Preparticipation Physical Evaluation: Musculoskeletal
Presented by Phil Plisky
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Physical therapists and certified athletic trainers are frequently involved in preparticipation physical examinations for sports, for tactical athletes (military, police, and firefighters), and in the workplace. Yet it is difficult for practitioners to market and implement a high-quality preparticipation physical examination. This course will assist the learner in conducting an evidence-based musculoskeletal preparticipation examination that will help reduce the injury risk of the athletes in their care. Specific strategies to conduct individual, team, and large group preparticipation physical examinations will be discussed. This course engages the participant through demonstrations, case studies, and a question-and-answer session with Dr. Arnold and Dr. Plisky. This course is for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists.
Meet your instructor
Phil Plisky
Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the MedBridge Rehab and Performance Lab podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at
Chapters & learning objectives
1. The Musculoskeletal Preparticipation Physical Evaluation
How can you identify the players that will fail to adapt to their environment, through lack of performance improvement, skill metric improvement, or time loss, before they fail? This chapter examines the purpose of the musculoskeletal preparticipation examination, the research regarding functional movement screening, and how functional movement screening can provide critical information for preparing and protecting your athletes.
2. Additional Risk Factors
This chapter provides context and detailed research into motor control screening tests. Learn how to determine the athlete’s readiness for sport and how to identify risk factors that place the athlete at greater risk of injury. The research regarding dynamic balance screening through the Star Excursion and Y-Balance tests, as well as jumping skill, power, and agility injury risk factors, will be discussed.
3. Using Multiple Risk Factors
While it is commonly understood that a single risk factor alone cannot adequately identify injury risk, what does the research say regarding the use of multiple risk factors in the preparticipation setting? You will learn how to apply multiple risk factors using large cohort injury prediction trials in the military and sport. You will also learn how to test both individuals and large groups in the preparticipation setting.
4. Testing Individuals and Teams
Now that you have decided which screens and tests need to be completed, how do you accomplish them, and what do you do with the results? In this section, Dr. Plisky discusses how to test an individual, as well as the more complex task of testing an entire team, university, or military division.
5. Q&A and Course Summary
This chapter engages Dr. Todd Arnold and Dr. Phil Plisky in a discussion on some of the most common musculoskeletal questions and concerns surrounding the preparticipation evaluation.
