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Unit outline_

EXSS2039: Sport Injury Epidemiology and Mechanisms

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Athletic endeavours are often accompanied by sport-related injuries. This unit will provide students with an understanding of the complex and multifactorial nature of sports injuries as the keystone to establishing effective injury prevention programs. Key topics in this unit will provide an understanding of injury causation, of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors (such as training loads, overtraining, fatigue and wellness influences) and their inter-relationship and contribution to injury incident, and examine mechanisms leading to injury. This unit will present the fundamental aspects of injury epidemiology by exploring injury definitions, and the injury indices of type, location, mechanism, severity, and incidence. Injury surveillance paradigms and risk factor analyses and statistical methods will also be investigated through analysing students own collected data or data from other sources.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rhonda Orr, rhonda.orr@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Elizabeth Dylke, elizabeth.dylke@sydney.edu.au
Mark Booth, mark.booth@sydney.edu.au
Richmond Saliba, richmond.saliba@sydney.edu.au
Kotryna Fraser, kotryna.fraser@sydney.edu.au
Rhonda Orr, rhonda.orr@sydney.edu.au
Shane Ball, s.ball@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Matt Kan, matthew.kan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Sports Injury Project: Reflection Task
Personal reflection of the injury project and peer review received
5% Formal exam period
Due date: 12 Nov 2024 at 23:59
150-200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO7
Presentation group assignment Sports Injury Project: Presentation Part B
The presentation will be done in the timetabled tutorials in weeks 12 & 13
15% Multiple weeks
Due date: 24 Oct 2024 at 13:00
10 mins (8min + 2 min questions)
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Sports Injury Project: Peer Review of Presentations
Students, individually, will peer review group presentations
3% Multiple weeks 3 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Assignment Injury Infographic
Create an Infographic based on an injury paper or systematic review
22% Week 05
Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Maximum 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester Exam
Lecture and tutorial content from Weeks 1-7 will be examined
25% Week 08
Due date: 19 Sep 2024 at 10:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Sports Injury Project: Report
Reported findings from data collected from an injury surveillance program
30% Week 11
Due date: 16 Oct 2024 at 23:59
Maximum 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Presentation group assignment Sports Injury Project: Presentation Part A
PowerPoint slides that will be used for the presentation in Part B
0% Week 12
Due date: 23 Oct 2024 at 23:59
10-12 PowerPoint slides
Outcomes assessed: LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Injury Infographic: Students will create an infographic based on a self-selected injury paper or systematic review

Mid-Semester Exam: Lecture and tutorial content from Weeks 1-7 will be examined by paper in a formal examination setting. The exam will comprise approximately 25% multiple choice questionbs 75% short answer questions.

Sports Injury Project: This project is conducted by a group of four students. From a list of sports teams, students will select a team with which to conduct an injury surveillance program for 5-6 weeks. Students will attend training and competition matches to record injury data and present their findings for the team. All students within their group are expected to contribute equally to all components of the project, as determined by their Team Agreement. Non-contribution according to the Team Agreement will be deemed non-submission and therefore will result in an absent fail award for the group components of the project. Penalties will apply for limited or unequal contribution to group work. Groups that do not conduct the project, i.e. do not attend the sport sessions and/or do not attempt to collect data will result in an absent fail award. 

The components of this project include:

(a) Report: is a written report presenting the findings of the project.

(b) Presentation. Part A: the powerpoint slides for the presenation must be submitted on the due date regardless of the presentation day. Groups cannot undertake their presentation if the powerpoint slides are not submitted beforehand. Part B: presentation will be delivered in your timetabled tutorial session. 

(c) Peer review of presentations (this is an individual student task). Students will provide a brief review of the other group presentations within their tutorial group, across weeks 12 and 13. Non completion will result in an absent fail award.

(d) Reflection task (this is an individual student task). Non completion will result in an absent fail award.

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

ALL assessments must be submitted to be eligible to pass this unit of study. If any assessment is not submitted, an absent fail grade (AF) will be awarded for this unit.

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Absent fail

0 - 49

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59 pm on the specified due dates. Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. Note: The penalty for late submission of the PowerPoint presentations will be applied to the overall presentation mark.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Welcome. Introduction to injury surveillance project. Injury surveillance protocols. Injury definitions Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO6
Injury surveillance protocols. Injury project planning. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 02 Injury epidemiology, Injury Metrics and Calculations Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Injury epidemiology calculations. Infographics. Tutorial (1 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 03 Perspectives of a High-Performance Sport Scientist, Risk factor analyses, Technology in injury surveillance, Infographics Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Injury Risk Factors 1: Internal and external training loads Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Training Loads Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Injury Risk Factors 2: Mental health Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 06 Injury Risk Factors 3: Fatigue, Wellness, Sleep, Female athlete Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Project progress: group check-in with Rhonda Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 07 Guest Lecturers Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Revision, preparation for mid-semester exam Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Injury Risk Factors 4: Competitive Stress Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Injury Risk Factors review Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 10 Return to Play Programming: Periodisation and modified exercise prescription Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Periodisation Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 11 Injury management and prevention strategies, practice and evidence Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Week 12 Injury Management Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Sports Injury Project Group Presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO6 LO7
Week 13 Sports Injury Project Group Presentations Tutorial (1 hr) LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is a Recommended Reading List in Canvas which will be updated throughout the semester.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Discuss intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors associated with sports injuries in specific sport contexts
  • LO2. Critically evaluate internal and external measures of training load, overtraining, fatigue and sleep measures and their association with sporting injuries
  • LO3. Analyse sport contexts associated with injury types and their associated mechanisms
  • LO4. Critically evaluate injury definitions with associated problems and components of an effective injury surveillance paradigm
  • LO5. Calculate and use injury epidemiology metrics and appropriate risk factor analyses
  • LO6. Apply an injury surveillance strategy in a sporting context
  • LO7. Report on injury surveillance to sport stakeholders

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Accredited Exercise Physiologist Professional Standards - ESSA
3.3.6. Recognise, interpret, revise and demonstrate in client-centred, multi-disciplinary care models, responses to changing risk factors, safety factors and clinical situations before, during and after assessments and exercise (including first-aid response), for all target conditions in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular domains and a broad range of target conditions across the other AEP pathology domains.
LO2
Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - ESSA
1.2.2. Support clients to meet their goals through the integration and application of the exercise science sub-discipline standards.
1.2.6. Identify risks and apply appropriate risk management strategies to the professional practice of exercise science.
LO3
Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - ESSA
1.2.1. Apply knowledge and skills in a variety of professional exercise science work settings.
1.2.2. Support clients to meet their goals through the integration and application of the exercise science sub-discipline standards.
4.2.7. Identify, interpret, report and take appropriate action regarding adverse signs and symptoms that may arise during exercise, sport and recovery.
LO5
Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - ESSA
1.2.6. Identify risks and apply appropriate risk management strategies to the professional practice of exercise science.
LO6
Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - ESSA
1.2.4. Practice with integrity within the scope of training for an Exercise Scientist and the ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice.
14.2.5. Select and apply basic data analysis techniques appropriate to exercise science subdisciplines.
LO7
Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - ESSA
14.2.3. Appraise research methods and reports, including statistical results to understand methodological and ethical aspects of research, and integrate this knowledge into all areas of exercise science practice.
14.2.4. Cite the research of others in written and oral communication

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you to the students who gave their feedback on this unit, both formally and in our class tutorials. This year there were only a small proportion of the cohort (n=7) who responded to the USS. Here is a summary of the feedback provided, some responses to the comments and thoughts on how the comments may be addressed to improve future delivery of this unit of study. Which were the best aspects of the unit Most of the positive comments were about the course content and the tutorials. The work was found to be intellectually rewarding. Students observed that the content was interesting and relevant, particularly the guest speakers presenting their experiences and giving real-life examples of what high performance sport scientist might encounter whilst working with athletes. The placement was considered to be valuable, being able to obtain insights from working with a sporting team. The tutorials were also stated to be useful. The tutorials are an important part of the unit of study. They are intended to help consolidate course content, provide an opportunity to ask questions, engage students by applying material from lectures to practical situations via the case studies and reflect of the types of questions given in the exam as good practice/revision for the exams. Aspects of the unit of study that need improving Whilst some comments about the injury surveillance project were positive, other students felt differently. The frustration came only from students who conducted their project at Kambala School. The comments included lower level of competition, no/few injuries to record, cancellation of training sessions, coaches and players unaware of the project, travel times, and time commitment to undertake the project. By collaborating with an actual sports team, the aim was for students to gain practical insights into engaging experientially in a real team environment as well as the challenges and complexities associated with sports injury prevention and management, preparing them for future careers in sports science. Much of the confusion that occurred at Kambala was because the Sport Directors had not briefed all the teams involved with EXSS2039 students, although I had offered to do so. In some cases, students did not offer their mobile numbers so that they could not be readily contacted through WhatsApp to notify them of cancelled sessions. As mentioned many times, injuries may not occur in high numbers within a team and we may not be fortunate to work close to home. Those students with small numbers of injuries were provided with additional data for their report. The timing of the unit of study is the greatest challenge, making it difficult to find teams that are still training and competing. From the beneficial discussions that I’ve had with students and from the comments in the USS, I anticipate using all feedback to make improvements for 2024. My current thoughts are that I will: • increase the group size from three to four, thereby reducing the time commitment to attend training and/or matches and in the preparation of the report and presentation; • try to source more teams closer to the university; • only take the higher ranked teams from Kambala; • personally deliver information about the project to Kambala coaches/students to ensure good preparation for incoming students • emphasise the need to provide contact numbers early to enable ready contact in case of changes to sessions; • emphasise the challenges of not recording injuries as a real-life experience to manage students’ expectations; and • encourage students to take advantage of the multiple optional check-ins to gain a clearer idea of ongoing challenges.

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