SISSSPT304A
Tape ankle, thumb and fingers

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply taping techniques to the ankle, thumb and fingers to assist athletes in relation to ongoing injury prevention and post-injury support and management.

Application

This unit applies to those working under some supervision in a sport and recreation environment. It applies to personnel working as sports trainers who are responsible for providing injury treatment for athletes in a sport-specific training or competition setting such as on the playing field, court, change rooms, open or enclosed areas at sporting events, accommodation venues or in transit.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Prepare for taping.

1.1. Consult with athletes to identify contraindications and precautions for taping according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.2. Refer the athlete to appropriate personnel in the medical support team or a health care professional as required.

1.3. Explain aims and objectives of the taping to athletes.

1.4. Explain pre-taping requirements to athletes.

1.5. Select appropriate tape and associated products for taping of relevant area.

1.6. Position the athlete for effective taping according to organisational policies and procedures.

2. Apply taping techniques.

2.1. Apply techniques for taping the ankle or ankles to prevent injury or provide post-injury support according to organisational policies and procedures and principles of biomechanics.

2.2. Apply techniques for taping the thumb or thumbs to prevent injury or provide post-injury support according to organisational policies and procedures and principles of biomechanics.

2.3. Apply techniques for taping the finger or fingers to prevent injury or provide post-injury support according to organisational policies and procedures and principles of biomechanics.

2.4. Apply tape adherent where additional adherence is required.

2.5. Apply a barrier if an athlete is allergic to adherent.

3. Remove tape.

3.1. Remove tape using appropriate equipment and techniques.

3.2. Apply tape remover sprays and or solutions as required.

4. Implement self-care.

4.1. Apply ergonomic practices to taping according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.2. Adopt self-care protocols according to organisational policies and procedures.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with athletes to establish the presence of contraindications

refer areas beyond own responsibility to appropriate medical personnel

convey information to athletes about taping objectives and techniques.

problem-solving skills to select and apply appropriate taping techniques for relevant area

self-management skills to monitor and maintain self-care.

Required knowledge

principles of biomechanics as they relate to taping to enable understanding of human movement and the impact of injury

anatomy and physiology of ankle, thumb and fingers and their relationship to other body systems to enable understanding of human performance in a sport or physical activity

contraindications and precautions for taping to enable prevention or management of injury

types and qualities of tapes and their uses for different joints to enable joints to be taped effectively.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

communicates with athletes using appropriate communication strategies to determine contraindications to taping

clearly conveys information about the purpose and process of taping and refers athlete to medical personnel as appropriate

selects and safely applies appropriate taping techniques to the ankle, thumb and fingers and removes tape effectively with minimum discomfort to the athlete

completes taping activities within organisational safety systems and implements self-care protocols.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure completion of multiple taping of ankles, thumbs and fingers to demonstrate competence and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

athletes participating in sport or physical activity

taping equipment and products.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of applying appropriate taping techniques for ankles, thumbs and fingers

observation of interaction with athletes, including eliciting information about contraindications

observation of dealing with contingencies such as unavailability of equipment

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of taping techniques

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISSSPT302A Provide initial management of sports injuries


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Contraindications and precautions for taping may include:

pain

elevated body temperature

swelling and inflammation

circulatory dysfunction

infection

allergic reaction to taping materials

cuts or wounds.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

collecting health information from athletes

privacy

best practice sports trainer principles

code of ethics

code of conduct

sports trainer associations guidelines

occupational health and safety.

Athletes may include:

beginner through to high performance level competitors

athletes under 16 years of age who require parent or guardian consent prior to being included in a training program

female or male athletes

athletes with a disability or special needs.

Medical support team may include:

physiotherapist

chiropractor

osteopath.

Health care professionals may include:

medical practitioner

physiotherapist

chiropractor

osteopath

paramedic

massage therapist.

Aims and objectives may include:

prevention of injury

management of existing injuries

stabilisation of joints.

Pre-taping requirements may include:

clean, dry skin

shaving.

Appropriate tape may include:

tape size

tape adhesiveness

tape with minimal skin irritants

tape removability

rigid adhesive tape

elastic adhesive tape

covering tape.

Associated products may include:

vaseline and gauze pads

hypoallergenic material

cushioning foam

tape adherent

tape remover.

Techniques for taping the ankles may include:

anchor strips

2-3 stirrups

figure 6 or 8

heel lock

locking tape.

Basic principles of biomechanics may include:

centre of gravity

base of support

levers

fulcrum

major muscle actions.

Techniques for taping the thumb or thumbs may include:

figure 8.

Techniques for taping the finger or fingers may include:

buddy taping.

Barriers may include:

hypoallergenic material

underwrap.

Equipment may include:

blunt nose scissors

tape cutters.

Ergonomic practices may include:

body positioning

body weight

posture

hand positions

height of table.

Self-care protocols may include:

regular breaks.


Sectors

Sport


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.