Code	  of	  Ethics,	  International	  Federation	  of	  Sports	  Physical	  Therapists,	  adopted	  GM,	  Cape	  Town	  September	  2013	  	  Code of Ethics,The following Code of Ethics of International Federations of Sports Physical Therapists (IFSPT) isbased on The International Federation of Sports Medcine (FIMS) Code of Ethics(http://www.fims.org/en/general/code-of-ethics/) and WCPTs ethicalprinciples(http://www.wcpt.org/policy/ps-ethical-responsibilities).
Furthermore inspiration has come from:Hodge KP. Character building in sport: fact or fiction? New Zealand Journal of Sports Medicine17(2):23-25, 1989.
Code of Ethics. Sports Medicine Australia.
Principles and Ethical Guidelines of Health Care for Sports Medicine. International OlympicCommittee.
Code of Ethics. The American College of Sports Medicine.

1. Physical Therapy Ethics in GeneralThe same ethical principles that apply to the practice of physical therapy shall apply to sportsmedicine. The main duties of a physical therapist include (extract WCPT):
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••respect the rights and dignity of all individualscomply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of physical therapy in the countryin which they practiceaccept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgment provide honest, competent andaccountable professional servicesprovide quality servicesreceive a just and fair level of remuneration for their servicesprovide accurate information to patients/clients, to other agencies and the communityabout physical therapy and the services physical therapists provide contribute to the planningand development of services which address the health need of the communityAnd for Sport Physical Therapists:Always make the health of the athlete a priority.
Never do harm.
Never impose your authority in a way that impinges on the individual right of the athlete to makehis/her own decisions	  Code	  of	  Ethics,	  International	  Federation	  of	  Sports	  Physical	  Therapists,	  adopted	  GM,	  Cape	  Town	  September	  2013	  	  2. Ethics in Sports Physical TherapyPhysical Therapists who care for athletes of all ages have an ethical obligation to understand thespecific physical, mental and emotional demands of physical activity, exercise and sports training.
A different relationship exists between sports physical therapists, their employers, official sportsorganization, professional colleagues and the athletes. In sports physical therapy there is also alink between the pathologic concern and specific recreational and professional activity.
An athletic injury has a direct and immediate impact on the participation in this activity that mayhave psychological and financial implications. The most obvious difference between sportsphysical therapy and other aspects of physical therapy is that the athletes treated are generallyhealthy.
3. Special ethical issues in Sports Physical TherapyThe physical therapist's duty to the athlete must be his/her first concern and contractual and otherresponsibilities are of secondary importance. A physical therapy decision must be taken honestlyand conscientiously.
A basic ethical principle in health care is that of respect for autonomy. An essential component ofautonomy is knowledge. Failure to obtain informed consent is to undermine the athlete'sautonomy. Similarly, failure to give them necessary information violates the right of the athlete tomake autonomous choices. Truthfulness is important in health care ethics. The overriding ethicalconcern is to provide information to the best of one's ability that is necessary for the patient todecide and act autonomously.
The highest respect will always be maintained for human life and well-being. A mere motive ofprofit shall never be permitted to be an influence in conducting sports physical therapy practice orfunctions.
4. The Athlete/Sports physical Therapist RelationshipAll athletes are equal and the physical therapist shall not allow consideration of religion, nationality,race, party politics or social standing to intervene between his/her duty and the athlete.
The basis of the relationship between the physical therapist and the athlete should be that ofabsolute confidence and mutual respect. The athlete can expect a physical therapist to exerciseprofessional skill at all times. Advice given and action taken should always be in the athlete's bestinterest.
The athlete's right to privacy must be protected.
The regulations regarding medical records in health care and treatment shall also be applied in thefield of sports physical therapy. The sports physical therapist should maintain a complete andaccurate record of the patient.	  

Code	  of	  Ethics,	  International	  Federation	  of	  Sports	  Physical	  Therapists,	  adopted	  GM,	  Cape	  Town	  September	  2013	  	  In view of the strong public and media interest in the health of athletes, the physical therapistshould decide with the athlete what information can be released for public distribution.
When serving as a team physical therapist, the sports physical therapist assumes the responsibilityto athletes as well as team administrators and coaches. It is essential that each athlete is informedof that responsibility and authorizes disclosure of otherwise confidential medical information, butsolely to the specific responsible persons and for the expressed purpose of determining the fitnessof the athlete for participation.
The sports physical therapist will inform the athlete about the treatment and the possibleconsequences in an understandable way and proceed to request his or her permission for thetreatment.
The team physical therapist will explain to the individual athlete that he or she is free to consultanother physical therapist.
5. Training and CompetitionSports physical therapists should oppose training and practices and competition rules as they mayjeopardize the health of the athlete. In general, the physical therapist shall obtain knowledge of thespecific and mental demands made of athletes when they participate in sport activities. Relevantaspects in these respects include expertise, effectiveness and efficiency, and safety.
If the athletes concerned are children or growing individuals, the physical therapist must take intoconsideration the special risks that the sport in questions may represent to persons who have notyet reached physical or psychological maturity. When the sports participant is a growing individual,the sports physical therapist must ensure that the training and competition are appropriate for thestate of growth and development.
The physical therapist shall contribute to the spreading of information or the special conditions thatpertain to young people training and competing. It is vital that this information also reaches theyoung athletes, parents, guardians, and trainers.
6. EducationSports physical therapists should participate in continuing education courses to improve andmaintain the knowledge and skills that will allow them to provide optimal advice and care to theirpatient athletes. Knowledge should be shared with colleagues in the field.
7. Health PromotionSports physical therapists are obligated to educate people of all ages about the health benefits ofphysical activity, exercise and the prevention of sports injuries.
8. Injuries and AthletesIt is the responsibility of the sports physical therapist to advise whether the injured athletes shouldcontinue training or participate in competition. The outcome of the competition or the coaches	  Code	  of	  Ethics,	  International	  Federation	  of	  Sports	  Physical	  Therapists,	  adopted	  GM,	  Cape	  Town	  September	  2013	  	  should not influence the decision, but solely the possible risks and consequences to the health ofthe athlete.
If the physical therapist considers that a certain sport entails major risks she or he should try toeliminate the risk by exerting pressure on the athletes as well as on the relevant decision makers.
Injury prevention should receive the highest priority.
When supported by scientific research, a detailed exercise prescription should be part of thetherapeutic plan for an athlete recovering from injury or disease.
9. Relationships with other ProfessionalsThe sports physical therapist should work in collaboration with professionals of other disciplines.
The sports physical therapist should cooperate with sports physicians, psychologists, sportscientists, biomechanics, physiologists, and others relevant for the athlete´s health. The sportsphysical therapist has a responsibility for the health and well-being of the athlete and shouldtherefore coordinate the respective roles of these professionals and those of appropriate medicalspecialists in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of disease and injury. The concept ofinterdisciplinary team work is fundamental to the practice of sports physical therapists.
A sports physical therapist should refrain from publicly criticizing fellow professionals who areinvolved in the treatment of athletes.
A sports physical therapist should behave in relation to colleagues and coworkers as she/he wouldlike them to behave towards him.
When a sports physical therapist recognizes that the athlete's problems are beyond her/his level ofexpertise, it beholds him to advise the athlete of other persons with the necessary expertise andrefer the athlete to such appropriate persons for assistance.
10. Relations to Officials, Clubs etcAt a sport venue, it is the responsibility of the sports physical therapist to advise when an injuredathlete can participate in or return to an event or game. The physical therapist should not delegatethis advice. In all cases, priority must be given to the athlete's health and safety. The outcome ofthe competition must never influence such advices and decisions.
To enable the sports physical therapist to undertake this ethical obligation the sports physicaltherapist must insist on professional autonomy and responsibility for all sports physical advicesconcerning the health, safety and legitimate interest of the athlete. No third party should influence
this.
No information about an athlete may be given to a third party without the consent of the athlete.	  

Code	  of	  Ethics,	  International	  Federation	  of	  Sports	  Physical	  Therapists,	  adopted	  GM,	  Cape	  Town	  September	  2013	  	  11. DopingThe sports physical therapist should oppose and in practice refrain from using methods to improveperformance artificially such as those prohibited by the IOC.
The physical therapists have forcefully opposed the use of methods that are not in accordance withmedical ethics or scientifically proven experience. Thus, it is contrary to medical ethics to condonedoping in any form. Neither may the physical therapist in anyway mask pain in order to enable theathlete's return to practicing the sport if there is any risk of aggravating the injury.
12. ResearchResearch should be conducted following the ethical principles accepted for research in animalsand human subjects. Research should never be conducted in a manner which may injure athletesor jeopardize their athletic performance.