FAQs

Can you tell me the best way to tape an ankle?

Taping can be an important form of support after an injury, but should not be used in place of strength and proprioceptive work after an injury. You should always seek advice from a Physiotherapist or Sports Trainer on correct taping as incorrect taping can be more harmful than no taping at all. To get more information on taping click here

What are the most common types of drugs used in sport?

There are many types of drugs used in the sporting environment – some are legal and safe to take eg. some Asthma medications, others are not legal for athletes that are eligible for drug testing. The most common "illegal" drugs that athletes use fall under the categories of anabolic steroids, growth hormones, diuretics or stimulants This web-site has a large section about drugs in sport, there are also links there to other informative sites about drug use in sport.

How important and what amount of water should I be drinking before and after training?

Hydration and rehydration is very important because not only will it enable you to perform to your best level, in the very hot weather it also allows you to perform safely. If you are not keen on plain water, weak cordial is a more tasty option! The DRINK UP Fact Sheet should provide you with all the answers you need, Find it under Fact Sheets. The case study on muscle meltdown should prove to be an interesting read.

I compete in rowing and after training I never feel like eating, what should I eat after training and is it bad not to eat?

Good nutrition can be the difference between good performances and great performances. Replacing lost energy after training and competing is essential to enable you recover quickly. Check out the Food section for more info. A balanced diet when you are young is also important for the prevention of osteoporosis, found out more about this in the Medical section.

Ankle injuries seem to be the most common injuries in sport is this true? How do they happen?

Ankle and knee injuries tend to be the most common injuries across a range of sports. There are many different reasons for them occurring, twisting, falling, tripping etc. Ankle injuries can take some time to mend so proper management when they occur, seeking advice from a medical professional and good rehabilitation will all work towards getting you back playing as soon as possible. We have a large informative section about the anatomy of the ankle and the knee.

I am a coach and several of my players have Asthma, what do I need to know to help these players?

Asthma is a very common condition among children. As a coach you should make yourself aware of who in your team has asthma and ensure that these players (and their parents) know what their Asthma Management Plan is. We have a fact sheet on Asthma for further information. You can also go to an Asthma First Aid Course by contacting the Asthma Association in your area.

On hot days our organisation never knows whether to cancel an event or not to ensure the safety of our participants. What temperature should we cancel?

Unfortunately making a decision on the cancellation of sporting events in hot weather is not as simple as picking a temperature, there are many other factors associated with making this decision. A big factor is the humidity of the day as high humidity interferes with the body’s cooling mechanism. For that reason a better measure is the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature which takes into account the humidity at the time of play. You can access the WBGT by clicking here. For more information go to Heat section.

I have heard that RICER is the best treatment for soft tissue injuries. What is a soft tissue and what does RICER mean?

Soft tissues include muscles, ligaments and tendons. In managing these injuries the aim is to reduce the swelling as much as possible the best way to achieve this is: R = rest, I = ice, C = compression, E = Elevation, R = referral. For further explanation of these terms click here.

I am interested in doing weights in the gym to build up muscles but someone told me that kids should not do weights. How can I build up muscle?

Doing weights is one way to build up muscles, it is also good for building up bones. For kids light weights are best as your bones haven’t finished growing yet. Using light weights (eg. 2kg hand weights) is a good way to start and gradually build up the number of repetitions – you will be amazed at what a good work out you can get. You should ensure that you get a qualified instructor to make sure you have good technique to avoid injury. They should also be able to recommend a "light weights" circuit. You can check out our "Bone Builders" Circuit on this site, for more information.