I Have a New Love...

Tricia Hayton

I have a new love.    Well, at least a new sport to love.

From March 8 to 11th I was lucky enough to be part of the medical team for Skate Canada's World Junior Synchronized Skating Championship held at the Hershey Center in Mississauga.    The event involved 19 teams from 14 countries.  Each team had up to 20 skaters that were 12 – 18 years old.    I have spent many hours in arena covering events from hockey to elite figure skating, but the talent and athleticism of these young people amazed me.    Imagine 16 skaters knowing exactly where each other are so that they can twirl, lift, and jump without colliding to perform a chorus line on ice.   Truly spectacular.

One of our clients asked me what was involved when we participated in these events.    The role of the medical team is twofold.    Therapists,   consisting of physiotherapists, athletic therapists and chiropractors provide emergency care to the skaters should they fall.   We are the first line of care and decide if the athlete can be patched and return to skating, or if a doctor or ambulance is needed.    Sports Medicine Specialists, with the same designation as the doctors staffed at Physio Sport Med, are sitting rink side to provide any emergency care that is needed.  For skating this can range from stitches, to concussion treatment, to emergency cardiac care.   The second role of the medical team is to run a clinic in the arena.   This clinic will provide therapy and medical care to the skaters, coaches and support staff.    The goal is to keep all of the athletes in prime competing form.  To be considered a sports therapist rigorous post graduate training is required.   This training not only involves emergency first aid, but protective equipment and taping, nutrition, exercise physiology, and functional testing for return to sport.   

And when I get to discover a new sport, it makes the effort worthwhile.