🏋🏼Sports Medicine Unit 1 – Anatomy & Physiology in Sports Medicine

Key Anatomical Structures

• Skeletal system provides the framework for the body and attachment points for muscles (femur, humerus, vertebrae)
• Muscular system generates force and movement through contraction and relaxation (quadriceps, hamstrings, biceps)
  • Skeletal muscle fibers are organized into bundles called fascicles
  • Muscle fibers contain myofibrils, which are composed of sarcomeres, the basic functional units of muscle contraction
• Cardiovascular system delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removes waste products (heart, blood vessels, capillaries)
• Respiratory system facilitates gas exchange between the atmosphere and the bloodstream (lungs, trachea, diaphragm)
• Nervous system coordinates and controls body functions through electrical impulses (brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves)
  • Sensory neurons detect stimuli and transmit information to the central nervous system
  • Motor neurons carry signals from the central nervous system to effector organs, such as muscles and glands
• Endocrine system regulates physiological processes through the secretion of hormones (pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands)

Physiological Systems in Sports

• Energy systems provide the necessary fuel for physical activity (ATP-PC system, glycolytic system, oxidative system)
  • ATP-PC system is used for short-duration, high-intensity activities lasting up to 10 seconds (weightlifting, sprinting)
  • Glycolytic system is utilized for moderate-intensity activities lasting up to 2 minutes (200-meter sprint, hockey shift)
  • Oxidative system is employed for low-intensity, long-duration activities (marathon running, cycling)
• Cardiovascular adaptations to training include increased stroke volume, decreased resting heart rate, and improved oxygen delivery to muscles
• Respiratory adaptations to training involve increased lung capacity, improved efficiency of gas exchange, and enhanced oxygen uptake
• Thermoregulatory system maintains body temperature during exercise through sweating, vasodilation, and increased blood flow to the skin
• Musculoskeletal adaptations to training encompass muscle hypertrophy, increased bone density, and improved joint stability
• Endocrine responses to exercise include the release of hormones such as cortisol, growth hormone, and insulin to regulate energy metabolism and tissue repair

Biomechanics and Movement

• Kinematics is the study of motion without considering the forces that cause it (displacement, velocity, acceleration)
• Kinetics examines the forces that cause motion, including internal forces (muscle contractions) and external forces (gravity, friction)
• Newton's laws of motion describe the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration ($F = ma$)
  • First law: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force
  • Second law: The acceleration of an object depends on the mass of the object and the amount of force applied ($a = F/m$)
  • Third law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
• Levers are simple machines that consist of a rigid object, a fulcrum, and an applied force (first-class, second-class, third-class levers)
  • First-class levers have the fulcrum between the effort and the load (scissors, pliers)
  • Second-class levers have the load between the effort and the fulcrum (wheelbarrow, nutcracker)
  • Third-class levers have the effort between the load and the fulcrum (tweezers, bicep curl)
• Planes of motion describe the direction of movement relative to the body (sagittal, frontal, transverse planes)
• Axes of rotation are imaginary lines around which movement occurs (longitudinal, anterior-posterior, medial-lateral axes)

Common Sports Injuries

• Sprains are injuries to ligaments, the fibrous connective tissues that connect bones to other bones (ankle sprain, ACL sprain)
  • Graded on a scale from 1 to 3 based on severity (Grade 1: mild, Grade 2: moderate, Grade 3: severe)
• Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons, the fibrous connective tissues that connect muscles to bones (hamstring strain, rotator cuff strain)
• Fractures are breaks in the continuity of bone (stress fracture, compound fracture)
  • Classified as open (skin broken) or closed (skin intact)
• Concussions are traumatic brain injuries caused by a blow to the head or body, resulting in neurological symptoms (headache, dizziness, confusion)
• Contusions are bruises caused by blunt force trauma, resulting in damage to blood vessels and tissue (quadriceps contusion, hip pointer)
• Dislocations occur when the ends of bones are forced out of their normal positions in a joint (shoulder dislocation, patellar dislocation)
• Overuse injuries result from repetitive microtrauma to tissues over time (tendinitis, stress fractures, shin splints)

Injury Prevention Strategies

• Proper warm-up and cool-down routines prepare the body for activity and promote recovery (dynamic stretching, light aerobic activity)
• Strength and conditioning programs improve muscle balance, joint stability, and overall physical fitness
  • Resistance training increases muscle strength and endurance
  • Plyometric exercises enhance power and explosiveness
• Flexibility training maintains or improves range of motion and reduces the risk of muscle strains (static stretching, dynamic stretching, foam rolling)
• Proper technique and form during sports-specific movements minimize the risk of injury (proper landing mechanics, correct lifting technique)
• Appropriate equipment and protective gear help absorb impact forces and reduce the likelihood of injury (helmets, mouthguards, shin guards)
• Adequate rest and recovery allow the body to repair and adapt to the stresses of training and competition (sleep, active recovery, massage)
• Nutrition and hydration support optimal performance and recovery (balanced diet, adequate fluid intake, electrolyte balance)

Diagnostic Techniques

• Physical examination assesses range of motion, strength, stability, and pain through manual tests and observations
  • Palpation involves using the hands to feel for abnormalities in tissues (swelling, tenderness, deformity)
  • Special tests are specific maneuvers designed to assess the integrity of particular structures (Lachman test for ACL, Apprehension test for shoulder instability)
• Imaging techniques provide visual representations of internal structures to aid in diagnosis (X-ray, MRI, CT scan)
  • X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to create images of dense structures, such as bones (fractures, dislocations)
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, cartilage)
  • CT (Computed Tomography) scans use X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body (bone fractures, spinal injuries)
• Functional assessments evaluate an athlete's ability to perform sport-specific movements and identify areas of weakness or imbalance (single-leg squat, Y-balance test)
• Gait analysis examines an individual's walking or running pattern to identify abnormalities that may contribute to injury (overpronation, hip drop)

Treatment and Rehabilitation

• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is the initial treatment for acute injuries to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
  • Rest allows the injured tissue to heal and prevents further damage
  • Ice helps to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation by constricting blood vessels and slowing nerve impulses
  • Compression minimizes swelling by limiting fluid accumulation in the injured area
  • Elevation uses gravity to reduce swelling by promoting fluid drainage away from the injured site
• Physical therapy focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and function through targeted exercises and manual techniques (range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, soft tissue mobilization)
• Therapeutic modalities are physical agents used to promote healing and manage symptoms (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat therapy)
  • Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and promote tissue healing
  • Electrical stimulation uses electrical currents to reduce pain, control inflammation, and stimulate muscle contractions
  • Heat therapy increases blood flow, relaxes muscles, and reduces pain and stiffness
• Manual therapy techniques involve the use of hands-on techniques to manipulate soft tissues and joints (massage, joint mobilization, myofascial release)
• Bracing and taping provide support, stability, and protection to injured areas during the healing process (ankle brace, kinesiology tape)
• Gradual return to play protocols ensure that athletes safely progress back to full participation following an injury (functional progression, sport-specific drills)

Performance Enhancement

• Strength training increases muscle size, strength, and power, leading to improved athletic performance (resistance training, weightlifting)
  • Periodization is the systematic planning of training programs to optimize performance and minimize the risk of overtraining (macrocycles, mesocycles, microcycles)
• Plyometric training improves power, speed, and agility through explosive movements that utilize the stretch-shortening cycle (box jumps, bounding, medicine ball throws)
• Cardiovascular endurance training enhances the body's ability to deliver oxygen to working muscles and delay fatigue (continuous training, interval training)
• Flexibility training improves range of motion, reduces the risk of injury, and enhances overall performance (static stretching, dynamic stretching, PNF stretching)
• Sport-specific skill training refines the technical and tactical aspects of a particular sport (dribbling drills in basketball, passing drills in soccer)
• Mental skills training enhances an athlete's psychological preparedness and ability to perform under pressure (goal setting, visualization, relaxation techniques)
• Nutrition and hydration strategies optimize energy availability, promote recovery, and support overall health (pre-exercise meals, post-exercise snacks, hydration plans)
  • Macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) provide energy and support tissue repair and growth
  • Micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) play essential roles in various physiological processes and support overall health