Introduction
1st4Sport/The Football Association's Basic Treatment and management of Injury Course acts as a foundation course. A recent addition to The Football Association's Medical Education Programme is the FA Intermediate Treatment and Management of Injury Course.

For Whom?
This course level is aimed at personnel acting as 'Managers', 'Coaches', 'Trainers' or 'Therapists' for Youth and Amateur Clubs and for teachers responsible for school teams.

The Intermediate Course offers those who have successfully attended a Basic Course the opportunity to expand their knowledge further than a Basic Level. The Intermediate Course will also act as a 'stepping stone' to ensure knowledge and skills for those who wish to enroll on The FA Diploma Course in the Treatment and Management of Injury.

Course Aims

  • To improve personal standards of treatment on the side of and off the field of play.
  • Promote therapeutic awareness in the prevention of injury.
  • Study the mechanism of injury and pathology of common injuries to the lower limb and upper limb.
  • Expand on the gross, surface and functional anatomy of The FA’s Basic Course as a base for the recognition and differentiation of minor from major injury in order to offer sensible injury advice, management and be able to treat common basic injuries or to refer the player to a more skilled practitioner at a higher level.

Course Objectives
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:-

  • Describe the anatomy of the major bones, joints and musculature of the lower and upper limb.
  • Identify surface anatomy of the lower and upper limb.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the group action of muscles and basic biomechanical principles of movement.
  • Describe and identify signs and symptoms for the recognition of specific injuries to the lower and upper limb.
  • Describe the principles and guidelines for the assessment of injuries.
  • Demonstrate the methods used in the basic assessment of an injury to determine signs and symptoms to be able to recognise and differentiate injuries.
  • To discuss the phases of treatment and rehabilitation of common injuries and produce aims, objectives for each stage and be able to prioritise them.
  • Discuss and demonstrate competence in specific treatment modalities to include thermal treatments, massage techniques, exercise therapy and late functional work.
  • Discuss basic injury management advice and devise home exercise programmes.
  • Discuss aspects of podiatry and care of the feet, to include prevention of foot conditions.
  • Briefly describe the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, components of fitness and principles of training.
  • Demonstrate the application of the knowledge of components of fitness and training principles.

Course Syllabus

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Surface / Practical Anatomy
  • Principles of Assessments of Injuries
  • Common Football Injuries to Lower and Upper Limbs
  • Treatment and Management of Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Footcare - to include aspects of podiatry
  • "Fitness for Football"