Sports first aid and prevention

30 Gulf Prometric Physiotherapist (DHA, DOH, MOH, SCFHS, QCHP) practice questions on Sports first aid and prevention, part of Sports Physiotherapy. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

1. Question 1 · Easy

   In the LOVE phase of soft-tissue injury management, the V stands for:

   1. AVentilation exercises for the chest
   2. BVascularisation, using pain-free cardiovascular exercise
   3. CVibration therapy applied over the injured area
   4. DVitamin supplements taken daily to speed up healing

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   Answer: B · Vascularisation, using pain-free cardiovascular exercise

   Pain-free aerobic activity increases blood flow to the injured tissue, which promotes repair and helps return to work and sport. The other letters are Load, Optimism and Exercise.

   • A: Ventilation is unrelated.
   • C: Vibration is not in the acronym.
   • D: Vitamins are not part of the model.

   Remember this

   LOVE: Load, Optimism, Vascularisation, Exercise.

2. Question 2 · Hard

   After a 5-hour marathon in which she drank water at every station, a runner is confused, nauseated and has a headache. Her rectal temperature is 38.2 degrees Celsius and she weighs more than before the race. What is the most likely problem and action?

   1. AExertional heat stroke: cold-water immersion on site
   2. BSimple exhaustion: rest and drink sports drinks freely
   3. CDehydration: give 2 litres of water quickly
   4. DExercise-associated hyponatraemia: restrict fluids and transfer urgently

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   Answer: D · Exercise-associated hyponatraemia: restrict fluids and transfer urgently

   Confusion with weight gain after drinking heavily during a long race suggests exercise-associated hyponatraemia, from dilution of sodium. Further fluids worsen brain swelling, so fluids are restricted and the runner is transferred urgently for sodium measurement and possibly hypertonic saline. Her temperature is not high enough for heat stroke.

   • A: A temperature of 38.2 degrees does not fit heat stroke.
   • B: Confusion is never simple exhaustion, and more fluid adds to the dilution.
   • C: Weight gain shows fluid overload, so more water is dangerous.

   Remember this

   Weight gain and confusion after heavy drinking in endurance events suggest hyponatraemia: restrict fluids and refer.

3. Question 3 · Easy

   In the PEACE and LOVE approach to acute soft-tissue injury, what does the 'P' in PEACE ask the clinician to do?

   1. AImmobilise the limb in a rigid cast for at least 3 weeks
   2. BRestrict movement for the first 1 to 3 days to limit bleeding and protect healing tissue
   3. CPrescribe a painkiller before any movement is allowed
   4. DApply a pressure bandage for the first 24 hours

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   Answer: B · Restrict movement for the first 1 to 3 days to limit bleeding and protect healing tissue

   P stands for Protect: unload or restrict movement for about 1 to 3 days to minimise bleeding and prevent the injured fibres from being stretched again. Rest is kept short, because prolonged immobilisation weakens tissue and delays recovery. Movement and loading start again as soon as pain allows.

   • A: Several weeks of casting is not part of the model and causes stiffness and atrophy.
   • C: Pain is not blocked in advance; it guides how much loading is tolerated.
   • D: Compression is the separate letter C, and it is not a pressure bandage for the whole day.

   Remember this

   Protect for 1 to 3 days only: short unloading, then early pain-guided movement.

4. Question 4 · Medium

   A player's training load this week is 1,800 arbitrary units, while his average weekly load over the past 4 weeks is 1,000 units. What does the acute to chronic workload ratio suggest?

   1. A800, the safe weekly increase in units
   2. B0.56, an underloaded state with the highest risk
   3. C1.8, a load spike linked with higher injury risk
   4. D1.8, which sits within the safe range

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   Answer: C · 1.8, a load spike linked with higher injury risk

   The ratio is acute load divided by chronic load: 1,800 / 1,000 = 1.8. Ratios of about 0.8 to 1.3 are often called the safe zone, while spikes above about 1.5 are linked with a higher injury risk. Load should rise gradually from week to week.

   • A: 800 is the difference in load, not the ratio.
   • B: 0.56 inverts the ratio.
   • D: 1.8 lies above the usual 0.8-1.3 range.

   Remember this

   Acute to chronic workload ratio above about 1.5 signals a load spike and higher injury risk.

5. Question 5 · Medium

   How is the FIFA 11+ injury prevention programme meant to be used by amateur teams?

   1. AAs a structured warm-up of about 20 minutes, at least twice a week before training
   2. BAs a pre-season conditioning block that is stopped once the season starts
   3. CAs a rehabilitation programme for players with an established injury
   4. DAs a recovery routine after matches only

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   Answer: A · As a structured warm-up of about 20 minutes, at least twice a week before training

   FIFA 11+ replaces the usual warm-up with running, strength, balance and plyometric exercises that take about 20 minutes. It lowers injury rates when performed regularly, at least twice a week through the season. Compliance is the key factor in how much benefit a team gets.

   • B: Benefit depends on continuing it through the season, not stopping at kick-off.
   • C: It is for prevention in healthy players, not for treating existing injuries.
   • D: It is a warm-up, not a post-match recovery routine.

   Remember this

   FIFA 11+ is a 20-minute warm-up done at least twice weekly.

6. Question 6 · Medium

   A rugby player falls after a tackle, is alert, and complains of neck pain with tingling in both hands. What is the correct on-field management?

   1. AGive him a drink and watch for 10 minutes
   2. BHold in-line neck stabilisation and organise controlled immobilisation and transfer
   3. CTurn his head from side to side to check movement
   4. DHelp him to stand and walk off the field himself, with a team-mate supporting him on each side

   Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

7. Question 7 · Medium

   A runner in Dubai with a history of a recurrent sprain asks whether ankle taping or bracing helps. Which advice is correct?

   1. ATaping is only useful in people who have never had an ankle injury before
   2. BSupport has no effect on recurrence of sprains
   3. CSupport reduces re-sprain after a previous sprain; braces outlast tape
   4. DTaping is only useful if it is worn permanently in bed

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8. Question 8 · Medium

   A youth football coach asks which warm-up programme reduces injuries in players. Which is the best-evidenced answer?

   1. AStatic stretching of every muscle for 30 minutes
   2. BThe FIFA 11+ programme performed regularly before training
   3. CComplete rest before the match
   4. DHeavy resistance training immediately before the games

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9. Question 9 · Hard

   At a sports event in Abu Dhabi, a footballer with a head collision is conscious but confused, vomits twice and becomes drowsy over 20 minutes. His pupils are unequal. What is the best action?

   1. AAllow him to return after a short memory test
   2. BObserve him on the bench for the rest of the match in case he improves, and reassess at full time
   3. CSend him home with a friend to rest
   4. DCall an ambulance for urgent transfer to neurosurgery, protecting airway and neck

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10. Question 10 · Easy

    What is the main purpose of rigid zinc oxide tape applied to an ankle before sport?

    1. ATo relax the muscles around the joint
    2. BTo restrict extreme inversion and give mechanical support
    3. CTo stretch the ligaments back to their length
    4. DTo increase blood flow to the foot and ankle

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11. Question 11 · Medium

    A marathon runner in Doha collapses in the summer heat. He is confused, with a rectal temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius and hot skin. What is the priority action?

    1. AGive oral fluids and let him rest in a chair
    2. BGive paracetamol and fan him while waiting for the ambulance
    3. CWait to see whether the temperature settles
    4. DRapid whole-body cooling in cold water, then transport

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12. Question 12 · Medium

    In the optimism component of LOVE, how should the physiotherapist communicate with an injured athlete?

    1. AWarn that recovery is unlikely so he is prepared
    2. BGive a positive, realistic outlook, as pessimistic beliefs delay recovery
    3. CAvoid giving any information in case it worries him
    4. DTell the athlete the injury is trivial and that any pain can be ignored safely

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13. Question 13 · Medium

    A footballer collapses suddenly during training, is unresponsive and not breathing normally. What should be done first?

    1. ACall for help and an AED, and start chest compressions
    2. BPlace him in the recovery position and observe
    3. CGive him water to drink slowly
    4. DCheck his blood glucose with a finger-prick test

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14. Question 14 · Medium

    A physiotherapist begins an ankle strapping with two anchor strips of tape. What is their purpose?

    1. ATo stop all plantar flexion and inversion of the ankle during sport
    2. BTo compress the joint and reduce swelling around the malleoli
    3. CTo give a secure base above and below the joint for the supporting strips
    4. DTo protect the skin and the hair from the adhesive of the main supporting strips

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15. Question 15 · Medium

    A player in Riyadh with a thigh bruise (a corked thigh) is able to bend the knee less than 90 degrees. Which first-aid positioning in the first 24 hours is recommended?

    1. ARest the leg with the knee flexed and apply a compression wrap
    2. BApply heat packs over the bruise
    3. CMassage the bruise deeply to disperse it
    4. DKeep the knee straight and stretch it hard to keep the range of movement

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16. Question 16 · Medium

    During a match a player has a bleeding cut over the eyebrow. Under the usual blood rule in team sports, what must happen?

    1. AHe leaves the field until the bleeding is controlled and the wound is covered
    2. BHe is excluded from the rest of the match in every case
    3. CHe plays on, as long as he wipes away the blood
    4. DHe returns once the referee has looked at the cut

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17. Question 17 · Easy

    A player goes down on the pitch and does not move. What is the first step of the on-field assessment?

    1. AMove the player to the sideline at once
    2. BRemove the boots to check the ankles
    3. CAsk the player to stand up to test the legs
    4. DCheck that the scene is safe, then check for a response

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18. Question 18 · Medium

    A player has a knocked-out front tooth in a match. Which first-aid action is best?

    1. AThrow it away and use a dental implant later
    2. BWrap it dry in a tissue and keep it in a pocket
    3. CScrub the root clean with a brush and tap water before it is put back in the socket
    4. DHold by the crown, rinse gently, reinsert or store in milk, and see a dentist at once

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19. Question 19 · Medium

    A player gets a nosebleed after a blow to the nose during a match, with no deformity or other injury. Which first-aid action is correct?

    1. ASit him leaning forward and pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes
    2. BTilt his head back so that the blood does not drip
    3. CLie him flat with his legs raised
    4. DPack the nostril tightly with dry gauze and let him play on

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20. Question 20 · Medium

    Following an ankle taping, the athlete reports numbness and toes turning blue. What should the physiotherapist do?

    1. ATell the athlete to continue and ignore the sensation
    2. BTighten the tape for more support
    3. CRemove the tape immediately and reassess circulation and sensation
    4. DApply ice over the tape and carry on

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21. Question 21 · Medium

    A teenage swimmer with known asthma develops wheeze and breathlessness at the poolside. What is the immediate first-aid step?

    1. ALay him flat on his back on the poolside
    2. BAsk him to swim a few lengths to try to loosen the chest and open the airways
    3. CGive him a cold drink only and wait
    4. DSit him upright, reassure and give his reliever inhaler by spacer

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22. Question 22 · Medium

    A player has a suspected fracture of the forearm. Which first-aid measure is correct?

    1. AStraighten the limb forcefully to realign the bone
    2. BImmobilise the joints above and below the fracture and check distal circulation
    3. CLet him continue to play if the pain is bearable
    4. DApply a tight circular bandage around the forearm to stop all movement completely

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23. Question 23 · Easy

    In the PEACE and LOVE approach, what does the letter A in PEACE stand for?

    1. AApply ice for 20 minutes every hour
    2. BAvoid anti-inflammatory medication
    3. CAlcohol rub to relieve the soreness
    4. DActive movement at once, beyond what is comfortable

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24. Question 24 · Hard

    On day 4 after a lateral ankle sprain, a netball player walks without a limp, swelling is clearly reduced and pain is 2 out of 10 on loading. Which management best fits the LOVE phase?

    1. AFull-effort plyometric hopping and cutting drills to test the ankle
    2. BStrict non-weight-bearing with crutches for a further 2 weeks until fully healed
    3. CProgressive pain-free loading, cycling and balance work, with reassurance
    4. DHeat and deep friction massage to the ligament, with the ankle rested

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25. Question 25 · Medium

    Why do current guidelines suggest avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs in the first days of an acute soft-tissue injury?

    1. AThey may impair the inflammatory phase that drives tissue repair
    2. BThey speed up healing too much to be safe
    3. CThey cause bleeding into the injured tissue in all cases, so they are unsafe
    4. DThey increase the swelling at the injury site

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