sports medicine cq3; sports policy and the sports environment Flashcards
What are the sections for sports policy and the sports environment?
- Rules of sports and activity
- Modifying rules for children
- Matching opponents
- Use of protective equipment
- Safe grounds, equipment and facilities
What is the importance of rules of sports and activity?
Rules of sports and activity govern games and sports to provide structure, fairness and flow. They also ensure the safety of participants within the spirit of the game and when these rules are broken, serious and long term injury can arise.
What are important specific rules of sport?
- Rugby Union scrum rules
- Heat rules
- Head contact rules (rugby)
What are scrummaging rules? (Initial)
Initially scrummages had the rule of, “crouch, tough, pause and engage” as it ensured that rugby players are not putting themselves at risk of neck and spinal damage ensuring that players bind safely, thus removing the likelihood of incorrect biomechanical technique.
How have scrum rules changed?
Scrum rules were recently changes due to the scrum collapsing from more powerful collisions and the dynamic nature of sport in which players are getting bigger and stronger.
These new rules are ‘Crouch, bind and set’, which in turn reduces the amount of force generated .
Hence, less impact to the neck and potential for a collapsing scrum.
What is the importance of heat rules?
Heat rules are crucial namely amongst outdoor sports played in the summertime as players may be exposed to extreme temperatures hence leading to a chance of hypothermia.
What is an example of how heat rules were used?
This was addressed in the Australian Open as the roof was closed once the combination of air temp, humidity and on court radiation reaches an index of 31-33.
What happened to the heat rules for the Australian Open?
This policy was reviewed in 2007 as player safety in such conditions became a concern.
It had been criticised as many experts believe a blanket solution cannot be applied across all sports since exposure, equipment and activities vary so much.
What are the guidelines for head contact in Rugby League?
Contact sports such as Rugby League have specific rules to ensure the safety of the athlete such as penalising and possibly suspending players who make contact with the opposition player’s head. This aims to reduce concussions and potential future complications that may arise after retirement.
What is the James Graham case study for rules of sports and activity?
The former Bulldogs & Dragons player has disclosed the effects of a 17 year playing career with over 100 concussions in a 400 game career, sustaining damage to the frontal lobe of his brain.
He is now calling for the NRL to put measures in that protect players from such long term injuries such as limiting contact in practice;
He says, “I’d like concussions to be treated like any other injury- for example a hamstring tear, where it accepted that the player can’t return until fully recovered.”
Additionally, he wants to take pressure off players who feel pressure to play by asking the NRL to automatically stand players down after a concussion.
Why does James Graham’s recent statements on concussions contrast previous comments?
This directly contrasts his behaviours in the NRL when he pleaded the NRL to let him sign a waiver to continue playing regardless of a concussion
Additionally, he made controversial comments in 2021 when he stated that the sport was worth, “dying for”
What is the Paul Green case study for rules of sports and activity?
Former player Paul Green committed suicide at his home in 2022 and also had suffered significant brain trauma.
Hence suggesting that the decision to take his own life may have been attributed to the multiple concussions he suffered during his career.
Why is important to modify rules for children?
Rules are modified for children to accommodate their specific needs due to their stature and limited capabilities.
This adds to children’s potential to learn skills and enjoy sport as a willing participant.
Additionally, modifying rules can in turn create new sports (e.g. t-ball)
What are rules to modify for children?
-Equipment size
-Court dimensions
-Rules
-Playing environment
(e.g. lowering basketball rims, using smaller ball)
What is matching opponents?
This is when athletes are matched based on their physical size and level of skill.
(e.g. Junior Rugby League and Martial Arts)
