Sports Specific Musculoskeletal Screening
In medical terms, a screen is a test or series of tests applied to a pain free population to determine risk of future symptoms. Sport specific musculoskeletal screens are developed based on the injury profile and performance demands of a particular sport. These batteries of tests are used to identify potential intrinsic risk factors (biomechanical and structural) associated with common injuries of their sport and allow these to be addressed prior to competition/returning to play.
Screens can be performed by many different health professionals. It is important that the assessor conducting the screen has an intricate knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and implications for altered movement patterns and injury in your specific sport. At the elite level Physiotherapists use musculoskeletal screening to prevent injuries.
There is increasing scientific and anecdotal evidence for the use of sports specific musculoskeletal screening, with a lot of contemporary information coming from sports medicine departments at universities and sporting organisation. All the tests used have been extensively researched and have been found to be reliable and valid for predicting injury risk.
Screening tests will vary depending on the demands of the sport and will generally assess:
- Technique
- Joint Range of Motion
- Balance, Proprioception and Coordination
- Trunk Control
- Flexibility/Mobility (Joints, Muscles, Connective Tissue, Neural Structures)
- Functional Strength and Control
- Posture
East Vic Park Physiotherapy currently provides Sports Specific Musculoskeletal Screens for:
- Golf
- Cycling
- Running
- Tennis
- Cricket
- Baseball/Softball
- Swimming
- AFL Football
- Soccer
- Netball
- Basketball
If you have any questions or would like to book in to have a Sports Specific Musculoskeletal Screen done, please call 93613777 or book online via our webpage.