Training & Conditioning 13.3 by Momentummedia

TRAINING

$5.00 APRIL 2003 Vol. XIII, No. 3

CONDITIONING

Facing the Unknown Handling a new rehab situation ◆ Tips for the Vegetarian Athlete ◆ When Workouts are Voluntary

"Punches to the head. Kicks in the face. Guys can really thrash you in the swim. Unless they’re behind you." Be great.

-Peter Reid Triathlete

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C ONTENTS

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Training & Conditioning • April 2003 • Vol. XIII, No. 3

F E AT U R E S ◆ Optimum Performance ◆

On Their Own.........11 With an increased emphasis in college athletics on providing athletes with more downtime, strength and conditioning coaches need to structure nonmandatory workouts with great care. By David Hill

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◆ Management ◆

Questioning Candidates.........18 Interviewing candidates for assistant athletic trainer positions takes strategic planning, organization, and great listening skills. But doing it the right way will ensure you hire the best person for the job. By Laura Smith ◆ Nutrition ◆

Let ’Em Eat Lettuce.........31 Athletes who choose a vegetarian diet can be healthful and successful. But they may need some help in making sure their greens, beans, nuts, and grains are nutritionally balanced. By Leslie Bonci ◆ Tr e a t i n g t h e A t h l e t e ◆

Facing the Unknown..........37 No matter how many athletes you’ve treated, chances are you’ll encounter a handful of rehab situations in your career that have you drawing a blank. By Maria Hutsick

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D E PA R T M E N T S ◆ Sideline ◆

Understanding Dehydration..........3 ◆ Comeback Athlete Award ◆

Female High School winner..........4 ◆ Bulletin Board ◆

Ephedra … Concussions … Super Slow Training..........8 ◆ Competitive Edge ◆

On the Line..........43 At North Carolina State University, offensive and defensive linemen are trained from the core to the hands. By Todd Stroud Advertising Directory..........56 Nutrition Products..........47 Scouting Report: Rehabilitation Products..........49 Catalog Showcase..........58 Scouting Report: Football Conditioning Products..........60 Scouting Report: Knee Products..........62 Web Connections..........62 On the cover: USA Hockey goalie Sara DeCosta is the subject of this issue’s rehab story. Story starts on page 37. Photo: Robert Laberge/©Getty Images

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TRAINING & CONDITIONING • April 2003 • Vol. XIII, No. 3

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Marjorie Albohm, MS, ATC/L Director of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Research, Orthopaedics Indianapolis Jon Almquist, ATC Specialist, Fairfax County (Va.) Pub. Schools Athletic Training Program Brian Awbrey, MD Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Instructor in Orthopaedics, Harvard Medical School Jim Berry, MEd, ATC, SCAT/EMT-B Director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer, Myrtle Beach (S.C.) High School Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD Director, Sports Medicine Nutrition Program, University of Pittsburgh Medical Ctr. Health System Christine Bonci, MS, ATC Asst. A.D. for Sports Medicine, Women’s Athletics, University of Texas Cynthia “Sam” Booth, ATC, PhD Manager, Outpatient Therapy and Sportsmedicine, MeritCare Health System Debra Brooks, CNMT, LMT, PhD CEO, Iowa NeuroMuscular Therapy Center Cindy Chang, MD Head Team Physician, University of California-Berkeley Dan Cipriani, MEd, PT Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physical Therapy, Medical College of Ohio Gray Cook, MSPT, OCS, CSCS Clinic Director, Orthopedic & Sports Phys. Ther., Dunn, Cook, and Assoc. Bernie DePalma, MEd, PT, ATC Head Athl. Trainer/Phys. Therapist, Cornell University Lori Dewald, EdD, ATC, CHES Athletic Training Program Director and Associate Professor of Health Education, University of Minnesota-Duluth Jeff Dilts Director, Business Development & Marketing, National Academy of Sports Medicine David Ellis, RD, LMNT, CSCS Sports Alliance, Inc. Boyd Epley, MEd, CSCS Asst. A.D. & Dir. of Athletic Perf., University of Nebraska Peter Friesen, ATC, NSCA-CPT, CSCS, CAT, Head Ath. Trainer/ Cond. Coach, Carolina Hurricanes Lance Fujiwara, MEd, ATC, EMT Director of Sports Medicine, Virginia Military Institute Vern Gambetta, MA President, Gambetta Sports Training Systems Joe Gieck, EdD, ATC, PT Director of Sports Medicine and Prof., Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia Brian Goodstein, MS, ATC, CSCS, Director, Sports Performance, Metro Orthopedics Sports Therapy, Md.

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Gary Gray, PT President, CEO, Functional Design Systems Maria Hutsick, MS, ATC/L, CSCS Head Athletic Trainer, Boston University Christopher Ingersoll, PhD, ATC, FACSM Director, Graduate Programs in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training University of Virginia Jeff Konin, MEd, ATC, MPT Assistant Professor of Athletic Training, James Madison University Tim McClellan, MS, CSCS Director of Perf. Enhancement, Makeplays.com Center for Human Performance Michael Merk, MEd, CSCS Director of Health & Fitness, YMCA of Greater Cleveland Jenny Moshak, MS, ATC, CSCS Asst. A.D. for Sports Medicine, University of Tennessee Steve Myrland, CSCS Owner, Manager, Perf. Coach, Myrland Sports Training, LLC Instructor and Consultant, University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Mike Nitka, MS, CSCS Director of Human Performance, Muskego (Wisc.) High School Bruno Pauletto, MS, CSCS President, Power Systems, Inc. Stephen Perle, DC, CCSP Associate Prof. of Clin. Sciences, University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic Brian Roberts, MS, ATC Director, Sport Performance & Rehab. Ctr. Ellyn Robinson, DPE, CSCS, CPT Assistant Professor, Exercise Science Program, Bridgewater State College Kent Scriber, EdD, ATC, PT Professor/Supervisor of Athletic Training, Ithaca College

Publisher Mark Goldberg Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Frankel Circulation Director Mark Shea Associate & Assistant Editors Jim Catalano Dennis Read David Hill Laura Smith Guillermo Metz Kenny Berkowitz Art Director Leslie Carrère Production Manager Kristin Ayers Assistant Production Manager Kristi Kempf Production Assistants Jonni Campbell Hildi Gerhart Prepress Manager Adam Berenstain IT Manager Mark Nye Business Manager Pennie Small Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter Administrative Assistants Sharon Barbell Amy Walton Daniela Reis Advertising Materials Coordinator Mike Townsend Advertising Sales Associates Diedra Harkenrider (607) 257-6970, ext. 24 Sheryl Shaffer (607) 257-6970, ext. 21 T&C editorial/business offices: 2488 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970 Fax: (607) 257-7328 info@MomentumMedia.com

Chip Sigmon, CSCS Strength and Conditioning Coach, Carolina Medical Center Bonnie J. Siple, MS, ATC Coordinator, Athletic Training Education Program & Services, Slippery Rock University Chad Starkey, PhD, ATC Associate Professor, Athletic Training Educ. Program, Northeastern University Ralph Stephens, LMT, NCTMB Sports Massage Therapist, Ralph Stephens Seminars Fred Tedeschi, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, Chicago Bulls Terrence Todd, PhD Co-Director, Todd-McLean Physical Culture Collection, Dept. of Kinesiology & Health Ed., University of Texas-Austin

Training & Conditioning (ISSN 10583548) is published monthly except in January and February, May and June, and July and August, which are bimonthly issues, for a total of nine times a year, by MAG, Inc., 2488 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. T&C is distributed without charge to qualified professionals involved with competitive athletes. The subscription rate is $24 for one year and $48 for two years in the United States, and $30 for one year and $60 for two years in Canada. The single copy price is $5. Copyright© 2003 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Training & Conditioning, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, NY 14852-4806. Printed in the U.S.A.

Dehydration Decreases Dynamic Strength and 1RM bench press as during E treatment. After the D 1RM was determined, subjects rested for two hours and consumed water until they reached their pre-dehydrated weight. After the rest period, they conducted another 1RM bench press (R).

ROB SKINNER, MS, RD, CSCS

Athletic trainers, coaches, and strength coaches closely watch athletes for signs of dehydration. They, like many sports health professionals, know that it’s critical to avoid dehydration if optimal performance and health of athletes is to be maintained. Now, a recent study1 published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, suggests that avoiding dehydration may be as important to strength training athletes performing maximum lifts as it is to endurance and team sport athletes.

After dehydration, 1RM bench press was 14.5 pounds lower than the first maximum lift performed in a well-hydrated state (E1). However, the 1RM lift performed after rehydration was not significantly different than the first euhydration maximum lift (E1).

The study, conducted at Old Dominion University in Virginia, examines the effect of dehydration equivalent to a 1.5 percent loss of body weight on one-repetition maximum (1RM) performance in 10 trained male power lifters. Treatments were randomly assigned and measurements were obtained in a crossover design (See Table 1: Study Protocol).

Interestingly, during E there was a 2.5 percent decrease in the 1RM bench press from the first to second lifts (E1 to E2), which were separated by two hours. The authors indicated that this small decline in performance, despite maintenance of hydration, might have been due to decreased motor unit activation and/or afferent feedback from the exercising muscle. See Figure 1 for a graphical display of the combined results.

Table 1 Study Protocol Euhydration Test Dehydration (D)/ Rehydration (R) Test

Warm up, 1RM(E1) 2-hour rest Sauna-induced dehydration to -1.5% body weight

• Baseline performance was established during a euhydration treatment (E). In a well-hydrated state, the power lifter subjects performed a warm-up and then determined a IRM bench press (E1). Then, they rested for two hours before conducting another 1RM (E2). • A second treatment involved dehydration/rehydration (D/R). To accomplish dehydration, the subjects were passively dehydrated (performing no exercise) by sitting in a sauna until each lost 1.5 percent of their body weight. Dehydration at this level equates to a loss of 3.75 pounds for a 250-pound weight lifter. Dehydration was confirmed by a decrease in systolic blood pressure, plasma volume and an increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit and heart rate, all indicators of a hypovolimic state.

Warm up, 1RM(D)

1RM (E2)

2-hour rest drinking 1RM (R) fluids to regain 1.5% body weight

Given these results, it’s clear that strength training, especially 1RM lifts, can be affected by dehydration of less than two percent of body weight. The good news is that rehydration through oral fluid intake can restore an athlete’s ability to perform 1RM lifts during training. These results underscore the importance of hydration for every athlete in the weight room. Rob Skinner, registered dietitian and certified strength and conditioning specialist, is director of sports nutrition at the Georgia Tech Athletic Association. He works with athletes from 17 different NCAA sports, as well as Olympians and players from the NFL, NBA, and MLB. For more information on nutrition for strength training, visit the Sports Science Center at GSSI sections at www.gssiweb.com. 1 Schoffstall JE et al. J. Strength Cond. Res. 15(1):102-108. 2001.

Once dehydrated, subjects then performed the same warm-up

For more information on nutrition, visit the Sports Science Center at www.gssiweb.com.

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Every supplement containing ephedra will soon bear a warning label, the first such required of an herbal supplement by the Food and Drug Administration. The announcement came just days after the death of minor league pitcher Steve Bechler, which was attributed at least in part to the supplement. The move had been in the works for some time—at least 100 deaths have been linked to the use of ephedra in the U.S. The supplement, which is used for weight loss and as an athletic performance booster, is already banned by the NCAA, the International Olympic Committee, and the NFL (though not by Major League Baseball, the NBA, nor the NHL). Many people working with high school and college athletes hail the warning label as a positive move that will help convince young athletes of the dangers posed by the supplement. Others, hoping for an outright ban by the FDA, say the move doesn’t go far enough. While ephedra isn’t likely to be made illegal anytime soon, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has said, "This is not the end of the story. [The FDA is] building the case for further regulatory action.”

Jamie Carey is once again making headlines. The basketball player gained notoriety for being sidelined at Stanford because of recurrent concussions, then surprised everyone by transferring to Texas, where she was accepted on the team. Now she’s showing everyone that those concussions aren’t slowing her down anymore. Capping off a great season, Carey was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, helping Texas win its first Big 12 regular season and conference tournament titles. At Stanford, Carey had been named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2000 after setting the school record for 3-pointers in a single season with 81. But then she became plagued by the lasting effects of concussions that left her with chronic headaches, dizziness, and concentration problems. She ultimately sat out two years, and the Stanford physicians still wouldn’t clear her to play. They did, however, recommend that she visit specialists in Austin, Texas, who were able to help. They worked with Carey through a series of mental exercises to regain full function and convinced the coaching and administrative staff at Texas that she was in no more danger of lasting traumatic brain injury than anyone else. So far, she’s proving them correct. For more information on the decision to let Carey play at Texas, go to our Web site, www.athleticsearch.com, and type “Carey” in the search window.

NCAA ISS Complies With HIPAA Just as the NCAA is gearing up to go on-line with its Injury Surveillance System (ISS), along comes the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which clamps down on the types of patient information that can be shared electronically. But according to NCAA legal counsel, schools will be able to participate in the ISS without running afoul of HIPAA regulations. Of course there’s still FERPA to contend with. That’s the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law requiring student or parental consent before private educational or medical information can be disclosed. And that’s the bottom line—as long as athletic trainers and others working with injured athletes obtain consent to release information to other parties, they should be okay. In response, the NCAA is working to make available a consent form that member schools can use to provide information to the ISS that complies with both FERPA and HIPAA. The Web-based version of the ISS promises several enhancements. It will streamline the way data is compiled, allowing member schools to enter student-athlete stats themselves rather than sending them to the NCAA for entry. The Web-based version will also be more accessible to a wide variety of people, while still protecting personal information. And it will expand the system’s capabilities to collect and analyze the injury data. The NCAA hopes to have the system up and running, with a consent form available, by this fall. If you have any news or interesting items you would like to contribute to T&C’s Bulletin Board, please e-mail them to ef@momentummedia.com, or fax them to (607) 257-7328.

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Super-Slow Gets You Nowhere Fast According to a recent study, super-slow resistance training yields no greater results than traditional methods. The study was conducted to test the notion that weight training movements performed very slowly burn more calories and yield greater results. According to the authors, Avery Faigenbaum, EdD, CSCS, and Laurie Milliken, PhD, of the Department of Human Performance and Fitness at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Wayne Westcott, PhD, fitness research director of the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Mass., the opposite is actually true. They tested seven males—all of whom had at least one year of resistance training experience—on exercises that included leg extension, bench press, biceps curl, leg curl, reverse curl, shoulder press, upright row, bent-over row, and squat. Comparing a regimen of eight reps with a 10-second concentric phase and a five-second eccentric phase at 25 percent of 1RM to one consisting of the traditional two sets of eight reps at 65 percent of 1RM, the researchers found that the super-slow program scored significantly lower in total work and relative exercise intensity. The article appeared in Volume 17, No. 1 of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

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ON THEIR OWN

f the recent changes in NCAA legislation, one trend seems to be clear: providing student-athletes with more time away from their sport. The call for this change has come from university presidents, faculty members, and some student-athletes themselves. But in most cases, dealing with the change will fall most heavily on each school’s strength and conditioning coach. In Division I football, the NCAA is adding eight weeks of time free of mandatory workouts from Jan. 1 through the start of summer conditioning and then another eight weeks leading up to the first preseason practice.

With an increased emphasis in college athletics on providing athletes with more downtime, strength and conditioning coaches need to structure nonmandatory workouts with great care. Some individual conferences are also legislating even more free time for athletes. Most prominent is the Ivy League’s move to implement seven

BY DAVID HILL

weeks of downtime in all sports. Despite these rules changes, sport coaches will still expect high-performance outcomes and injury prevention. And they will be counting on their strength coaches to produce these outcomes. In this article, we talk with some leading strength and conditioning coaches caught in the middle about how they are adjusting to the new restrictions. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The first quandary for many strength and conditioning coaches is how to write an effective workout program if it is not mandatory. Those at most David Hill is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning.

A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M ◆ T & C A P R I L 2 0 0 3 ◆ 11

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Conducting vs. Supervising spotting and providing some kind of direction.” rules state that coaches may supervise NCAA Jerry Martin, MA, CSCS*D, Strength and Constudent-athletes to maintain health and safety during nonmandatory workout periods, but the details behind the rules are subject to interpretation. Some coaches, citing the injury-prevention effect of conditioning programs, see almost anything they do as contributing to health and safety. For example, they may accompany athletes on a conditioning run to show them the pace needed to become acclimatized and aerobically fit. Others prefer to simply watch and make sure there’s adequate spotting and no horseplay or egregious lifting errors. “If you see somebody performing something that’s really way off, it’s your professional responsibility to help them out. You would be negligent if you didn’t,” says Roger Marandino, MA, CSCS*D, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University. “If a kid’s simply deviating from the workout I put up on the board, I can’t go out there and say anything because it is truly their time. But safety always comes first.” “One of the big things is not to call the coach or athletic trainer if somebody doesn’t come in or they need to change their workout time or that kind of thing,” says Chip Harrison, co-Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for sports other than football at Penn State. “If somebody comes in and has a workout—whether it’s one that we’ve designed or one that they’ve got on their own—and they need help on an exercise, that falls into the safety category as far as

Division I programs say they still develop their programs with the assumption that the athletes will follow them. Athletes who pick and choose which workouts they go to will never see the progress of those who follow a structured program, so a plan is laid out as if it were mandatory. “I can’t write my strength-training and conditioning programs for the weak link,” says John Taylor, CSCS*D, Head Performance Training Coach at New Mexico State University and Chair of the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s College Strength and Conditioning Professionals Special Interest Group. “The train’s moving,” says Jerry Martin, MA, CSCS*D, Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at the 12 ◆ T & C A P R I L 2 0 0 3 ◆

ditioning Coordinator at the University of Connecticut, was a member of the NCAA committee that developed the proposal for extended nonmandatory time in Division I football and admits the dividing line isn’t clear-cut. But his approach is this: “If the athlete comes to the weightroom, you’re supervising so he’s not getting hurt,” Martin says. “When an athlete or a group of athletes come down and you hand them a program and then take them through it step by step, exercise by exercise and rep by rep, that would be considered conducting a workout.” Coaches also suggest not trying to navigate the rules alone. Trent Greener, CSCS, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Oregon State University, says he checks regularly with the school’s compliance office. In the future, he says, he might take the year-round programs his staff writes to the athletic administration for their review in light of the expanded non-mandatory times. “At the beginning of the year,” says Greener, “I sit down with all of our football coaches and say, ‘Here’s our year-round training program, here’s the days off, here’s why we’re doing this.’ But we’re going to have to communicate a little bit more with the administration instead of just with the sport coaches. I’d like them to be able to say, ‘We’re looking at your yearround plan, and you’re in compliance. We feel comfortable with what you’re doing.’”

University of Connecticut. “When the train passes, you’ve got to be at the station. You gotta get on.” Since even a few days of inactivity will affect an athlete’s strength level, most coaches say plans with expanded breaks will compromise an athlete’s progress. “When you think about muscle physiology, it can take anywhere from 16 to 26 workouts for your body to increase in hypertrophy or muscle size, where it can take just two days for your body to start atrophying in muscle size,” says Russell Barbarino, MS, CSCS, CSCC, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Delaware. “So it’s very hard to catch up. If a fall-sport athlete does not work out in the summer it might take him or her the whole fall semester to catch up. And because lifting gets reduced dur-

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ing the season, chances of that happening are very small.” A crucial tool in increasing the chances of summer workouts being followed is a take-home manual. Barbarino’s includes sections on nutrition and hydration as well as the strength and conditioning staff’s recommended workout routine and schedule. The goal is to provide enough information so that an athlete can work out without a coach. Coaches say it pays to spell out the recommended off-season program as clearly as possible for the athletes. “They’ll usually have a 15-week program from the time they leave here until the time they have to report back,” says Bob Miller, CSCS, Director of Strength and Conditioning at Dartmouth College. “We get a work-

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ing max for their squats, cleans, bench, and jerks, and off those we generate all the weights for the other lifts. So they have specific weights listed on cards we give them, and there’s no guesswork.” With the Ivy League’s mandated downtimes, Miller has had to alter academic-year programs a bit. In the case of the football team, the first rest period extended from the last week of November into the second week of December, and the second covered the first seven days of the winter term in mid-January. The next rest period was March 1-14, and then another runs May 20-June 3. The March period is especially worrisome for Miller because it comes just before the college-wide spring break, which is followed by spring football practice. “There’s less of a base-building phase and you have to get into your strength and power phase right away,” Miller says. “It also cuts down on the conditioning portion, where we’re los-

“We’re putting a lot of responsibility on the individual to do all the work they’re supposed to do so they come off the rest period ready for a par-

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ing four speed workouts.” Miller says he scheduled time for informal light workouts during the rest weeks. Athletes get cards with recommended workouts, and he announces the weightroom will be open for the sport at a specific time on particular days. “We don’t teach at all during that time,” Miller says. “We try to keep the lifts basic during those voluntary

Especially during the summer, strength and conditioning coaches will often need to find ways to accommodate student-athletes who, for a variety of reasons, can’t follow a set off-season routine. “There are kids who are going to have to work on dad and mom’s farm in the summer, for example” says Lacey Degnan, CSCC, Director of Athletic Performance at the University of Montana, “and you’ve got to respect that and you’ve got to honor that.” Coaches suggest investigating

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Ivy Adjustments or Ivy League strength and conditioning coaches, the challenges of dealing with restrictions on student-athletes’ workout schedules extend well beyond football. Under a policy started last fall, the conference requires each of its eight member schools to designate seven weeks per year for each sport in which student-athletes have no required athletic activities or supervision by coaches of any kind. The weeks needn’t be all at once, but holiday periods don’t count, as the intent was to encourage athletes to have more time for non-athletic pursuits on campus. For instance, most Ivy ice hockey teams took two rest weeks in September, before practice began, then will find more time in the spring. As Ivy League strength and conditioning coaches have gotten used to their conference’s new sevenweek downtime rule, they’ve found it has affected winter teams the most. “With us, the biggest challenge came from freshmen on winter teams wanting to use the weightroom in September. Because we couldn’t conduct workouts, it got hairy,” says Roger Marandino, MA, CSCS*D,

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Brown University. The solution has been to send a videotape showing the lifts to each incoming freshman—sport coaches help out making the copies, often on old recruiting tapes—and then to designate some seniors to take freshmen under their wings in the weightroom, Marandino says. Tom Howley, CSCS, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Cornell University, says his staff is trying to match the athletes’ rest-period weeks with lighter periods in the training cycle. Sport coaches have provided schedules showing their teams’ offweeks, and athletes who choose to work out at that time avoid heavier loads and more technical lifts, such as squats and power cleans, in favor of lighter, less technical and intense work. Another way to cope is breaking up the rest periods. “What some teams have chosen to do is to go two weeks on, one week off, two weeks on, one week off,” Howley says. “They spread those weeks out so that we can cycle our workouts accordingly instead of taking seven weeks straight.”

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what equipment will be available where the athlete will be, and making adjustments as necessary. If there’s no good leg-press machine, for instance, substitute more squat lifts. “You sit down with the ones who are going and ask them, ‘What’s your weightroom like back home?’” says Degnan. “Or you talk to the high school coach and say, ‘What kind of facilities do you have there?’ “If they have top-notch facilities,” Degnan continues, “you say, ‘Okay, let’s do this workout.’ But if they don’t, you adjust and find a workout that’s going to help them use the limited resources that they have. The workout’s not customized for each player but may be a little different from the workout for the kids who are staying. That’s the beauty of strength and conditioning: You get to use your imagination and whatever tools and resources you have to get these kids in utmost shape for summer camp.” Some coaches are also willing to make adjustments for athletes who

“For the weeks that they’re off, instead of lifting four days, it’s a three-day lift program. Instead of running four days, it might be two days’ worth of running.” want to keep working out but not quite as hard. Miller says he’s been building in a lighter schedule for athletes who use some of the Ivy-mandated rest periods to take it relatively easy but don’t stop working completely. “For the weeks that they’re off, instead of lifting four days, it’s a threeday lift program. Instead of running four days, it might be two days’ worth of running,” Miller says. “When they look at it, they say,

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‘Hey, this isn’t going to take that much of my time.’ If it doesn’t look like much, they’re more likely to do it as opposed to a 30-page program.” Coaches also are wise to acknowledge that some athletes will want to use their discretionary time as true time off. “I think an active rest period or a time away from school and work is probably a real good idea, but an extended period of complete rest is probably more than what most athletes need, unless they’re really running into overuse problems,” says Chip Harrison, co-Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for sports other than football at Penn State. “Changing things up—doing a little cross training, stepping away from the routine— becomes an important part of resting both physically and psychologically. I think the trick is to try to maintain a level of continued practice at the same time that you’re allowing rest, particularly psychological rest, so that somebody feels fresher as they go into their preseason.”

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Trent Greener, CSCS, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Oregon State, focuses on getting athletes to be honest about their activities during these rest periods, and then taking those into account. “One player did an internship overseas, then came back three weeks before football camp started,” Greener says. “He’d been very honest, saying ‘I’m not going to have the opportunity to lift heavy. I’m going to go out and do some intervals but I’m not going to have the opportunity to do a whole lot more. And so when he came in, I tweaked his program because throwing him into a high volume and high intensity of training would have smashed him and probably predisposed him to a greater chance of injury.” KEEPING THE INTENSITY

For those athletes who do have access to a full range of workout equipment, the trick is keeping them motivated to follow an intense program without coaching them. Most coaches use plen-

“The freshmen coming in might be your hardest sell. But if they follow the program and you can show them that the work they put in paid some dividends, you might get them hooked.” ty of education and a bit of peer pressure. Greener does a lot of explaining how periodization works so that athletes internalize why they need to get on a program and stick to it even when no one’s making them do it. “We tell them this is a progressive approach,” Greener says. “You add weight to the bar, you add distances to your interval training, and you don’t go full-out

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starting day one. It’s a gradual, progressive, well-thought-out plan, and in order to maximize that plan you have to be with that plan from day one.” “I strongly urge athletes to ask why we are doing something,” says Degnan. “‘Why are we doing this lift, what does this help me with?’ Because the more they know, the more that they’re going to believe and the more they can help themselves when I, or my staff, am not there. The more they know, the better off both parties are going to be.” Many strength and conditioning coaches appeal to athletes’ innate competitiveness and team sensibilities. “You have group leaders or team captains, for example,” says Barbarino. “You can preach to them the importance of doing this program and have them relay the message in their own way.” During day-to-day interaction with athletes, Greener and his staff talk about athletes’ individual goals and how to reach them. “You’ve got

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guys who want to play at the next level,” he says. “You’ve got guys who want to be starters. You’ve got guys who want to make the travel squad. You’ve got guys who want to dress on the sidelines. “And I think those people,” continues Greener, “just through knowing and observing, have to see, ‘Gosh, to get on the playing field, I’ve got to get stronger, I’ve got to get faster, I’ve got to improve my conditioning. How do I do that? Well, I want to run alongside or lift alongside the guy who I’m trying to beat out.’ It’s going to be internal.” “It’s like a marketing project. You want to show them results,” says Barbarino. “The freshmen coming in might be your hardest sell. But if they follow the program and you can show them that the work they put in paid some dividends, you might get them hooked. Show them the positives— their speed and strength gains—and preach to them all year that the summer is the most vital time.” “Hopefully,” says Miller, “we’ve piqued the interest of enough kids and really got them excited about what we’re doing that during the rest periods they say, ‘Oh, yeah, I want to keep going, because I know I’m going to get better.’ That’s the attitude we’re going to take.” Anthony Glass, CSCS, CSCC, Director of Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports at Ohio State, also takes his message to the sport coaches. “Every year, right around four months before the summer program starts, I’ll e-mail coaches once every two to three weeks saying it’s imperative that the kids are here over the summer so that we can train them in this off-season phase, and to please support the strength and conditioning staff by suggesting to your athletes to stay around over the summer.” Martin also uses subtle approaches. “We have a number of written slogans in the weightroom, like ‘Championships start here,’” says Martin. “And ‘Go Hard or Go Home.’ It means you don’t want to waste your time and you don’t want to waste our time. This is a place where you can put

an hour a day in and you can improve yourself as an athlete. Put an hour aside every day to try to reach that dream that you have as an athlete or as a team.” At the end of the day, strength and conditioning coaches will adapt to increasing calls for less off-season regimentation of student-athletes. Taylor, while not a fan of further restrictions on the off-season, says schools without a strong tradition of strength and condi-

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tioning for sports may fall behind. But at those where the importance of the weightroom and conditioning are deepseated habits, he sees little problem. “It’s not going to be a problem for a strength coach in that atmosphere to get it done because the players are going to motivate themselves,” Taylor says. “Their strength coach is going to be there. And whether or not he can directly run the session, he can make recommendations.” ◆

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Interviewing candidates for assistant athletic trainer positions takes strategic planning, organization, and great listening skills. But doing it the right way will ensure you hire the best person for the job. BY LAURA SMITH

Illustration: Adam Berenstain

hen it comes to hiring assistant athletic trainers, times have changed. “It used to be that assistants got jobs because somebody knew somebody and called them up and said, ‘We have a position open, do you know anyone who’s available?’” says the NATA’s Placement Chair, Bettina Roedig, MEd, LATC. “That’s not the case anymore.” Job postings on the NATA Web site are reaching record numbers and other listings are also growing, which means “job seekers and potential employers have many more ways to meet each other than through the good old boys’ network,” Roedig says. The good news? There is more competition for positions, and thus more choices for employers. Instead of simply coming from a colleague’s Rolodex, candidates now come from Laura Smith is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning.

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A Good Fit uman resources professionals suggest you thoroughly evaluate your athletic training department’s environment before formulating interview questions. This also means evaluating what you, as the boss, are like to work for. “When you ask interview questions, you’re trying to figure out if the candidate can do the job,” says Mike Poskey, Vice President of the consulting firm ZeroRisk HR, Inc., based in Dallas. “But then you need to figure out if they can do the job given how you specifically provide direction. “For example, you need to ask yourself things like, am I the type of boss who gives directions and then lets employees do things themselves, or am I the type of boss who wants to be involved with the details?” continues Poskey. Then you can frame interview questions to reveal whether the candidate is likely to function well under the type of leadership he or she would be getting. “You can ask, ‘What were the characteristics of the best boss you’ve ever worked for?’ or ‘What type of boss has been particularly hard for you to work for?’” Poskey offers. The soul-searching and extra time involved in analyzing yourself will pay off in the long run. “It’s easy to hire good people, but retention is the hard part,” Poskey says. “When people leave, they don’t usually leave an organization. They leave the boss. So getting a good fit in the first place puts you ahead of the game.”

around the country and even around the world. The challenge? Conducting interviews that will determine which candidate is right for your job opening. WHO ARE WE?

Most schools faced with a vacancy in their athletic training department follow a similar procedure. They post the job, gather applications, and sift through stacks of paperwork trying to decide which candidates will make the first cut. Then they further narrow the field with phone interviews. Finally, they shell out funds for plane tickets and hotel reservations and meet a select few face to face. It’s easy to see how the process can take on an “interviewing mill” mentality. However, many head athletic trainers and human resources professionals agree that putting a little thought into the process before you start interviewing can pay off in the long run. To do that, you have to ask yourself two important questions first: Who are we? What exactly is the position that we’re trying to fill? Knowing what makes your pro20 ◆

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gram unique is the first step to figuring out who will be happy working there, says Jim Murdock, MEd, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer at the University of Vermont. “Here at Vermont, what makes us unique is that we work for health services, not athletics,” Murdock says. “That affects our relationship with our athletic director and coaches, and it means we have a medical model instead of an athletic model. Knowing that helps us shape our interview questions.” Bethel College Head Athletic Trainer Neal Dutton, ATC/R, finds the same pattern at the other end of the size spectrum. “We know we’re different,” Dutton says of his school, an NCAA Division III institution with 2,900 students. “We’re a faith-based school, and we’re looking for an assistant athletic trainer who has beliefs that are consistent with our mission. When we’re interviewing, we want to know, how well will this person fit with Bethel College? That, as much as anything, is going to tell us if they will work out here.” Arizona State University’s Head

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Athletic Trainer, Perry Edinger, uses a similar tactic. “A candidate can have a doctorate, but if they don’t mix well with our institution, we’re not going to hire them,” he says. Defining the culture of your school or athletic department may sound like a huge task, but sometimes it comes down to thinking about the basics. “We’re in a small space, so there is a lot of sharing of facilities in our department,” Murdock says. “We’ll ask candidates questions that let us know if that is going to be workable for them.” Another way to help you define your department is to think about your own employment experience there, says Human Resources Senior Consultant Polly Wright of HR Consultants, Inc., in Johnstown, Pa. “Ask yourself what about the department has been the most challenging for you and what else defines the environment,” she advises. “Make a list and be as specific as you can. Then shape your interview questions to find out how well the candidate will deal with those challenges.” Having a detailed picture of the job you’re trying to fill is another key to asking the right interview questions. “One of the most common complaints we hear from candidates is that they aren’t sure exactly what the job entails,” Roedig says. “The job description says, ‘Other duties as assigned,’ and the interviewer is equally vague, so the person risks ending up in a job that is nothing like the one they anticipated.” “In order to ask the right questions, you need to identify exactly what you want the new person to do,” says Lynn Bott, ATC, University of Kansas Director of Athletic Training Services. “Will they be teaching? Working with a specific sport? Mentoring students? As athletic trainers, we all know we’re going to be involved with evaluation, rehab, prevention—but the interview needs to be much more specific than that, and it needs to be based on the particular position.” For some head athletic trainers, defining the vacant position prompts a broader look at staffing. “We never just

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By Committee ost athletic training departments now hire through a selection committee, but that doesn’t mean the interview process should take more time. The keys are keeping the group small and giving members specific roles. At the University of Kansas, Lynn Bott, ATC, Director of Athletic Training Services, puts together a selection committee that typically includes the director of sports medicine, one or two athletic trainers, coaches, and an athletic director. “We try to keep the committee to less than seven—we think five is better,” he says. Bernie Cullen of Cambria Consulting, a Boston-based human resources firm, suggests assigning committee members specific tasks. “We recommend that our clients choose a primary and secondary interviewer who will ask the questions,” he says. “This limits the chances that you’ll get into a ping-pong situation where the candidate ends up bouncing from one person to another. “The committee members who aren’t asking questions are free to listen very carefully to the candidate’s responses,” Cullen adds. “They should be taking notes. Then, as the primary or secondary interviewer comes to the end of a section, the other members can ask any follow-up questions they have.” Another effective method, according to Polly Wright, Human Resources Senior Consultant of HR Consultants, Inc., based in Johnstown, Pa., is to assign each member of the committee a topic to ask questions about, based on their area of expertise. “That keeps the committee from turning into a ‘firing squad,’ and ensures that the same questions are asked of each candidate,” she says. “The risk with committees can be that they may go down one road with one candidate and a very different road with another. When that happens, you often don’t end up getting very good information about how the candidate would perform the job.”

plug an assistant into an empty spot,” Murdock says. “When there’s a vacancy, I take it as an opportunity to talk to my staff and find out what they’d like their job descriptions to be. I ask them, ‘What do you want to do, and what teams would you like to be working with?’ By being here, they have first choice, and I end up with a list of things I need the new assistant to do. Then I can tailor the interview specifically to those things.” ON THE PHONE

If you begin the process with phone interviews, take the time to structure these interactions. “It’s important to decide ahead of time exactly what you’re hoping to get out of the phone exchange that you don’t already know from the candidate’s résumé,” Wright says. 22 ◆

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At Vermont, where Murdock uses a committee approach throughout the entire hiring process, he organizes the phone interviews down to the smallest details. “We tell the candidate who is in the room and have everyone introduce themselves,” he explains. “To keep everything as uniform as possible, we don’t allow anyone to come or go during the interview. We have the same people asking the same questions, so we don’t get curve balls or gaps.” In his department’s latest search, Murdock found that doing two phone interviews each night kept the process moving along without overloading the committee. “Phone interviews can be tough, because you miss out on a lot of the nonverbal cues,” he says. “We like to have the whole committee in on the calls because we feel we pick up more that way.”

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Edinger has developed a set of three phone interview questions he believes work well for screening applicants. “First, we ask them a theoretical question about something that will happen in the athletic training room,” he says. “For example, we might say, ‘A female athlete tells you she’s pregnant and there is a month left in the season. She asks you not to tell anyone. What do you do?’ Second, we ask a technical question, probably about a particular rehab technique. “Last, we give them a chance to talk about themselves,” Edinger continues. “If they stumble around and don’t really say anything, that tells me they don’t know themselves very well and aren’t prepared. If they’re concise and they’ve thought about who they are and where they’re going, that tells me they have a lot of confidence in themselves.” Technological advances have added another option for phone interviews. “Schools can use Web cams, so that they and the candidate can actually see each other,” Roedig says. “Many small businesses do this routinely, and some universities are starting to do it. A lot of athletic departments haven’t tried it simply because they aren’t aware that their school’s IT department has the capacity, but it’s worth looking into.” Of course, the candidate must also be able to arrange for use of a Web cam, something that’s often easier to do in major metropolitan areas than in rural settings. Once your phone interviews are complete, the next challenge is reaching a consensus about which candidates to interview in person. “We have a ranking system, and each committee member makes a list after the phone interviews of their top five candidates,” Murdock says. “Most people tend to agree on the top three, but when you get down lower than that, there’s more disagreement. So then whoever is nominating a candidate will tell the rest of the committee why they think their candidate is particularly strong. We try to reach a consensus whenever possible.”

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FACE TIME

Since the next round of interviews usually takes place on campus, most suggest you make it a day-long affair. Set up tours of campus and casual meetings with several athletics department staffers, all aimed at gathering as much input as possible from the encounters. “I’m very respectful of the impressions that our coaches and other staff members have of a candidate,” says Edinger. “So I have the candidate meet with the whole coaching staff of whatever sport they’d be working with. Even though the assistant we hire will work for me, these are the people they’d be spending time with during the season. I also try to have the candidates share a meal with our athletic training staff, and meet with our team physician and our athletic director.” Murdock makes use of open question-and-answer time periods. “We have a forum for coaches to come ask the candidate questions, and another forum for our student athletic trainers. We try to give the candidates a chance

“Past performance is the best predictor of future performance, so as an interviewer, you don’t want to know what they say they’ll do in the future—you want to know exactly what they’ve done in the past.” to interact with as many people as possible, not just keep them in a room and bombard them with questions.” It’s also important to have a method for gathering feedback from the people the candidate encounters. “I give each person a sheet of paper that allows them to rank the candidate from one to 10 on technical, ethical, and

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interpersonal skills,” says Edinger. “As people bring the sheets back, we try to talk briefly about their impressions.” “The first couple of searches I did here, I looked at all of the data and thought, ‘My gosh, this is a lot of information,’” Murdock says. “But that feedback from other people is very valuable. If you see a comment on a form that strikes you as really positive or really negative, you can always go back and ask the writer to tell you more about why he or she made that assessment.” BEHAVIOR-BASED INTERVIEWING

Part of the day-long process should entail one formal interview where you ask very specific questions. Human resources professionals suggest you employ “behavior-based interviewing” to elicit as much information as possible. “Behavior-based interviewing asks the candidate to describe very specific things they’ve done,” Wright says. “Past performance is the best predictor

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of future performance, so as an interviewer, you don’t want to know what they say they’ll do in the future—you want to know exactly what they’ve done in the past.” The best behavior-based questions ask the candidate to tell you about a time when they handled a specific challenge you’ve identified as being part of the job. “A good question might be, ‘This job involves balancing the demands of several different teams. Tell me about a time when you’ve had to balance priorities in a similar situation,’” Wright says. Another sample question is, “Tell me how you handled a situation in which you encountered an injury you’d never dealt with before,” says Bernie Cullen of Cambria Consulting, a Boston-based firm and an advisor to Fortune 100 companies. “Behavior-based questions are open-ended and don’t allow the candidate to answer with a yes or no,” continues Cullen. “You want them to

“For example, I’ll ask them to talk specifically about how they’ve built rapport with coaches in the past. A follow-up question might be, ‘Do you just give them information verbally, or do you do it in writing?’” describe in detail what they did in a situation—not the theory of the case, not what they would do in the future, but what they have actually done.” It’s easy for interviewers to think they’ve gathered a lot of data about a candidate when they haven’t, Wright

says. “Candidates have a tendency to be vague, and you might not even realize you’re not getting any information,” which is why asking follow-up questions is key. “You’ll need to ask another layer of questions, like, ‘You used the word we—can you tell me exactly what you did in the situation?’” Even with recent grads, it’s more useful to ask about experiences they’ve actually had than to ask how they think they’d handle a future challenge, says Mike Poskey, Vice President of the consulting firm ZeroRisk HR, Inc., based in Dallas. “You can ask them to relate their answers to their coursework, their experiences as an athletic training student, or their individual contribution to a group project,” Poskey says. “You can ask them to tell you about a particularly challenging course they took and how they met the challenge.” Bott uses these techniques in his interviews. “For example, I’ll ask them to talk specifically about how

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they’ve built rapport with coaches in the past,” he says. “A follow-up question might be, ‘Do you just give them information verbally, or do you do it in writing?’ Sometimes a verbal report is fine, and other times, you’d better document your life away. I ask them questions to find out if they know the difference.” While you’re asking your questions, don’t forget to listen carefully to the responses. “As long as the interviewer is talking, nothing can be learned about the candidate,” Cullen says. “A good interviewer spends about 80 percent of the time listening and 20 percent of the time talking. A lot of times, interviewers get that backwards.”

Murdock also tries to gauge a candidate’s sense of humor during their interactions. “Humor—knowing how to use it and when to use it—is almost like a different language,” he says. “In a high-stress profession like ours, it can be an essential stress-reliever and a way of bonding with the people you’re working with.” Wright suggests two other questions. “You can ask about a time they had a conflict with someone at work

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and how they handled it,” she says. “You can also identify a particular interpersonal skill that’s important to you, like empathy with student-athletes, and put them in a situation that will reveal their approach.” Edinger has a specific plan to test candidates’ interpersonal dexterity. “First, I’ll have a coach interview them in the office behind closed doors, asking them some tough questions,” he says. “Then I’ll send them out to lunch

PEOPLE SKILLS

For many head athletic trainers, a large part of their questioning focuses on evaluating a candidate’s interpersonal skills. “My staff and I believe we can work with most athletic trainers to develop their technical skills,” Murdock says. “Assessing their people skills is really the key for us.” Edinger agrees. “We’re really trying to find out how well they work with people. Can they interact effectively with coaches? How well can they relate to the student-athletes?” he says. “My big concern is teamwork. If they can’t function as part of our team, it doesn’t do me any good to have them here, no matter how skilled they are. If you don’t have the ability to be empathetic and aware of other people’s hardships, you won’t fit in around here.” So how do you determine whether a candidate is a good communicator, a compassionate healthcare provider, a team player? Bott asks how many different staff members the candidate has worked with in past positions. “If they’ve only had a relationship with five students and two athletic trainers, we’re going to worry, but if they’ve worked with 20 students and 10 athletic trainers, we won’t,” he says. “There are going to be expectations from each person they work with, so the ability to diplomatically balance them is an important skill we look for.”

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or dinner to see how well they can relax and enjoy each other’s company. I want to see if they have the ability to change gears socially and get along with the coaching staff in a more relaxed environment.” Evaluating people skills is also a matter of gut instinct. “You really need to pay attention to your intuition when you’re interviewing,” Poskey says. “Don’t rationalize yourself out of what you’re feeling. Then, with the rest of the committee, you need to figure out why you get that feeling about a candidate.” “When someone says they have a gut feeling about a candidate, there is always a basis for it,” Cullen agrees. “Every effort should be made to get the committee members to articulate what they’re basing their intuitions on.” LEGAL EASE

When evaluating a candidate’s interpersonal skills, it’s important for the interviewer to know the difference between legal and illegal interview questions. There are federal anti-discrimination laws that put certain topics off-limits, as well as state and local laws, so being familiar with the legal aspects of interviewing is a must. Most areas prohibit questions about age, birthplace, citizenship, race, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, relatives, religion, and sexual orientation. “Legal issues arising from interviews are very common,” Wright says. “A large percentage of EEOC complaints are based on the hiring process, and it stems back to inconsistency in interviewing.” While this may sound intimidating, one simple litmus test is likely to keep you out of legal hot water. “Ask yourself if the question directly relates to how the person will perform the job or whether they are qualified to perform the job,” Wright says. “If not, don’t ask it.” Most mistakes happen when an interviewer starts asking questions that are too personal or that involve the candidate’s family, Poskey says.

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MANAGEMENT

“People typically aren’t trying to pry, they’re trying to build some rapport with the candidate,” he says. “But you have to be very careful with that. Seemingly simple things like asking them how old their children are can be

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us is that our human resources office comes in before any hiring is done and they do an overview with our committee about the do’s and don’ts,” says Murdock. “They review the legal and illegal questions with us, show us a

“Asking something like, ‘How does your wife like being married to an athletic trainer who works all hours?’ might sound like a simple conversation-starter, but you can’t ask it. It’s an illegal question.” problematic, since it can open you up to accusations of age-discrimination.” It’s the simple chit-chat that often causes the most trouble, agrees Cullen. “Asking something like, ‘How does your wife like being married to an athletic trainer who works all hours?’ might sound like a simple conversation-starter, but you can’t ask it. It’s an illegal question,” he says. What if a candidate volunteers information on an off-limits topic? “You don’t have to ignore what they said, but don’t follow up with your own questions,” Cullen says. “Don’t consider it a license to talk about the topic.” Another legal pothole involves interviewers accidentally making binding contractual statements during interviews, Poskey says. “They make the mistake of saying something like, ‘If you meet your performance goals, there is no reason you can’t work here for the rest of your career,’” he says. “Then later on, the university has to make cuts and the person is let go based on down-sizing. They have a legitimate cause to come back and claim that they had a contract that they wouldn’t be let go unless they weren’t meeting their goals. It’s best to stick with generic statements, and not say anything that could be interpreted as legally binding.” Perhaps the best line of defense is your own human resources department, which is likely to be aware of all the laws that pertain to your institution. “One component that’s very helpful for

video, and give us a handbook to read. A lot of it is common sense, but it serves as a good reminder.” AN INVESTMENT

From sidestepping legal pitfalls to figuring out what questions to ask to synthesizing the input of many different people, the interview process can seem like a daunting task. But the payoff, a good hire, is well worth the effort. “It’s an investment,” Murdock says. “I can honestly say every person we’ve brought in has boosted our staff in expertise and quality. We’ve diversified, not just culturally, but in athletic training experiences. We have a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise, and we are able to educate each other with some of our specialties and interests. “In order to have a search be really effective, there has to be a lot of preparation,” he continues. “Don’t take shortcuts and just try to push candidates through. Really spend the time to get as much information as you can about the person’s background and aspirations to help you make a decision about whether that person is going to fit into your specific situation. In the end, it’s worth it, because what you’re doing is developing a team.” ◆ To find information on illegal interview questions, visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at www.eeoc.gov or the U.S. Department of Labor at www.dol.gov/dol/regs/main.htm. Circle No. 18 A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M ◆ T&C A P R I L 2 0 0 3 ◆

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Let ’Em Eat

Lettuce Athletes who choose a vegetarian diet

can be healthful and successful. But they may need some help in making sure their greens, beans, nuts, and

an an athlete be a vegetarian and also successful in his or her sport? The answer is a resounding yes. However, even more than the typical athlete’s diet, a vegetarian athlete’s diet needs to be well planned to provide the necessary nutrients for health as well as for performance. In helping vegetarian athletes, the first step is to be both knowledgeable and respectful of their choice. This will not only help avoid misconceptions, it will go a long way towards persuading a vegetarian to take your advice. To start, it is important to understand why some athletes choose to

©Getty Images, 2002

grains are nutritionally balanced.

become vegetarians. The most common reasons are: Ethical: They don’t believe in killing animals for human consumption and/or feel the treatment of animals bred for consumption is inhumane. Health: They feel a vegetarian diet will have short and/or long-term health benefits. Taste: They may not like the taste of meat or may simply find other foods more appealing. Performance enhancement:

BY LESLIE BONCI

They may have found that switching to a vegetarian diet has helped their performance. Religious beliefs: Some Jewish and Muslim athletes may choose to keep kosher/halal, which means they only eat certain types of animal meat and only if it is butchered in a particular way. If this meat is not served in the college cafeteria or available at local supermarkets, they may end up eating a vegetarian diet. In addition, SeventhDay Adventists and many Hindus and Buddhists don’t eat meat. But there may be other reasons, too. Some may be living with friends who are vegetarians, and others may simply want to experiment with not eating meat to see how it affects their health and performance. Of course, Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, is Director of Sports Nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and serves as a consultant to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pitt athletics, and several area high schools.

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some of today’s student-athletes come from vegetarian households and eating meat is simply not their norm. By asking why the athlete has chosen to consume a vegetarian diet, you’ll have insight into helping him or her optimize that diet. An athlete who is a vegetarian for ethical or religious reasons will often need different suggestions than an athlete who is a vegetarian for health reasons. It’s important not to assume that the lifelong vegetarian does not need some assistance. If he or she is entering a much more rigorous training program than experienced in high school, his or her former diet may no longer be sufficient. The other important piece of information you’ll need to find out is what type of vegetarian the athlete is. It is important to understand that vegetarianism is not “one size fits all.” The following are the major categories: Semi-vegetarian: includes some but not all animal products, such as poultry, seafood, eggs, milk, and milk products.

TABLE ONE HIGH-PROTEIN CHOICES The following table lists the protein content (in grams) of foods commonly chosen by vegetarian athletes. FOOD PROTEIN Egg, 1 large 7 Egg whites, 2 7 Milk, 1 cup 8 Cottage cheese, 1/2 cup 13 Dried beans, 1/2 cup 7 Tofu, 3 oz. piece 6 Yogurt, 8 oz. 10 Cheese, 1 oz. slice 7 Soy cheese, 1 oz. slice 7 Pasta, 1 cup cooked 6 Textured vegetable protein, 1/4 cup 12 Soy veggie burger 7-10 Nuts or seeds, 1/4 cup 7 Peanut butter, 3 TBsp 7 Rice, 1/2 cup 3

NUTRITION

Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: includes eggs, milk, and milk products, but excludes meat and seafood. Lacto-vegetarian: includes milk and milk products but no eggs, meat or seafood. Ovo-vegetarian: includes eggs as the only animal protein source. Vegan: includes beans, grains and vegetables but excludes all animal products including eggs, milk, milk products, and, in some instances, honey. Fruitarian: includes only nuts and fruit. Macrobiotic: includes a balance of beans, grains and vegetables, with occasional fruit, seeds, dairy, seafood, poultry and meat, prepared only certain ways. After understanding the why and what of a vegetarian athlete’s choices, ask if they have thought through how their nutrient needs will be met. I have worked with athletes who want to be vegetarians, but don’t like beans, nuts, seeds, or even most vegetables! Get-

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TABLE TWO: Daily Goals In developing an eating plan for vegetarian athletes, the following daily goals should be used as a template. MILK AND MILK ALTERNATIVES These will provide protein and calcium, as well as Vitamins A and D (milk), carbohydrates and potassium (yogurt), and fiber (tofu, nuts, nut butters). Strive for 6-8 servings. 1/2 cup milk, yogurt, or fortified soy milk 1 oz. cheese 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1/4 cup tofu 1/4 cup almonds 3 TBsp sesame butter or almond butter MEAT SUBSTITUTES Dry beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, and meat substitutes are excellent sources of protein, as well as minerals such as calcium (soy products if fortified), magnesium (nuts and nut butters), and iron (dried beans). Strive for 2-3 servings. 1 cup cooked dry beans, lentils, or peas 2 cups soy milk 1/2 cup tofu 2 oz. veggie meat 2 oz. soy cheese 2 eggs or 4 egg whites 1/4 cup nuts or seeds 3 TBsp peanut butter VEGETABLE These foods (especially C ents such as

GROUP are excellent sources of fiber, vitamins and folate), potassium, and phytonutrilutein, carotene, and zeaxanthin. Strive

ting the nutrients one needs is not that difficult, but certain strategies must be in place. PROTEIN NEEDS

Some athletes are dissuaded from becoming vegetarians because they have been told they will not be able to fulfill their protein needs. This is far from the truth, and is another reason why educating athletes is so important. The amount of protein that athletes need depends on their athletic endeavors, age, and weight. Here are some daily guidelines:

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for 3-4 servings. 1/2 cup cooked or chopped raw vegetables 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1 cup raw, leafy vegetables 3/4 cup vegetable juice FRUIT GROUP Fruits are a great source of carbohydrate, Vitamin C, potassium, and fluid. Strive for 2-4 servings. 3/4 cup juice 1/4 cup dried fruit 1/2 cup chopped, raw fruit 1/2 cup canned fruit 1 piece of fruit BREAD, CEREAL, RICE, PASTA GROUP These foods provide necessary carbohydrates for exercise and are great sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, especially in fortified products. Strive for 611 servings. 1 slice bread 1/2 bagel, English muffin, or bun 1 oz. ready-to-eat cereal 1/2 cup cooked cereal 1/2 cup pasta or rice OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID FOOD SOURCES Omega-3 fatty acids provide long-term health benefits. Strive for 1-2 servings. 3 TBsp walnuts 4 tsp canola or soybean oil 1 TBsp ground flaxseed

Competitive athlete: 0.6-0.9 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Building mass: 0.7-0.9 grams protein per pound of body weight. Growing athlete: 0.9-1.0 grams protein per pound of body weight. Athlete desiring weight loss: 0.71.0 grams protein per pound of body weight. For example, a 130-pound athlete would need 78-117 grams of protein per day. Protein is found in ALL foods except fruits, sweets, and oils. There

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are several excellent sources of plantbased protein, but oftentimes it is necessary to eat larger quantities of these foods to get the same amount of protein as is found in animal protein sources. The best sources of plantbased protein include soy foods, nuts, nut butters, seeds, and dried beans. (Table One, on page 33, lists the protein content of foods commonly chosen by vegetarian athletes.) Vegetarians are sometimes confused by the concept of combining different types of proteins in a single meal to get a full set of amino acids. A gen-

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Vegetarian Entrees For athletes who prepare their own food, there are many quick and easy-to-prepare vegetarian dishes. The following list can also be helpful to whoever is preparing pregame meals. Oatmeal with walnuts, raisins, and soy or cow’s milk Lentil soup with rice or pasta added Vegetarian refried or black beans in corn tortillas Peanut butter sandwich Chili with textured vegetable protein (TVP), tomato sauce, and kidney beans Veggie burgers Stir fry with vegetables and dried beans over rice Pizza with cheese or soy cheese Pasta with vegetables, olive oil Pasta with marinara sauce and TVP Cheese-filled manicotti or ravioli A vegetable omelet Rice and beans Hummus in pita bread, with feta cheese for additional protein A bowl of vegetarian vegetable soup and a bagel with melted cheese or soy cheese

OTHER NUTRIENTS

Aside from proteins, it is important for vegetarian athletes to meet their needs for vitamins and minerals. Here are some suggestions: Vitamin D is found in milk, egg yolks, and fortified cereals, and is made naturally by the body when exposed to sunlight. Iron is found in iron-fortified cereals, spinach, whole grain breads,

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Magnesium is found in whole grains, nuts, and chocolate. Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, cereals, nuts, dried beans, and brown rice. Nuts and nut butters are an excellent way of ingesting both protein and fat as well as magnesium and fiber. Fortified foods can be very helpful, and a multivitamin-mineral supplement, with B12, may be warranted for some athletes.

TABLE THREE:

eration ago, vegetarians were told to eat lentils with rice or oatmeal with nuts in order to meet those needs. But more recent studies have shown that this is not necessary, because although most plant proteins do not contain all of the essential amino acids, the body can synthesize new proteins over a 24hour period. An athlete who has oatmeal for breakfast, a handful of nuts mid-morning, lentil soup for lunch, and pasta for dinner will meet protein requirements over the course of the day. This gives the student-athlete a little more leeway and flexibility with meal planning.

NUTRITION

PROBLEM SOLVING

blackstrap molasses, and dried beans. (Eat these foods with a vitamin C source, such as citrus fruit or juice, to improve absorption.) Zinc is found in whole grain breads and cereals, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Vitamin B12 is found in many fortified cereals and soy milks, and some meat-analog products, although the source in some may be from animals, a consideration for vegetarians. A common non-animal source is nutritional yeast, a powder with a slightly salty, cheese-like flavor and aroma that can be added to many dishes, and which makes a good alternative to butter when sprinkled on hot popcorn. Certain fermented foods, such as miso and tempeh, may also contain B12, although the amount can vary widely with exactly how these products are prepared. Calcium is found in dairy foods, calcium-fortified juices or soy products, cereals, or supplements. Spinach, kale, and broccoli are good plant sources. Strive for 1300 mg/day.

A vegetarian diet doesn’t necessarily promote weight loss, but it is not uncommon. The athlete who loses too much weight is eating too few calories and is not fulfilling protein, carbohydrate, or fat requirements. They may have simply eliminated meat from their plate without adding anything. Or they may be eating too many fruits and vegetables and not enough dried beans and nuts. This is a cause for concern, not only because of the effect on performance, but for its effect on the health and well-being of the athlete. In some cases, switching to a vegetarian diet can actually cause weight gain. Athletes who are gaining weight may be overcompensating for their diet by eating too many fat-containing foods such as dairy products, nuts, and nut butters. While these are excellent sources of nutrients, they also contain a lot of calories. If vegetarian athletes complain of weight loss or gain, ask them to complete a three-day food record, so you can get an idea of their current eating behavior. Compare it to the daily goals listed in Table Two (on page 34) to spot potential problems. Of course, many athletes are not going to come ask for help if they are losing weight. For athletes who are ovo-vegetarian, fruitarian, macrobiotic, or vegan, it’s important to keep a look out for possible nutrition-related problems, including the following: • Fatigue beyond that expected. • Decreases in strength, speed, and stamina. • Poor wound healing.

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• Increased incidence of stress fractures. • Rapid weight fluctuations. • Gastrointestinal distress.

• Veggie stir-fry • Bagels • Pasta dishes • Cereals, pancakes It is also a good idea to have the athlete bring some protein-containing snacks such as peanut butter, trail mix, roasted soybeans, and soy milk. Packaged vegetarian soups just require hot water, and instant hot cereals are also very easy to pack. If choices are very limited, there are several sports bars that can provide protein to ensure that needs are met. If there are no acceptable food choices, another option is to bring along a protein powder.

ON THE ROAD

Team travel can be a challenge for vegetarians, especially when food choices are limited. Athletic trainers can help by suggesting that pregame meals include a vegetarian entree that is nutritious and acceptable to the vegetarian athlete or athletes. (See Table Three, on page 35, for suggestions.) Athletic trainers can also educate these athletes on how to make good choices, and can ask coaches to check that restaurants have a range of options. Most restaurants do have vegetarian dishes such as: • Veggie hoagies • Baked potatoes • Salads • Veggie burgers (among national chains, Burger King has one) • Pizza (for the vegan, no cheese) • Bean burritos • Rice and beans

ARMED WITH INFO

Whether an athlete is a longtime vegetarian or just learning about becoming one, take the time to talk with them and give them as many resources as possible. Table One can educate them on what foods to search out at the cafeteria or grocery store, while Table Two can serve as a daily guideline. Table Three can be helpful to athletes who live off campus (or for the cafeteria

staff). Finally, the resources box, below, can help them with further questions. Learning to make new food choices can easily create nutritional deficiencies in your student-athletes. By steering them in the right direction, you can help your vegetarian athletes make safe, healthy choices. ◆ RESOURCES BOOKS: Dorfman, L. The Vegetarian Sports Nutrition Guide. Wiley, 2000. Kleiner S., Kester K. The Be Healthier, Feel Stronger Vegetarian Cookbook. Macmillan, 1997. Havala S. The Vegetarian Food Guide and Nutrition Counter. Berkeley Books, 1997. WEB SITES: The American Dietetic Association: www.eatright.org Vegetarian Resource Group: www.vrg.org The Veggie Sports Association: www.veggie.org

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TREATING THE ATHLETE

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Facing the Unknown

USA Hockey goalie Sara DeCosta competes prior to her surgery. ©Getty Images, 2002

ike most athletic trainers, I hate feeling that I don’t know how to handle something. But we’ve all been there. It’s simply not possible to know everything about every conceivable injury and rehab protocol. When presented with an unfamiliar injury, we still need to treat the athlete and get him or her back in the game. Unfortunately, athletes often return from surgery accompanied by only a brief description of what the rehab should include. If this happens to you, what resources can you access to educate yourself about this particular operation in order to have a successful outcome? I’ve been in the field for over 20 years, yet periodically I’m still presented with cases where I’m not immediately sure what to do. But at this point, I have a firm game plan for how to put a rehab protocol together even when I’m starting from scratch. The follow-

No matter how many athletes you’ve treated, chances are you’ll encounter a handful of rehab situations in your career that have you drawing a blank. From a veteran in the field, here’s a guide to handling any new situation with confidence. ing thoughts will illustrate how to go from a blank slate to a fully realized rehab protocol. DIAGNOSIS

In 2002, while I was working with the U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team, an athlete came to me with an injury I wasn’t familiar with. Sara DeCosta, a 26-year-old goalie, was struggling with chronic hip pain in her right joint. She had sustained an injury to the area in 1999 during her college

BY MARIA HUTSICK

career. She continued to have pain that increased during the Olympic tour, but declined treatment until after the Games. Sara had competed in the 1998 Olympics, helping the U.S. team win a gold medal, then returned to win a silver medal in the 2002 Olympics. Even though she was able to compete at a high level, she did so with a Maria Hutsick, MS, ATC/L, CSCS, is Head Athletic Trainer at Boston University, as well as Head Athletic Trainer for the USA Hockey Women’s National Team. She can be reached at <loon102@hotmail.com>.

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lot of pain. Once the Olympics had ended and she had some time to slow down, Sara contacted me about revisiting her hip pain. Since we live about 40 miles apart we were able to see each other and begin to have her hip pain diagnosed. I sent Sara to see Timothy Foster, MD, the orthopedic surgeon who works with the athletic program at Boston University. He evaluated her, and ordered an MRA and plain x-rays. The MRA revealed a large anterior superior tear of her labrum. Dr. Foster recommended a consult with Joseph McCarthy, MD, of New England Baptist Hospital, a surgeon in Boston who specializes in this type of injury. This surgery is not performed widely, and many people are skeptical about the results. So, I called several athletic trainers I know at both the college and professional levels who have had athletes with this type of injury to get their opinions. They all felt Sara needed to have this procedure done. In addition, my colleagues who had ath-

letes treated by Dr. McCarthy recommended him as their first choice. Sara, her mother, and I met with Dr. McCarthy in early December 2002. We spent a considerable amount of time talking with him about the injury and the proposed surgery. Dr. McCarthy assured Sara that he had performed the procedure many times before, and he gave her names of some of the professional hockey players he had performed it on. He also told us he had played football at Notre Dame and that he understood what she was going through as a competitive athlete eager to recover from injury. Based on his reputation and our initial impressions, we decided to go with Dr. McCarthy. Also at this meeting, I asked for some basic information I would need to start designing Sara’s rehab, and to help me communicate with her coach about how long she was going to be out of commission. I needed to know what the surgery would entail; what side effects might occur; what the recovery rate was; how long it would take Sara to get

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back on the ice; whether there was a danger of recurring injury; whether Sara had any degeneration in the hip; and what the rehab would entail. Dr. McCarthy informed us that Sara had a huge tear of her labrum that was getting pinched up into the joint, which is why it was always irritated and sore. The procedure would involve arthroscopically removing the tear of her labrum. Because she didn’t have any degeneration in the joint, it was going to be a pretty straightforward rehab. He reassured Sara that although she would be really sore for the first two or three days, she would feel a lot better very quickly after that. He also told me that, in the early part of her rehab, it was important to stay away from hip extension and extreme hip flexion. At this stage, Sara was hoping to be ready for the World Championships in April 2003, so Dr. McCarthy scheduled her surgery for two weeks after our meeting. This would give us a little over three months to get her ready for the competition. Sara was too sore at

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closely with in the past, or with a surgical procedure that I’m unfamiliar with, I utilize as many resources as possible. Talking with other professionals helps me learn the best approach and makes me aware of potential problems. In general, I first talk to other athletic trainers I know, as well as to ATCs at schools with good programs in that sport, and ask if they have seen this injury and how they treat it. Athletic trainers at all levels are almost always willing to help. In this case, my phone calls went to an athletic trainer with the Boston Bruins and to the Pittsburgh Penguins team doctor, because I knew they’d had experience with this type of surgery. They told me the rehab is pretty straightforward, and pretty much like any joint rehab. The only bad experience the Penguins doctor had had was with a player who was not conscientious about doing his rehab. The Bruins athletic trainer talked to me at length about what the surgery entailed.

this point to do any strengthening or any type of “prehab,” but the time allowed me to start working on her rehab protocol. One complication was that I was not going to be able to act as Sara’s primary athletic trainer for her rehab. However, because she lives fairly nearby, I would see her once a month, and she would work with another athletic trainer that she had a previous relationship with, Mark Stephenson, ATC, CSCS, who runs North East Sports Training and Rehabilitation, in Warwick, R.I. The plan was that we would use a team approach. I would design Sara’s workouts, but she would do her day-today rehab with Mark. I would go to Sara’s follow-up visits with Dr. McCarthy and call Mark with any relevant information. Then we would consult about where to go from there. A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS

When I begin a rehabilitation program with a doctor who I have not worked

TREATING THE ATHLETE

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And, of course, I got suggestions from my colleagues about elements of rehab protocols that had worked for them. We talked about how long the rehabilitation should take, pitfalls, and any other tips that they had. I also talked to a few of our former BU hockey players who had had this surgery, and asked about their experiences to get the athletes’ perspectives. And I gave Sara their phone numbers so she could talk to them before her surgery. But I didn’t stop there. DIGGING DEEPER

There are many other places to go for helpful information. If your university has a medical school or school of allied health professions, you could network with specialists there. Or consider speaking with a former professor you had in undergraduate or graduate school. The Internet can also be a great resource. There are several Web sites that offer good information, such as Text continues on page 42

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TREATING THE ATHLETE

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Table One: Rehab Protocol he following is the sample rehab protocol we put together for Sara DeCosta, a USA Hockey Women’s National Team goalie who underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a hip labral tear. Note that you could do a lot of this rehab without special equipment and machines, by just using bodyweight step-ups, exercise bands, walking, and some pool workouts, before progressing into weight training. Also note that there can be considerable overlap between some of the phases.

PHASE I: Focus on range of motion. No conditioning work. Should last one to three weeks. RANGE OF MOTION Avoid hyperextension Ankle pumps-circles Active IR/ER seated Active Abd/Add AA flexion-heel slides Single knee to chest Seated trunk flexion Hip flexor stretch to neutral Pelvic tilts

During this time, the athlete iced her hip several times a day and was weaned off her crutches. Within the first couple weeks after surgery, the athlete was nearly pain-free while walking and sitting.

PHASE II: Focus on strength and endurance. Still no conditioning work. Lasts roughly three to six weeks. RESISTANCE TRAINING Isometrics and abdominals supine only Standing isometric abduction Bridging Unilateral bridging 3-way straight-leg raise (flex, abd, add) Prone knee flexion Seated hip flexion Abdominal bracing PNF pelvic patterns Upper-body strengthening PNF diagnosis full range LE patterns Stairclimber Closed kinetic chain exercises: heel raises, 1/2 squats, lunges, full squat, step-ups Multi hip machine

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Theraband exercises for groin Miniband exercises Squats with ball between knees

TREATING THE ATHLETE

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Buoyancy Buoyancy-assisted ROM Buoyancy-resisted ROM Shallow-water walking Plyometrics

BALANCE COORDINATION Unilateral stance Rebounder (plyo back) BAPS board, airex pad Go from bilateral stance to single leg Four-way touches on single leg

PHASE IV: Progression to return to sport. The length of this phase can vary depending on how well the athlete is healing and how hard he or she is willing to work.

PHASE III: Start conditioning work. The timeline

CONDITIONING Stationary bike Swimming (flutter kick only) Running Upper-body cycle

SPORT-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES Skating without equipment in oval; no crossover Speed track machine Shuttle machine Skating, add crossover Backward skating Power skating, working edges and tight turns Fitter Dry-land splits Dry-land and hockey drills Gradually work up to full running program

POOL ACTIVITIES Deep-water walking with aqua jogger

Return to ice with full goalie equipment dependent on full pain-free ROM and strength 90% of opposite limb.

varies from athlete to athlete, depending on how hard they’re willing to push themselves, how dedicated they are, and how they’re healing. Generally, Phase III lasts three to six weeks.

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MedLine.com and Virtual Hospital (www.vh.org). You may even just try going to a search engine like Google or Netscape. Many colleges have their own search engines—at Boston University we use OVID. This accesses our medical libraries and a variety of sites. Find out what your school offers. There are also orthopedic and arthroscopic message boards. For example, Google’s can be accessed through Google Groups by typing in “sci.med.orthopedics” or following the links under “sci”. Once there, you can type in “Re: hip labral tear” and ask questions about anything regarding this surgery or any others. Also, Wheeless’ Textbook of Orthopaedics has a good Web site (Wheeless.orthoweb.be). For Sara’s case, I started by searching PubMed (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) where I came across an article entitled “Hip Arthroscopy for Acetabular Labral Tears” by Laith Farjo, MD, James Glick, MD, and Thomas Sampson, MD, published in Arthroscopy (1999 Mar; 15(2):132-7). And don’t neglect the old-fashioned, trusty textbook. One in particular is Therapeutic Exercise for Athletic Trainers by Peg Houglum (Human Kinetics: Champaign, Ill., 2001). Ecampus.com is a good Web site that lists a variety of textbooks that may prove useful. FROM PLAN TO ACTION

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After you have gathered as much information as possible you can begin to put together your rehab protocol. With every rehab, you work on range of motion first, then basic strength, then you go to balance and coordination, and, finally, to sportspecific types of activities. You have to understand the biomechanics of the particular joint or area you’re dealing with and how it’s used in the athlete’s particular sport, and you proceed accordingly. Every rehab is going to be based on those principles. Part of any rehab protocol will be dictated by your available resources, including both equipment and time. I had visited Mark’s clinic and knew the equipment he had available for Sara. Together, we planned a program incorporating our expertise, our newly learned information, and the outline that the surgeon’s nurse provided as a basis for rehabilitation. The program we came up with is shown in Table One on pages 40-41. When following any protocol, it’s important to use your athlete’s pain and swelling as a guide. If the athlete is sore and not progressing, you are doing too much and need to adjust the volume, intensity, and perhaps an exercise or two. Stay in close touch with your surgeon and ask for help if you need it. Sara’s original intent was to return to the ice in time to play in the World Championships in April 2003. She would have needed to be skating at full strength and participating in full goalie practice at least three weeks prior to those games. At the end of February, Sara and her coach decided that even though she was progressing well and would probably be ready in time for the Championships, her long-term outcome would be better if she moved the end-point of her rehab. So, while she won’t be wearing the red, white, and blue in goal during the 2003 Championships, her recovery is going well and she expects to be out on the ice skating competitively in the near future. ◆

C O M P E T I T I V E

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ON THE LINE

Photo: Grant Halverson

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At North Carolina State University, offensive and defensive linemen are trained from the core to the hands.

he college football strength and conditioning professional faces many challenges in program design and implementation. In my 18 years as a strength professional, the athletes who I coach continue to set the bar higher in terms of speed, size, and strength. In response, I constantly experiment and think of ways to keep our athletes motivated. Every year, we sit down and think of a few

fun exercises and drills to add and carry with us to the next cycle. It could be medicine-ball throws between sets or the use of chains for variable resistance—or even something more unorthodox. But behind the gimmicks and motivational tools, the simple truth is that the basis of our program does not change. We focus

on the basic exercises, keeping our program simple but inspirational. This article highlights how we take basic training and make it interesting and useful. THE BIG GUYS

The most critical aspect of our football strength and conditioning program is the training of the offensive and defensive linemen. We

BY TODD STROUD

train our big players on a four-day split, year-round, meaning that we attack the upper body two times per week, and the lower body two days a week. The rest day in between the four-day split is always used for Todd Stroud is the Director of Strength and Conditioning at North Carolina State University. A former noseguard at Florida State, he has also coached at Memphis, West Alabama, and Auburn.

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▼ Table One: Core Exercises MONDAY Bench Press Power Shrug Close Grip Bench Press Split Jerk Weighted Dips

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Squat Speed, Agility, Power Clean and Quickness Stiff Deads Clean Combos

speed, agility, and quickness work, where we focus on the fundamentals of individual positions. We are very basic in our approach to training linemen, using a combination of basic power movements and multi-joint Olympic movements. A periodization model is used to improve each athlete’s

THURSDAY Incline Bench Push Press Power Shrug Close Grip Incline Dips

performance. Our core exercises are laid out in Table One, above. One element we focus on heavily is grip strength. When you get right down to it, what college linemen do most during the course of a football game is use their hands. Sure, they need big strong legs and hips, sure, they need to be able to

FRIDAY Clean Squat Split Jerk Step Ups

extend and explode. But a lineman who can’t grab cloth is worth nothing! Therefore, we have made the basic Pull-Up exercise and variations of the Pull-Up our upper-body staples. This forces these big people to improve their grip strength, while also developing supporting muscle groups like the back and

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biceps region. Everyone’s done them at one time or another, but when you’re dealing with training a 300-plus-pound athlete, it’s worth going over the fundamentals of this simple exercise. The Pull-Up is initiated with a shoulder-width grip beginning from a totally extended position with no bend in the elbow joint. The athlete then pulls himself upward toward the bar, squeezing his shoulder blades together until his chin carries over the bar. Once the athlete reaches the top of the pull, he simply retraces his steps in a controlled fashion until his elbows are fully extended once again. The strength coach must make sure that all of

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▼ his or her athletes are completing every programmed rep as either a forced rep or a negative. The value of eccentric contractions during this movement is critical in every player’s improvement. The spotter plays an important role during the Pull-Up. Many of your athletes will not be able to successfully complete one repetition without a great spot. The spotter must call for the lifter to bend his knees at 90 degrees, hold the lifter’s ankles in a supporting fashion, and give assistance when needed. Once the athlete reaches the top position, the spotter should then release him and let him lower himself in a controlled negative repetition. As each player improves,

Table Two: Upper Body Workout MONDAY Bench Press Power Shrug Split Jerk Close Grip Bench Pull-Ups 3x8-12 Chins 2x8-12 Towels 2x6-8 Weighted Dips

THURSDAY Incline Bench Press Push Press Incline Close Grip Power Shrug Towel Pulls 2x6-8 Chins 3x8-12 Weighted Dips

the need for a spotter becomes less and less. The next step for the spotter is to give assistance with the lifter’s upper body only, supporting him under each lat and giving assistance with a slight upward push. After a few short weeks, not only will every

big man on your team have a new sense of accomplishment, but also a better sense of hand awareness and grip strength. VARIATIONS

When Pull-Ups are mastered by the majority of your athletes, it is time to

introduce the variations of this exercise. The first variation is the Chin-Up, which is completed with the exact same method as the PullUp, but the hand position is different. When executing the Chin-Up, the athlete will start with his palms facing inward. This variation is a simple wrinkle to add to a program, and your linemen will find it a bit easier to perform. The benefits are of equal value as far as grip strength is concerned, but the bicep muscle is much more involved. The final variation of the Pull-Up exercise is the Towel Pull. The Towel Pull is by far the most demanding in terms of overall grip strength and probably the most valuable for football

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▼ In the spring, we conduct a “Superstar Competition,” where the offense and defense are separated and compete in a variety of strongman events. It is a lot of fun for the players and breaks the monotony of training under conventional circumstances. linemen in particular. The actual equipment setup is very simple: the coach will drape two bath-size towels over the top of the chin bar and tape the loose ends together with athletic tape. This will form two long handles of cloth and tape that will hang down toward the athlete. The athlete then grips each handle at the very top of the cloth just below the chin bar. Each player will grip the cloth with his thumbs facing upward toward the chin bar, and grasp the towel with his four other fingers. The athlete will then follow the Pull-Up protocol using his spotter as his guide. This hand position is an important one to train in that it is the same hand position that linemen use when they attack blocks. During this movement, it requires a great level of grip strength to execute the reps properly, so the spotter must do a great job. The format on upper-body days for these pulling exercises is shown in Table Two. SPEEDING UP

Virtually all professional teams use the VERTEC to improve lower body power and jump reach.

Our speed and agility days are also critical. We concentrate on a form running program that is targeted to improve our 10-yard and 40-yard dash times. We work exclusively on stance and start: generating force with the upper body to create an explosive start and using body lean to gain ground on the first step. We also work on variations of the NFL shuttle run series, which are quick-change movement drills done on a matted area. When doing these, we concentrate quite a bit on knee bend and football positioning. These include the two-point and four-point wave drill and two-point and fourpoint seat roll. We also do a drill we

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call “front to back” where the athlete touches his chest to the ground then rotates his hips in one direction and touches his back. A lot of this work is done in a “pen” that is 7 yards wide, 10 yards long, and 44 inches high. SOME FUN

Through the core exercises, Pull-Ups, and movement drills, we work on motivating each athlete every day. But we also recognize the need to throw a few twists into the program to keep things interesting. For example, we conduct a “Superstar Competition” in the spring for motivation. This is a team competition where the offense and defense are separated and we compete doing a variety of strongman events. They include a keg toss, tug of war, relay race carrying various implements, tire flipping, 4x100-yard relay, and so forth. It is a lot of fun for the players and breaks the monotony of training under conventional circumstances. We also periodically take digital pictures of our players, which does a great job of motivating them. When an athlete sees himself progress through photos, he gets a real sense of accomplishment. I still believe that we have a huge responsibility as strength coaches to provide leadership and guidance to our student-athletes, and the biggest part of our job is to make our players feel like they have accomplished something. All of these exercises are simple enough so that, after a very short time, all of your linemen will have success doing the Pull-Up and its variations, they will increase their speed, and you will get the results that you desire on the field. ◆

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www.AthleticsPlus.com or call 1-800-383-0305 Circle No. 32

Rehabilitation Products apy device we’ve ever used.” ~Todd Toriscelli, Head Trainer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Circle No. 61 on Reader Inquiry Card

skill development. The Shuttle Balance provides a safe platform for individuals to develop and hone proprioceptive responses while performing a variety of activities. Circle No. 60 on Reader Inquiry Card

CREATIVE HEALTH PRODUCTS (800) 742-4478, www.chponline.com Creative Health Products offers a variety of rehabilitation products at discounted prices. Items include TENS massagers, resistance bands, hand and finger exercisers, vinyl coated dumbbells, thermophore heating pads, step benches, medicine balls, physioballs, goniometers, flexibility testers, strength testers, heart rate monitors, spirometers, anthropometers, posture, and alignment grids. A large selection of rehabilitation books

COOLSYSTEMS, INC. (888) 426-3732, www.gameready.com Based on spacesuit technology and road-tested by pro athletes, the Game Ready™ Injury Treatment System is the first portable system to simultaneously provide deep tissue cooling and intermittent compression to help speed recovery from musculoskeletal injuries and post-operative symptoms. “We’ve had excellent results with the Game Ready System. It’s the best cold and compression ther-

and videos are also available. Circle No. 62 on Reader Inquiry Card

EFI SPORTS MEDICINE (800) 541-4900, www.efisportsmedicine.com efi Sports Medicine has introduced the ultimate tool for shoulder-scapular conditioning and rehabilitation. Cuff Link is perfect for highlevel, sports-specific training where movements place maximum demands on the upper body, especially the strength or stability of the shoulder girdle. Varying handles, arm positions, and body positions alter muscular involvement and provides a full spectrum of shoulder conditioning or rehabilitation. Give your athletes the competitive strength advantage that will enhance their sport performance and help them avoid injury. Circle No. 63 on Reader Inquiry Card

NSCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION July 16–19, 2003

◆

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome

CEUs= NSCA 2.0, NATA 20

Get Moving… Register today for strength and conditioning’s largest and most informative gathering. Learn, share, network, and explore alongside the industry innovators and leaders. For information or to register call the NSCA National Headquarters or visit us on the web.

National Strength and Conditioning Association P.O. Box 9908, Colorado Springs, CO 80932 • www.nsca-lift.org • 800-815-6826 Circle No. 33 50 ◆ T & C A P R I L 2 0 0 3 ◆

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Rehabilitation Products efi's Total Gym allows you to train with natural multi-plane movements, working the large muscles synergistically against gravity. Recruiting the stabilizer muscles in nearly every exercise, you can stretch and flex your way through a full body workout in 20 minutes a day. Its lowimpact, non-compressive nature allows you to experience success quickly and safely, while stretching and flexing to improve strength and enhance performance. Circle No. 64 on Reader Inquiry Card

FITTER (800) fitter-1, www.fitter1.com For nearly two decades, Pro Fitter has helped patients rebuild their confidence to overcome physical and emotional barriers associated with injury. It is a dynamic modality that offers the benefits of a complete “Integrated and FUNctional” rehab program for ankle, knee, hip, back & shoulder injuries. From a weight-bearing position, the SRF Board develops rotational stability in the ankles, knees, hips, shoulder joints, spine and elbows. Call for your free 24-page color catalog.

(advanced), and stand. Call for your free 24-page color catalog Circle No. 66 on Reader Inquiry Card

THE GEBAUER COMPANY (800) 321-9348, www.gebauerco.com Gebauer’s Ethyl Chloride® is now available in two easy-to-carry spray can delivery systems: PainEase® Stream Spray and Pain-Ease® Mist Spray. Athletic trainers can choose the spray can that works best for them to relieve minor sports injuries such as bruising, contusions, swelling and minor sprains. It works as fast as ice without the mess—in seconds—so athletes can get back in the game faster. Circle No. 67 on Reader Inquiry Card

Gebauer’s Instant Ice™ is a non-prescription, nonflammable topical skin refrigerant. Gebauer’s Instant Ice

comes in either mist or stream spray cans. Both are ideal for the temporary relief of minor pain and swelling from sprains, strains, bruising, contusions, and minor sports injuries. Stream spray is also used for the temporary relief of muscle spasms. Circle No. 68 on Reader Inquiry Card

KELLY KINETICS (888) 645-3559 www.kellykinetics.com The Ankle Isolator™ from Kelly Kinetics combines an adjustable weighted column that provides a unique resistive torsion and proprioceptive feeling with a patented biomechanical isolation channel that allows for precise placement of the resistance over the insertion of the targeted musculature. Whether it’s post-injury or pre-

TurfCordz Super Bungie... Safe, Strong and Reliable Progressive Resistance Training! • Created for the extreme demands of professional resistance training!

Circle No. 65 on Reader Inquiry Card

The more you use your wobble board, the better your agility and reaction skills become. This leads to greater confidence in daily activities and improved posture. It’s more fun to stand and move on a wobble board than to stand on a normal floor. The more you use them the more you’ll like them. The Wobble Board Kit, from Fitter, includes a 20” Rocker Board (beginner), 20” Wobble Board (intermediate), 16” Wobble Board

• Made from high strength large diameter bungie with strong steel snaps! • Available in a variety of resistance levels, kits and interchangeable accessories, with safety and security features professional athletes demand! • See our new 2003 CATALOG to learn more about the entire TurfCordz line! Call for a copy, or visit us online!

Distributed by M-F Athletic Company

800-556-7464 • www.performbetter.com Circle No. 34 A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M ◆ A P R I L 2 0 0 3 T & C ◆ 51

Rehabilitation Products ventative strengthening, stretching, or manipulation, this versatile nonweight-bearing device can be easily adjusted in half-pound increments to accommodate both early-stage patients and fully functional athletes. Circle No. 69 on Reader Inquiry Card Kelly Kinetics has introduced the Pivot Plate, which utilizes a patented Variable Offset Pivot (V.O.P.) system. To increase or decrease the neuromuscular demand, the fulcrum can be placed at varying-moment arm lengths. The fulcrum can also be selectively placed in the best biomechanical position to target select musculature for strengthening. Unlike traditional balance boards, the Pivot Plate user is affixed to the platform, which allows the users to vary their center of gravity position for a range of resistance levels. Circle No. 70 on Reader Inquiry Card

MEDSPEC (704) 573-4040, www.medspec.com The ASO® by MedSpec is a patented ankle support that can be worn either preventatively or during the treatment of an acute ankle sprain. The patented “figure 8” straps and elastic cuff supports the ankle in a neutral position. Made for either left or right ankle, the ASO delivers superior patient results. (U.S. Patent #5,067,486) Circle No. 71 on Reader Inquiry Card

MUELLER SPORTS MEDICINE (800) 356-9522, www.muellersportsmed.com The new Soft Ankle Brace with Straps from Mueller Sports Medicine is lighter than comparable braces on the market, yet delivers superior support to help prevent ankle injury and protect weak or already injured ankles. The design features secure stirrup straps which provide support on both sides of the ankle and adjustable non-stretch stabi-

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lizing straps that imitate effects of taping the ankle. Extremely comfortable, the strong polyester fabric eliminates the need for metal eyelets. The brace fits either foot, is easy to apply and fits in any style shoe. Sized XS - XL black. Circle No. 72 on Reader Inquiry Card

NASM (800) 460.NASM, www.nasm.org NASM’s 2003 International Conference is the event that will revolutionize your career. With 25 cutting-edge presentations and workshops with leading

OAKWORKS (800) 558-8850, www.oakworks.com The Oakworks® Portal Pro® assists you by relaxing your athletes and making them more easily accessible. A relaxed body is a receptive body; the Portal Pro offers complete relaxation providing comfortable, stress free, fullbody support. The Portal Pro provides fullbody access. Both the Athletic Trainer and patient are comfortably seated for a lengthy treatment with no twisting or straining. Circle No. 75 on Reader Inquiry Card

industry experts, Beyond Functional Training: The Total Solution explores advanced information and techniques for improving performance and decreasing risk of injury. Earn up to 24 CEUs from NASM, ACE, NATA, NSCA, APTA. May 7-10, 2003. Las Vegas, Nevada. Before April 15: $449. After April 15: $489. Circle No. 73 on Reader Inquiry Card

NZ MFG. (800) 886-6621, www.nzmfg.com TurfCordz® by NZ Manufacturing Inc. recently released its updated Web site, which offers the latest in high quality resistance exercise products designed to fulfill any sports training, fitness, and rehabilitation application. The site is filled with an extensive line of training and rehabilitation products including: TurfCordz™ products for strength training, MediCordz® products for rehabilitation and conditioning, and StrechCordz® products for swim training needs. The company’s patent-pending Safety Bungie™ and Safety Cord™ products provide the ultimate in safety for trainer and client alike. Circle No. 74 on Reader Inquiry Card

ATHLETICBID.COM

Increase your clinic’s productivity with Oakworks® Portable Mat Table. With a low height range, substantial width options and weight rating of 550 lbs., the Portable Mat can handle all your rehab needs. And its lightweight portability lets you set up treatment areas where and when you need them. When treatments are finished, the table stores quickly and easily. Circle No. 76 on Reader Inquiry Card

OPTP (800) 367-7393, www.optp.com OPTP is the exclusive distributor of the new Mobil-izer™ Roll. This roll is similar to conventional foam rollers, but it contains a hard inner core for added durability. The Mobil-izer Roll is twenty-nine inches long with a four inch diameter. It is an optimal size for mobilizing the thoracic spine. The Mobil-izer Roll may also be used for stretching, massage, and strengthening and will allow you to incorporate an exercise band without compromising the shape of the roll. An insert that demonstrates exercises is included. Circle No. 77 on Reader Inquiry Card

Rehabilitation Products EnduraTape, from OPTP, is designed for use with the patellofemoral, lower extremity, and shoulder treatment protocols developed by Jenny McConnell and described in The Patella: A Team Approach. EnduraTape has an advanced adhesive that puts staying power behind physical realignment techniques. EnduraTape can also be used as a high-performance sports tape for joints in motion. EnduraTape is available in two varieties— EnduraSPORTS and EnduraFIX—that can be used alone or together. EnduraSPORTS tape and EnduraFIX tape are available separately or together in a kit. Also available from OPTP: the text reference on the McConnell taping technique, The Patella: A Team Approach. Circle No. 78 on Reader Inquiry Card

PERFORMANCE HEALTH, INC. (800) 246-3733, E-mail: health@biofreeze.com Biofreeze® is an extremely effective topical pain reliever used in pain management programs to treat athletic injuries, muscle injuries and strains, stiff joints, and upper/lower back pain and spasm. Biofreeze helps with both deep trigger and soft tissue work. Prior to massage, it helps athletes relax for a more effective treatment. It also minimizes post-treatment swelling when applied after massage. Athletes who rarely bother to use ice can be counted on to use Biofreeze. Athletes can also use Biofreeze at home to relieve pain. Biofreeze is available in a no-touch roll-on, perfect for trainer’s supply bag. For more information and

WATERGIRL.NET (DON’T LET THE NAME FOOL YOU!)

Athletic Braces for the Competitive Athlete Soccer, Field Hockey, Basketball, Lacrosse, Baseball, Tennis...? Brace Yourself for Next Season with WATERGIRL.NET

Need expert advice for the right brace for you? Visit our website WWW.WATERGIRL.NET or email us at MYM@ATT.NET

your no-charge trial package, contact Biofreeze. Circle No. 79 on Reader Inquiry Card Performance Health, Inc., the makers of Biofreeze Pain Relieving products, is proud to sponsor FIRST, the Florida Immediate Response Stress Team. FIRST is a non-profit, volunteer organization, which comprises a group of several hundred licensed massage therapists who respond to disasters. To accomplish their mission of providing stress relief to disaster victims, they provide chair massages and stress management to the rescue workers, responders, and uninjured victims. For more information about FIRST, contact Sue Welfley, director, at (813) 932-2558 or visit www.fsmta-tampabay.org/first.htm. Circle No. 80 on Reader Inquiry Card

Give Your Players the Ultimate Strength & Conditioning Tool A simple and effective way to help athletes track ★ Weight Training ★ Aerobic & Conditioning Workouts ★ Meals And Nutrition ★ Individual Workout Goals The Daily Fit Plan Workout Success Planner

Call Now for Team Pricing

Stay in the Game with Braces from WATERGIRL.NET “Judged to be the Best by Athletic Trainers”

888-247-9780 www.dailyfitplan.com

Circle No. 35

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Rehabilitation Products POWERWEB (888) 823-0310, www.pwrwebintl.com PowerWeb is the all-in-one finger, hand, wrist, forearm and ankle exerciser. It allows duplication of all joint actions: flexion, extension, opposition and supination. Original Power Web comes in six color-coded resistance levels, and the new PowerWeb Combo offers two resistance levels in one. Call the company or visit its Web site for a complete brochure. Circle No. 81 on Reader Inquiry Card

PRO-TEC ATHLETICS (800) 779-3372, www.injurybegone.com Iliotibial Band Syndrome, commonly referred as ITBS, is a difficult injury to treat. Pro-Tec Athletics does, however, have an answer. The Iliotibial Band

Wrap, by Pro-Tec Athletics, stabilizes the IT Band and reduces stress to the area, alleviating symptoms of ITBS. Applied above the patella, it is designed with a compression pad that provides direct compression on the Iliotibial Band. Circle No. 82 on Reader Inquiry Card Unparalleled in comfort and effectiveness, the Shin Splints Compression Wrap by Pro-Tec Athletics alleviates symptoms of medial and anterior shin splints. It includes a compression strip to provide targeted compression. This helps prevent tearing of the soft tissue away from the tibia. In

addition, the Shin Splints Compression Wrap absorbs stress to the tibia and helps stabilize the area. Its contoured design keeps pressure off the calf area in cases of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. Circle No. 83 on Reader Inquiry Card

SPORTS MOTION, INC. (888) 265-6226, www.sportsmotion.com Pro-Trainer Software, by Sports Motion, Inc., delivers unseen results. Through state-of-the-art, yet highly affordable digital video, record patient movement and review in minute detail. Focus in on specific movement to correct medical or performance issues. Apply key features such as electronic drawing, adding text, timer, split or overlay screen modes for comparative video

HOW TO REQUEST OR RENEW A FREE SUBSCRIPTION: The easiest way is to complete the subscription request card provided in every issue. If a request card is not available, then on your institution’s letterhead provide us with your: 1. request to receive or renew a free subscription 2. signature and date of request 3. title and school name 4. mailing address

ARE YOU MOVING? The USPS will not forward your subscription. In order to keep receiving your free subscription, you must notify us and provide us with your: 1. new mailing address 2. title and school name 3. signature and date of request All subscription requests and changes of address must be in writing, and mailed to: TRAINING & CONDITIONING, SUBSCRIPTION DEPT., PO BOX 4806, ITHACA, NY 14852-4806 or faxed to: 607-257-7328 Attn: TRAINING & CONDITIONING, SUBSCRIPTION DEPT. Circle No. 38 54 ◆ T & C A P R I L 2 0 0 3 ◆

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Rehabilitation Products review. Call Sports Motion or visit its Web site to view what you have been missing, today. Circle No. 84 on Reader Inquiry Card

SWEDE-O, INC. (800) 525-9339, www.swedeo.com The Swede-O Tarsal Lok™ combines the greater support of a rigid brace with the superior comfort of a lace-up brace. It features an integrated stirrup that stabilizes the ankle by cradling and controlling the midtarsal joint while supporting the ankle and subtalar joint. The Dupont Surlyn® stirrup will actually mold to the shape of your ankle simply from body heat. Circle No. 85 on Reader Inquiry Card

New Swede-O TheraSport™ heat retainers for Prevention, Treatment &

Rehabilitation. TheraSport increases the elasticity of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to reduce the risk of injury when under stress. TheraSport also increases blood flow to damaged tissue, accelerating the healing process, while providing light compression to counteract tissue swelling. The TheraSport line includes ankle, knee, calf, thigh, shorts, shoulder, elbow and wrist. Circle No. 86 on Reader Inquiry Card

ARI-MED PHARMACEUTICALS (800) 527-4923 Depend on Flexall 454® topical pain relieving gels, from Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals, for clinical and training room settings. Flexall gels are used by leading athletic trainers to treat the world’s top athletes. Enhance ultra-

sound, cryotherapy, T.E.N.S., and massage therapies. Flexall gels are unique vitamin Eenriched aloe vera gel formulas with menthol as the active ingredient. They absorb quickly, are greaseless, non-staining, and gentle on the skin. Professional sizes available. Circle No. 87 on Reader Inquiry Card Since 1980, Bushwalker Bags have been handcrafted in America to exacting standards for quality and durability. Discover the company’s line

Perform Better Learn-by-Doing Functional Training One-Day Seminars For Everyone Who Trains or Rehabs Clients, Patients, Athletes Call Toll-Free 1-800-556-7464 OUR SEMINAR PROGRAM FOCUSES ON TIMELY SUBJECTS BY WELL-KNOWN SPEAKERS • Juan Carlos Santana • • Robb Rogers • • Walter Norton, Jr. • • Duane Carlisle • 2003 SUBJECTS: • Body Weight Training • Tools for the Trade • Low Back Rehab and Injury Prevention • Exercise Nutrition • Agility and Acceleration Training SEMINARS: Jan. 4 – San Francisco Jan. 11 – Los Angeles Feb. 1 – Orlando March 22 – Boston March 23 – Boston April 5 – Chicago Area

Mike Clark • Al Vermeil • Steven Plisk • Mark Verstegen •

Mike Boyle Thomas Incledon Diane Vives Darryl Eto REQUEST OUR SEMINAR BROCHURE All One-Day Sessions All Affordable, $109 Pre-Registration

May 10 – Richmond June 14 – Dallas

Over 400 Innovative Products and Concepts for Functional Training to Improve Conditioning and to Prevent and Treat Injuries

REGISTER FOR OUR NEWSLETTER FREE at your request. Our team shares their ideas with you to better understand functional training and rehab.

Visit Our Web Site

Call for Our 2003 Perform Better Catalog

www.performbetter.com • Updated Weekly • Timely Specials • New Ideas • New Product Lines SIGN ON TODAY

Write us, Fax us at Perform Better • 11 Amflex Drive • P.O. Box 8090 • Cranston, RI 02920-0090 • Toll-Free Fax 1-800-682-6950 Circle No. 39 A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M ◆ A P R I L 2 0 0 3 T & C ◆ 55

ADVERTISING DIRECTORY COMPANY

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COMPANY

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Athletics Plus (SpringCo) . . . . . . . . . . .32 . . . . . . . .49

Kytec Athletic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 . . . . . . . .26

PowerLung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 . . . . . . . .54

Ball Dynamics International . . . . . . .14 . . . . . . . .24

MedSpec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 . . . . . . . .38

Pro-Tec Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 . . . . . . . .42

Biodex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 . . . . . . . .21

Mueller Sports Medicine . . . . . . . . . .11 . . . . . . . .19

ProMaxima Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 . . . . . . . .57

Biofreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . 9

NASM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 . . . . . . . .17

Shuttle Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 . . . . . . . .41

Cho-Pat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . 2

NSCA (Weight Training) . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 . . . . . . . .23

Sports Motion, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 . . . . . . . .40

Daily Fit Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 . . . . . . . .53

NSCA Certification Commission . . . . .20 . . . . . . . .30

Swede-O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . .14

Fitter International . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 . . . . . . . .39

NSCA National Conference . . . . . . . .33 . . . . . . . .50

Total Gym/efi Sports Medicine . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . 5

Flexall/BushwalkerBags . . . . . . . . .43 . . . . . . .IBC

Oakworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 . . . . . . . .BC

Townsend Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . .10

Game Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 . . . . . . . .27

OPTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 . . . . . . . .45

TurfCordz/NZ Manufacturing . . . . . .34 . . . . . . . .51

Gebauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 . . . . . . . .15

Perform Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . .13

Vertec (Sports Imports) . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 . . . . . . . .46

Hormel HealthLabs (Plus-2) . . . . . . . .21 . . . . . . . .33

Perform Better (seminars) . . . . . . . . . .39 . . . . . . . .55

VertiMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 . . . . . . . .56

Hurst Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 . . . . . . . .24

Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 . . . . . . . .25

VitaCube Systems (V3S) . . . . . . . . . . .22 . . . . . . . .36

Kelly Kinetics (Ankle Isolator) . . . . . . . .28 . . . . . . . .44

Power-Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 . . . . . . . .49

Watergirl.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 . . . . . . . .53

Kelly Kinetics (Pivot Plate) . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . .16

PowerBar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . .IFC

IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOME REAL EXCITEMENT IN THE TRAINING ROOM AND PRODUCE NEW PERSONAL BESTS FOR YOUR ATHLETES

IS THE ANSWER! • NO trainer–anywhere, at any price, will increase an athlete’s vertical jump and first-step-quickness like VertiMax. Rapid, large gains are guaranteed! Your athletes will feel and see their improvements immediately!

Adding VertiMax to your arsenal will give you a whole new training dimension, expand your client base, and increase your revenue.

• Patented Hip Trackers move laterally with the

athlete to sustain a proper gravity vector and preserve balance and form during lunges and other sports specific exercises. • Engineering under the platform applies a

non-varying resistance throughout the complete jumping motion, optimizing the proprioceptive response.

• VertiMax has been featured in Sports Illustrated and seen on ESPN, HBO, and Fox Sports Networks

• Individually tailored resistances

can be set in seconds!

1-800-699-5867

www.vertimax.com

THE TRAINER CHOSEN BY THE #1 NBA AND #1 NFL DRAFT PICKS Circle No. 40 56 ◆

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY COMPANY

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COMPANY

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Ari-Med (Bushwalker Bags) . . . . . . . . . .88 . . . . . . . . .55

Gebauer (Instant Ice) . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 . . . . . . . . .51

Power Systems (Power Toss-Balls) . . . . .101 . . . . . . . . .60

Ari-Med (Flexall 454) . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 . . . . . . . . .55

Hormel HealthLabs . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 . . . . . . . . .47

Power Systems (Pro Power Chute) . . . . .102 . . . . . . . .60

Athletics Plus (Springco) . . . . . . . . . . .95 . . . . . . . . .60

Kelly Kinetics (Ankle Isolator) . . . . . . . .69 . . . . . . . . .51

Power-Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 . . . . . . . . .54

Ball Dynamics International . . . . . . .93 . . . . . . . . .58

Kelly Kinetics (Pivot Plate) . . . . . . . . . .70 . . . . . . . . .52

PowerBar (Performance) . . . . . . . . . . .53 . . . . . . . . .47

Biodex (Balance System) . . . . . . . . . . . .57 . . . . . . . . .49

Kytec Athletic (catalog) . . . . . . . . . . . .94 . . . . . . . . .58

PowerBar (PowerGel) . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 . . . . . . . . .47

Biodex (catalog) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 . . . . . . . . .58

Kytec Athletic (Speed Resistor) . . . . . . .97 . . . . . . . . .60

PowerLung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 . . . . . . . . .60

Biofreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 . . . . . . . . .53

Kytec (Super Power Sled) . . . . . . . . . . . .96 . . . . . . . . .60

Pro-Tec Athletics (Iliotibial Band Wrap)

Biofreeze (FIRST) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 . . . . . . . . .53

MedSpec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 . . . . . . . . .52

Pro-Tec Athletics (Shin Splints Wrap) . . . .83 . . . . . . . . .54

BSN-Jobst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 . . . . . . . . .49

Mueller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 . . . . . . . . .52

ProMaxima Fitness . . . . . . . . . . .104 . . . . . . . .61

Cho-Pat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 . . . . . . . .62

NASM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 . . . . . . . . .52

Sports Motion, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 . . . . . . . . .54

Contemporary Design (Shuttle Balance) . .60 . . . . . . . . .49

NSCA Certification Commission (book) .90 . . . . . . . . .58

Swede-O (Tarsal Lok) . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 . . . . . . . . .55

. . .82

. . . . . . . . .54

Contemporary Design (Shuttle MVP) . . .59 . . . . . . . . .49

NSCA Certification Commission (video) .89 . . . . . . . . .58

Swede-O (TheraSport) . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 . . . . . . . . .55

Creative Health Products . . . . . . . . .62 . . . . . . . . .50

NZ Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 . . . . . . . . .52

Total Gym/efi Sports Medicine . . . . .64 . . . . . . . . .51

Daily Fit Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 . . . . . . . .61

Oakworks (Portable Mat Table) . . . . . . . .76 . . . . . . . . .52

Total Gym/efi Sports Medicine (Cuff Link) .63 . . . . . . . . .50

Fitter International (Pro Fitter) . . . . . . .65 . . . . . . . . .51

Oakworks (Portal Pro) . . . . . . . . . . . .75 . . . . . . . . .52

Townsend Design (Premier knee brace) . . . 107 . . . . . . . . .62

Fitter International (Wobble Board Kit) . . .66 . . . . . . . . .51

OPTP (EnduraTape) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 . . . . . . . . .53

Townsend Design (Rebel knee brace) . . . 108 . . . . . . . .62

Game Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 . . . . . . . . .50

OPTP (Mobil-izer Roll) . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 . . . . . . . . .52

VertiMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 . . . . . . . .61

. . . . . . . . .51 . . . . . . . . .47

Perform Better (Core Ball) . . . . . . . . .99 . . . . . . . . .60

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Rehabilitation Products of med bags, belt packs, crutch bags, field kits, equipment bags, luggage and specialty bags that are tops in the industry; each with a lifetime warranty on workmanship. The bags are available in six standard colors. Custom embroidery is available. Bushwalker Bags set the standard. Circle No. 88 on Reader Inquiry Card

NSCA CERTIFICATION COMMISSION (888) 746-2378, www.nsca-cc.org The NSCA Certification Commission's Free Weight and Machine Exercise Techniques video cassette is now available as a DVD. Just like the VHS version, this 82-minute DVD shows the proper technique for 38 common weight training exercises. The narration

describes the 10 machine and 28 free weight exercises. It also identifies the primary muscle groups involved, including the correct grip width, stance, body position, range of motion, and provides tips for correcting errors and avoiding injury. ($39.95 for NSCA members). The DVD may also be purchased as a set with the 68-page Free Weight and Machine Exercise Techniques Manual. (The set is $57.95 for NSCA members.) Circle No. 89 on Reader Inquiry Card

the most comprehensive strength training and conditioning information available. It also includes 300 full-color photographs, which provide a clear illustration of proper flexibility, plyometric, and resistance training exercise techniques. Circle No. 90 on Reader Inquiry Card

NSCA Certification Commission offers Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, 2nd Edition. Written and edited by leading exercise science professionals, the book offers 664 pages and 26 chapters of

CatalogShowcase Biodex Medical Systems (800) 224-6339, www.biodex.com Though best known for their System 3 Dynamometer, Biodex Medical Systems also offers a series of products for neuromuscular evaluation and therapeutic exercise including treadmills, new cycle ergometers, a new cyclocentric semirecumbent cycle, recumbent squat system, cable columns and a Balance System for the athletic training and sports medicine program to test pre-season base line, total knee, ACL and more (see product showcase).

Power Systems, Inc. (800) 321-6975, www.power-systems.com Since 1986 Power Systems has made it a number-one priority to become a leading supplier of sport training, health, and fitness products. Its new 2003 catalog is re-worked to provide the best possible resource for all your training needs. Included areas are core strength, medicine balls, speed, plyometrics, agility, strength equipment, strength accessories and flooring. You’ll find the catalog full of new products as well as some products that we've improved upon. Not only will you find these changes, but you will also find that the company has lowered some of prices enabling the customer to get premium products at great pricing. Go online or call Power Systems to request a FREE 2003 catalog today.

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Ball Dynamics International

Kytec

(800) 752-2255, www.balldynamics.com Ball Dynamics®, the leader in exercise balls for sports rehabilitation and therapy, has announced its 2003 Product Catalog, a 20-page resource guide for the fitness professional and health-conscious consumer. This year's catalog features the versatile, professional-quality, burst-resistant FitBALL® Exercise Ball along with the Gymnic® Therapy Ball, plus an expanded range of premium ball accessories, books, and videos.

(800) 732-4883, www.kytec.us. Kytec Athletic Speed Equipment has been a proven name in sports training for 12 years. Kytec offers a wide variety of products dealing with fitness, strength, rehabilitation, speed, flexibility for all types of athletes and individuals. Its goal is to have a wide variety of superior merchandise at the best possible prices, to handle your order courteously and to ship merchandise as quickly as possible, usually within 24 hours. There is a difference in Kytec products. It's the difference between being the runner-up and the winner. It is the difference between nearing the top and reaching it. When you buy Kytec products the difference is quality factory direct savings and prompt delivery. Begin to feel the benefits of the highest quality and lowest priced athletic speed, strength and rehabilitation equipment in the USA.

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ATHLETICBID.COM

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C USTOMER T ESTIMONIAL

To:

Charles Cohen Hausmann Industries, Inc.

C USTOMER T ESTIMONIAL

Cho-Pat’s Dual Action Knee Strap is receiving rave reviews from medical professionals, trainers, athletes, and active individuals… The Web Slide Exercise Rail System is for regular users of lowcost, high use products such as tubing, bands and pulleys—devices that provide resistance, stretching/traction and ROM. It requires just three feet of floor space and includes everything needed—fixtures, exercise devices, instructional materials—to quickly and effectively train and monitor those in need of rehabilitation and fitness exercise programs.

March 26, 2003 Wheaton College has enjoyed Hausmann products for several years. We use treatment and taping tables that are both functional and sturdy. Hausmann worked very well with us to design the cabinetry for our Athletic Training Room. The customer service that we have received and continue to receive is unmatched. Greg Evans Head Athletic Trainer Wheaton College

"I have purchased one of these (Dual Action Knee Strap) for one knee and now I need one for the other. This product has helped me tremendously!"—Renee C. Lang "Several months ago, I purchased a pair of your Dual Action Knee Straps. I'm happy to report that they are the finest of several different kinds of straps; they offer just the kind of support I need. I'll be looking forward to use them for hiking in the Canadian Rockies in a few weeks!"—Arthur Jensen "I have osteoarthritis which is now effecting mobility in my knees. The Cho-Pat Dual Action strap has provided great support and relief of pain when walking and running. It is a great product, far superior to anything I have tried before."— Dennis Kenney

PROTEAM by Hausmann 130 Union Street Northvale, NJ 07647

888.428.7626 www.proteamtables.com

C USTOMER T ESTIMONIAL

"WOW, I love my new knee brace. It really takes the pain away. WOW!!! Thank you very much for making such a good product."— Bryan Wilhelm

“I have been very pleased with how easily the stretch tubing exercise devices can be accessed and utilized. The system has more than paid for itself with the countless hours spent on it by our injured student-athletes. I really like how it can be placed on a wall, taking up so little space in the athletic training room.” Kathy Schniedwind ATC/L Head Athletic Trainer Illinois St. University “If you use tubing, bands, or pulleys, PrePak’s Exercise Rail System is must have. I’m enthusiastically recommending it to colleagues.” Mari Bosworth, PT Rehabilitation Svcs of Cleveland, Inc

PrePak Products, Inc. Cho-Pat, Inc. 800.221.1601, 609.261.1336 www.cho-pat.com

4055 Oceanside Blvd., Ste. L Oceanside, CA 92056

800.544.7257 www.prepakproducts.com

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ScoutingReport Football Conditioning ATHLETICSPLUS (800) 383-0305, www.athleticsplus.com Speed, Agility, Flexibility and Explosiveness. The S.A.F.E. Ladder, from AthleticsPlus, has fully adjustable spacing that allows a coach to set the distance and return quickly to the original mark. The flat rungs have a gripping surface to keep in place on gym floors. The ladder is 10 yards long and it can be separated into two smaller sections of five yards. It comes with a handle for easy storage and a training manual is included. Circle No. 95 on Reader Inquiry Card

KYTEC ATHLETIC SPEED EQUIPMENT (800) 732-4883, www.kytec.us The innovative rust-proof stainless steel or painted Super Power Sled, from Kytec, pulls smooth and straight for high-speed resistance sprinting. At the same time you are developing sprinting strength, you can also develop correct and powerful arm swing, a critical component of increased speed. Use the optional quick-release harness so you can release the sled while sprinting and you will feel like you were shot out of a cannon. Take advantage of Kytec’s one-time sale—prices will never be this low again. Super Power Sled/Painted $134.97; Super Power Sled/Stainless Steel - $149.97; Quick Release Harness $29.97—sale ends 5-30-03. Circle No. 96 on Reader Inquiry Card

Kytec’s Speed Resistor is the pro’s choice. You can have your cake and eat it, as Kytec’s Speed Resistor comes with either a 4” padded belt or a shoulder harness. One athlete runs while the other one provides resistance. You will 60 ◆ T & C A P R I L 2 0 0 3 ◆

develop great sprint speed, quickness, acceleration, and explosiveness. You will see why the Kytec Speed Resistor is used by professional, collegiate, and high school teams all over the world. Speed Resistor w/ Harness or w/ Belt $33.72—sale ends 5-30-03. Circle No. 97 on Reader Inquiry Card

PERFORM BETTER (800) 556-7464, www.performbetter.com Perform Better has introduced the Crooked Stick Portable Pattern®. Six 22” flat, connected segments that can be easily manipulated from a straight line to a hexagon. This neat agility-quickness-balance device is an ideal training tool. Multiple units can be snapped together to form longer, even more intricate and challenging training shapes. Circle No. 98 on Reader Inquiry Card

What’s new in medicine ball training? Perform Better suggests the new First Place Core Ball that allows you to grab one or both handles and do lunges, rotations, chops, PNF patterns, or throws. It is available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, 20 lb. weights all with the same 11” diameter. In throwing, Perform Better suggests against a wall to develop more power, or in a field for distance. The First Place Core Ball is part of the 2003 Perform Better Catalog. Circle No. 99 on Reader Inquiry Card

POWERLUNG, INC. (800) 903-3087, www.powerlung.com PowerLung® is the original and only integrated exhale and inhale isolated, progressive resistance respiratory strength training machine for all athletes. It is based on 80 years of medical research; proven to increase respiratory muscle strength; inhale and exhale; Tidal Volume >25% and Peak Exhalation

ATHLETICBID.COM

>20%; Inhale Muscle Power > 40%; Exhale Muscle Power > 150%. Studies show asthma sufferers may benefit from respiratory muscle training. A player’s body is only as strong as the weakest muscles—the respiratory muscles. Your team is only as strong as the weakest player—everyone needs PowerLung Training for increased oxygen. Use PowerLung for stamina and endurance; stronger core body muscles; and reduced heart and respiratory rates. Oxygen is the limiting factor in Sports. Circle No. 100 on Reader Inquiry Card

POWER SYSTEMS, INC. (800) 321-6975, www.power-systems.com The weighted Power Toss-Balls, from Power Systems, Inc., develop dynamic strength in the throwing motion, creating increased arm speed, endurance, and rehabilitation. Power Systems has also made some subtle changes to improve it as well. Now it is soft and squeezable, so not only does it increase arm strength, it also increases grip strength. And, Power Systems converted all the weight markings from grams to ounces. Circle No. 101 on Reader Inquiry Card

If you are looking for more resistance in a running chute, then the Pro Power Chute, from Power Systems, Inc., is what you need. The company believes that it is the largest running chute on the market, giving the user up to 50 lbs. of resistance. It is great for short burst of speed to improve explosiveness and long distance to improve leg endurance. The chute was designed to be tangle-free and it also has a quick-release Velcro belt. Circle No. 102 on Reader Inquiry Card

PRO FITNESS GROUP, INC (888) 247-9780, www.dailyfitplan.com The Daily Fit Plan Workout Success Planner is an ideal workout tool to help players improve strength and conditioning. It allows them to track weight training and conditioning workouts, meals and nutrition. All in a simple, easy to use and effective format. The planner helps keep both athletes and coaches focused on the same strength and conditioning goals.

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PROMAXIMA FITNESS MFG. (800) 231-6652, www.promaximamfg.com ProMaxima Fitness Mfg., a 38-year-old commercial strength equipment manufacturer based in Houston, is the largest factory-direct equipment supplier in North America. It can meet any of your facility or training needs. Ask about the ProMaxima Power Thruster selling for $995. ProMaxima backs all its products with the best warranty in the industry. Circle No. 104 on Reader Inquiry Card

VERTIMAX (800) 699-5867, www.vertimax.com The VertiMax Low-Load,VelocitySpecific Platform Trainer is the unchallenged best device ever designed to increase lower body reactive power. It provides unique kinetics and eliminates the shortcomings of all previous platform trainers. (1) An unlimited number of resistances can be set in seconds. (2) The athlete is fully loaded in the low squat position. (3) The resistance level set does not vary through the complete concentric and eccentric movement. (4) During lateral movement the applied overload maintains a true “center of the earth” gravity vector. Stand by for huge gains in vertical jump and first-step quickness.

Last year I dislocated my ankle wakeboarding (one of my favorite sports), breaking bones and ripping ligaments. I thought my summer was done until my doctor put me in the walking Aircast. It gave me instant freedom. I was able to ditch my crutches and get back on the water. I couldn’t fit my cast into a wakeboard binding, so I tried wakeskating (just like wakeboarding, but without the bindings). My doctor thought it was unbelievable and wanted photos. I figured you guys might also like to see your Aircast in action. Keep up the good work!

"Lightplast Pro has become a staple in our training room. The variety of widths enables us to use Lightplast Pro for almost any application, from knees and thighs to fingers and toes. With as much preventative taping that we do, it’s great to find an elastic tape that gives the adhesive properties needed to give excellent support without multiple layers. Lightplast Pro would be an asset to any healthcare setting." John Kasik Athletic Trainer, M.S.Ed., A.T., C.-L.

Charlotte Heimbold Appropriate activities while wearing an Aircast Walking Brace vary greatly. Please follow the recommendations of your physician.

Aircast, Inc. P.O. Box 709 Summit, NJ 07902

800.526.8785 www.aircast.com

BSN-Jobst, Inc. 5825 Carnegie Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28209-4633

800.537.1063 www.jobst-usa.com

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ScoutingReport Knee Products CHO-PAT, INC. (800) 221-1601, www.cho-pat.com Cho-Pat’s patented Dual Action Knee Strap provides an extra level of relief for painful and weakened knees. It applies pressure upon the tendon below the knee to reduce patellar subluxation and improve tracking and elevation. It also places pressure on the tendon above the knee to give added support and stability. It allows full mobility. Circle No. 106 on Reader Inquiry Card

TOWNSEND DESIGN (800) 432-3466, www.townsenddesign.com Townsend Design's Premier custom functional knee brace is the company's most highly acclaimed model. The Premier features rigid solid-core carbon graphite shells that optimize control and durability. Patented features include titanium Townsend Motion

Hinges and Townsend's Synergistic Suspension Strap. Premier braces are backed by a no-migration guarantee. Patient compliance is enhanced by the Premier's lightweight, cool, cosmetically appealing superstructure. Circle No. 107 on Reader Inquiry Card Townsend Design's pre-sized functional Rebel knee braces feature patented hinge motion and suspension technology, and are backed by a no-migration guarantee. Rebel and RebelPro (contact sports) braces are very low profile, lightweight, and comfortable. Townsend will individually fabricate Rebel Series braces from three leg measurements (the industry standard is thigh circumference only) to

ensure the best possible fit and function. Circle No. 108 on Reader Inquiry Card

WATERGIRL.NET (757) 422-2367, www.watergirl.net KUHL™ Knapp™ Hinged Knee Orthosis, a multi-functional hinged knee orthosis can solve more than one bracing need. The goal of designer's, Dr. Thomas Knapp and Hely & Weber Sports Medicine was for Pre-and Post-operative care for MCL/LCL and meniscal repairs and mild to moderate functional bracing as an adjunct to patella fracture and ACL/PCL strains and sprains. Possibly the most comfortable hinged knee brace on the market today due to the terry-lined Kuhl™ perforated neoprene. Full hinge covers allow for sport participation. (Available in 12” or 16” length.) Visit the Web site for more details. Circle No. 109 on Reader Inquiry Card

WebConnections AIRCAST, INC. WWW.AIRCAST.COM Newly revised Web site highlights Aircast's product line for the functional treatment of orthopedic injuries in addition to a Patient Education section which provides information regarding common injuries and the Aircast products that help treat them.

BALL DYNAMICS® INTERNATIONAL, INC. WWW.BALLDYNAMICS.COM The ball experts! Burst-resistant FitBALL® and Gymnic® exercise balls. Comprehensive line of exercise books, videos, and ball accessories. Balance, strength and resistance training products for fitness and sports rehab professionals.

DM SYSTEMS, INC. WWW.DMSYSTEMS.COM Manufacturer of wound care and orthopedic rehab products including the Cadlow™ Shoulder Stabilizer, a multi-sport shoulder stabilizing brace

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that provides glenohumeral stability while maintaining an athlete's full range of motion, and AnkleTough® Resistance Exercise Straps.

EFI SPORTS MEDICINE WWW.EFISPORTSMEDICINE.COM After more than a quarter century at the forefront of innovation in athletic training, physical therapy and home fitness, efi Sports Medicine, originator of the commercial grade Total Gym and developer of the GRAVITYSystem™, has become the leading manufacturer of functional rehabilitation and sports conditioning equipment.

LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS WWW.LWW.COM LWW.com is the official site of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a leading international publisher of professional health information for physicians, health professionals, specialized clinicians and students. More than an

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online store, LWW.com contains valuable tools for faculty, students, librarians, and practitioners.

OPTP WWW.OPTP.COM OPTP is an internationally recognized leader in providing healthcare professionals with conservative care and physical therapy products.

PREPAK PRODUCTS WWW.PREPAKPRODUCTS.COM PrePak Products specializes in the manufacturing and sales of high-quality, low cost exercise equipment designed for use in gym, clinic, home settings—anywhere there is a door. PrePak is also noted for its line of therapeutic creams.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL

After more than a quarter century at the forefront of innovation in athletic training, physical therapy and home fitness, efi Sports Medicine, originator of the commercial grade Total Gym and developer of the GRAVITYSystem™, has become the leading manufacturer of functional rehabilitation and sports conditioning equipment. efi's ground-breaking integration of the proven benefits of gravity resistance and functional training facilitates shorter, more efficient workouts that produce superior results. Today, efi provides a wide array of functional equipment to more than 14,000 clinics, schools, hospitals, athletic training centers and health clubs. As an orthopedic shoulder surgeon who is faced with all types of surgical and non-surgical rehabilitation challenges, I am constantly looking for ways to increase the menu of resistive exercises which are so important for a full return to function. Most of our patients will have graduated exercise programs that progressively change over the weeks and months that we supervise rehabilitation. Ideally, we like to use equipment that offers a variety of exercise possibilities and easily increased resistance. It is an added bonus if exercise equipment can also serve the athlete or patient post-rehab, as well as his or her family. I have found no better solution than to suggest that my ailing shoulder patients be instructed on Total Gym Model 24000 while in physical therapy—and that they eventually obtain a Model 11000 for their home to continue rehabilitation and maintenance programs. Total Gym’s ability to start with gentle, low resistance exercises in specific planes and to expand the program with ever-increasing variety is unparalleled. I know of no other exercise equipment that allows for the unique combination of concentric and eccentric exercises so important in building shoulder strength and promoting shoulder joint stability. The team at the Baylor Sports Medicine Institute and Texas Institute of Rehabilitation and Research, along with the Texas Women’s Physical Therapy Masters program, is taking an important step forward this year in designing specific rehabilitative programs for post-surgical rotator cuff repair, shoulder instability reconstruction and shoulder replacement care. Total Gym is an important part of our com-

prehensive rehabilitative programs, providing both complementary and unique opportunities to both stretch and strengthen the shoulder joint in safe and pain-free prescribed programs. We have also designed week-byweek plans for using Total Gym in rehabilitating non-surgical problems such as rotator cuff tendinitis, shoulder subluxation and frozen shoulder syndromes. The approach will be to describe the scientific basis of each week's exercise program, and to help the sports medicine and orthopedic community better understand how Total Gym offers unsurpassed potential for maximizing patient care. William J. Bryan, M.D. Baylor Sports Medicine Institute Clinical Professor Orthopedic Surgery Baylor College of Medicine

Total Gym has been extremely beneficial to our conditioning program at Bentley College. My first experience in using Total Gym was during rehabilitating significant injuries, including four hip replacements and two shoulder replacements—all within a ten-year period. I was impressed that it was such an exceptional piece of equipment for rehabilitating such injuries. Our baseball players have made a significant commitment to training on Total Gym and we have seen remarkable success in their development in a very short period of time. I have always been a believer of conditioning by using one's own body weight as resistance in order to keep stress off the joints; I believe that is especially important in baseball. The strength of our players has increased dramatically while they have maintained flexibility—something that they will not get while training with free weights. I strongly endorse Total Gym and feel it has made a major impact in the strength development of our program. Coincidentally, a year ago, little Division II Bentley College set an NCAA record for most home runs in a season and I have to believe the conditioning on Total Gym had something to do with it. Coach Robert DeFelice Athletic Director, Head Baseball Coach Bentley College

efi Sports Medicine 7755 Arjons Drive San Diego, CA 92126 Phone: (800) 541-4900

www.efisportsmedicine.com

Association Corner The following associations offer services of interest to our T&C readers.

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine A world leader in sports medicine education, research, communication and fellowship. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is a national organization of orthopaedic surgeons specializing in sports medicine, including national and international sports medicine leaders. The AOSSM works closely with many other sports medicine specialists and clinicians, including family physicians, emergency physicians, pediatricians, athletic trainers and physical therapists, to improve the identification, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries.

ECA MIAMI 2003 SPORTS TRAINING & FITNESS CONVENTION! Nov 14-16 Learn to earn...challenge yourself....push your limits DON’T

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CALL

FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE AND REGISTER!

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OR REGISTER ONLINE WWW.ECAWORLDFITNESS.COM

I T S MORE THAN CONTINUING EDUCATION... I T S PASSION!

For more information, please visit our website: www.sportsmed.org.

SPECIALIST IN SPORTS CONDITIONING ISSA Certification Program • • • •

Be the conditioning coach for your team. Expand strength & conditioning programs. Maximize earning potential as a coach. Learn to enhance athletic performance. CALL FOR FREE INFO:

1.800.892.4772

www.FitnessEducation.com

International Sports Sciences Association

Take Your Career to New Heights PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT CONTINUING EDUCATION ● CERTIFICATION

• Earn CEUs for NASM, NATA, NSCA • Live workshops, home-study and online courses • Flexibility, core, balance, power, speed and strength training

• Clinical applications • Proven methods

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Athletic Therapy. Rapid return to work and play.

Athletic Therapists are dedicated to the promotion and delivery of quality care through injury prevention and rehabilitation and emergency services. In collaboration with other health care professionals, athletic therapists work to create a healthier environment that encompasses the needs of the active community, including the high-performance athlete.

For more information please visit us online at www.athletictherapy.org

All NATA certified athletic trainers are eligible to receive a free subscription to T&C.

FLEXALL MAXIMUM STRENGTH PROFESSIONAL SIZES 16 OZ & 7 LB

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漏2003 DIVERSA PRODUCTS GROUP 路 TEMPE, ARIZONA 85281 USA

Circle No. 43

Because the game isn’t played in the locker room ...

... there’s OAKWORKS . Portable Adjustable Taping Tables

Portable Adjustable Treatment Tables

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