STRENGTH IN COLLABORATION: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES IN COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE WITH PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN ELITE AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL.

The article focuses on the interprofessional collaboration between strength and conditioning coaches (S&Cs) and physiotherapists (PTs) in elite men's Australian Rules football. Through semi-structured interviews with seven PTs and six S&Cs, the study identifies two primary themes: "play your role," which addresses the distinct yet overlapping responsibilities of each profession, and "there is no 'I' in team," emphasizing the importance of communication and teamwork. The findings highlight the complementary relationship between S&Cs and PTs, suggesting that effective collaboration can enhance athlete performance and safety. This research serves as a foundational exploration of these dynamics in an elite Australian sporting context, offering insights for education and professional development in the field. Extracted from the article