By Claire Mc Guinness, Physiotherapist
 

Commonwealth Games:
Preventing Injuries with PhysioTHERAPy

2018 Commonwealth Games: April 4-15 

The countdown is on with less than a month to go until the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which are being hosted at Australia’s Gold Coast, between April 4^th to April 15^th. The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games website has a live countdown to the start of the games, to view the countdown you can visit  www.gc2018.com.

There are 71 Nations and Territories that compete in the Commonwealth Games, which was first held in 1930 under the name of The British Empire Games. The games were initially designed as a competition between members of the British Empire and started with 11 competing nations and territories. In contrast, the total population of the Commonwealth nations and territories now competing in the games is 2.1 billion people. Australia is leading the medal tally with 852 gold medals and has participated in every Commonwealth Games to date.

There are a wide array of sports at the Commonwealth Games, and in addition to the traditional Olympic sports, the Commonwealth Games include some Commonwealth specific sports, such as netball and lawn bowls.

Commonwealth Games Sports:

There are a wide range of different sports in the Commonwealth Games, and each sport will require different preparation for competition and recovery. Athletes will have varying demands depending on which type of sport they are competing in, for example weight lifting is strength based, whereas cycling requires more cardio fitness. Athletes competing will have spent weeks, months and years training to reach their peak physical performance in the lead up to the games. A training plan can assist athletes to prepare and train over a set period of time, and can be tailored to meet the specific sporting needs of each competitor. It is essential athletes follow a training plan as part of their preparation before competing to help maximise performance.  In addition, without adequate preparation, a range of sporting injuries can occur.

Common Sporting Injuries Include:

Physiotherapy can help to treat sports injuries, however ideally injuries are best prevented in the first place. Athletes can work with a sports injury physio to minimise the risk of injury, incorporating a warm up and cool down routine suited to each athlete, and relevant exercises to strengthen and enhance performance.

One of our sports physios can also help to get you recover and regain strength following a sports injury. After assessment of your injury, we will identify the cause of the problem. Then a detailed treatment plan will be designed, with rehabilitation, hands on treatment and exercises to regain your strength and control.

Physiotherapy plays an important part in preparation and recovery from all sports, and coupled with remedial massage can assist individuals to reach their peak performance. Furthermore, remedial massage can also help by treating sore and tight muscles, and relieving tension to treat or prevent injury.  Areas of treatment can include the back, neck, shoulders and legs. Deep Tissue massage works deeply on the muscles to release areas of tension.

Melbourne Sports Physio has a range of qualified and experienced sports professionals who can help you. We have remedial massage therapists based in our Essendon Physiotherapy Clinic.

If you are looking for a sports physiotherapist in Melbourne, contact our friendly team or book an appointment today. We have clinics conveniently located in Essendon and Blackburn South.

Good luck to all competing athletes at the games this year!

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