Disabled Sailing

I had my first experience with disabled sailing when I was asked to be trained as a classifier for the Malaysian Paralympiad 2008 for the sport. 5 participants from Asia (3 doctors, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist)attended at 3 day seminar on Classification during the IFDS Skud18 World Championship Singapore (20th - 28th March 2008). The seminar was organised by Singapore Disability Sports Council and endorsed by the Asian Paralympic Committee with the objective of training more regional classifiers for the paralympic sports.









Classification of Disabled sailing is essentially divided into 3 parts:-

1) Functional Anatomical Test (clinic physical examination)
2) Functional Dock Test (assessment in the boat by the jetty)
3) Functional Sailing Test (observation during practice or competition)






The practical sessions were definitely helpful at introducing sailing, sailing equipment, the physical requirements during sailing and safety precautions of disabled sailing. We also learnt about the different types of boats involved in disabled sailing competition e.g. Sonar (3-person boat) and Skud (2-person boat). The excitement of watching the sport while braving the winds (and waves) definitely helps keep the adrenaline pumping. If you are careful to take lots of water, use sunscreen lotion and a hat, you could yourself from heat injuries and sunburn.

I was told to get a sailing license soon to ensure that I could take my classification training a step further. I would recommend this sport to Doctors, physiotherapists or occupational therapists who wouldn't mind getting wet and some tan! You may contact me or your local disabled sailing association if you would like to train to be a classifier.

For further information, here's a few useful sites:
IFDS Skud18 World Championship Singapore
Location: SAF Yacth Club
Live results
ISAF:Disabled Sailing
Singapore Disability Sports Council
Getting Started

Hyperlaxity Syndrome

Here's a badminton athlete who was found to be able to hyperextend his fingers without any discomfort. He does not seem to have hyperlaxity in other joints although he is flat footed.

Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendinopathy in Goalkeeper

Lance (not his real name) is a badminton and futsal athlete who deflected a fast soccer ball during play 10 months ago. He was given a physiotherapy and wrist brace for several months but he could not resume competitive play due to Ulnar-sided wrist pain. He could not palm-off the ball (hyperextended wrist) and do forceful wrist skills (e.g. lob, flick, repetitive jabbing and smashing) with the badminton racquet.

He had tenderness over the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) and along the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendon, pain with wrist hyperextension and resisted flexion of the hyperextended wrist joint. He also had laxity of the Distal Radio-ulna Joint.



He did not want to do further investigations (plain X-rays, Ultrasound scan and possibly an MRI) despite being advised so. We proceeded to teach him how to tape his wrist and forearm to give him a pain-free range of motion while allowing explosive powerful smashes (badminton) and some goalkeeping. He was given some Theraband exercises and proprioceptive exercises using a soccer ball for balance.

I expect him to take at least 6 - 8 weeks to return to normal play. However, if he is keen on competitive soccer, he would require further investigations and possibly, surgery to rectify the TFCC and DRUJ injury.

Interesting links:
TFCC Injuries
Ulnar-sided wrist pain

Yonex 2008 All England Badminton Championships

The 98th All England Open Badminton Championships(also known as the 2008 Yonex All England Badminton Championships) will be held between the 4th and 9th March 2008. The prestigious tournament will be held in the the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham. It will be sponsored by Yonex for the 25th consecutive year.

I had the opportunity of joining the Malaysian team in 2000 as their Team Physician for the exciting tournament. Don't forget to catch Live action on Sky Sports or just go there to watch the tournament!

Useful links:
About All England Badminton Championships
Official All England Badminton Competition Website
Time-table
Visitor Information and Weather; Getting there and Maps
Booking online & Discounts
Badminton England website