Syllabus approved by UCC: 23/09/2010
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
Health Science Department
General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training
I. Introductory Information
A. Department Name: Health Science
B. Department Catalogue Number: HLTH 260
C. Course Title: General Medical Conditions in Athletic Training
D. Semester Hours of Credit: 3
E. Clock Hours Per Week: 3
F. Overlays: None
G. Restrictions Upon Student Registration: Students accepted into the athletic training
education program or by permission of the instructor.
II. Description of the Course:
Designed to allow students to develop knowledge and skill in the assessment of general medical conditions and illnesses that occur in the physically active individual which includes an analysis of illness transmission, pathology, prevention, recognition, treatment and referral.
III. Exposition:
A. Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
1. Differentiate the use of diagnostic tests (x-rays, arthrograms, MRI, CAT scan,
bone scan, ultrasound, myelogram) based on their applicability in the assessment of an injury or illness when prescribed by a physician.
2. Determine illnesses and diseases of the body's systems which are common based
on contemporary epidemiological studies of the illnesses of athletes and others
involved in physical activity.
3. Appraise the risk factors for, describe the symptoms of, and perform an
assessment for congenital and acquired abnormalities, disabilities, and systemic medical conditions.
4. Explain when there is need for psychosocial intervention and referral when
dealing with populations requiring special consideration (e.g., those with
exercise-induced asthma, diabetes, seizure disorders, drug allergies and interactions, or unilateral organs).
5. Compare and contrast the anatomical and physiological growth and development
characteristics of athletic and physically active males and females in the following
stages: pre-adolescent; adolescent; adult; and senior.
6. Describe cellular homeostasis and the integration and coordination of cell
function in response to disease and define the inflammatory response’s effect on to acute and chronic illness.
7. Define tissue lesions by body system in terms of etiology, pathogenesis,
pathomechanics, treatment options, and expected outcomes.
8. Describe the etiology, signs, symptoms, prevention strategies and management of
common viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis B virus, HIV).
9. Describe the signs and symptoms of common cardiovascular conditions including
coronary artery disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart murmurs, and mitral
valve prolapse, deep and superficial vein thromboses, pulmonary embolism and
other emboli, and myocardial infraction.
10. Describe the role and function of an automated external defibrillator in the
emergency management of acute heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.
11. Recognize when an individual is exhibiting a history, signs, and symptoms of
cardiopulmonary conditions and demonstrates when to refer to the appropriate
medical authority.
12. Describe the pathology of diseases of the blood (e.g., anemia, iron deficiency,
hemolysis) that would impair strenuous physical activity.
13. Conduct and interpret auscultation of heart, breath, and bowel sounds,
demonstrating proper position and location of stethoscope.
14. Recognize the characteristics of common life-threatening conditions that can
occur either spontaneously or as the result of direct trauma to the throat, thorax
and viscera, and identifies the management of these conditions.
15. Recognize the signs and symptoms of the common disorders of the
gastrointestinal tract and develop management strategies for each.
16. Describe the common conditions that affect the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas
(e.g., jaundice, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, and pancreatitis) and develop
management strategies for each.
17. Describe the common infections and conditions of the male reproductive organs
(e.g., epididymitis, varicocele, hydrocele, undescended testicle, and testicular
cancer) and develop management strategies for each.
18. Describe the common infections and conditions of the female reproductive organs
(e.g., pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and pregnancy) and
develop management strategies for each.
19. Describe the various menstrual irregularities, the relationship that physical
activity plays in their development, their resolutions, and their implications on
performance, as well as detrimental systemic effects (e.g., oligomenorrhea,
amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea).
20. Identify the physiological effects and the changes to woman's body caused by
pregnancy, and describes the body's response to exercise during pregnancy. Also
identifies the indications and contraindications for exercise throughout pregnancy.
21. Describe the signs and symptoms of common conditions of the urinary tract,
kidneys, and bladder (e.g., urinary tract infection (UTI) and kidney stones)
and develop management strategies for each.
22. Recognize the signs, symptoms and common warning signs and symptoms of
cancer.
23. Demonstrate the proper use of the ophthalmoscope for eye evaluation and the
otoscope for ear and nasal examination, including the proper positioning of the
patient and examiner and proper technique of use.
24. Recognize common eye pathologies (e.g., conjunctivitis, hyphema, corneal injury,
and scleral trauma) and ear pathologies (e.g., otitis, ruptured tympanic membrane,
and impacted cerumen) and develop referral and management strategies for each.
25. Demonstrate the proper use and interpretation of a peak-flow meter (hand-held
spirometer) in the assessment of asthmatic athletes and other asthmatics involved
in physical activity.
26. Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms of respiratory tract conditions (e.g.,
common cold, influenza, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma,
pneumonia, and pleurisy) and develop referral and management strategies for
each.
27. Compare and contrasts the signs and symptoms of skin lesions (e.g., wounds and
thermal, electrical, and radiation injury), infections (e.g., bacterial, fungal, and
viral), and disorders (e.g., bites, acne, dermatitis, folliculitis, and eczema) and
develop referral and management strategies for each.
28. Recognize conditions that affect bones and joints (e.g., epiphysitis, apophysitis,
aseptic necrosis, arthritis, gout, and felon) and develop referral and management
strategies for each.
B. Activities and Requirements:
1. Attend lectures
2. Research case studies
3. Complete and discuss assigned readings
4. Perform lab activities
5. Participate in discussions
6. Complete written project / literature review
7. Take written and practical examinations
C. Major Units and Time Allotted (45 hours)
1. Introduction and Evaluation Techniques (3 hrs)
a. Nomenclature and terminology
b. Epidemiology
c. Taking a medical history
d. Taking a family history
e. Diagnostic tools (e.g. MRI, radiographs, CBC)
f. Information sources for general medical conditions
g. Center for Disease Control and other groups
h. General health maintenance behaviors
2. General Medical Conditions and Special Populations (3 hrs)
a. Physical activity throughout the lifespan
b. Cultural considerations
c. Congenital abnormalities
d. Psychosocial intervention and referral
e. Other special populations
3. Introduction to Pathophysiology (3 hrs)
a. Review of the inflammatory response and tissue healing
b. Types of tissue lesions
c. Systemic responses to injury
d. Activity level and disease
4. Evaluation of Immune System Conditions (3 hrs)
a. Etiology and transmission
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
f. Athletics and HIV or Hepatitis B
5. Evaluation of Cardiovascular and Hematological Conditions (5 hrs)
a. Etiology of cardiovascular and hematological conditions
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
6. Evaluation of the Abdomen and Thorax Conditions (4 hrs)
a. Etiology of injury and illness
b. Acute injury of the abdomen and thorax
c. Signs and symptoms
d. Evaluation techniques (including auscultation)
e. Common conditions
f. Management and referral
7. Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Conditions (4 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
8. Evaluation of Reproductive and Urinary Conditions (4 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques (including urine dipsticks)
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
f. Menstrual irregularities
g. The pregnant athlete
h. Sexually transmitted diseases
9. Evaluation of Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions (4 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
f. The diabetic athlete
10. Oncology (2 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common forms of cancer
e. Management and referral
11. Evaluation of Eye and Ear Conditions (3 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques (including use of the otoscope and opthalmoscope)
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
12. Evaluation of Respiratory Conditions (3 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques (including use of peak flow meter)
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
f. The asthmatic athlete
13. Evaluation of Skin Conditions (2 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
14. Evaluation of Conditions and Pathologies of Other Systems (2 hrs)
a. Etiology
b. Signs and symptoms
c. Evaluation techniques
d. Common conditions
e. Management and referral
D. Materials and Bibliography
1. Suggested textbooks:
Cuppett, M, Walsh K. General Medical Conditions in the Athlete. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2007.
2. Other materials:
a. Otoscope
b. Ophthalmoscope
c. Stethoscope
d. Blood pressure cuff
e. Peak flow meter and/or Spirometer
f. Urine chem-strips
3. Bibliographic support:
Arnheim D, Prentice W. Principles of Athletic Training. 11th ed.
Philadelphia, PA: Mosby-Year Book; 2003.
Booher J, Thibodeau G. Athletic Injury Assessment. 5th ed. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill Higher Education; 2003.
Crowley L. An Introduction to Human Disease. 8th ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett; 2010.
Damjanov I. Pathology for the Health-Related Professions. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2003.
Goodman C, Fuller K, Boissonnault W. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2003.
Gould B. Pathophysiology for the Health Professions. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2006.
Hillman, S. Introduction to Athletic Training. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2000.
Magee D. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA:
W.B. Saunders Company; 2008.
O’Connor D. Clinical Pathology for Athletic Trainers: Recognizing Systemic Disease. 2nd ed. Thorofare, NJ: Slack; 2008.
Prentice W. Arnheim’s Principles of Athletic Training: A Competency Based Approach. 13th ed. St. Louis, MO: McGraw-Hill; 2009.
Shultz S, Houglum P, Perrin D. Assessment of Athletic Injuries. 2nd ed.
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2004.
Starkey C, Ryan J. Evaluation of Orthopedic and Athletic Injuries. 3rd ed.
Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company; 2005.
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.
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