therapist can support athletes to apply the principles and practices of nutrition to achieve peak performance in a sport-specific or competition setting. The Sports Therapist understands nutrition guidelines, hydration and fluid replacement practices, and safe weight loss and weight gain strategies. Communicating effectively with athletes and support personnel to build rapport and trust, having the knowledge and skills to access, analyse and convey information, negotiating appropriate nutrition strategies, and collating feedback are essential in helping athletes achieve optimum performance. Strength & Conditioning The Sports Therapist uses strength and conditioning techniques to assist athletes according to their sport-specific needs, and those undertaking fitness programs to achieve their personal fitness goals. The Sports Therapist understands the major body systems, bones, joints, muscles and their function to enable the selection, instruction and adjustment of appropriate exercises. They conduct drills, activities and games to teach the techniques of strength and conditioning, and use motivational techniques to provide feedback for improvement. The Sports Therapist applies testing protocols to determine the athlete s current status, prior to selecting a program. Instructing techniques and following best practice enables the Sports Therapist to monitor and evaluate the individual s performance and progress, and modify their program as required. Sports Coaching A Sports Therapist is not a Coach, nor do they have the technical skills in sport to fulfil the role of a coach, however, the Sports Therapist provides invaluable support at all levels, from community participation to elite athletes, to ensure the continued success and achievement of individual athletes and teams. A Sports Therapist understands the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme's (NCAS) system of training and accrediting coaches. They provide a leadership role in helping to ensure that coaches and teams are aware of and adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities and their duty of care. With knowledge of sports specific rules, laws and regulations, best practice codes and principles, to industry equipment and safety requirements, and coaching styles and practices to a range of ages and learning abilities, the Sports Myotherapist is a key player in any successful team. Pre-season Screening Few things in sports are more important than injury prevention. As a Sports Therapist with advanced knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics, you will conduct pre-season movement screens for individuals and teams to identify those at risk of injury. For those at risk of injury, you will have the knowledge and skills to implement an effective injury prevention program, then monitor, measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the athlete's progress. Risk assessment and injury prevention are crucial, to improving athletic performance and making sport safer in training and competition, whether it be on the playing field, court of sporting events. As a Sports Therapist, you will be central to this framework. In addition to the human component of risk assessment, as a Sports Therapist you will also assess the risks associated with sport, fitness and recreational activities and manage those risks so that they are undertaken safely. Athletic Preparation Getting the body prepared for the physical demands of activity and sports is essential. As a Sports Therapist you will be designing, implementing, conducting and reviewing warm-up and cool-down programs to prepare sportsmen and women and aid in postactivity recovery. You will have the knowledge and skills to identify contraindications and precautions and refer where necessary, and adjust exercises and techniques for individuals as needed. An athlete's mental preparation is equally as important as their physical preparation. Whether working autonomously or under supervision, you will have the knowledge and skills to assist sports men and women to implemental strategies to optimise their sporting performance. Using the right communication skills to build rapport, will help sports people to overcome psychological barriers, and achieve peak performance. 4
learning style In a testament to this, Sports Therapy students will begin working directly with local and elite sporting teams as soon as semester two. Tasks such as ensuring athletes are hydrated, as well as observing health professionals and coaches at work, will be the starting place of workplace experience. By the conclusion of the course, running the warm up and cool down sessions, taping athletes, offering myotherapy treatments, instructing exercise and screening athletes for injury will be within one s scope of practice. In Sports Therapy, learning and assessment will be based on an individual s ability to demonstrate skill and knowledge in a practical setting. Students will receive theoretical knowledge in the classroom, and will be required to further their understanding of these concepts by learning through doing. As opposed to University courses, which often require extended periods of theoretical study before practical application can commence, Sports Therapy students will be heavily encouraged to learn through hands on experience. Throughout the course students will be mentored by experienced professionals in the sporting environment to ensure that their theoretical and practical understanding is of a high standard. This course will prove to be a terrific foundation for students wishing to complete further academic study in the health and exercise field. However, of course graduates of the course will be more than fit to enter the industry with this qualification upon graduation. 7
about Q Academy is an Allied Health training college, that has trained over 2,000 highly skilled manual therapists with high completion rates. Q Academy has Education Department approval to partner with both TAFE Brisbane as well as NICHE Education to train students that want to enroll through them to utilise their Goverment student loan funding. The Academy has grown across South-East Queensland and currently has three Queensland Campuses (Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) and facilities in TAFE campus in Bracken Ridge. Q Academy is strongly committed to helping their students realise and achieve their career goals. This focus on quality and science-based training, coupled with tremendous student support has resulted in: Reputation amongst employees for producing highly-skilled therapists Very high student satisfaction ratings Positive and fun learning environment Friendly and supportive team Quality educators Science-based content 9
campus locations for Address: 20 Chester Street, Newstead QLD 4006 Within walking distance of James St Markets, New Farm and The Emporium, Fortitude Valley. Address: 106 Bundall Road, Bundall QLD 4217 Located just next to Masters along Bundall road and opposite the Gold Coast Arts Centre. Address: 64C Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore QLD 4558 Just near the Discount Chemist, you will find our Sunshine Coast Campus! campus features All campuses are easily accessible by public transport Free on-site parking available (limited) Restaurants/cafes in close proximity Kitchen and food preparation facilities on-campus Air-conditioning throughout Multiple gyms within walking distance 10