Hello everyone. Today, I will introduce the basics of sports injury assessment. Sports injury assessment is an important part of athletic training and sports protection. Its main purposes are to understand the cause of an injury, determine its severity, and help decide the appropriate treatment and follow-up procedures. Before starting an assessment, the first step is to ensure scene safety and check whether the injured person has any life-threatening conditions. If there are changes in consciousness, abnormal breathing, severe bleeding, or suspected serious fractures, emergency care should take priority. Rescue should never be delayed just to complete an assessment. A general sports injury assessment can be divided into several steps. The first step is taking the injury history. This includes asking when and where the injury occurred, what movement caused it, and how it happened. We should also ask about the location, severity, and duration of pain, as well as any previous injuries. The second step is inspection. We observe whether the injured area has swelling, bruising, deformity, or an abnormal position. The third step is palpation. Gentle touch can help identify tenderness, local temperature, and tissue conditions. However, unnecessary touching should be avoided when a serious injury or fracture is suspected. The fourth step is range-of-motion testing. We observe whether active and passive joint movements are limited. The fifth step is muscle strength testing. This helps evaluate muscle strength and identify movements that cause pain. When necessary, qualified professionals may perform special tests to assess possible ligament, tendon, or joint injuries. Finally, the assessment results should be recorded, and referral to a physician or other medical professional should be arranged when necessary. The purpose of sports injury assessment is not to diagnose every medical condition independently. Instead, it uses systematic observation and examination to provide safe and appropriate recommendations for further care.

Implemented by Department of Exercise and Health Sciences
Date: 2026/10/15