Date: Commence Wednesday 24th March 6pm – 9.30pm and concluding on Wednesday 31st March 6pm – 9.30pm

Location: ACT Sports House, 100 Maitland Street Hackett

Registation form: click here

Date: Commence Monday 29th March 6pm – 9.30pm and concluding on Wednesday 31st March 6pm – 9.30pm

Location: Eastlake Football Club, Griffith

Registation form: Click here

Date: Course comences on Wednesday 17th March 6pm – 9pm, continues on Sunday 21st March 8.30 – 5pm and concludes on Wednesday 24th March 6pm – 9pm

Location: Miracle Massage,  187 Bourke Street, Goulburn NSW 2580

Contact Details: Phone: Andrew Curry, (02) 4821 8500 Fax: (02) 4821 0473 Email: miracle.massage@bigpond.com or trish@sportsmedicineact.org.au

This agreement will foster cooperation between the two organisations for the mutual benefit of  students. SMA-ACT’s Sports First Aid course is aligned to the National Training Package HLTFA301B Apply First Aid.

This is an exciting opportunity for SMA-ACT and continues to strengthen the Safer Sport Program in the Canberra region.

Many people take to the snow without thought to the risks involved and without adequate preparation. Hospital data shows 273 people visited emergency departments in 2007 for skiing and snowboarding related injuries.

Sports Medicine Australia spokesperson, Dr Peter Nathan says good preparation is essential to avoiding injury.

“Snow sports are a great way to stay active and fit. However a lack of preparation can result in injury,” said Dr Nathan.

“Good preparation is one of the keys to injury prevention. Skiing and snowboarding are physically demanding sports that require flexibility, strength, endurance, speed and quick reflexes. Preparation and conditioning are essential to help prevent the injuries of sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures that can occur on the slopes,” said Dr Nathan.

To help ensure those embarking on snow sports prepare correctly, Smartplay, Sports Medicine Australia’s injury prevention program, offers the following tips:

Undertake good preparation

• Undertake pre-season conditioning and training to build up your fitness, strength and flexibility.
• Novices should take ski/snowboard lessons to develop skills and safety techniques.
• Don’t ski/snowboard to warm up. Warm up and stretch before any type of activity and cool down and stretch afterwards.
• Assess the ski and weather conditions and your skill and fitness level before skiing/snowboarding.

Wear the right gear

• Seek professional advice when choosing or hiring equipment. Select equipment suited to your activity, skill level and size. Also ensure equipment is in good working order.
• Wear clothing, including gloves and a warm hat that is waterproof and breathes. Layer clothing so you can remove layers to control your body temperature.
• Ensure boots are fitted and comfortable, durable and waterproof, with thermal protection.
• For snowboard novices, soft-shell boots are recommended.
• Snowboards should be attached to the rider by a leash to prevent injuries to others on the slopes.
• Eyewear that gives UV protection and a sunscreen with a high SPF should be worn, even on cloudy days.
• Children and young adolescents should wear helmets.
• Adult novices should consider helmets.

Learn good technique and practices

• When skiing, hold your poles correctly. Put the strap on your wrist and then hold the ski pole so that the strap is included in your grip.
• Be aware of the grading of ski runs. Only ski on runs suited to your skill level.
• Do not ski too fast or out of control and stay away from out-of-bounds areas.
• Never ski/snowboard alone.
• Always inform someone of where you are going, how long you will be gone for and the time you expect to return.
• Adequate rest, nutrition, hydration and regular snacks will enhance performance and reduce injury risks. 
• Do not ski/snowboard under the influence of any alcohol. Alcohol negatively affects performance and can contribute to hypothermia.

For more tips download the Smartplay Cross-Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Fact Sheets at www.smartplay.com.au

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Media enquiries: Amanda Wilson, National Media Manager, phone 03 9674 8703 or mobile 0412 224 729.

*From Victorian public and private emergency department presentations 2007.

The SMA Research Foundation’s primary function is to support young researchers and those undertaking advanced training in Sports Medicine and it’s disciplines by granting relatively small amounts to those starting out in research. Applications will only be open to SMA members and the recipients must agree to present their research findings at the annual ACSMS conference.

The Foundation is pleased to announce that research applications are now invited for the 2010 funding round. A limited number of grants to the value of up to $2000 will be available.

Please submit an Expression of Interest to Sports Medicine Australia. More information will be available in coming weeks.

Smartplay: Amanda Wilson National Media Manager 0412 224 729

New research shows need for UV and heat guide for sports clubs

Victorian sports participants will be better protected from UV exposure and heat under new guidelines developed by SunSmart and Smartplay.

The UV Exposure and Heat Illness Guide was launched today with the help of Victorian cricketer and DEC Bushranger Bryce McGain. The resource aims to help the Victorian sporting community take a balanced approach to UV and prevent and manage heat illness at club level.

A 2009 survey found that more than half of Victorian State Sporting Associations (SSAs) didn’t have a policy for sporting clubs to manage overexposure to UV radiation and just under half didn’t have a policy around heat illness.

However, it also found that the majority of Victorian SSAs would implement a combined UV and heat policy if provided with up to date information on what to do.

SunSmart Manager, Sue Heward said playing sport and active recreation are common activities where people get sunburnt, especially adolescents.

“Sadly, Australia is one of the skin cancer capitals of the world. In Victoria, UV levels are high enough from September to April to cause skin damage (from tanning and sunburn) and increase the risk of skin cancer,” said Ms Heward. “In the winter months, UV levels are also high in alpine areas and near reflective surfaces like snow.

“Sporting clubs can play a very important role in managing UV exposure throughout the year, but until now there hasn’t been unified direction across the state.”

Executive Officer of Sports Medicine Australia Lynne Sheehan said anybody who is active should prepare for hot conditions or run the risk of heat injury.

“Heat illness can become a problem if sports personnel are unaware of how to prevent and manage it. This lack of knowledge could potentially place sport participants’ health at risk,“ Ms Sheehan said.

“This Guide ultimately assists sports participants and administrators recognise and manage potentially dangerous weather situations.”

Ms Heward said overexposure to UV and heat illness doesn’t just occur in hot weather.

“UV levels can be damaging whether it is 20 or 40 degrees and even if it’s cloudy or overcast.

This can be the same for heat illness when exercising,” she said.

“The Guide is an easy to use resource which can be adjusted to reflect the particular regulations and policies of each sport. It helps clubs identify when an event or training should be cancelled or modified and what can be done to prevent injury and illness to players, spectators, coaches and officials.”

Cricket Victoria General Manager Game Development John Watkin said the new guidelines are a fantastic initiative and something Cricket Victoria proudly supports.

“The UV Exposure and Heat Illness Guide will play an important role in cricket,” he said. “It is inevitable that at times matches will be scheduled for play during extreme heat conditions so it’s important we have a policy in place to combat the heat.

“Cricket Victoria has an Extreme Heat Guideline that was created in conjunction with Sports Medicine Australia to help prevent heat illness and manage players within all Victorian cricket competitions.”

“Cricketers also face extreme UV conditions being out in the field for long periods so we encourage players at all levels of the game to wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses and consider the option of a long sleeve top.”

The UV Exposure and Heat Illness Guide can be used by all active individuals and organisations in Victoria including State Sporting Associations, Regional Sports Assemblies, Local Government Authorities, clubs, schools and providers of physical activity.

Developed by SunSmart and Smartplay, the guide provides up to date information on UV exposure and heat illness, tips for creating, reviewing and implementing local guidelines, a modifiable UV exposure and heat illness checklist and real-life examples.

To download the guide and the modifiable UV exposure and heat illness checklist visit www.sunsmart.com.au or www.smartplay.com.au.

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Further information: SunSmart aims to increase awareness of the need for a balanced approach to ultraviolet (UV) radiation to prevent and minimise the adverse effects of UV exposure and promote the benefits of vitamin D. It is jointly funded by Cancer Council Victoria and VicHealth.

sunsmart.com.au

Smartplay is a sport safety and injury prevention program that aims to reduce the incidence and severity of sport and recreation injuries. It is managed by Sports Medicine Australia and funded by VicHealth and the Department of Planning and Community Development (Sport and Recreation Victoria).

smartplay.com.au

The resource aims to help the sporting community take a balanced approach to UV and prevent and manage heat illness at club level.

A 2009 survey found that more than half of Victorian State Sporting Associations (SSAs) didn’t have a policy for sporting clubs to manage overexposure to UV radiation and just under half didn’t have a policy around heat illness.

Read the Media Release

Download the UV Exposure and Heat Illness Guide

“Sports injuries are costly, not only in terms of health but also expense,” said Sports Medicine Australia Victorian and Tasmanian Branch Executive Officer, Ms Lynne Sheehan.

“Injuries mean more sidelined players, lengthy rehabilitation and often poor team performance.

“It is for these reasons why sport safety is crucial,” said Ms Sheehan. The Sports Injury Prevention Conference is targeted towards sports trainers, first aiders, coaches, players, administrators and all those involved in sport interested in increasing their knowledge of sports injury prevention and management.

“Sports safety personnel are an integral part of all sports. They play a key role in keeping sport safe. Through their knowledge, skills and involvement, injuries are minimised, keeping players in action which contributes to player’s health and fitness and overall sporting success,” said Ms Sheehan.

Conference speakers will include a number of the country’s leading professionals from disciplines spanning exercise science, sports medicine and physiotherapy. Representatives from AFL Tasmania will also present to give participants a valuable insight into practices and techniques for working with young athletes.

Sessions will focus on injury prevention, strength and conditioning practices for young athletes, taping techniques, and common lower limb injuries and techniques on how to avoid them.

To find out more about the Sports Injury Prevention Conference 2010, or to register, visit www.smavic.org.

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Media enquiries: Amanda Wilson, National Media Manager, phone03 96748703 or mobile 0412 224 729.