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What sports physiotherapy involves
Sports physiotherapy is the assessment and management of injuries in people who train and compete. It differs from general physiotherapy in what it has to account for: the specific demands of your sport, where you sit in the season, the training load you need to get back to, and the criteria that tell us it is safe to return.
Our team works with athletes from junior club level through to national league, and with endurance athletes preparing for events. The starting point is always a clear diagnosis and an honest timeframe.
Objective testing, not guesswork
Return-to-sport decisions are far better made on data than on how an injury feels on the day. We use VALD ForceDecks force plates and hand-held dynamometry to measure strength, force production and left-to-right asymmetry, then re-test through rehabilitation so progress is measurable and the return-to-play conversation is grounded in numbers.
- Force plate testing for jump, landing and force asymmetry
- Hand-held dynamometry for isolated muscle strength
- Re-testing at milestones to track progress objectively
- Return-to-play criteria set against your sport's demands
On-site sports physician
Dr Duncan Walker, Sports and Exercise Physician, consults on site on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Where an injury needs medical assessment, imaging or further investigation, we can help you get in front of him rather than sending you across town and waiting on a report. Appointments with Dr Walker are booked through his own practice.
Who we work with
Our physiotherapists have worked in elite sport with the Adelaide Lightning WNBL team and Adelaide Giants baseball, and continue to provide game-day and in-season support to local clubs including Cumberland United Soccer Club, Goodwood Saints Football Club, Sturt Sabres Basketball and Metro Jets Netball.
We also work extensively with endurance athletes - triathletes, marathon and ultramarathon runners - where the injury is usually a training-load problem rather than a single incident, and the plan has to keep you training while it resolves.
What to expect at your appointment
- A detailed history covering your sport, training load and competition calendar
- Physical assessment and diagnosis, with a clear explanation
- Objective strength and force testing where it is useful
- Hands-on treatment and a progressive loading program
- Referral to Dr Walker for medical assessment or imaging where indicated
- Defined criteria for each stage of your return to sport
Related: Sports injuries → · Running assessments → · VALD ForceDecks →
Steve O'Donnell
Physiotherapist at The Physio Studio, Goodwood, with dual qualifications in Physiotherapy and Nursing and an accredited ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning Coach. Steve has worked in elite sport with the Adelaide Lightning WNBL team and Adelaide Giants baseball, and provides sports physiotherapy to the clinic's affiliated football and soccer clubs. He uses movement assessment including the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), objective strength testing and structured strength programming, and his background as a theatre and peri-operative registered nurse informs his work with clients before and after orthopaedic surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see a sports physiotherapist?
No. You can book directly with a physiotherapist in Australia without a referral. A referral is only needed for specific funding pathways such as an EPC/Chronic Disease Management plan, DVA or a workers compensation claim.
What is VALD ForceDecks testing?
VALD ForceDecks are force plates that measure how much force you produce through each leg during movements such as squats, jumps and landings. It identifies asymmetry and strength deficits that are difficult to see by eye, and gives us objective numbers to re-test against during rehabilitation.
Can I see the sports physician at the clinic?
Dr Duncan Walker, Sports and Exercise Physician, consults on site on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. If your injury needs medical assessment or imaging, we can point you to him directly. His appointments are booked through his own practice.
Do you provide game-day or club cover?
Yes. We provide sports physiotherapy support to several affiliated local clubs across soccer, Australian Rules football, basketball and netball. Contact the clinic to discuss club arrangements.
When can I return to sport after an injury?
That depends on the injury, but the decision should be based on criteria rather than time alone - strength restored to within an acceptable margin of the other side, control under load, and completion of sport-specific drills. We set those criteria out at the start so you know what you are working towards.