Scholarship Benefit

Medicine & Services

The department of Sports Medicine contributes to the development and performance of Australia’s high performance athletes by providing a high-quality sports medicine service to Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) scholarship holders, national team members and visiting athletes.

AIS sports physicians consult with athletes who have a medical problem or injury, or who wish to discuss aspects of injury and illness prevention.

Registered nurses assist sports physicians where necessary and are responsible for dressing injuries, providing immunisations, taking blood and so on. They also supervise the AIS pharmacy.

The Sports Medicine department works closely with other areas of Sports Science Sports Medicine to deliver integrated support services to AIS programs.

A “gap” rebate associated with payment for scheduled medical services required for injury or illness which has occurred during a designated AIS activity (as per Commonwealth Schedule of Medical Benefits) which private health insurance does not cover, is not covered by the AIS Basketball Program.  Example: MRI, X-Rays, Immunisations (International travel)

Medical treatment by the Institute’s practitioners where available for injury or illness which has occurred during a designated AIS activity, is provided at the SSSM facilities, AIS, Canberra, ACT

Physical Therapies

Physiotherapy, Massage, Acupuncture and Pilates

The AIS Physical Therapies unit delivers a world-class service in clinical sports physiotherapy and soft tissue therapy to the wide range of sports encompassed under the banner of the Australian Institute of Sport.

The unit is based in Canberra, with members of the department travelling both nationally and internationally to provide support for inter-state athletes and competing AIS and national teams.

Strength & Conditioning

Movement screening of all  incoming scholarship athletes to determine individual strengths and weaknesses

Development of movement patterns needed for optimal speed, strength and power

Progressive loading of strength and endurance programs

Working with Medicine and  Physiotherapy to minimise injury and optimise any rehabilitation post  injury

An integrated training approach with the Basketball coaching staff

Goal – To develop the physical qualities needed to train and compete for the national team

Recovery &

Recovery Interventions

•             Process by which the athletes physiological and psychological function is restored

•             Recovery can result in an enhanced performance by increasing the adaptation to training

•             Increase the quality and quantity of training

•             Reduce the risk of developing overuse injuries

•             The body needs to be physically stressed (exercise) to improve fitness

•             However, the body actually improves when the body is at rest (recovery)

•             Rest and recovery counteracts the physical damage done during exercise

•             Improvements in fitness occur because of rest and recovery AFTER training

•             Athletes need to give their body rest and recovery to gain the most out of their training

•             Sleep

•             Stretching

•             Active recovery (warm-down)

•             Nutritional strategies

•             Massage

•             Hydrotherapy

–          Contrast Water Therapy

–          Cold Water Immersion

–          Hot Water Immersion

•             Compression

•             Psychological means

•             Periodised Training Program

Recovery after training and competition allows athletes to return to their normal physiological and psychological state as rapidly as possible.

This is employed so that performance in their next competition or training session will not be unduly compromised by muscle soreness and/or fatigue.

There is now increasing scientific evidence supporting the benefits of recovery (particularly hydrotherapy) to enhance exercise performance in a number of domains.

Physiology

Assessment and evaluation of physical development

Anthropometry

Fitness testing

Monitoring of training loads

Heart rate monitoring

Applied Research

Fatigue and Recovery is a subsection of the Physiology Department. Our staff are specifically devoted to fatigue and recovery physiology research as well as providing recovery servicing to AIS athletes in the new AIS Recovery Centre.

Skill Acquisition

Skill Acquisition staff work with coaches to create learning environments that enable athletes to develop and refine their skills via practice so that positive transfer to the competition setting occurs.

The services include:

• Evaluation of instructional and feedback approaches used by coaches and provision of alternatives

• Evaluation and design of practice approaches to help athletes to fine-tune skills

• Assisting athletes to develop their ‘sport intuition’ and ability to ‘read the play’ in team sports
• Assessment of skill expertise and how athletes combine their sensory awareness and motor skills to   perform in their sport
• Exploring the application and value of technological approaches to skill learning such as interactive visual   simulation and real time feedback devices.
• Applied research is conducted to assist coaches to apply the latest developments in applied skill learning research.

Psychology

The Psychology service provides coaches and athletes with interventions to enhance and monitor individual and team performance as well as services and programs designed to enhance the mental health and well being of athletes.

All staff are skilled in psychological assessment and then based on the needs of the athlete (mental health, welfare or performance related) offer a mixture of individual consultations and group programs as detailed below: 

• Personal and social issues
• Mental Toughness (face to face and/or internet-based) designed to enhance:

            task focus, confidence, positivity, and minimise stress

• Performance anxiety             
• Coping skills               
• Goal Setting
• Leadership                             
• Communication                     
• Team Building
• Performance Profiling                       
• Injury Rehabilitation

Research is also conducted to understand more about the psychological skills that elite athletes can develop to maximise their potential.

When mental health issues present  (e.g., psychological distress and dysfunction, mental illness, psychotic, mood, personality or eating disorders) appropriate support will be provided.

Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis was established at the AIS in 2002 to provide a focus for the use of information and communications technology by coaches to develop athlete performance in training and competition environments.

 The primary role of AIS Performance Analysts is work with AIS coaches to develop athlete performance and promote long-term learning.

 AIM

 Create time for the coach!

• Enable to the coach to make more informed decisions by linking systems and data more effectively
• More information in the same time
• The same amount of information in less time

PROCESS

• Systematically OBSERVE

–        Collect Data in training and competition

–        Record, Store and Present

• Longitudinal Approach

–        Develop Understanding and provide insights

–        Impact Coach and Athlete Performance

Nutrition

Role of Sports Nutrition 

• Optimise training sessions                 
• Prepare athletes for competition
• Modify body composition                  
• Increase muscle size
• Decrease body fat                 
• Enhance recovery and immune function
• Identify best eating and drinking strategies to meet the individual’s schedule and training/competition needs

 Nutrition at AIS 

• Clinical intervention & Screening       
• Individual consultations
• Education Activities               
• Cooking Nights
• Group workshops/lectures                 
• Hydration monitoring
• Sports Supplement Program Resources
• AIS Dining hall  

Implementation of Nutrition Systems 

• Nutrition support for Team Travel     
• Dining Hall
• Recovery Bar System                       
• Sports Supplement Program

Athlete Academics & Career Planning

Services provided by ACE

• Career counselling and planning – Exploring different career pathways and goals
• Personal development training courses – Training in public speaking, media, time management, financial planning and interview skills
• Educational guidance – School liaison, assisting athletes with university study options, provision of study assistance, and vocational training
• Employment preparation – Writing resumes and applications, and assisting with job searching skills
•  Career referrals networks – Using ACE’s wide network to assist with work experience
• Transitional support – Assisting with retirement, injury and relocation, and setting goals for life after sport
• Lifestyle management – Helping to manage the balance between sporting and non sporting pursuits

 Athlete’s educational requirements 

• Pens/pencils, stationary supplies, writing paper, folders, books etc
• Graphics calculator (can be purchased at LGC)
• Laptop – some athletes have their own laptop to assist with school work, this is a personal decision, there are PC’s available in Study Hall

Residence

Guidelines & Expectations

While in residence, there are guidelines for the athletes, depending on training, education and age that outline expectations on the scholarship holder's behaviour and conduct.

 Flat inspections: Regularly conducted by houseparents

 Anti-Doping Search & Discovery: The purpose of ADSD is to support and further develop culture of accountability that the ASC strives to maintain amongst AIS athlete.

The following course of action may occur, random room searches, targeted room searches and inadvertent discovery of evidential material

 Breach Consequences

• Minor Breach
• Serious Breach
• Major breach

 Living Quarters

Each flat has 4 – 6 bedrooms with two shared bathrooms, a laundry and shared lounge.  

The flats have heated floors for the icy cold winter mornings.

There is a TV and DVD in the lounge to share.

 There are television and internet connections in each bedroom. Athletes all have their own bedrooms. 

Athletes will be given secure swipe entry into residence. Their swipe is then programmed for their individual flat and bedroom

 Prior to the commencement of the scholarship you will receive an invoice for a residential bond of $200.00. This will be refunded at the completion of your AIS scholarship after a positive inspection of your room has been conducted.

Travel

Passport Fees and immunisations costs are the responsibility of the athlete.

When travelling as part of an AIS team your travel, meals, competition expenses and uniforms are covered by the AIS.