Keeping athletes healthy

by Gina Roswell

staff writer the intake of carbohydrates, an abundance of fluid, fruits, vegetables and protein.

''Who is that lady running out onto the court?" "What is that trainer lady's name?"

"What is that pouch wrapped around her waist?" These are just a few of the questions that can sometimes be heard at sporting events when a player gets injured.

"The lady" that these people are referring to is Andra Riccio, A.T.C, the College's athletic trainer. After graduating from West Chester University with a bachelor's degree in sports medicine, Riccio came to Cabrini College to work, and is now moving rapidly into her third year here. Along with her bachelor's degree, Andra bad to pass a certificatio~ exam that would permit her to be an athletic trainer. A degree in sports medicine and passing the certification exam are required of all potential athletic trainers. Now that she has surpassed all of the pretrainer qualifications, Andra is a good resource for people to go to when they need advice about staying physically healthy before, during and after the sports season.

When asked what students could do to help keep up their energy both for school and sports, Andra said that preparing good nutritional habits, getting good amounts of sleep and organizing the week's events are important for maintaining energy. She also describes good nutritional habits as being

Riccio also added a tip that she views as very important: "Athletes need to remember to replace fluids and electrolytes after all competitions and/or practices" as the body responds better to the replacement of fluids and electrolytes two hours after expending what was previously there. The- best advice that Riccio could offer for an athlete to get in shape for for swimming: alternate running and riding a bicycle with doing laps in a pool. This way, instead of getting a complete cardio workout in the pool, the athlete also in- creases his or her stamina by running and riding the bike.

According to Riccio, it is also important for the student athlete to continue with his or her workout regiment during the duration of the entire season in order to keep up their athletic ability. She offered photo by Mariana Peiretti the same advice to ath- his or her season would be Riccio demonstrates part of a trainers job, working with injuries. letes in accordance to avoiding in- to make sure juries during the season. that he or she trained during the summer to prepare for the upcoming season. For example, she suggested an exercise regiment Riccio stresses the fact that no injury is minor and all should be checked out by a trainer to prevent furthering any damage. Specifically, she says that if an athlete is "feeling any pain, limping or cannot function normally" due to a potential injury, he or she should immediately seek the attention of a trainer as a precautionary measure. "Even a blister can be debilitating." she adds, with a chuckle, "I've seen some BAD blisters and trust me, they can do some damage."

In order nurse an injury back to health, consistency with the rehabilitation regiment is very important. For instance, she recommends daily check-ins with her in the training room, which is located in the Dixon Center room 126. It is also important for an athlete to continue his or her regiment on his or her own.

When asked the most important thing she could tell students, Riccio's response was that "prevention is her main job!!" The fow most important levels to her are treatment, evaluation, rehabilitation and finally returning to play.

One other piece of information that she wanted students to know was that there is___a team physician at the college. His name is Dr. John McShane and he is usually on campus once per week. If a student were to need an x-ray and couldn't make it to a hospi~, Dr. McShane would be able to provide assistance.