1. Mandatory Anti-Doping Education Session
All athletes participating in sports in the University and Toronto divisions along with curling and wrestling must complete the online anti-doping session.
2. Pre-participation Medical Screening and Medical Questionnaire
All athletes trying out for Varsity teams must complete an online medical questionnaire and submit a completed and signed informed consent.
Student-athletes are not permitted to participate in any games until he/she has completed the online medical questionnaire. Both the online survey and the informed consent form can be found in the athletes only section at www.varsityblues.ca.
Preseason Cognitive & Vision Screening
As part of our continued efforts toward excellence and best practice, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education has implemented an important health and safety initiative for sports where there is a significant risk of concussion and brain injury. The heterogeneity of concussion supports the movement towards multimodal concussion assessment; thus, the goal is to obtain pre-season or“baseline” cognitive and vision testing on all participants to inform treatment in the case of injury. The policy requires every student-athlete engaged in intercollegiate sports for which there is a significant risk for concussion, to complete a mandatory brief computerised neuropsychological test, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-3), and vision screening battery prior to the start of their athletic participation.
These sports are: baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, wrestling and volleyball. This policy will help us ensure effective treatment of concussion/mild traumatic brain injuries, recommend evidence-based return-to-play guidelines (in conjunction with ongoing research on concussion) and protect the academic and professional careers of you, our future leaders. The test must be completed prior to your first competition.
3. David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic
Located in the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport (north entrance), the MacIntosh Clinic is open to anyone with sport or exercise-related injuries or inquiries. The Clinic staff takes great pride in providing state-of-the-art sport medicine care to our athletes.
• Approximately one-third of the therapy appointment times are reserved for Varsity athletes from any sport. Varsity Blues athletes receive priority for assessment and treatment.
• Appointments with the sport physicians may be made by calling the clinic receptionist at 416.978.4678, or by booking in person. There are a limited number of acute injury spots for Varsity athletes each day. Patients must see one of the clinic’s sport physicians prior to receiving therapy or other follow-up care.
• Please be responsible and book your therapy appointments well ahead.
• Most medical services for Canadians are covered by provincial medical plans. Please remember to bring your provincial health card to your appointment. International students receive coverage through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Other University of Toronto students are covered under university plans such as ETFS. The clinic accepts these plans directly. Clients who have other private medical care plans will be required to pay for their medical services at the time of their appointment. There may also be additional charges for materials used in treatments that are not covered by medical care plans.
• An annual $60 administrative charge will apply to all students for therapy services. This fee must be paid at the time of your initial therapy visit. thlete Handbook 2015–2016 | 25
No Show/Same Day Cancellation Policy For Students
Charges for all missed appointments or cancellations without 24 hours notice will be invoiced to your account, emergencies not withstanding. This fee is $25 for therapy and $25 for physicians. The clinic reserves the right to withhold therapy if you have an outstanding balance. Payment may be made by Interac, Cheque, (payable to the University of Toronto) VISA or MasterCard.
Clinic Hours of Service
Clinic hours are subject to change. Please call 416.978.4678 for updates.
The clinic is open from:
Mon - Thurs. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Short hours occur in December and April through August.
4. Healthy Active Bodies Sports Nutrition
Coaches and student-athletes should recognize the role of nutrition in their overall health and achievement of their athletic goals. Athletes who include performance nutrition as part of their training regime will have an advantage over otherwise equally dedicated, fit and skilled opponents. The following are some basic rules of thumb; however, we strongly encourage you to discuss your nutritional needs with your coach, team therapist and/or sport medicine clinic personnel.
• Eat foods from all four major food groups while avoiding large amounts of alcohol, caffeine, salt and sugar.
• Place emphasis on foods low in fat and high in carbohydrates.
• Spread snacks and meals throughout the day to ensure a constant supply of energy. The quantity of food you consume should reflect your energy expenditure and should take into account your longterm weight and body composition goals.
Drink lots of water, particularly before, during and after training and competition to avoid exercise-related dehydration.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders have become a serious and common problem among today’s generation, especially among young women. The two primary types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia; both are characterized by fear of weight gain, feelings of ineffectiveness and low self-esteem. Anorexia is identified as drastic weight loss from dieting and is often accompanied by intense exercise. Bulimia is distinguished fluctuations in weight and cycles of binge eating followed by purging or ridding the body of unwanted food. Researchers and physicians have recognized that eating disorders among highly active, competitive athletes are often accompanied by additional medical and physical complications. This condition has been labeled the female athlete triad.
Resources
There are a number of resources on and off campus for those dealing with eating disorders, their families and friends. Many of these confidential services are free of charge or are covered by provincial or individual medical care plans.
• Nutritional counselling is available through Health Services in the Koffler Centre at 416.978.8030
• Sheena’s Place: 87 Spadina Road, Toronto, ON, 416.927.8900
• The National Eating Disorder Information Centre: 200 Elizabeth St., CW 1-328, Toronto, ON, 416.340.4156
