University of Toronto Athletics

Mandatory Anti-Doping Education Session
Pre-Participation Medical Screening & Medical Questionnaire
David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic
Athlete Nutrition and Hydration + Fitness & Performance 


A) Mandatory Anti-Doping Education Session

All student-athletes participating in sports in the University and Toronto divisions along with curling and wrestling must complete the online anti-doping webinar.

B) Pre-Participation Medical Screening & Medical Questionnaire

All students trying out for a Varsity team must complete an online medical questionnaire and submit a completed and signed consent form prior to tryouts.

Student-athletes are not permitted to participate in an open tryout, training session or competition until they complete a signed concussion and informed consent form as part of their VBRS registration and have been cleared for participation.

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 study 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 neurocognitive test, Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-5), 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, softball, water polo, volleyball & wrestling.

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 our future leaders. The test must be completed prior to the student-athlete's first competition.

C) David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic

The MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic is located on the 4th floor of the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. We are a multidisciplinary team which includes sport physicians, an orthopaedic surgeon, physical therapists, athletic therapists, registered massage therapists, and a registered dietician. The clinic is open to anyone with sport or exercise-related injuries or inquires. The staff take great pride in providing state-of-the-art sport medicine care to our varsity athletes.

Clinic Hours of Operation
Please check the website for current hours of operation at www.macintoshclinic.ca
Appointments: please call the front-line staff at 416-978-4678.

Sport Physicians

All athletes must see a sport physician prior to receiving therapy or other follow-up care. There are a limited number of acute injury spots for varsity athletes each day.
Most medical services for Canadians are covered by provincial medical plans. A provincial health card must be presented at each appointment. International students receive coverage through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). The clinic accepts these plans directly. Athletes who have other private medical care plans will be required to pay for their medical services at the time of their appointment. There may be additional charges for materials used in treatments that are not covered by medical care plans.

Therapists

Therapists are assigned to specific teams. Once the physician refers an athlete for therapy, the athlete will be typically be booked with the therapist associated with your team. Approximately one-third of therapy appointments are allocated for varsity athletes according to the Intercollegiate and High Performance Sport Model. To provide effective injury management, appointments and future appointments, should be booked well in advance.

There is an annual (May 1-April 30) $90.00 administration fee for all varsity athletes requiring therapy services. This fee must be paid prior to their initial therapy visit.

No Show/Same Day Cancellation Policy for Students

The clinic requires a minimum 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule appointments, emergencies notwithstanding. the fee is an escalating fee of $35.00 - $80.00 for missed therapy or physician visits. Missed orthopaedic surgeons visits are billed at the cost of the visit. The clinic reserves the right to withhold therapy if there is an outstanding balance. Payments may be made by Interac, VISA, MasterCard or AMEX. Should an athlete miss 1 recorded no shows and/or same day cancellations for therapy (including Alter-G) the Policy for Recurrent No Show/Same Day Cancellations comes into effect. This document is available for review in the clinic.

Additional Health Services

The David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic offers additional in-house services including sports psychiatry, sport psychotherapy, registered dietitian consultations, and orthopedic surgery. These services require a referral from one of our sports medicine physicians, and coverage will vary.

Please call the clinic at 416-978-4678 to book an appointment with one of our physicians.


D) Athlete Nutrition and Hydration

Optimal sports nutrition and hydration are crucial for athletic performance and recovery. Athletes should focus on consuming a balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats, tailored to their specific energy needs and training intensity. Timing is key: eat a pre-workout meal 2-3 hours before exercise, and refuel within 30-60 minutes post-exercise to maximize recovery. Stay well-hydrated by drinking water throughout the day and during workouts, aiming for pale yellow urine as an indicator of proper hydration. For longer or more intense sessions, consider sports drinks to replenish electrolytes. Avoid fad diets and instead prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods to support overall health and athletic performance. Remember, individual needs may vary, so consulting with a sports nutritionist can help fine-tune your nutrition strategy for optimal results.

If you have questions or concerns, please call the David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic to book an appointment with one of our physicians: 416-978-4678.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders pose a serious threat to athletes' health and performance, and coaches must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing these issues. Common disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, which can lead to severe physical and mental health consequences. Athletes in weight-sensitive sports or those under pressure to maintain a certain body type may be particularly vulnerable. Warning signs include drastic weight changes, obsessive calorie counting, excessive exercise, and irregular eating patterns. Athletes and coaches should foster a supportive environment that emphasizes overall health and performance rather than weight or appearance. It's crucial to promote positive body image, be informed about proper nutrition, and encourage open communication. If an eating disorder is suspected, immediate intervention is necessary, involving medical professionals, nutritionists, and mental health experts to ensure the athlete's well-being and safe return to sport.

If you have questions or concerns, please call the David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic to book an appointment with one of our physicians: 416-978-4678.

Fitness & Performance

The Fitness and Performance team provides the Strength and Conditioning support for the Varsity Blues student-athletes via a highly integrative team support structure. Coached by the Senior Fitness and Performance Coaches, student athletes engage in a periodized Strength and Conditioning program that incorporates resistance training, speed and agility training, and energy system development training. Student athletes engage in periodic fitness assessments and fitness testing to track progress and inform individualized programming. The Fitness and Performance department centers the student athlete in a holistic development approach – collaborating with Sport coaches, Sports Medicine Clinic, Registered Dieticians, and Mental Performance Coaches (where applicable) to ensure the student athletes are set up for success.

The provision of Strength and Conditioning is based on the University of Toronto Intercollegiate Sport Model.

• University Division Sports review 12 months of Strength and Conditioning Support.
• Toronto Division sports receive 8 months of full Strength and Conditioning support with program provision for the other 4 months.
• Blue and White division sports can receive Strength and Conditioning support for a fee which can be requested through leila.trei@utoronto.ca

Fitness and Performance related inquires can be directed to Alanna Coulson, Manager, Fitness and Performance at Alanna.coulson@utoronto.ca