This unit applies to personnel working autonomously as sports trainers who are responsible for performing pre- and post-event taping as part of providing injury prevention and treatment for athletes, and providing treatment to assist with injury rehabilitation 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.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for taping.

1.1. Identify the purpose for taping.

1.2. Consult with athletes to identify contraindications and precautions for taping according to organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation.

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

1.4. Explain aims and objectives of the taping or bracing technique to athletes.

1.5. Explain pre-taping requirements to athletes.

1.6. Select appropriate tape and associated products for taping and or bracing of relevant area.

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

2. Apply taping techniques.

2.1. Apply techniques for taping or bracing of relevant joints to prevent injury and or provide post-injury support according to basic principles of biomechanics.

2.2. Apply tape adherent where additional adherence is required.

2.3. Apply a barrier where the athlete is allergic to adherent.

2.4. Check circulation around taped area.

2.5. Seek feedback from athlete and adjust taping where appropriate.

3. Remove tape.

3.1. Remove tape using appropriate equipment and techniques.

3.2. Apply tape remover sprays 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 and relevant legislation.

5. Evaluate the taping.

5.1. Seek and acknowledge feedback from athletes and relevant personnel on the effectiveness of the taping.

5.2. Identify areas where taping techniques could be improved and ways of obtaining this improvement.

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 and or bracing objectives and techniques

problem-solving skills to:

select and apply appropriate taping techniques for relevant area

determine situations requiring attention from a medical support team or health professional

self-management skills to review effectiveness of taping in achieving initial aims and objectives of taping.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable the safe conduct of all activities

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

anatomy and physiology of elbow, knee, Achilles and Acromioclavicular (AC) joint and their relationship to other body systems to enable understanding of human performance in a sport or physical activity

contraindications and precautions for taping or bracing to ensure effective prevention or management of injury

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

principles of taping and bracing techniques to enable treatment to be carried out safely and effectively.

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 effectively with athletes to determine contraindications to taping and or bracing, clearly convey information about the purpose and process of taping and refer athlete to medical personnel as appropriate

selects and safely applies appropriate taping and bracing techniques which includes elbows, shoulders, achilles and knees 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 elbows, shoulders and knees to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a sporting environment appropriate to taping

facilities for taping requirements

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 to relevant areas

observation of interaction with athletes, including eliciting information about contraindications and previous injuries and dealing appropriately with contingencies

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the relationship of the musculoskeletal system to correct 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:

SISSSPT305A Support sports injury management.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Purpose for taping may include:

injury prevention

post injury management.

Contraindications and precautions for taping may include:

diabetes

pain

elevated body temperature

swelling and inflammation

circulatory dysfunction

infection

allergic reaction to taping materials

cuts or wounds

previous injury.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

collecting health information from athletes

privacy

Code of Ethics

Code of Conduct

sports taping guidelines.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

duty of care.

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.

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 removability

rigid adhesive tape

elastic adhesive tape

covering tape.

Associated products may include:

vaseline and gauze pads

hypoallergenic material

underwrap

cushioning foam

tape adherent

tape remover

elbow braces.

Techniques for taping or bracing of relevant joints may include:

elbows:

figure 6 or 8

full shoulder:

anchor strips

figure 8

repeat strapping

overlapping spirals

knees:

anchor strips

repeat taping

Achilles joint:

anchor strips

2-3 stirrups

figure 6 or 8

heel lock

locking tape.

Basic principles of biomechanics may include:

major muscle actions and movements

joint mechanics.

Barriers may include:

hypoallergenic material

underwrap.

Feedback may include:

pins and needles

numbness

pain

tightness.

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

correct posture.

Unit sector

Sport

This unit contains employability skills.