Online Courses and Classes in Sports Physiotherapy

Online courses exclusively devoted to sports physiotherapy are not available at this time. However, there are physical therapy courses available online that may provide the training needed to pursue a career in sports physiotherapy. Students opting for this path must be enrolled in an on-campus physical therapy program to participate in online coursework; stand-alone physical therapy courses are not available.

Overview of Online Sports Physiotherapy Courses

Since many physical therapy courses require hands-on involvement within an on-campus program, only information-based coursework is offered for online participation. These online classes are primarily web-based with content that employs numerous graphics and video files.
Students involved in this hybrid form of learning have two separate but related educational paths to consider. One is to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) degree, which allows successful students to work as support staff for a physical therapist. The other is to become a full-fledged physical therapist through a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program.
Successful therapists specializing in sports injuries can find employment opportunities working for hospitals, clinics, health clubs and spas, as well as professional, college and school sports teams.

Requirements for Online Courses

Online participants need a computer with Internet access, preferably high-speed for downloading or streaming videos. Students must also possess a basic understanding of e-mail, logging into a personal school account and accessing appropriate lessons.
They must also be comfortable using online facilities to take quizzes, participate in group discussions and projects and submit research papers. Students may also need to possess document-friendly programs, such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat, to view, work on and submit schoolwork.

List of Online Sports-Related Physical Therapy Courses

Sports Physical Therapy Course

The role of the sports physiologist on a sports medical team is central to this course. Students learn to examine, evaluate and diagnose injured athletes and provide emergency medical treatment when necessary. General topics covered include pre-season health screening, special needs of women and children athletes and common skin issues and infections many athletes face.

Sports Kinesiology Course

Students in this course are introduced to the motor control functions that athletes rely on to perform various sports activities. They learn to perform kinesiological analysis of upper- and lower-body sports movements, such as pitching, running and climbing. Issues that affect balance and equilibrium are also covered.

Sports Orthopedic Therapy Course

This physical therapy class examines methods for evaluating and treating sports ailments related to soft-tissue and bone injuries. Online participants learn to assess sports injuries that affect joint pain and mobility along with methods for providing relief through therapeutic exercise. Additionally, students learn the special care needed to treat children with sports-related orthopedic injuries.

Sports Injury Prevention Course

Online students in this course explore methods for applying athletic wraps to prevent or care for common sports-related injuries. Topics include the various types and uses of athletic tape available to sports physiotherapists, as well as uses and methods for applying ace bandages.