Kusal Goonewardena, a sports physiotherapist, emphasizes the importance of biomechanics and injury prevention for men's soccer in preparation for the Australian University Games 2013. He identifies common injuries, highlights the role of posture, and offers techniques for recovery and performance improvement. The document also details services and pricing at Elite Akademy Sports Medicine aimed at helping athletes achieve optimal results.

1. Kusal
Goonewardena
APA Titled
Sports
Physiotherapist
MENS SOCCER
AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY
GAMES PREPARATION
GOLD COAST 2013
IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
PERFECT BIOMECHANICS
REDUCE INJURY RATES

2. 14 YEAR CAREER - SPORTS MEDICINE.
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR OF VIGOR SPORTS MED AND
ELITE AKADEMY SPORTS MED.

3. OVER 15,000 TREATMENT SESSIONS IN
SPORTS INJURIES & PERFORMANCE

4. MELB UNI SPORTS PHYSIO SINCE 2002
HEAD OF SPORTS MEDICINE AT MELB UNI
SINCE 2008

5. CURRENT TEAM OF 4 PHYSIOS AT MELB UNI.
LECTURER, CONSULTANT
AUSTRALIA, CHINA, SRI LANKA

6. UEFA injury study
Single most common
injury thigh strain
(17%)
Hamstring > Quad+Groin
Re-injuries ~ 12%
INJURIES IN MENS SOCCER

7. Other Common Injuries
Ankle
5x higher risk with old ankle
injuries
Knee
ACL, Meniscus, Ligaments
INJURIES IN MENS SOCCER

8.  Everything connected
 Movement involves
contribution from the
whole body
 During the action of
kicking a soccer ball
power is generated from
 Hip
 Knee
 Ankle
 Torso
 Shoulder
THE KINETIC CHAIN

9. Dysfunction Somewhere in the Body
Due to
 Ground Reaction Forces
 Repetitive habits you are unaware of → Posture
 Inefficient Biomechanics
Trauma
WHY DO INJURIES OCCUR IN MENS
SOCCER

10. 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Athlete 1 Athlete 2
Loading
Tolerance
WHY DO INJURIES OCCUR IN MENS
SOCCER
Loading vs Tolerance

11.  Very, Very Sensitive
 65-85% of athletes will have neural ‘tightness’ if and when
they increase their training load.
 Can decrease your Sports Performance Indicators (SPI’s) by
25%
THE LATEST CLINICAL FINDINGS
THE NERVES
Normal Nerve
Affected/Dysfunctional
Nerve

12. THE LATEST CLINICAL FINDINGS
75% OF INJURIES OCCUR DUE TO…

13. WHY HAVE I GOT PAIN?
THE ENGINE LIGHT ANALOGY - THE CAR

14.  What is good posture?
 Relaxed muscle groups vs Overactive
 What to feel…
 Upper spine
 Lower spine/Pelvis Positioning
 Lets practice
WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AUG’S
TIP 1: POSTURE

15.  Motor Learning – posture and control
 Keep it simple
 Keep it precise
 How many times before its perfect
 Magic number: ………………..
WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AUG’S
TIP 1 (CONT): POSTURE

16. Thoracic Spine
WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AUG’S
POSTURE/CONTROL – TAPING TECHNIQUE 1

17.  New – Core tape technique
 8 months of research to perfect – ideal during sport/training
WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AUG’S
POSTURE/CONTROL – TAPING TECHNIQUE 2

18. WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AUG’S
LOADING VS TOLERANCE – EXERCISE 1
‘Rolled Up Towel’ Exercise

19. WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AUG’S
LOADING VS TOLERANCE – EXERCISE 2
The Spinal Roll Exercise

20. After your Games
Sea Swims (30-40 min)
Contrast Baths (Hot/Cold)
(Hot 1 min; Cold 30 sec) Repeat 7 times.
Sleep
Best Form of Recovery
Drinks and Hydration
Alcohol only towards the end of the week
Red Bull 
Gatorade/Powerade/Lucozade 
WHAT CAN I DO DURING AUG’S
RECOVERY

21. Before AUG’s
Posture
Taping
Exercises
During AUG’s
Recovery Recovery Recovery
WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE AND DURING AUG’S
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER.

22. What is the CAUSE of my pain?
Provide you with a diagnosis
Can they HELP me?
 If yes, we work out how
How LONG before I recover?
 Time taken to recover
What can I do to PREVENT this?
 Exercises for recovery and prevention
WHAT HAPPENS AT
ELITE AKADEMY SPORTS MEDICINE…

23.  Free Biomechanical Assessments
WHAT HAPPENS AT
ELITE AKADEMY SPORTS MEDICINE…

24.  Free Biomechanical Assessments (Cont)
WHAT HAPPENS AT
ELITE AKADEMY SPORTS MEDICINE…

25.  Unique Pricing Structure
in 2013
Special for all AUG athletes
4 week: $350 ($44/session)
8week: $550 ($34/session)
12 week: $750
($31/session)
**PAYMENT PLANS AVAIL**
WHAT HAPPENS AT ELITE AKADEMY SPORTS
MEDICINE…
Usual Pricing

27.  Our Mission
To help our athletes achieve the best results, in the shortest
period of time.
 We love What We Do.
 We love Sport.
FINAL THOUGHTS

28. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to send a
note or call our clinic 8344 4948
My email address is: kusal@eliteakademy.com
My twitter address is @kusalkumar
The Elite Akademy twitter address is @EliteAkademy
We share our athletes success stories and advice on our Facebook
site www.facebook.com/EliteAkademy
Lastly these slides have been uploaded to
www.slideshare.net/KusalGoonewardena
THANK YOU.