Unit rationale, description and aim
The aim of this unit is for Physiotherapists working in sport to develop advanced skills in triage, acute intervention, and rapid decision-making. This unit prepares students to manage medical emergencies and complex injuries—such as spinal trauma and concussion—on the field-of-play and sideline. It also covers safe athlete retrieval and return-to-sport protocols.
Students will gain knowledge of sport-specific rules, ethical and legal responsibilities, and compliance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. Topics include sports integrity, risk management, media communication, and current information on drugs in sport.
The unit includes 80 hours of self-directed field-of-play and sideline practice, where students provide injury prevention, acute evaluation, and return-to-sport programs for athletes or teams during sporting events. This practical experience allows students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain the approach to management of the injured ...
Learning Outcome 01
Evaluate, select and use rapid decision making for...
Learning Outcome 02
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse, syn...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- The Role of the Sports and Exercise Medicine Team
- Interdisciplinary collaboration in high-performance environments
- AHPRA Code of Conduct related to cultural safety and respect within the Sporting Environment
- Legal, Ethical, Cultural and Integrity Requirements in Sport
- Sports-specific regulations and professional responsibilities
- Explore culturally safe practices when working with Indigenous athletes
- Athlete Wellbeing
- Rules and regulations related to athlete care
- Infection control (e.g., blood rules)
- Mental health and psychological considerations
- Nutrition for performance and recovery
- Developing an understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, histories and experiences and their impact on athlete wellbeing
- World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Regulations
- Banned substances and prohibited methods
- Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process
- Field-of-Play and Sideline Management
- Assessment and management of:
- Medical emergencies
- Serious injuries (e.g., concussion, spinal, dental, eye, fractures, dislocations)
- Neuromusculoskeletal injuries
- Rapid decision-making for return-to-play or referral
- Safe athlete retrieval and scenario-based simulations
- Environmental Considerations in Sport
- Managing heat, cold, and thermal stress
- Travelling with Teams
- Preparing the sports kit
- Legal and logistical considerations (domestic and international)
- Managing athlete wellbeing during travel (e.g., sleep, time zones)
- Risk Management in Sport
- Risk analysis, mitigation strategies, and documentation
- Injury Surveillance
- Definitions, data collection, risk factor identification, analysis, and reporting
Assessment strategy and rationale
This unit uses standards-based assessment aligned with University requirements to support achievement of learning outcomes and development of graduate capabilities. The strategy is designed to assess both academic knowledge and practical, on-the-job learning. Graded and ungraded hurdle assessments ensure students have developed postgraduate level clinical reasoning and practical skills in the Physiotherapy management of field-of-play or sideline practices. The hurdles:
- Ensure students meet professional and safety standards
- Align with accreditation requirements (e.g., APA, AHPRA and IFSPT)
Ungraded Hurdle Task:
Completion of Sports Integrity Australia and World Rugby Advanced Immediate Care in Rugby online short course modules, certified First Aid and CPR training. These modules provide essential knowledge for safe, cultural and ethical practice during professional experience.
Assessment 1 – Short Answer Task:
Students respond to scenario-based questions relevant to the sports environment, demonstrating applied knowledge and reasoning.
Assessment 2 – Viva Examination (Graded Hurdle):
Conducted during intensive on-campus classes, this oral exam assesses critical thinking and rapid decision-making in managing a complex field-of-play or sideline scenario.
Assessment 3 – Professional Practice Experience (80 hours): (Graded Hurdle)
Includes self-directed field-of-play and sideline practice, injury prevention, acute evaluation, intervention, culturally safe practices and return-to-sport activities.
Overview of assessments
In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate that they have achieved each learning outcome, passed graded and ungraded hurdle tasks and achieved an aggregate score of >50% in the unit as the minimum standard.
* Ungraded Hurdle : Students must provide eviden...
* Ungraded Hurdle :
Students must provide evidence of successful completion of the following mandatory certifications and modules prior to commencing professional practice:
• Sports Integrity Australia online short courses – covering ethical decision-making and integrity in sport
• Current First Aid and CPR certification – to support safe and effective response in emergency situations
• World Rugby Immediate Care in Rugby (AICIR) Course
*Ungraded
Hurdle
Assessment 1 Short answer written task: Require...
Assessment 1
Short answer written task:
Requires students to demonstrate their ability to respond to questions based on key scenarios in the sports environment, pertaining to the management of the injured athlete within the context of ethical, cultural and legal requirements and the individual sport’s specific rules.
20%
Assessment 2 **Graded Hurdle Viva examination:...
Assessment 2
**Graded Hurdle
Viva examination:
Students will complete a viva-style oral examination during the on-campus intensive block which will be based on a simulated field-of-play or sideline case scenario. This assessment requires students to demonstrate critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and rapid decision-making in managing acute sports injuries or conditions within a dynamic sporting environment.
40%
Assessment 3: **Graded Hurdle Professional Pra...
Assessment 3:
**Graded Hurdle
Professional Practice Experience Program Report and Reflections
Students will submit a written report reflecting on their professional practice experience. This includes analysis of outcomes, challenges, and application of knowledge and skills gained throughout the unit. In addition, the report should discuss how wellbeing strategies can be adapted to support inclusion, equity, and long-term health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and other populations.
The report assesses students’ abilities to critically reflect, integrate theory into practice, and communicate their learning in relation to real-life scenarios.
**Graded
Hurdle
40%
*Ungraded Hurdles
Students have unlimited attempts to complete the Ungraded hurdle task and proof of completion must be provided by the date stated in the Learning Management System.
*Graded Hurdles
Assessment Task 2
Students must achieve a minimum of 50% to pass this task. Due to the nature of the assessment and its alignment with professional safety standards, one further attempt is permitted if the required standard is not met and the student achieves a mark of 45-49% by the date stated in the Learning Management System. If students fail the graded hurdle on the first attempt but pass on the second attempt, the maximum achievable grade for that task will be 50%.
Assessment Task 3
Students must achieve a minimum of 50% across both components to pass this task. If a student does not meet this standard, one further attempt will be permitted if the student achieves a mark of 45-49% by the date stated in the Learning Management System.
Logbook
Students must complete and submit a logbook documenting 80 hours of self-directed field-of-play and sideline practice, including during a sporting event. Activities should include injury prevention, acute evaluation, intervention, and return-to-sport programs for athletes or teams. This logbook provides evidence of participation and skill development in real-world settings.
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses an active learning approach to support students in developing essential knowledge and skills for Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy. Delivered in multi-mode, students engage with content online (e.g., readings, recorded lectures, discussion forums) and through an intensive on-campus block (3–5 days) at a designated ACU location.
Learning activities focus on applying knowledge in real-world contexts, with tutorial and practical sessions designed to build competency in field-of-play and sideline assessment, rapid decision-making, and injury management. Students work through realistic scenarios to develop skills in injury prevention, acute evaluation, intervention, and return-to-sport planning.
The unit includes hands-on practice and simulation-based learning, allowing students to refine techniques and clinical reasoning in a team-based environment. Regular feedback supports progress, and students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and actively participate in all activities.