The state of knowledge and understanding of sporting injuries in Queensland state secondary school teachers

Organised physical activity in schools is usually a combination of participation in physical education lessons and sporting teams. Whilst the health and motor related fitness benefits of physical activity for children and adolescents are substantial, participation also carries a degree of risk.\ud \ud Most teachers, coaches, administrators and parents possess a general understanding of safety issues including the risks involved in physical activity. However, there is some concern in the literature that these responsible adults are not always well equipped to supervise physical activity, to prescribe exercise safely and consequently, to cope with injuries that may occur.\ud \ud This investigation, encompassing a representative crosssection of Queensland State secondary school personnel responsible for the provision of physical activity, was designed to establish the level of staff knowledge and understanding of prevention and treatment of injuries resulting from physical activity participation. An associated aim was to assess knowledge and understanding of physical growth and development issues. A comprehensive selfadministered survey was used to collect data from a sample of State Secondary schools throughout Queensland. A total of 977 surveys were distributed to 166 schools. Responses were received from 192 participants which represented a return rate of 20%. Data were analysed using Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests utilising the SPSS-X computer program.\ud \ud The results highlighted deficiencies in teachers' knowledge and understanding of numerous physical activity related issues. These included a poor understanding of the more significant physical growth and development principles and the relationship of these to injury. Generally, teachers had a superficial understanding of the maturation process, including growth and development of the musculoskeletal system, sexual differences in physique, body composition and physiological adjustments to exercise. The limited knowledge of responsible adults presupposes a potential threat to the safe prescription of exercise and supervision of physical activity.\ud \ud A number (34%) of staff still believe that chronological age is the ideal method to be used when selecting a sporting team. Such a practice can contribute to the matching of individuals who are significantly different in physique. In contact sports particularly, this mixing of disparate somatotypes could increase the potential for injury.\ud \ud The results also reinforced the need for a concise, simple and standardised system for recording injuries at the school level. Current methods are often imprecise and inconsistent.\ud \ud The majority of staff were not aware of the Queensland Department of Education's policy on sport (and consequently safety in that activity) before taking responsibility for groups of youngsters. Only 35% of respondents had read the policy information provided.\ud \ud Many staff highlighted the difficulty they had in accessing appropriate short courses, seminars and programs that could provide them with the information and skills they require. Those surveyed categorised the need for continuing education programs in physical growth and development, first aid and sports injury management and regular coaching courses