Crucial Role of Physiotherapists in the 2022 ASEAN Para Games

PRESS RELEASE

Number: 76/08/ASEANPARAGAMES/2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Solo – Physiotherapists have a key role for para-athletes competing in the para-athletics event in the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo. They monitored para-athletes’ conditions before and after the matches. They were even on standby for 24 hours for those para-athletes.

Physiotherapists were on call at any time should the para-athletes need them.

“I had just taken a para-athlete to the Moewardi Hospital because there was a swelling in the knee. It might be a torn meniscus or ACL (ligament),” said Nur Agung Martopo, the coordinator for physiotherapists in the para-athletics on Saturday (6 August 2022).

Agung was on duty at the Manahan Stadium Solo every day during the games. The physiotherapists could be found in two locations. The first location was in their basecamp area, and the second location was at the edge of the running track after the finish line.

The treatment commonly carried out near the finish line was to help the cooling down of para-athletes using ice therapy. The physiotherapists also massaged these athletes’ muscles after they exerted their best efforts during the match.

“We use RICE treatment. The most important is icing, for cooling down,” Agung said. When further treatment was required, the para-athlete was taken to Moewardi Hospital or an orthopedic doctor.

RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. The method is usually used for acute injuries, particularly strain or sprain on soft tissue.

They were recruited from the Faculty of Health Sciences of Muhammadiyah Surakarta University, the Health Ministry’s Surakarta Health Polytechnic, and ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta University. There were ten physiotherapists involved in the 11^th Para Games.

To be qualified as a volunteer at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo, physiotherapists needed to have a registration certificate. Agung himself graduated from the Faculty of Health of Muhammadiyah Surakarta University and he is also a physiotherapist at the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC).

For onlookers, their tasks on the field might be limited to only massaging and giving ice therapy for injured para-athletes or those who needed muscle relaxation. However, their duties went beyond that.

Physiotherapists worked day and night. They were even on standby for 24 hours to help treat a para-athlete. After the match, the physiotherapists went back to their hotel. However, they still monitored the para-athletes. They could be contacted for those requiring further treatment.

“The work might last up to midnight, with 6 people on duty,” said Agung, who is taking a master’s degree in Sports Science at the Sebelas Maret University.

According to Agung, the outline of a physiotherapist’s job at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games were to prepare a post-injury training program by taking into account the injury type, history, and other factors, as well as to make an assessment of an injury suffered by a para-athlete.

“We also provide education and report the para-athletes’ condition to the coaches,” Agung said.

They also provided suggestions, such as whether an injured para-athlete could continue the match or not.

He said that there are no special measures taken in treating para-athletes as there are no differences from treating athletes without disabilities. In his opinion, the important thing is a personal approach.

“If it is only a usual assessment, it will not make an impression,” he said.

Agung felt that he had learned many valuable lessons and experiences when he was involved in the athletic community at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games Solo. He saw para-athletes competing to be champions despite their limitations every day. He was impressed and motivated by such a struggle.

“The para-athletes taught us that despite their limitations, they still did their best,” he said.

He also commended the cohesiveness of the Indonesian para-athletics contingent. They were incredibly supportive of their injured teammates.

“Indonesian para-athletic contingent has a strong bond. When someone was injured, the others came and gave their support. It affected the recovery greatly,” Agung said.

Agung, who was born in Banyumas 25 years ago, had a unique experience during the ASEAN Para Games. He often got carried away in the race atmosphere since the spirit of nationalism surrounded him every day.

“I was often moved by the song Indonesia Raya every day because it was played every day in the para-athletics,” he said.

Indonesian para-athletics team became the overall champion with 64 gold, 44 silver, and 24 bronze medals. Therefore, the song Indonesia Raya was always played in the stadium, and the Red and White flag always flew high in the para-athletics event.

Indonesia is considered successful as the host as well as the overall champion of the largest para-athletics sporting event in Southeast Asia with a collection of 171 gold, 138 silver, and 110 bronze medals.

Second place went to Thailand with 113 gold, 113 silver, and 86 bronze medals. Vietnam was in third place with 63 gold, 58 silver, and 54 bronze medals. Malaysia was in the fourth position with a collection of 34 gold, 19 silver, and 14 bronze medals. While the fifth position was occupied by the Philippines with 28 gold, 31 silver, and 43 bronze medals.

Contact Person:

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Agung Martopo (black hat) and other physiotherapists strike a pose with the para-athletes after the last match at the para-athletic event in the 2022 ASEAN Para Games at Manahan Stadium, Solo on Friday (5 August 2022).

*For use of images, please include photo credits: Media Center APG 2022