Performance health
To ensure athletes can train and compete at their best, they need to be well prepared physically and mentally.
QAS offers categorised athletes the support of Sport and Exercise:
- Psychologists
- Dietitians
- Physiotherapists
- Medical Practitioners
These QAS Health practitioners work closely with athletes, coaches and their support teams to minimise the risk of injury and illness and share their expertise to optimise athletes’ performance outcomes.
The aim of the health team is to ensure athletes are “available” to do the required training - and are not missing sessions or key benchmark events (BME) through injury or illness. This is achieved by addressing concerns early and being proactive.
The health team achieve this by reviewing an athlete’s health history and undertake regular assessments; have a detailed understanding of each sports health risk profile and collaborate with other members of the athlete’s team to put in place measures to minimise health risks before they occur.
QAS Health practitioners work within the athletes daily training environment (DTE) and QAS clinics. This ensures athletes can seek help early to discuss concerns before small issues become something more significant.
Through better health, the QAS Performance Health team are helping athletes achieve better performances.
Key Links
Sport and Exercise Psychology
The QAS Sport and Exercise Psychology Network assists athletes to enhance their performance via the ongoing development of their mental skills and abilities. We provide a coordinated delivery of sport and exercise psychology services in both group and individual formats, covering a large range of performance and personal issues that may impact an athlete's sporting achievement.
Services range from psycho-educational programs to develop mental skills to tailored interventions to address mental performance issues. A confidential counselling service is also available.
Key Links
Sports Dietitian Network
The QAS engages a team of Accredited Sports Dietitians to provide performance nutrition services to each of the QAS Sport programs using evidence based, clinical and performance nutrition support strategies. The role of the QAS Sports Dietitians is to work closely with coaches and the wider performance support team and devise strategies to maximise athlete health and performance through nutrition. Athletes undertake thorough nutrition assessments and are provided with individualised practical guidance regarding the strategic use of foods, fluids, and where this is maximised, or a clinical need exists, may provide advice around the safe, and effective use of supplements aligned with National sport or governing body policies and guidelines (e.g. AIS). Accredited Sports Dietitians play a fundamental role in;
- Provide individual, performance focussed nutrition plans
- Competition day plans
- Monitoring of body composition where appropriate
- Injury and illness nutrition protocols
- Supplement advice as appropriate
- Practical education – e.g. hydration assessments, cooking and shopping skills
- Travel nutrition strategies
- Catering and food service for travelling athletes/squads
Key Links:
Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy
The QAS Physiotherapy network currently includes over 20 physiotherapists, based across South East Queensland, and includes Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapists as well as many experienced Sports and Exercise Physiotherapists. As key members of the Performance Health Team, our physiotherapists work collaboratively with coaches, athletes and other Performance Support Team staff to support QAS athletes in the domains of injury prevention, injury diagnosis and management, injury rehabilitation and performance optimization. Our vision is to provide accessible, efficient and evidence-based physiotherapy care that aligns with world’s best practice in a high-performance environment.
Key Links
Sports Medicine
The QAS Sports and Exercise Physicians provide athletes with world class evidenced based health care. They are specialist sports medical practitioners who diagnose, manage and treat musculoskeletal injuries and medical issues related to sport.
They work closely with other performance support team members to ensure best possible health outcomes for athletes and focus on preventative interventions to minimise the risk of injury and illness within sport.
Key Links
Contact
Athletes and Coaches can contact the Head of Performance Health +61 7 3708 7816 or email Kate.Watson@dtis.qld.gov.au
The QAS works closely with National Sporting Organisations and the AIS to support Athlete Well Being. Support services include QAS Athlete Well Being advisors, QAS Sports Psychologists and access to the National Mental Health Referral Network (MHRN).
These services are available to athletes, coaches and support staff members to assist with the challenges of training and competing in a high performance environment.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone else and it’s urgent, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for immediate 24/7 support. If someone’s safety is in danger, please call 000.
AIS Mental Health Referral Network
Phone: +61 2 6214 1130 (Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm AET)
Email: mentalhealth@sportaus.gov.au
Last updated: 20 Nov 2023