Syllabus approved by UCC: 23/09/2010
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Health Science Department
Physical Modalities in Sports Medicine
I. Introductory Information:
A. Department Name: Health Science
B. Departmental Catalogue Number: HLTH462
C. Course Title: Physical Modalities in Sports Medicine
D. Credit in Terms of Semester Hours: 4
E. Clock Hours Per Week: 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours laboratory per week
F. Restrictions Upon Student Registration: Students accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program or permission by the instructor
II. Description of the Course:
Catalog description:
Designed as an in-depth analysis of the theory and application of hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, manual, and mechanical techniques for the treatment of injuries in the physically active patient.
III. Exposition:
A. Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to do the following:
1. Explain the professional, ethical, and legal parameters that define the proper role of the certified athletic trainer in the use of therapeutic modalities.
2. Identify the normal acute and chronic inflammatory responses including signs, symptoms, and pathology.
3. Integrate the principles of rest, cold, elevation, and compression into the treatment of acute injuries.
4. Outline the home care and self-treatment plans of acute injuries and illnesses.
5. Describe the physiological and pathological processes of trauma, wound healing, and tissue repair along with their implications on the selection and application of therapeutic modalities.
6. Explain the principles of physics including basic concepts associated with the electromagnetic and acoustic spectra.
7. Explain the terminology, principles, basic concepts, and properties of electrical currents as they relate to therapeutic modalities.
8. Analyze the contemporary pain-control theories.
9. Describe the role and function of the common pharmacological agents that are used in conjunction with therapeutic modalities.
10. Explain the body's physiological responses during and following the application of therapeutic modalities.
11. Integrate the electrophysics, physical properties, biophysics, patient preparation, modality parameters, indications, and contraindications when developing a treatment plan that includes commonly-used therapeutic modalities.
12. Identify appropriate therapeutic modalities for the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illness.
13. Describe and interpret appropriate measurement and assessment procedures as they relate to the selection and application of therapeutic modalities.
14. Interpret objective measurement results as a basis for developing individualized therapeutic modality application and set-up (parameters).
15. Interpret the results of injury assessment and determine an appropriate therapeutic modality program to return the patient to physical activity.
16. Develop an appropriate therapeutic modality program and appropriate therapeutic goals and objectives based on the initial assessment and frequent reassessments.
17. Determine the criteria for progression and return to activity based on the level of functional outcomes.
18. Describe appropriate methods of assessing progress when using therapeutic modalities and interpret the results.
19. Interpret physician notes, postoperative notes, and physician prescriptions as they pertain to a treatment plan.
20. Describe appropriate medical documentation for recording progress in a therapeutic modality program.
21. Identify manufacturer’s, institutional, state, and federal standards for the operation and safe application of therapeutic modalities.
B. Activities and Requirements:
1. Read assignments
2. Attend lectures and labs
3. Perform literature and other related searches
4. Participate in informal/formal discussions
5. Make informal/formal presentations
6. Complete lab activities and written assignments
7. Take quizzes, written and practical examinations
C. Major Units and Time Allotted: (45 hours lecture/45 hours lab)
1. Introduction (2 hours/1 hour)
a. Certification
b. Legal and ethical liability
c. Standards for operation
d. Safety protocols
e. Documentation and confidentiality
f. Maintenance requirements
2. Inflammatory response (3 hours/1 hour)
a. Physiological responses
b. Tissue repair
c. Wound healing
d. Signs and symptoms
3. Pain modulation (4 hours/5 hours)
a. Physiological principles
b. Pain theories
c. Application
4. Principles of modalities (4 hours/3 hours)
a. Physiological responses
b. Physical laws
c. Heat transfer
d. Electricity
e. Electromagnetic spectrum
5. Selection and general application of modalities (1 hour/2 hours)
a. Definitions & classifications
b. Modality selection
c. Patient specific determinants
d. Patient preparation & positioning
e. Precautions & contraindications
f. Pharmacological agents
6. Cryotherapy (3 hours/3 hours)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological responses
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
i. Ice bags
ii. Chemical cold packs
iii. Ice bath
iv. Self-contained units
7. Thermotherapy (3 hours/3 hours)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological responses
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
i. Moist heat packs
ii. Paraffin bath
8. Hydrotherapy (2 hours/1 hour)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological responses
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
i. Warm/Cold whirlpool
ii. Contrast baths
9. Electrical Stimulation (9 hours/12 hours)
a. Terminology, principles, and basic concepts
b. Physiological responses
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
i. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
ii. Neuromuscular stimulation
iii. Interferential current
iv. High voltage electrical stimulation
v. Russian waveforms
vi. Microcurrent
vii. Iontophoresis
10. Diathermy (1 hour/1 hour)
a. Electrophysics and biophysics
b. Physiological responses
c. Indication/contraindications
d. Application techniques
11. Ultrasound (6 hours/3 hours)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Acoustical spectrum
c. Physiological principles
d. Indications/contraindications
e. Application techniques
i. Direct and indirect techniques
ii. Phonophoresis
iii. Ultrasound and electrical stimulation combination
12. Intermittent Compression Unit (1 hour/2 hours)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological principles
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
13. Biofeedback and electromyography (1 hour/1 hour)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological principles
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
14. LASER (1 hour/1 hour)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological principles
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
15. Mechanical energy (2 hours/3 hours)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological principles
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
16. Traction (2 hours/3 hours)
a. Physical properties and biophysics
b. Physiological principles
c. Indications/contraindications
d. Application techniques
D. Materials and Bibliography
1. Suggested textbooks:
Denegar C. Therapeutic Modalities for Musculoskeletal Injuries. 3rd ed.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2010.
2. Other materials
a. Portable Electrical Stimulation Units
b. Multi-wave Stimulation Units
c. Ultrasound Units
d. Intermittent Compression Unit
e. Hot Pack Unit
f. Whirlpool
g. Paraffin Bath
h. Biofeedback Unit
i. Traction Unit
3. Bibliographic Support:
Behrens B. Physical Agents Laboratory Manual. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis; 1998.
Cameron M. Physical Agents in Rehabilitation. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 1999.
Horodyski M, Starkey C. Laboratory Activities for Therapeutic Modalities. 3rd ed.
Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis; 2004.
Nalty T. Electrotherapy: Clinical Procedures Manual. NewYork, NY: McGraw Hill;
2001.
Prentice W. Therapeutic Modalities for Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. 6th ed.
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2009.
Quillen W, Underwood F. Laboratory Manual to Accompany Therapeutic Modalities
for Sports Medicine and Athletic Training. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;
2003.
Robinson A, Snyder-Mackler L. Clinical Electrophysiology. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD:
Williams & Wilkins; 1995.
Starkey C. Therapeutic Modalities. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis; 2004.
IV. Standards:
Grades will be assigned in accordance with University policy. Final grades will be based upon the previously mentioned activities and requirements.
V. Rationale and Impact:
A. This course has been revised and updated to meet the changes stipulated for accreditation of
the Athletic Training Education Program by the Commission on Accreditation of
Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
B. This course is for students admitted to the Athletic Training Education Program at Lock
Haven University.
C. The changes to this course will not affect any other academic programs or degrees at Lock
Haven University.
VI. Cost and Staff Analysis:
A. This is a course revision and no additional faculty or expenses will be necessary.
B. This course will be offered every spring semester.