Ergonomics - Sports injuries experts

Introduction

Australia is a keen sporting country, due to its sunny climate and wide open spaces, and has historically performed well when competing internationally. However, sports such as Australian Rules Football (AFL), rugby league, rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, and many others carry ergonomic risks associated with training and competing.

Sporting injuries that result from a lack of ergonomic awareness cover a wide range of repetitive, strained, and overuse behaviour affecting the muscles, tendons, and nerves of the body such as the back, neck, shoulders, legs, wrists, elbows, arms and hands.

Symptoms of sports injuries may include:

• Muscle discomfort (e.g. tightness)
  
• Aches and pains
  
• Numbness or tingling where nerves have become pinched
  

There are a number of causes of sports injuries. Most commonly, they are due to impacts and falls, but also arise from any repetitive training or body motions under strain, especially when sustained over a long period of time and without consultation with an expert trainer.

The most common sporting injuries in Australia are:

• Achilles Tendon Injury
  
• Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injury
  
• Ankle Injury
  
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
  
• Dental Injuries
  
• Eye Injuries
  
• Gastrocnemius (calf) Strain
  
• Hamstring Strain
  
• Meniscus Injury
  
• Plantar Fasciitis
  
• Quadriceps Contusion (cork thigh)
  
• Shin Pain
  
• Soft Tissue Injuries
  

Both amateur and professional athletes are vulnerable to sporting injuries, which can result in the loss of income, prize money, appearance fees, and also increased insurance premiums. It is rare for sportspeople to go through their sporting careers without injury, even at a relatively young age. In many cases, the nature of the activity can result in a significantly curtailed career.

At the bottom of this profile are brief details of a number of the experts that Expert Experts represents. Call our office to discuss your requirements and to obtain a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.

Expertise in Action

Experts on sports injuries can provide opinion on a range of issues including:

• Investigating the causes and degree of sporting injuries
  
• Estimating recovery time from injury
  
• Recommending optimum rehabilitation practices
  
• Assessing the ergonomics of training regimes and appropriate equipment to minimise future sporting injuries
  

Sample Reports

For some fields of expertise we have some sample sections of de-identified reports. Please contact our office if you are interested in a sample.

Cost

The overall cost of expert opinion depends on the services required. Some of the key factors that affect the cost of advice include:

• The need for a view or inspection of a location
• The quantity of documentary material to be reviewed
• Whether there are reports of other experts to be reviewed and commented on in detail
• Whether there is a need for conferences with the expert either in person or by telephone/Skype

Relevant Articles Ergonomics issues in sport and outdoor recreation

As both sport and outdoor recreation systems continue to become more complex, more technology driven, and, in the case of sports, more competitive, the role of applied ergonomics research and practice in sport and outdoor recreation system design and evaluation is likely to increase.

Injury Fact Sheets

Sports Medicine Australia has produced an injury fact sheet series highlighting prevention and management for 12 of the most common sporting injuries.

Relevant Cases Green v Country Rugby Football League of NSW Inc [2008] NSWSC 26

This matter looked at whether Country Rugby League could acquire knowledge of a player’s bodily characteristics by reason of the coach’s knowledge, and had a common law duty to warn the player or his parents of risk of spinal injury in rugby league games.

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