BSc Physiotherapy students at St Mary’s University have provided support at the pre-season screening for the Chelsea FC Foundation Girls' Programme.
Working with DP Sports Performance & Injury Clinic and Chelsea FC Foundation at Blenheim High School, the St Mary’s students gained hands-on experience across multiple areas, including:
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) screening
- Force plate and isokinetic strength testing
- Baseline concussion testing.
This experience offered the students the chance to work alongside physiotherapists in a professional sports environment, while also developing their clinical skills. They were also able to see first-hand how professional teams prepare athletes for the season ahead.
Reflecting on this experience, the St Mary’s Physiotherapy students shared how they were excited to see how technology is shaping the future of physiotherapy and how working with these high-performing athletes provided insight into physio in elite sport and the importance of early injury detection.
Nikesh Raja, Director of DP Sports Performance & Injury Clinic and Jo Moody, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, said: "Opportunities like this give students hands-on experience in an elite sport setting and help prepare the next generation of physiotherapists."
