NB: All Our Efforts Should Be Based Around Adherence To Local Health And Infection Control Measures.
1. MEDICAL AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER (“Medic”)
A team must have someone assigned to oversee the processes of infection control daily. This Includes ensuring persons attending training sessions are registered and screened (tempreture and symptom check), regular disinfection is done and to facilitate temporary isolation of an Athlete pending advice on evacuation by the District Health Management Team (DHMT) – Make sure you have the number to call for help in your local area.
A safety health/infection control compliance training to be done to support regions.
2. PCMA (Pre competition medical assessment)
Medical check of all your athletes prior to resumption of high intensity training. Review our initial post for guidance: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3387858861260024&id=614318785280726
Resource limited regions are encouraged to liase with local clinics/hospitals for medical examinations.
3. BASIC MEDICAL ESSENTIALS
Refill your medical bags/first aid kits. Expect a number of injuries. Amongst others essentials for a medical bag make sure you have an ICE bag nearby during training sessions.
4. GRADUAL LOADING
Following a long layoff, start slow and gradually build up focusing on principles of training Frequency Intensity Time and Type. This is meant to lessen occurance of severe injuries which can be career ending. Avoid 11v11 sessions from atleast the first 4 weeks of training.
INJURIES
The expectation is there will be a couple of injuries in the early phases of returning to activity. Common injuries to look out for: knee and ankle srains, major muscle strains (quads, hamstrings, gastrocnemius/calf) and groin injuries amongst others
1. Ensure you get an anatomical diagnosis for the injury and active rehabilitation for your players. This when done correctly will lessen future re-injuries (injury on same site) and delayed healing of the injured area.
2. Rest and give the athlete time to recover from minor injuries.
3. Add an injury prevention program to your weekly training routines (FIFA 11+, Nordicks, Reverse Nordicks, Alfredson heel drop, copenhagen adducor strength test), for better results conduct them atleast twice a week
PSYCHOLOGY
Do a basic check and screen for common mental problems in athletes. In particular during this time screen for depression and refer accordingly. Review our link on depression in sports below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3452149894830920&id=614318785280726
NUTRITION
Food and exercise complement each other. Ensure you are fueled to train and eat well to recover. Eat the right type of food (more proteins, moderate carbohydrates, minimal fat content, add fruits and vegetables for micronutrients). See a local Dietician for individualized expert advice.
CONTINOUS HEALTH EDUCATION
Daily health and covid-19 5 minute talks are encouraged. Make it entertaining for your athletes for passive consolidation of the information regarding infection control e.g. You may give a different player the task to teach others daily. Ensure you do the same via your regular team communication channels (e.g. WhatsApp etc)
These will form a cornerstone in ensuring you safely return to activity. While awaiting regional trainings, the BFA medical committee is available to offer advice around the process to teams on request to ensure safety and health of our key stakeholders is well taken care of.
