BY JOHN CHRISMA
AFTER years of study and work in the field of physiotherapy in Papua New Guinea, Michael Agi has gained advanced competence to earn himself a new position as a physiotherapist under the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High-Performance Program.
For Michael, his new role offers an opportunity to lead the SINIS High-Performance Program ahead of the scheduled Pacific Games 2023 to be held in Honiara.
His new role will involve overseeing the prevention and management of athletes’ injuries to enhance their performance and also providing evidence-based advice on the safe participation of local athletes in sport and exercise ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.
“As a Physiotherapist with four years of working experience in Papua New Guinea hospitals; I know what it takes to provide clinical support and therapeutic skills to assess and diagnose sports-related injuries.
“I love sports and it’s my passion to provide practical care and advice to injured athletes and to ensure they are rehabilitated and recovered from their physical impairments so they can return and continue with their normal sports training and daily lives,” Michael told Raw Sports.
Michael said the work of sports physiotherapists comes with challenges but also demands a good relationship with the athletes and coaches.
“There needs to be the feeling of mutual trust and confidence. This implies that the athlete will feel that he/she can confide in the physio and the physio will feel that the athlete will comply with the advice given.
“Having a good relationship between the coaches and sports physiotherapist is a win-win situation for everyone.
“Coaches must have a better and clearer understanding of what the sports physiotherapist does and this can lead to seeking help for minor problems, which in turn can lead to injury prevention,” Michael said.
Sports Physiotherapist is a recognized profession that works to promote safe physical activity participation, provision of advice, and adaptation of rehabilitation and training interventions, to prevent injury, restore optimal function, and contribute to the enhancement of sports performance, in athletes of all ages and abilities, while ensuring a high standard of professional and ethical practice.
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