SafeSport Physical Assessment Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting a physical assessment of an athlete, which boundary is MOST important to maintain to prevent the appearance of misconduct?
- Always assess in a private, one-on-one setting
- Ensure another adult is present or visible during the assessment (Correct answer)
- Obtain verbal consent from the athlete only
- Conduct assessments only during practice hours
Correct answer: Ensure another adult is present or visible during the assessment
Having another adult present or visible during physical assessments prevents misconduct and protects both the athlete and the assessor.
Question 2: A coach notices a swimmer has a possible shoulder injury and wants to assess range of motion. What is the appropriate first step?
- Immediately palpate the shoulder to locate tenderness
- Refer the athlete to a licensed healthcare professional (Correct answer)
- Ask the athlete to demonstrate full range of motion repeatedly
- Apply ice and reassess after 20 minutes
Correct answer: Refer the athlete to a licensed healthcare professional
Coaches and non-medical staff should refer injured athletes to licensed healthcare professionals rather than conducting medical assessments themselves.
Question 3: Which of the following locker room assessment practices is PROHIBITED under SafeSport policies?
- A trainer assessing an ankle sprain in the training room with the door open
- A coach entering a locker room alone with a single athlete for an injury check (Correct answer)
- A certified athletic trainer conducting assessments with a colleague nearby
- A team physician examining athletes in a medical facility
Correct answer: A coach entering a locker room alone with a single athlete for an injury check
A coach being alone with a single athlete in a locker room violates SafeSport's policy against one-on-one, closed-door interactions.
Question 4: During a post-competition physical check, an athlete tells a team trainer they are uncomfortable with how the assessment is being conducted. What should the trainer do?
- Explain that the assessment is medically necessary and continue
- Immediately stop, acknowledge the athlete's concern, and involve another professional (Correct answer)
- Reassure the athlete and complete the assessment quickly
- Document the discomfort and reschedule for a later time
Correct answer: Immediately stop, acknowledge the athlete's concern, and involve another professional
Athletes must be empowered to set limits on physical contact, and any expressed discomfort requires the assessor to stop immediately.
Question 5: Which scenario BEST illustrates appropriate use of physical contact during a sports assessment?
- A trainer massaging an athlete's back in a private treatment room with no others present
- A certified athletic trainer checking an athlete's ankle stability with a colleague observing (Correct answer)
- A coach assessing an athlete's flexibility by manually stretching their limbs without consent
- A volunteer assessing an athlete's hydration by checking skin turgor privately
Correct answer: A certified athletic trainer checking an athlete's ankle stability with a colleague observing
Assessment by a credentialed professional with an observer present reflects both competency and transparency required by SafeSport.
Question 6: What does SafeSport require before any adult physically touches a minor athlete during an assessment?
- Written consent from the team physician
- Explanation of what will be touched and why, with the athlete's agreement (Correct answer)
- Approval from the head coach
- A signed waiver on file from the season start
Correct answer: Explanation of what will be touched and why, with the athlete's agreement
SafeSport requires informed assent from the minor athlete, including an explanation of the nature and purpose of any physical contact before it occurs.
Question 7: A physical therapist is working with a youth athlete and needs to assess the hip area for a suspected strain. Which precaution is MOST critical?
- Conducting the assessment before parents arrive to save time
- Ensuring a parent or guardian is present or has provided explicit consent for that specific assessment (Correct answer)
- Using only verbal instructions to avoid any physical contact
- Completing the assessment in under five minutes to minimize discomfort
Correct answer: Ensuring a parent or guardian is present or has provided explicit consent for that specific assessment
Assessments of sensitive body areas require explicit parental/guardian consent and ideally their presence to maintain transparency and trust.
SafeSport Physical Assessment Techniques 2
When conducting a physical assessment of an athlete, which boundary is MOST important to maintain to prevent the appearance of misconduct?