Training & Conditioning 21.3 by Momentummedia

April 2011 Vol. XXI, No. 3, $7.00

Better Safe Than Sorry Decrease injuries in your weightroom

Using Energy Supplements Effectively Athletic Trainers in Nontraditional Settings

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April 2011, Vol. XXI, No. 3

contents

20 Bulletin Board 4 NOCSAE to revisit helmet standards … Concern over AED recalls… Leafy greens for efficient muscles … Results of decade-long pitching study.

Comeback Athlete Dave Angebranndt University of Delaware

Sponsored Pages 19 Balanced Body 49 Fitness Anywhere Product News 60 Nutritional Aids 62 Football Conditioning 68 Rehab Equipment 74 Knee Braces

56 NATA Sneak Preview 72 Advertisers Directory CEU Quiz 77 For NATA and NSCA Members

80 Next Stop: Web Site On the cover: Mike Nitka, author of our cover story on weightroom safety, coaches athletes on safe lifting and spotting techniques. Story begins on page 30 Photo by Front Room Photography.

TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

Treating The Athlete

Trouble 12 Triple How do you treat an athlete who suffers not just one, not two, but three injuries in a season? By Maria Hutsick Nutrition

of Energy 20 Burst It seems like almost every athlete is using energy supplements for a pick-me-up. Here’s what you need to know about how these products work and the ingredients you may find in them. By Dr. Kris Clark Optimum Performance

30 Thousands of weightroom accidents happen every year, but Better Safe Than Sorry

your program doesn’t have to become part of the problem. By Mike Nitka Leadership

39 Instead of taking the traditional route to a high school, college, Road Less Traveled

or clinic, these athletic trainers decided to brave the unbeaten path and put their skills to use elsewhere in the athletic training world. By Elizabeth Thometz, Eddie Casillas, & Traci Jo Hubbard Sport Specific

51 The football off-season at Valdosta State University isn’t just Dominating The Competition

about physical development. It’s also about teaching athletes how to be competitors. By Michael Doscher T&C APRIL 2011

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Bernie DePalma, MEd, PT, ATC Head Athletic Trainer/Phys. Therapist, Cornell University Lori Dewald, EdD, ATC, CHES, F-AAHE Department of Health Science, Kaplan University Jeff Dilts, Director, Business Development & Marketing, National Academy of Sports Medicine David Ellis, RD, LMNT, CSCS Sports Alliance, Inc.

Joe Gieck, EdD, ATR, PT Director of Sports Medicine and Prof., Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia (retired) Brian Goodstein, MS, ATC, CSCS, Head Athletic Trainer, DC United Gary Gray, PT, President, CEO, Functional Design Systems Maria Hutsick, MS, ATC/L, CSCS Head Athletic Trainer, Medfield (Mass.) High School Christopher Ingersoll, PhD, ATC, FACSM Director, Graduate Programs in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training University of Virginia Allan Johnson, MS, MSCC, CSCS Sports Performance Director Velocity Sports Performance 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 Assistant 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 (Wis.) High School Bruno Pauletto, MS, CSCS President, Power Systems, Inc. Stephen M. Perle, DC, MS Professor of Clinical 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 Chip Sigmon, CSCS Strength and Conditioning Coach, Carolina Medical Center

Boyd Epley, MEd, CSCS Director of Coaching Performance, National Strength & Conditioning Association

Bonnie J. Siple, MS, ATC Coordinator, Athletic Training Education Program & Services, Slippery Rock University

Peter Friesen, ATC, NSCA-CPT, CSCS, CAT Head Athletic Trainer/ Cond. Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

Chad Starkey, PhD, ATC Visiting Professor, Athletic Training Education Program, Ohio University

Lance Fujiwara, MEd, ATC, EMT Director of Sports Medicine, Virginia Military Institute

Ralph Stephens, LMT, NCTMB Sports Massage Therapist, Ralph Stephens Seminars

Vern Gambetta, MA President, Gambetta Sports Training Systems

Fred Tedeschi, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, Chicago Bulls

P.J. Gardner, MS, ATC, CSCS, PES Athletic Trainer, Liberty High School, Colo.

Terrence Todd, PhD, Co-Director, Todd-McLean Physical Culture Collection, Dept. of Kinesiology & Health Ed., University of Texas-Austin

April 2011 Vol. XXI, No. 3 Publisher Mark Goldberg Editorial Staff Eleanor Frankel, Director Abigail Funk, Managing Editor R.J. Anderson, Patrick Bohn, Mike Phelps, Dennis Read Circulation Staff David Dubin, Director Sandra Earle Art Direction Message Brand Advertising Production Staff Maria Bise, Director Neal Betts, Trish Landsparger Business Manager Pennie Small Special Projects Natalie Couch, Dave Wohlhueter Administrative Assistant Sharon Barbell Advertising Materials Coordinator Mike Townsend Marketing Director Sheryl Shaffer Advertising Sales Associates Diedra Harkenrider (607) 257-6970, ext. 24 Pat Wertman (607) 257-6970, ext. 21 T&C editorial/business offices: 31 Dutch Mill Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970 Fax: (607) 257-7328 info@MomentumMedia.com Training & Conditioning (ISSN 1058-3548) 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., 31 Dutch Mill 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 $7. Copyright© 2011 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 self-addressed, stamped envelope. Periodicals postage paid at Ithaca, N.Y. and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Training & Conditioning, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, NY 14852-4806. Printed in the U.S.A.

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Bulletin

Board Stepping Up Helmet Standards With the attention paid to concussion assessment, treatment, and prevention reaching new highs, the National Operating Committee on Standards in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) is looking to update its standards for football helmets. For almost four decades, NOCSAE has used just one drop-test test, which has been criticized for not being rigorous enough. Critics say the test has changed little since it was introduced in 1973 and is only based on protecting against force levels that would fracture skulls. According to Robert Cantu, MD, Vice President of NOCSAE and a Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at Boston University, updates to the group’s standards could include using lower force standards and testing for the more complex rotational forces that cause concussions. Regulations similar to those currently used for lacrosse helmets will be considered. In statements published after NOCSAE’s annual meeting in January, Cantu indicated the group would investigate devising a separate safety standard for helmets worn by youth players. In the meantime, NOCSAE has said it will work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better communicate the limits of the current safety standards to parents of young athletes. With an eye toward addressing the unknowns, NOCSAE announced it has created the Scientific Advisory Panel. An extension of the group’s Multidisciplinary Concussion Task Force, the panel is chaired by Cantu and charged with directing and conducting scientific research related to concussions and helmet standards. The Scientific Advisory Panel will evaluate future multi-year concussionrelated grant proposals. At the January meeting, NOCSAE awarded over $600,000 in grants for concussion-related research.

AED Attention Needed Athletic trainers may want to take a closer look at the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in their schools and athletic facilities—including testing them to make sure they work. A January report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that in the five-year period from 2005 to 2010, there were 68 recalls and more than 28,000 reported incidents of malfunctioning AEDs, including some cases in which a person died. However, a report published in the February issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine says the FDA may have to shoulder some of the blame for the problem. The report found that 80 percent of 113 recalled medical devices— which includes but is not limited to AEDs—since 2005 were initially approved by the FDA through an abbreviated review 4

T&C april 2011

process called 510(k) in which the manufacturer is required to provide minimal data on safety and effectiveness. The remaining 20 percent of recalled devices were approved through the agency’s more rigorous premarket approval (PMA) process. As a result of the recent reports, the FDA may require all AEDs go through the stricter PMA process and exclude such devices from being approved through the 510(k) process. The FDA is also working with the University of Colorado’s Department of Emergency Medicine to develop a defibrillator registry, which will include the names of companies that have issued recalls. In November, the FDA sent a letter to manufacturers warning that companies could face stricter regulation of AEDs if they do not take action to address the recurring problems.

Nitrates For Efficient Muscles It looks like Popeye may have had it right all along. Eating spinach and other leafy green vegetables containing nitrates can make your muscles work more efficiently. In a study published in the February issue of Cell Metabolism, subjects who took a small dose of inorganic nitrate for three days were shown to consume less oxygen while riding an exercise bike than they did before the nitrate supplementation. Researchers say that the subjects’ improved performance was due to the nitrate increasing efficiency of the mitochondria that power the growth and activity of muscle cells. While they aren’t encouraging athletes to take inorganic nitrate, they do recommend including leafy green vegetables in their diets. “We’re talking about an amount of nitrate equivalent to what is found in two or three red beets or a plate of spinach,” lead researcher Eddie Weitzberg, PhD, Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, said in the study’s summary. “We know that diets rich in fruits and vegetables can help prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes but the active nutrients haven’t been clear. This shows inorganic nitrate as a candidate to explain those benefits.” To read the full text of the study, go to: www.cell.com/ cell-metabolism and type “Dietary Inorganic Nitrate Improves Mitochondrial Efficiency in Humans” into the search window.

More Innings, Bigger Risk A study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine followed nearly 500 youth baseball TRAINING-CONDITIONING.COM

Bulletin

Board pitchers for 10 years, and offers some of the longest-running data on overuse injuries available. Researchers found that players—boys between nine and 14 years old at the start of the study—who pitched more than 100 innings in a year were 3.5 times more likely to be injured than their counterparts who pitched fewer than 100 innings in a year. In addition to innings pitched, researchers considered factors such as other positions the subjects played and the type of pitches each threw. The study followed up with each player annually and recorded any medical

“Based on this study, we recommend that pitchers in high school and younger pitch no more than 100 innings ... in a year.” issues they reported such as pain while pitching, the number of practices or games missed due to pain, or surgery that resulted from pain. Over the course of the 10 years researchers followed the 481 pitchers, five percent threw more than 100 innings and sustained an injury that led to surgery or quitting the sport. Specifically, seven players underwent shoulder surgery, and three had elbow surgery. “It is a tough balancing act for adults to give their young athletes as much opportunity as possible to develop skills and strength without exposing them to increased risk of overuse injury,” Glenn Fleisig, PhD, Research Director at the American Sports Medicine Institute and the study’s lead researcher, said in a news release. “Based on this study, we recommend that pitchers in high school and younger pitch no more than 100 innings in competition in any calendar year. Some pitchers need to be limited even more, as no pitcher should continue to pitch when fatigued.” To read the full text of the study, go to: ajs.sagepub.com and type “Risk of Serious Injury for Young Baseball Pitchers: A 10-Year Prospective Study” into the search window. TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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ComebackAthlete

Dave Angebranndt University of Delaware By Patrick Bohn

What they didn’t know was that the catcher was being rushed to a hospital, his left arm severely injured in a car accident. Earlier that afternoon, Angebranndt was leaving a convenience store in his Jeep when another driver made an illegal left-hand turn and struck Angebranndt’s car on its passenger side. Angebranndt drove with the windows down whenever possible, and this day was no different. When his car was struck, the impact jarred his left hand from the wheel and out the open window. The Jeep then rolled over three times, pinning his arm between the ground and the vehicle each time. The injuries to Angebranndt’s arm were predictably horrific and included a compound fracture of his humerus, vascular damage requiring an arterial bypass, radial nerve damage, and a musculocutaneous nerve palsy in his biceps. Angebranndt, who had already signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Delaware upon graduation from MCCC in May, underwent several surgical procedures, including insertion of a metal rod in his arm. The prognosis was grim. “The day after they fixed my humerus, I asked the doctor if I would be able to play baseball again,” Angebranndt says. “He asked if I wanted the doctor answer or the parent answer. I told him to give me both and he said, ‘As a doctor, I don’t think you’ll ever play again. As a parent, I think you’ll be able to, but probably not the way you’ll want to.’ “I broke down when I heard that,” Angebranndt continues. “I thought, ‘Who would say that to a 20-year-old kid?’ But, I told myself I would prove him wrong.” Angebranndt’s uncle, Chuck Miller, PT, is a physical therapist at the nearby Trenton Orthopaedic Group and worked with his nephew during the rehab process. But Angebranndt’s health insurance only covered a certain number of physical therapy sessions so he also worked with Camillone, allowing him to go to therapy more frequently. Angebranndt started working with Camillone in early 6

T&C APRIL 2011

Mark Campbell

Mercer County Community College baseball player Dave Angebranndt was rarely late for anything. So when Angebranndt wasn’t at the team’s preseason meeting on Jan. 12, 2009, MCCC Head Athletic Trainer Lisa Camillone, Angebranndt’s coach, and his teammates wondered what could be keeping him.

Catcher Dave Angebranndt returned to the diamond more than a year after a car accident crushed his left arm. He suffered a humerus fracture, vascular and radial nerve damage, and a musculocutaneous nerve palsy of the biceps. April, but the process was slow as his body was still recovering from the surgeries. “Those first few days, my goal was just to make sure his arm could still function at a basic level,” Camillone says. “It was all about coordination, flexion, and extension. On April 3, I had him pronate and supinate his wrist for flexion. To work on his hand-eye coordination, he picked up marbles and put them in a milk jug.” Though the exercises were a struggle, Angebranndt worked through his frustrations. He progressed to working on his triceps and biceps with Camillone, who did some assisted motion of the muscles, as well as some Russian muscle stimulation techniques. Camillone moved slowly through each phase. “I had to make sure Dave didn’t do too much early on,” she says. “His arm still needed to heal, and if you do too much too soon, the muscles you’re focusing on can’t handle the load and others will take over the stress, causing overuse.” Being forced to do simple exercises frustrated Angebranndt. “It got to the point where I was so mad I felt like Patrick Bohn is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning. He can be reached at: pb@MomentumMedia.com. TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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ComebackAthlete quitting,” he says. “I remember thinking, ‘How is this going to work for me? I want to play baseball in September and I’m having trouble putting marbles in a jug in April.’” Angebranndt’s sessions with Camillone included massage to improve range of motion, and as the weeks wore on, he started doing strength exercises. By mid-April, he began squeezing a hard rubber ball to strengthen his fore-

improvise with. One day, a 20-pound bolt cutter caught my eye, and I said ‘Hey Dave, go see if you can pick that up.’ And he did.” During this time, Camillone was in constant communication with Miller, who also began working with Angebranndt on April 20. “I was always going back and forth with his uncle and doctors, making sure everything we did was within Dave’s ability,” she says. “When you’re working with multiple people on a rehab, communication is key.” The early indicators weren’t good. “Dave When Miller first saw his nephew, his initial reaction was couldn’t supinate his hand or forearm, and similar to that of Angebranndt’s doctor. “I thought, ‘He’s probably not going to be able to come back,’ Miller says. couldn’t flex his elbow past 72 degrees,” “But a lot depends on the player’s motivation, and Dave was Miller says. “His arm was really tight, dead set on playing again.” almost like a stretched rubber band.” The early indicators weren’t good. Angebranndt still had an open wound on his elbow and significant scarring had arm and Camillone had him perform an exercise normally made it tough to gain flexion. “Dave couldn’t supinate his reserved for MCCC’s pitchers: She filled a five-gallon jug hand or forearm, and couldn’t flex his elbow past 72 dethree-quarters of the way with rice and had Angebranndt grees,” Miller says. “His arm was really tight, almost like a stick his arm halfway in it to his elbow. He would then atstretched rubber band.” tempt to pronate and supinate his wrist while the rice proMiller’s first goal was to restore range of motion. “He could become as strong as he wanted, but if he didn’t have vided resistance. the range of motion to catch pitches, he wasn’t going to be The rice jug exercise was one of many unorthodox exa very effective player,” Miller says. “And because his arm ercises Camillone had Angebranndt try. “I’m just a small had been immobile for so long, restoring it was not going community college athletic trainer so I don’t have a lot of to be easy.” the latest rehab equipment,” she says. “Dave and I would 217-431_ExScienceAd_3.4375x4.8125_4C_P1_Layout 1 2/28/11 3:10 PM To gain elbow flexion and extension, Miller began doing be in the room and I’d look around and see what I had to

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Circle No. 106 TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

ComebackAthlete joint mobilization and passive stretching work with Angebranndt. Pronation and supination of the arm was also key. “Dave would sit in a chair with his elbow flexed at 90 degrees at his side, while holding a six-inch stick with a onepound weight attached to it,” Miller says. “He would rotate the stick back and forth as far as he could, trying to get his palm facing up and then down.” Angebranndt also did 30 standing Swiss ball pushups at a time, holding a ball on a table and going down as far as his elbow would allow. He worked his shoulders by doing seven-pound shrugs, and used a Ther-A-Band for resisted forward flexion and extension work and internal and external rotation. Over the next two weeks, Angebranndt began doing tricep pull-downs with up to 17.5 pounds of weight and progressed to holding a three-pound dumbell for arm pronation and supination. Miller also added a rowing exercise to the routine, and had Angebranndt do reverse flys and chest presses on the Swiss ball. On May 1, Angebranndt was put in a Dynasplint while working on increasing his flexion and extension. “Dave was doing that three times a day for 30 minutes at a time,” Miller says. “It was helpful because light-load, long-duration stretching is the best way to improve range of motion.” Despite making slow advances in the rehab, Miller grew concerned because Angebranndt’s biceps still weren’t functioning well. “According to his electromyography re-

By July, Angebranndt was swinging the bat more forcefully and able to hit slow pitches, and he’d started to regain arm strength. He continued to work with Camillone and Miller, but his time with them was winding down. sults, the musculocutaneous nerve was normal, which told me that the biceps weren’t functioning muscularly,” he says. “They were wasting away with atrophy. I was talking to his doctors, trying to find out what was wrong, but they didn’t have an answer for me.” Although his biceps continued to be a mystery, the rest of Angebranndt’s rehab progressed relatively smoothly. By early June, his flexion and extension had gotten better and he was able to catch pitches and swing a bat lightly. He was also able to do full pushups on the floor, although Miller says his biceps still weren’t firing and Angebrandt’s other arm muscles were compensating. By July, Angebranndt was swinging the bat more forcefully and able to hit slow pitches, and he’d started to regain arm strength. He continued to work with Camillone and Miller, but his time with them was winding down. “At that point, we knew Dave would be going to Delaware in a month,” Miller says. “I knew the school’s athletic training program would be good for Dave because it’s an NCAA Division I school and it would be good to have a new set of eyes look at his rehab program.” TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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ComebackAthlete joint held in one position for a long time, you develop contractures. In Dave’s case, those were very thick.” Although the exercises helped, Angebranndt developed inflammation in his elbow, requiring a procedure to drain a skin lesion in October. Angebranndt was then diagnosed with a staph infection, and needed another surgery to debride the infection and remove the rod in his arm—the apparent cause of the staph. By this point, fall classes had started at Delaware, and Angebranndt put his rehab on hold until the semester ended. Then, as the infection cleared up in December, he turned a major corner in his rehab. “With the infection gone, Dave gained more motion and strength in his arm, and that just catapulted him forward,” Smith says. “He was able to begin a progression that in-

Dave Angebranndt University of Delaware Sport: Baseball Injuries: Compound fracture of the humerus, vascular and radial nerve damage, and a musculocutaneous nerve palsy of the biceps. Result: Returned to play at the end of the 2010 season, and was named the team’s Perry Burkett Triple Effort Award winner for determination, dedication, and enthusiasm. At Delaware, Angebranndt’s rehab was handled by Head Athletic Trainer John Smith, MS, ATC, with help from Assistant Athletic Trainer Courtney Butterworth, MS, ATC. When Smith took over the rehab he immediately focused on improving range of motion in Angebranndt’s elbow. However, this was complicated by the lack of strength in Angebranndt's biceps. “His inability to use his biceps was directly affecting his ability to gain range of motion,” Smith says. “Activating those muscles was critical to controlling his elbow.” Smith began using electric muscle stimulation to assist with the contraction of the biceps. He also had Angebranndt do isometric work by holding a two-pound dumbbell for 10-second intervals, 10 reps at a time. Passive stretching rounded out most of Angebranndt’s days in the athletic training room. “To stretch Dave’s arm, I would maneuver it in an extended position and let it hang there,” Smith says. “I’d also put a weight on his elbow or wrist and ask him to relax to get him to hang his arm that way. It was uncomfortable for him I’m sure because his skin was stretching. Anytime you have a 10

T&C APRIL 2011

Angebranndt continued to make progress, and on April 18, 15 months after the accident, he played his first game and ripped a double to the outfield. “That was one of the greatest feelings in my life,” he says. cluded catching drills and a modified lifting program with the team. By late February, he was swinging a bat at full speed. The sport-specific work really helped him mentally and dramatically advanced his rehab.” It was around this time that Smith began to discuss Angebranndt returning to play. “You could see a difference in the way the coaches and players looked at him,” Smith says. “It was the first time they saw him and thought, “Okay, he may be able to help us.” Angebranndt continued to make progress, and on April 18, 15 months after the accident, he played his first game and ripped a double to the outfield. “That was one of the greatest feelings in my life,” he says. “To see my teammates and the fans that knew about the injury give me a standing ovation, I got chills. I still have the ball on my desk.” Smith says a moment like that is the most rewarding part of being an athletic trainer. “Part of the reason we do what we do is so things like that can happen,” he says. “It’s very satisfying to see someone with an injury that severe come back and have success.” Angebranndt continued to get more comfortable both behind and at the plate as the season progressed. He returned to the team in 2011 and remains a valuable contributor. For Angebranndt, the process of returning from the injury was a long and difficult task. And it wasn’t always easy for the athletic trainers and physical therapists involved. But for those who helped him get him back on the field, the collaboration was worthwhile. “Working with Lisa was great, and I have to give accolades to her,” Miller says. “Without her, Dave wouldn’t have gotten to where he is today. I know athletic trainers and physical therapists sometimes do battle, but I find working together to be invaluable.” n TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

Circle No. 108

TREATING THE ATHLETE

Triple Trouble How do you treat an athlete who suffers not just one, not two, but three injuries in a season?

By Maria Hutsick

ehabbing one injury is tough enough, but when an athlete suffers multiple injuries at once, the challenges are multiplied. Last fall, I learned how difficult—and ultimately rewarding—it can be to work with an athlete in this unfortunate position. Justin Williams, a member of the football and track and field teams here at Medfield (Mass.) High School, began the football preseason by tearing the flexor tendon in his finger, then suffered a partially torn plantar fascia in his foot several weeks later. To top it all off, he suffered the same injury to his other foot with only a few weeks left in the season. A senior, Justin was a starting running back and linebacker, and a team captain. He arrived at school in August in shape and ready to have a great year. Needless to say, what followed was a tough pill to swallow. Justin’s injuries were serious, but not season ending, and he was adamant about spending as little time on the sideline as possible. So I had the challenge of getting—and keeping—Justin healthy enough to continue competing. During the months that we worked together, my creativity was tested, I learned a new modality, and we both marveled at what the human body is capable of. Maria Hutsick, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, is Head Athletic Trainer at Medfield (Mass.) High School and former Director of Sports Medicine at Boston University. She is a past president of the College Athletic Trainers’ Society and was honored with an NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2010. She can be reached at: mhutsick@medfield.mec.edu.

T&C APRIL 2011

Medfield (Mass.) High School football player Justin Williams charges ahead with his finger’s torn flexor tendon safely taped.

Mike Braca /MaxPreps.com

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Circle No. 109

TREATING THE ATHLETE PRESEASON MISHAP As the first few preseason football practices flew by, Justin felt great and his coaches were very pleased with his performance. But just before the team transitioned to wearing full pads in practice, he caught the fourth (ring) finger on his right hand in a teammateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jersey and tore the flexor tendon.

into the palm of the hand. This sort of tear would require major surgery to reattach it. In Justinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case, the tear was caused by a sudden pull against a strong grip. This is a fairly common injury in football and basketball, and necessitated a visit to a physician and subsequent x-rays.

Justin soon returned at running back. Handling a football was challenging at first, but he quickly adapted to carrying the ball effectively despite the somewhat bulky padding and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fumble all season. The flexor muscles, which control the fingers and thumb, are located in the forearm above the wrist. Long tendons extend from these muscles through the wrist and attach to the small bones in the fingers. A tear anywhere along one of these tendons can make it impossible to bend one or more fingers. The main concern with a flexor tendon rupture is that depending on where the tear is, the tendon can actually detach from the bone and be pulled back

Right away, we encountered our first bump in the road. Justinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents were out of town and couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be reached. He was only 17 years old at the time and although his parents had signed the high schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preseason participation waiver, initially, the hospital refused to treat him without direct parental permission. Eventually, after I talked to the receptionist and gave the hospital a copy of the waiver signed by his parents, he was called to radiology for x-rays.

The orthopedic surgeon who looked at Justinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand referred him to a hand specialist that same day. The specialist told Justin that although he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need surgery, he would need to take six to eight weeks off for the finger to properly heal. However, knowing Justinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire to continue playing, I assured him that he would not need to be out that long and that we would find a way to protect his hand to allow him to continue playing. I realized I would be going against what the specialist said, but he was a young physician and did not have much experience in sports medicine. I had treated several flexor tendon injuries and felt confident that I could devise a protective device and get Justin back on the field. I would not recommend a novice athletic trainer or one who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dealt with this type of injury before do this, but I talked about my idea with Justin and his parents, and they had faith in my skills. The solution I came up with was to buddy tape his injured finger to his middle finger, and cover the hand with a protective pad. I constructed one out of

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TREATING THE ATHLETE and the size of the padding reduced so that it only enclosed the two fingers, he resumed full activity and spent the next two weeks as a major contributor on the field. In his first game back, Justin’s coach had him play mostly defense, but he soon returned at running back. Handling a football was challenging at first, but he quickly adapted to carrying the ball effectively despite the somewhat bulky padding and didn’t fumble all season. He wore the padding up until the final two games of the year, at which point he was able to play with only tape.

At top, the author sizes a piece of Aquaplast to fit Justin’s hand. Just above is the finished product. Aquaplast that looked like a small claw. For the next two weeks of practice, Justin only participated in non-contact

FROM FINGER TO FOOT During a game almost half way through the season, Justin felt a pop in his right foot. After examining him, I delivered the bad news: He had partially torn his plantar fascia. This injury occurs when the long fibrous ligament along the bottom of the foot develops multiple tiny tears in the tissue, resulting in pain and inflammation. The discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis is usually located close to where the fascia attaches to the calcaneous, also known as the heel bone, and the most common complaint of the injury is burning, stabbing, or aching in the heel.

I elected to treat the entire lower extremity ... The plantar fascia connects to the Achilles, which attaches to the calf muscles. Thus, by treating the posterior chain I was able to relieve pain and allow his foot to begin functional work. situations while his whole hand was encased in the padding. He also missed one game. Then, with his fingers taped

Eventually, Justin wore smaller padding that enclosed only two fingers. 16

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During my physical examination, I found that Justin’s posterior leg muscles were very tight and his feet had very little arch. Both of these conditions are often contributors to the development of plantar fasciitis. Because Justin was so intent on not missing any more games, I tried to formulate a plan that would get him back on the field as soon as possible. I treated him with an icing regime and massaged the area every day. I also gave him a quarter-inch rubber pad for arch support and showed him how to tape it to the bottom of his foot for daily wear. Before practice, I performed soft tissue work on his calf and affected foot, then reapplied the quarter-inch padding. With his foot taped and an added layer of soft rubber padding in his cleat,

An example of the “X” arch taping technique used for Justin’s partially torn plantar fascia. Justin was able to play after missing just one week. Initially, I was using pre-wrap and regular athletic tape for “X” arch taping, but switched to Power Tape, which doesn’t need pre-wrap because it adheres to itself. I found that the Power Tape gripped the soft tissue better and allowed for more strapping strength, which allowed me to remove the padding and allow Justin’s foot to fit more comfortably in his shoe. Justin was happy to get back on the field, but he wasn’t able to play completely pain-free. Though he performed well in his first game back, he was extremely sore and swollen for the next several days and couldn’t engage in even a light practice until the following Wednesday. This became a cycle as Justin continued to play well during the team’s Friday night game, take time off to recover before engaging in light practices Wednesday and Thursday, and then play again the following Friday night. After two weeks, Justin’s foot remained tender, but actually got better thanks to the arch support, icing regime, massage, and rest between games. His finger stayed swollen and sore, but intact. It was at this time that I embarked on an educational journey that would affect my treatment of Justin. I enrolled in a Graston Technique course in which I learned how to use the six different Graston tools to find tissue defects and help resolve them via palpation. I have always been a strong believer in soft tissue treatment, joint mobilizaTR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

TREATING THE ATHLETE tion, and hands-on treatments. Graston is based on the theory that soft tissue treatment with the stainless steel instruments will cause a cascade effect of fibroblasts that flood the injury site and promote healing. The soft tissue manipulation also helps get nutrition to the injury site, loosen any muscle fibers that are stuck together, and align new cells.

In addition to worrying about keeping Justin healthy enough to finish football, I was also thinking about the upcoming indoor track and field season. I believed this would help Justin immensely. However, I didn’t have the specific Graston Technique tools I needed right away, so I wrote a grant to the school asking for permission to pur-

chase them. In the meantime, I used the handle of a butter knife to treat Justin’s plantar fascia until they arrived toward the end of the season. The side of the butter knife handle was certainly a bit more of a crude instrument than the Graston tools, but it got the job done. I used coca butter with beeswax in it as a lubricant, applying a thin coating on his foot. The soft tissue treatment I performed was valuable in returning length to Justin’s plantar fascia. In addition to treating the plantar surface of his foot, I also

treated the smaller muscles in his foot, calves, and Achilles tendon. I elected to treat the entire lower extremity because of basic anatomy and the kinetic chain: The plantar fascia connects to the Achilles, which attaches to the calf muscles. Thus, by treating the posterior chain of the lower extremities I was able to relieve pain and allow his foot to begin functional work. Justin was getting a little healthier each week, and it was looking like he would finish his senior season. But during a game a few weeks prior to the end

I am running faster and longer without pain. With Pilates your athletes get improved performance and less chance of injury. With Balanced Body®, you get a trusted partner. Your athletes. Your regimen. our full support.

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Circle No. 112 T&C APRIL 2011

TREATING THE ATHLETE of the season, he came off the field and told me he felt something let go and pop. He had sustained another partially torn plantar fascia—this time in his left foot. I was able to tape and pad his left foot just as I had the right, and he finished the game and eventually the season—though it was no easy task. OVERALL CHALLENGES The major complicating factor throughout Justin’s rehab was managing the injury while trying to keep him playing. It was his senior year and he was willing to do whatever it took to stay on the field, even if it meant playing through pain. In addition to worrying about keeping Justin healthy enough to finish football, I was also thinking about the upcoming indoor track and field season. I didn’t want him to suffer any sort of long-term or permanent damage by playing through injuries that weren’t yet fully healed. I felt confident based on my experience that I was not harming Justin by allowing him to play sooner than the physician had recommended. If Jus-

tin weren’t a senior, I would not have been as aggressive with his treatment. I would never recommend that an inexperienced athletic trainer follow the same course of action I did unless it was with the close supervision of a physician. I also spoke with Justin’s parents frequently, answering their questions and addressing their concerns. And since we were keeping Justin on the field, his coaches were very supportive of my plan. With only 30 players on the team, Justin was an extremely important part of the squad’s success. Due to the soreness in both of his feet at the end of the football season, Justin spent the first two weeks of indoor track and field on the sideline before returning to compete in the 300-meter and 50-meter sprints. During those two weeks, I continued to use the Graston Technique treatment on both of his plantar fascia, gastrocnemius, and Achilles tendons. I also did some light Graston work on his finger. Although Justin’s finger is slightly deformed and still stiff (which is common with this type of injury), he has full range of mo-

tion and strength and can type on a computer without any problems. As Justin gradually returned to the track, he performed light workouts and within 10 days progressed to sprinting drills. He continued to receive treatment for his plantar fascia, and followed up with a colleague of mine who is a lower extremity expert and prescribed a pair of orthotics. He’s able to run without any tape or extra padding, though his right plantar fascia is still very taut. I’m hoping orthotics will help with this issue, and I continue to perform Graston treatment daily on his feet and calves. Justin did well in indoor track and is also competing outdoors this spring. He’ll be attending an NCAA Division I school in the fall and hopes to walk on to the track team. He is a tough kid who wanted to compete and was very compliant in his treatment and rehabilitation routines. With his persistence and the support of his coaches and parents, we were able to overcome all the challenges thrown at us and end up with a success story. n

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Pilates and Athletic Rehab: What Equipment is Best? By Daniel Wilson

Ken Endelman knows firsthand how effective Pilates can be in rehabbing an injured athlete. Endelman is the founder and CEO of Balanced Body, a major Pilates equipment and education provider. His customers include many teams in the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and several NCAA programs.

CoreAlign

The CoreAlign was developed by a physical therapist and combines the mind-body principles of Pilates with cardiovascular exercise and strength training. The CoreAlign’s frame encloses two tracks and two

“Many athletic trainers recognize that the even musculature Pilates provides goes a long way in increasing an athlete’s performance The CoreAlign is great for functional as well as keeping them on the training and rehabilitation. field and out of the trainer’s room,” carts, which move independently with says Endelman. Most athletic injuries are caused by muscle imbalances – athletes repeating the same movement over and over - which strengthen some muscles while weakening others and eventually cause strains, tears and pulls. From this standpoint, Endelman says, Pilates is an absolutely ideal adjunct to any athlete’s conditioning or rehab program, because it eliminates muscular imbalances by creating a strong core and an even symmetry throughout the body, “A strong core helps with everything. Take hamstring injuries, for instance. They usually result from not being able to withstand the pressure that the quads exert. But having a strong core means an athlete will also have strong glutes, which are primary movers for hip extension. When your athlete’s hamstrings and glutes work in concert, it helps them withstand the pressure that the quads exert and reduces the chance of injury.” So what Pilates equipment is best for rehabbing an injured athlete? That depends on your goals as well budget and space constraints. Here are equipment choices that Endelman recommends:

smooth resistance (or assistance) created by six elastic resistance tube assemblies on each cart. Resistance/assistance is possible in one or both directions. Most CoreAlign exercises require either a free-standing or wall-mounted ladder. Exercises on the CoreAlign® emphasize an upright posture, and are designed to improve posture, balance and functional movement.

The carriage is connected to springs, with pulleys and ropes attached to the frame. “The Reformer is so good for rehabilitation because it can both assist and resist a movement, and can be a great diagnostic tool for trainers,” says Endelman. “Say an athlete has a back injury; on the Reformer you can watch how a client puts his or her spinal movements together in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion. You can also use the equipment to replicate sports-specific movements for both assessment and rehabilitation. The Allegro is a particularly good Reformer for athletic trainers because it can be stored by either standing it on-end or stacking multiple units. It is also has wheels so it is easily portable. We have many teams that take the Allegro out on the road with them.”

EXO Chair

If space or cost constraints are an issue then Endelman suggests the EXO Chair. “Pilates Chairs activate the lower back, buttocks, shoulder, transverses abdominals and pelvic region and heighten neuro-

“By combining the tracks with upright posture an athlete can very quickly get a feel for proper alignment and movement patterns, which can translate directly to functional activities specific to their sport,” says Endelman. “It’s very effective for athletes rehabilitating from back and neck pain, joint problems, and other sports injuries.”

Allegro Reformer

The Reformer is widely regarded as the most popular piece of equipment used in Pilates. It consists of a gliding carriage attached to rails inside a rectangular frame.

Many Reformer exercises can be performed on the EXO Chair. muscular coordination,” says Endelman. “The EXO Chair is great because it also has attachment points for resistance tubing. This allows trainers to do a lot of Reformer exercises on the chair, but in a fraction of the space (or cost) that a Reformer would take.”

The Allegro is easy to store and easy to move.

Thinking of adding Pilates as part of your conditioning regimen? Many equipment manufacturers also provide Pilates training.

NUTRITION

Burst of Energy

It seems like almost every athlete is using energy supplements for a pick-me-up. Here’s what you need to know about how these products work and the ingredients you may find in them. By Dr. Kris Clark

Author Kris Clark helped energize the Penn State men’s soccer team to the third round of the NCAA Division I tournament last fall.

Mark Selders/Penn State Athletic Communications

T&C APRIL 2011

im just got out of his last class of the day and needs to be on a soccer field across campus in 45 minutes dressed and ready to practice, but right now he’s feeling low on energy. Jessica is headed out on her longest training run of the season and isn’t sure what to bring with her for fuel. Alex worked on a school project with classmates all morning, rode the team bus for two hours to the game, and when halftime rolls around, he isn’t sure he’ll be able to sustain his level of play. What can these athletes do for a quick boost? Though there is no replacement for food-based fuel combined with properly timed nutrient consumption, a fast-acting energy supplement might be the answer. But advice on energy supplements is not as straightforward as it might seem. Should all three of these athletes use the same supplement? What about the deKris Clark, PhD, RD, FACSM, is the Director of Sports Nutrition and an Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University, where she coordinates nutrition planning for more than 800 varsity athletes. She can be reached at: klc5@psu.edu. TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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Circle No. 114

NUTRITION livery method? Would a gel, bar, chew, or shake be best? And when should they be taken? Along with good food choices throughout the day, I regularly recommend energy supplements to the Penn State athletes I work with. Most supple-

goal of each energy supplement on the market is the same: to boost an athlete’s energy level. There are two basic ways supplements can safely do this. The first is with carbohydrates. Just as foods that contain carbohydrates improve energy levels, so do carbohy-

Hundreds of popular energy supplements combine carbohydrates and caffeine for an optimal energy boost. I tell athletes to look for supplements with 25 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine. ments are small and can be easily carried in a backpack or gym bag, or kept in a locker. The convenience factor, along with the advantage of an energy edge, has made them popular among athletes in many sports. The keys are knowing which energy supplements to use and when. HOW THEY WORK While the combination of ingredients 1 10/14/10 and how UMAX_Ad_nofonts.pdf they are packaged varies, the

drate-containing supplements. The single most important source of energy for athletes, carbohydrates provide the fastest and most efficient method of fueling muscle contractions for any type of exercise. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into smaller sugars— glucose, fructose, and galactose. These sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream where they are immediately used 1:01 PM as muscle fuel.

Any sugars not needed by the muscles right away gets stored as glycogen—a complex carbohydrate energy reserve. The muscles and liver can generally store up to 1,800 calories worth of glycogen for future use. That’s about two to three hours worth of fuel. And any extra glucose beyond the 1,800 calories is stored as fat. When blood glucose levels start to drop during exercise, the stored glycogen is called upon. Because of its immediate accessibility in the muscles and liver, these glycogen stores are tapped for short, intense bouts of exercise like sprinting and weight lifting. Endurance exercise, like a long run sustained at a slow pace, is eventually fueled by the extra glycogen being stored as fat. Carbohydrate-containing supplements are generally made for longduration exercise. If an athlete has a lengthy preseason practice, they are a great choice as they will effectively elevate blood sugar for energy while exercising. The second way to safely boost energy levels is with caffeine. Research suggesting that caffeine enhances per-

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Circle No. 115 22

T&C APRIL 2011

Circle No. 116 TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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- Nicholas DiNubile, M.D. Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist Circle No. 117 114

NUTRITION formance is plentiful, so it’s no surprise many manufacturers use it as a main ingredient in their energy supplements. Studies have shown small but worthwhile improvements in both short-term, intense aerobic exercise lasting four to eight minutes as well as prolonged highintensity aerobic exercise lasting 20 to 60 minutes. However, the stimulant’s effect on strength and power (weightlifting) exercises and sprints lasting less than 90 seconds is unclear. Greater alertness, attentiveness, and an overall sense of increased energy have also been attributed to caffeine use. Recent evidence suggests that low intake levels—one to three milligrams per kilogram of body weight—are ideal

When combining carbohydrates and caffeine, athletes should consume the supplement 30 to 60 minutes prior to exercise. This will give the body the time it needs to digest and absorb the carbohydrates. If pressed for time, consuming a liquid supplement is best because carbohydrates in liquid form are immediately transported into the bloodstream, quickly elevating blood sugar. INGREDIENTS LIST If carbohydrates and caffeine are all that an energy supplement needs, why do these products also have so many other ingredients on their labels? One answer is that manufacturers want their supplements to be unique and capture

Keep in mind that the NCAA, which partners with the organization Drug Free Sport, takes a hard line in this area: No supplement is a safe supplement. Contaminated products do exist, which means ingredients may be in a product without identification on the facts label. and best consumed an hour before and/ or during exercise. I recommend athletes look for drinks, bars, gels, and sport beans with up to 100 milligrams of caffeine per serving. It’s important to note that caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and can cause jitteriness in athletes not acclimated to using it. It may not be for everyone, so if you recommend a supplement with caffeine to an athlete, make sure they are aware of this possible side effect. Several companies that manufacture energy supplements also offer reduced or caffeine-free alternatives. And though the World Anti-Doping Agency removed caffeine from its list of prohibited substances in 2004, the NCAA’s doping threshold is 15 micrograms per milliliter of urine. A moderate amount of caffeine (up to six milligrams per kilogram of body weight) will not raise urinary caffeine levels, but it’s good for athletes to be aware not to consume too much. Hundreds of popular energy supplements combine carbohydrates and caffeine for an optimal energy boost. I tell athletes to look for supplements with 25 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine. There are a number of products that contain these optimal levels. 24

T&C APRIL 2011

the attention of potential users. For example, caffeine is a drug derived from a variety of sources, including cocoa, coffee beans, herbs, and tea leaves. By using a variety of plant sources, a supplement may appear more “natural” than if it contained a basic caffeine powder or extract. Manufacturers may also include other ingredients that have health benefits beyond an energy boost to separate themselves from their competitors. Here is a guide to some of these ingredients and what they do: Guarana: This South American bush produces potent caffeine-rich seeds. When compared to coffee beans, which contain anywhere from one to 2.5 percent caffeine, guarana seeds contain four to eight percent more per serving. Guarana is reputed to be a stimulant that increases mental alertness, fights fatigue, and increases stamina and physical endurance. Yerba mate: Another South American plant, “mate” is a source of caffeine when the leaves are brewed for tea. Its caffeine content is low compared to coffee or guarana seeds and is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Creatine: A calorie-free, nitrogencontaining substance naturally occur-

ring in very small amounts in humans, creatine helps supply energy to muscle cells by producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism. Extensive research shows that daily doses between five and 20 grams have no negative health effects on adults. Coupled with weight training, the benefits of ingesting creatine appear to be increased muscle mass and weight gain. But taking a supplement containing creatine just before a workout will not improve energy levels unless the product also contains carbohydrates and/or caffeine. Benefits from creatine come from daily use over time, and it is considered more of a training aid than an immediate energy-enhancing agent. Taurine: This non-essential amino acid (a building block of protein) is necessary for normal skeletal muscle functioning, but humans can produce enough of it naturally by eating a wide variety of protein sources. The amount of it present in energy supplements will not harm the body. Branched-chain amino acids: Including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, these essential amino acids must come from diet and/or supplements because unlike taurine, the body cannot manufacture them. Some believe their consumption aids in gaining lean muscle mass. L-Carnitine: Produced in the body by the amino acids methionine and lysine, L-carnitine is required to help shuttle fatty acids into the cells to be used as an energy source. Manufacturers include it in energy supplements because it gives the impression that it burns fat, though this hasn’t been proven. Inositol: A substance made naturally in the body, inositol is added to energy supplements because of its potential link to cell membrane integrity. The amount found in energy products will not harm the body. B vitamins: These water soluble and essential vitamins must come from diet or supplements. They play a role in breaking down carbohydrates, fat, and protein so they can serve as energy sources for working muscles. Athletes should have no problem eating foods with plenty of B vitamins since they’re plentiful in dairy, grain-based foods, and meats. Since B vitamins will be excreted in urine if excess amounts are consumed, there is no risk associated TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

NUTRITION

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NUTRITION with consuming extra B vitamins found in energy supplements. Ginkgo biloba: An herb primarily touted for its effect on memory performance, supplement manufacturers claim ginkgo biloba improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain and subsequently better helps deliver nutrients.

long it’s not in excess. A lot of choosing which energy supplement to take will be based on personal preference. For some, it has to do with taste and texture. I know athletes who can’t seem to get the gels down, but love the chews and beans—and vice versa. Consider a reasonable investigation of any energy product before sug-

While the athletes I work with use energy supplements often, I also advise them that the best solution to a lack of energy is through whole foods. In a pinch, an energy supplement may work very well, but there are nutrients and vitamins in foods that are important and cannot be found in supplements. Glucuronolactone: A naturallyoccurring substance that is part of all connective tissue, glucuronolactone is used in energy products by manufacturers under claims it will detoxify the blood. Studies have shown that levels up to 1,000 milligrams per serving is safe. None of the ingredients listed are “bad” for an athlete to consume, as

gesting them to your athletes because all products are not created equally. Take into account the ingredients on the nutrition facts label, but keep in mind that the NCAA, which partners with the organization Drug Free Sport, takes a hard line in this area: No supplement is a safe supplement. Contaminated products do exist, which means ingredients may be present in a prod-

uct without being identified on the nutrition facts label. EVERYDAY SOLUTIONS While the athletes I work with use energy supplements often, I also advise them that the best solution to a lack of energy is through whole foods. In a pinch, an energy supplement may work very well, but there are nutrients and vitamins in foods that are important and cannot be found in supplements. Colorful plant foods, fruits, and vegetables contain highly potent antioxidants that supplements don’t. Broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries are just a few examples of foods loaded with plant chemicals that protect cellular membranes and also provide good carbohydrates for energy. Energizing the mind and body through food takes some forethought and planning on the athlete’s part, and for many, this is tough. Keeping in mind that food must be completely digested, absorbed, and metabolized in the muscle cell to become usable energy, here are some simple suggestions.

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— Eric Waters, Head Athletic Trainer, Washington Wizards CircleNo. No.117 119 Circle

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NUTRITION Three hours before a workout, an athlete should eat a complete meal that contains carbohydrates, protein, and fats. A good mid-day meal would be a turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomato on whole wheat bread, a salad or piece of fruit, a cup of yogurt, and a glass of milk. An example of a good breakfast three hours prior to a workout is eggs (prepared any way), pancakes with syrup or a bowl of cereal with milk, 100-percent juice or a piece of fruit, and a glass of milk. If an athlete only has one hour before a practice or game, they should focus on foods heavy on carbohydrates because they are easily digested and available for use faster than proteins and fats. Examples include a bagel or whole wheat bread with jelly and a banana, dry cereal, a sports bar, an energy gel and a half a sports bar, or crackers with honey and jelly and a piece of fruit. All of these possibilities can also include a sports drink with carbohydrates in it. Not long ago, an athlete on campus reached out to me for advice. Her story

illustrates perfectly how the right food choices can make a big impact on performance. It was a Friday afternoon in January and the athlete, a swimmer, was practicing with the rest of the team in Florida over the holiday break. She sent me three separate text messages listing everything she’d eaten that day,

containing at least 100 milligrams of caffeine. Her text back to me later that night read, “did so good tonight second fastest in the group including the guys love u girl thanks again.” Carbohydrates were key for the athlete to get immediate energy. She also went into the practice session hydrated so that she wasn’t risking low energy

I recommended half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a large handful of pretzels, and at least 16 ounces of a sports drink containing at least 100 milligrams of caffeine. Her text back to me later that night read, “did so good tonight second fastest in the group including the guys.” and the fourth message said, “doc— what should i eat next? we practice at 4 & thats gonna be a killer?” I looked at the clock, saw that she had two and a half hours before practice—just enough time to eat and digest food—and called her. I recommended half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a large handful of pretzels, and at least 16 ounces of a sports drink

levels due to dehydration. Athletes need to understand that their diet throughout the entire day and not just right before a practice or game is important. Energy levels should be fueled by food all day long for optimum performance. In addition, energy supplements can add an extra boost when time is tight or planning ahead is not possible. n

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Author Mike Nitka coaches student-athletes on safe lifting and spotting techniques in the Muskego (Wisc.) High School weightroom. Front Room Photography

Optimum performance

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY By Mike Nitka

hadn’t been a strength coach for very long when the first weightroom accident under my watch occurred. I was teaching a freshman physical education class on how to use a universal weight machine. After demonstrating how to safely use the seated leg press, I told the students they could begin on their own. Within 60 seconds, a student’s feet slipped off the machine. The weight hit his shins, taking off big chunks of

teaching proper lifting technique. The second is to eliminate facility hazards. Weightroom safety is also not something you can just mention in an orientation and expect athletes to be conscious of throughout the year. The strength and conditioning coach and all other supervisors have to continually emphasize and model it. If the adults don’t care about safety, the kids won’t. When a weightroom is safe and well controlled by coaches, athletes will also

they are expected to follow our lifting program when using our facility and not their own or one they found online. While we always stick to this rule with our younger athletes, we will modify it if a senior athlete who is expecting to play in college comes to us with a workout program from the university they will attend. If I determine it’s a safe and appropriate workout for an 18-year-old, I’ll work with him or her to implement it.

Thousands of weightroom accidents happen every year, but your program doesn’t have to become part of the problem. skin, and blood started running down his legs. My first thought was, “Freshmen. Just when you think you have your weightroom under control, the freshmen arrive.” It’s easy to blame a weightroom accident on inexperienced students and athletes, but sometimes that’s really just passing the buck. For example, in this case, perhaps I didn’t demonstrate the lift enough times for everyone in the room to see it well. Or maybe I should have had each student perform it one at a time so I could supervise without any distractions. Possibly, there were too many students in the class. The accident made me question what I was doing and safety soon became a point of emphasis for me. Now, 35 years later, it’s something I continue working to improve every day. There are two main ways for strength and conditioning coaches to avoid injuries on a daily basis. One is through TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

be poised for optimum strength and performance gains. TEACHING SAFETY How do you approach teaching athletes about weightroom safety? Holding a freshman orientation has been a great starting point here at Muskego (Wisc.) High School. Every 12 weeks, the strength and conditioning staff announces that there will be two orientation sessions on separate days. It is then each freshman athlete’s responsibility to attend one of the mandatory 45-minute sessions before coming in for their first workout. We begin orientation by explaining how our lifting program works, why we employ the lifts that we do, and our overall goals for the athletes. We discuss logistics like how many days a week they are expected to train in the weightroom and our make-up session policy. We also tell our athletes up front that

Next, we spend a good chunk of the freshman orientation sessions on weightroom safety. We show a general safety video that covers each of the lifts we employ and explains how to correctly spot a teammate. And we always finish by giving the athletes a chance to ask questions about what they’ve just seen. The athletes are then sent home with a letter to their parents explaining Mike Nitka, MS, CSCS*D, FNSCA, RSCC*E, USAW, is Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and a physical education teacher at Muskego (Wisc.) High School, which received a Strength of America award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 2010. He also sits on the National Strength and Conditioning Association Board of Directors and can be reached at: Mike.Nitka@muskegonorway.org. T&C APRIL 2011

Optimum performance what we discussed in orientation and the risks of weight training. The letter must be signed by each athlete’s parent or guardian before he or she can participate in a lifting program. We want the parents to understand that although safety is an important part of working out in the Muskego weightroom, there are still inherent risks involved. When talking about safety with our freshmen, we explain that the best way to avoid injury is to perform each lift with correct form, and this is something we continue to talk about throughout the athletes’ four years here. First, we

demonstrate ideal technique. If I’m supervising or teaching by myself, I will demonstrate the lift, or if I have an assistant coach available, I’ll have them demonstrate as I explain. In the past, we’ve also shown videos that do a good job of breaking it all down. After the athletes have seen the proper way to execute the lift, we break it down into a sequence of steps. Then we break them up into groups of four or five and have them practice using only a bar. As each athlete takes their turn, I watch to make sure they are following the instructions. I’ve found that if

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an athlete isn’t performing a lift quite right, sometimes all it takes is using different wording to effectively explain a part of the lift sequence. Repeating the same phrase over and over again won’t make the athlete “get it” if they didn’t understand what you said in the first place. I also teach a physical education class during the school day that concentrates on weightlifting and how to perform the lifts our athletes use. I highly encourage our first-year athletes to enroll if they can. The class offers a smaller, quieter setting, which makes it easier for some students to learn. If I see that an athlete is really struggling to learn correct form, I work with them one-on-one, either during the lifting session or afterwards. When I work with an individual athlete, I have them concentrate on one step or component of the lift each day, slowly building up until they’ve mastered the entire sequence. I explain that it takes time to get it right, but this is okay because I want them to be able to make strength gains, not sustain injuries. It’s also critical to teach proper spotting techniques. Everyone in the room is taught how to spot the squat, bench press, and deadlift—both when they’re the only spotter and when they have a partner to spot with. We don’t teach spotting for Olympic lifts, but instead teach everyone how to safely get out of the way of the bar on a failed attempt. In general, we follow the spotting techniques that are listed in the NSCA’s Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (3rd edition) text. I made up my own teaching cues that I’ve found work well with the high school athlete population. In the bench press, for example, our spotter says “spotter ready” when they have their hands on the bar, “spotter liftoff on three” before they count down and fully release the bar into the lifter’s hands, “lifter begin” when their hands are out of the way, and “finished” when they re-rack the bar. We show one-man and two-man spotting techniques, and have students practice spotting with little to no weight on the bar. We place a lot of responsibility on the spotter, making sure he or she stays focused during the entire set. Though everyone learns how to spot, we generally have upperclassmen perform this task. Allowing them to be spotters helps them feel like they are leaders. It also shows that the strength

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Optimum performance

OUR RULES The following rules are posted in the Muskego (Wisc.) High School weightroom as a daily safety reminder to all users. You can use them as a starting point for your own list. n No horseplay in the weightroom. n No student is to ever train in the weightroom unless supervised by a strength or sport coach. n Do not bring food, water bottles, or extra clothes into the weightroom. Place these items in your locker or leave them in the hallway.

n Protect your lower back when lifting—always use good technique. n Do not distract others when they are lifting. n Know how to correctly spot your teammate. n Return your weights to the correct rack when you are finished with them.

n Make sure your training area is clear of other equipment before you begin to lift.

n If you sweat on it, wipe it off.

n Make sure your collars are on tight.

n Always ask a strength coach how to perform an exercise if you are unsure.

n Make eye contact with others around you before you begin to lift.

n When you have finished your program, please leave. The weightroom is not for social gatherings.

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Optimum performance and conditioning staff respects the time and effort they’ve put into their workouts with us. At the same time, we are careful to keep an eye on our upperclassmen when they’re lifting. The main problem is that they can become a little too confident

should never be in the weightroom unless a supervisor is present. In fact, the doors should be locked unless a qualified coach is in the room and ready to help. Proper supervision starts with having qualified adult coaches or teachers who have undergone training and un-

Scanning means looking at the entire room in an organized pattern. A coach could scan left to right, then right to left, and the next time do a circular pattern or break the room up into blocks and go from one to the next. and start adding more and more weight onto the bar, which eventually compromises their form. When this happens, I make sure that none of our coaches call them out in front of their teammates since we don’t want to embarrass them. We approach them discreetly and explain that they need to take weight off of the bar to see if their technique improves. BEST SUPERVISION It may sound obvious, but athletes

derstand proper lifting execution oversee the athletes. I prefer to have our weightroom supervised by myself or a physical education teacher who is certified by the NSCA in some capacity—either with CSCS credentials, NSCA-CPT credentials, or as a sport coach who has completed the NSCA Fly Solo Program. The person supervising the room should be actively working and focused on the athletes. This is not a time for them to get their mail or run an errand,

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or even conduct their own workout. Additionally, the supervisor should be on the weightroom floor, not in an office with a window that peers out upon the room. Sport coaches can also help supervise. Having a team’s coach in the vicinity is a big motivator for the athletes, and I advocate their participation in our weightroom workouts. However, I make sure they understand that if they are in the weightroom, it’s to help with the workout at hand and not discuss tomorrow’s practice plan. The best way for a coach to supervise an entire room on his or her own is to be in constant motion, walking around the room and stopping at each rack or station to make sure everyone is lifting safely and with correct form. And when they do stop at a rack to offer advice, the coach needs to continue scanning the rest of the room. It’s as simple as turning to the athlete to say a few words, then picking their head back up for another quick look around the room. Scanning means looking at the entire room in an organized pattern. A coach could scan left to right, then right to left, and the next time do a circular pat-

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Optimum performance tern or break the room up into blocks and go from one to the next. Head strength coaches need to teach this technique to their assistants and any sport coaches serving in a supervisory role. After a while, it will become second nature. Another way to effectively handle a full room of athletes is to ask sport coaches to place their athletes in six groups or less (freshmen and sophomores together and juniors and senior together) before they enter the weightroom. We have six squat racks, six platforms, and six benches. So if we assign one group to each of the six racks and only one athlete per group is performing a lift at a time, that means the supervisor is never responsible for watching more than six athletes lifting at once. WEIGHTROOM HAZARDS Even if every one of the athletes in your weightroom is performing each lift perfectly and you are properly supervising the room, accidents can still occur. There are many potential hazards in a weightroom that must be addressed. First, it’s essential that there be enough space at each station to safely perform the exercises. If an athlete drops a bar, you don’t want teammates at the next station to be so close that they get hit. Spotters also need ample room to spot effectively. Every school’s weightroom is different. Ours, for example, has three different areas: A 15-piece circuit area, a 30-piece aerobic center, and an 18-piece lifting area with racks, platforms, and benches. Though we have a lot of equipment squeezed into the 5,200 square-foot space, the room was designed to have at least three feet between each piece of equipment. It’s easy for an athlete at any age to become distracted, but I think this is especially true for high school students. Distractions often lead to horseplay, which are a huge safety concern. Therefore, it is important to keep everyone on task and occupied. We do this through carefully timing the workouts. Our sessions are planned so our groups rotate to the next station in their workout every seven to nine minutes. This window should be enough time for the athletes to perform their lifts, but also not so much time that they’re standing around getting bored. Properly maintaining the equipment also contributes to avoiding accidents. The weightroom staff inspects our equipment every single day, and before each class or team lifting session, we ask our students and athletes to inspect the piece of equipment they are about to use and report any damage to us immediately. Though skin infections have been a concern in weightrooms and gyms for a long time, a new and very scary infection has made headlines in recent years: MRSA. All it takes is a tiny cut or wound for MRSA to spread, so this antibiotic-resistant form of staph should have strength and conditioning coaches on alert and diligent about keeping equipment clean. When our athletes are done using a bench, piece of cardio equipment, or circuit machine, they are required to wipe it down with disinfectant immediately. And the coaching staff does a final wipe down of all of the equipment at the end of each day. Our weightroom has a dress code for the same reason that wiping down the equipment is mandatory. We ask athletes to wear clothes that cover any skin that might come into contact with any part of the equipment. Finally, remember to stress safety every day. Aside from talking about safety, we have posters hanging up on the weightroom doors and walls that remind our athletes and staff of the dress code and other general rules. Set the overall tone that safety is important in your weightroom, and lead by example. n TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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LEADERSHIP

Eddie Casillas carries an injured motocross rider off the track at a race in Phoenix last year.

steve giberson

Road Less Traveled I Instead of taking the traditional route to a high school, college, or clinic, these athletic trainers decided to brave the unbeaten path and put their skills to use elsewhere in the athletic training world.

TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

t’s no secret the athletic training profession is expanding. It’s growing in the sheer number of licensed athletic trainers entering the workforce, but also in the variety of job settings. While most athletic training jobs will continue to be in schools or clinics, there are other opportunities available, too. In this article, three athletic trainers working in nontraditional settings share their journeys. See what it’s like being an athletic trainer at a U.S. Army training center, hear about what it takes to work the racetrack at a motocross event, and go inside an industrial setting that requires working with correctional facility employees. T&C APRIL 2011

LEADERSHIP

Elizabeth Thometz treats a Soldier at the Fort Jackson U.S. Army Training Center. Colt Randles

ON BASE By Elizabeth Thometz

took a less traditional route to becoming an athletic trainer. In fact, perhaps my unique journey started me off on the right foot for working in a nontraditional setting. When I was in the college career center a few months before graduating with a psychology degree, I came across a couple of books about athletic training. I hadn’t heard much about the field before then, but my interest was piqued and my post-graduate plans soon changed. During my second year as an undergrad, I had spent a year as an officer candidate for the U.S. Marine Corps with the intent to enroll in the Marines after college. Instead, I opted to pursue my master’s in athletic training. Right after graduation, I started attending a community college to get my prerequisites in order while simultaneously recording observation hours in the athletic training room at my alma mater. I began applying to entry-level master’s programs as soon as I was able, and a couple of years later had my

T&C APRIL 2011

degree and passed the Board of Certification exam. This entire time, I knew that I eventually wanted to return to working with the armed forces in some capacity. Soon after graduation, I got a call from a friend about a part-time athletic training internship at the Fort Jackson U.S. Army Training Center. The internship was a civilian opening, so I didn’t need to be active duty to apply. There was no guarantee that the internship would become a permanent or full-time position, but I was willing to take my chances because I knew if it did, it could be the perfect job for me. Eight months after I began working part-time, about 18 months since athletic trainers were first brought on base, the Army decided to see what the difference in care would be if the athletic trainers were working full-time. Those of us on base as part-time interns went through the interview process and were officially offered full-time slots. Our job descriptions didn’t change, but we started working about 15 more hours per week. I continued as the sole athletic trainer for the battalion that I had been working with since my arrival. Because my position is contracted by the government, I don’t work weekends. But I do begin my weekday workday at 5 a.m.

For the first hour, I do general wound care and taping for the Soldiers before they start their training. This requires a significant number of arch support or plantar fascia, Achilles, and general ankle taping jobs. I also see a wide spectrum of blisters, many of which have evolved into crater-like wounds on Soldiers’ feet before they come see me. For the next several hours while the Soldiers are in training, I run the musculoskeletal aspect of what the military refers to as sick call. All Soldiers who are sick or injured come see me or the medic in the facility. I perform anywhere from five to 12 evaluations per day, depending on what sort of training the Soldiers are participating in. Approximately 80 to 85 percent of the injuries are lower extremity chronic/overuse problems like patellar tendonitis, illiotibial band syndrome, and shin splints. I also see a lot of ankle sprains, large contusions, shoulder overuse issues, ligament sprains, and muscle strains. If time allows after evaluations, I go out to the field training events to provide on-site coverage. Just like watching a game or practice, I’m there to make sure that if someone gets seriously hurt, the situation is handled correctly. During this time, the most common injuries I treat are acute ankle sprains, but I’ve also cared for a fair number of fractures. Unfortunately, I don’t get to regularly practice all that I learned in school—this is especially true with regard to rehabilitation and acute care. Fo example, I don’t do as much rehabilitation work as athletic trainers who work with athletes. Because of the tight training schedule that the Soldiers must adhere to, it’s rare that they have time to visit me for follow-up rehab sessions. If a Soldier has an injury that he or she can safely self-manage, I usually give them stretches or exercises to do on their own. I generally finish my day around 2 p.m. However, my schedule is flexible to accommodate off-hour training events, and it’s not unheard of for me to attend training events late at night. Elizabeth Thometz, MSAT, ATC, CSCS, is an Athletic Trainer at Fort Jackson U.S. Army Training Center in Fort Jackson, S.C. She can be reached at: elizabeth.thometz@gmail.com. TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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LEADERSHIP Because of the nature of my government contract, its imperative that I keep up with all the paperwork that accompanies my daily duties within a 40-hour work week. This can make for a tight squeeze since paperwork includes everything from making sure that evaluation notes are entered into the computer before I leave for the day to filing numerous tracking sheets that give the Army command an understanding of what I do on a daily basis. Though the hours are different, there are a lot of similarities between my setting and that of high school or college athletic trainers. For example, though I work with Soldiers anywhere between 18 and 40 years old, the majority of them are just out of high school or in their early 20s. You could also equate a high school athletic trainer telling a parent about their child’s injury to how I report a Soldier’s condition to his or her superior. I had a leg up when I started here because I had already spent some time around military personnel, but one of the toughest parts about working in the military as a civilian is understanding

how the military is structured. The intricacies in the chain of command can be hard to follow. The countless acronyms used by everyone on base and even military time can be confusing at first. Sometimes, things that seem simple, like a change to my schedule or a budgeting item, get bogged down by over-specified procedures and “red tape.” Every athletic training job has its downfalls, and my position is no different, but I love the sense of reward my job gives me. I’ve had a direct hand in helping Soldiers recover from injury in order to pursue a dream that many of them have had for years. Knowing that I’ve had an impact on someone’s life and that I’m caring for our country’s military is extremely gratifying. Even with the military’s hesitancy toward change, the feedback that I’ve received working at Fort Jackson in a position that didn’t exist five years ago has been great. By doing our jobs well, the military athletic trainers working around the U.S. have educated the military about what we do and how we can be of great benefit to the armed forces in many facets.

AT THE RACES By Eddie Casillas

hen I was a kid, one of my friends crashed his BMX bike and ended up with a split lip and a handful of teeth. While my other friends turned their heads away at the sight of the resulting blood, I was riveted with curiosity. I could feel my adrenaline pumping and was excited to help him. Though “helping” my friend consisted primarily of going to a neighbor’s house to call 9-1-1, I have no doubt that this experience helped lay the foundation for Eddie Casillas, ATC, CSCS, is Head Athletic Trainer for the Asterisk Mobile Medical Center and owner and Clinical Director of iCHOR Sports Medicine in Murietta, Calif. He can be reached at: eddiecasillasat@gmail.com.

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LEADERSHIP my eventual career in sports medicine. After high school, I enlisted in the Army as a combat medic. While I gained invaluable experience and certainly felt that adrenaline rush again, it was just one stop on my journey. My career goal was a job in sports medicine. So after finishing my enlistment, I enrolled in a community college while working full-time as a physical therapy aide at a local PT clinic. At the time, I had no idea what an athletic trainer was. We didn’t have any at my high school, and my guidance counselor had recommended I pursue a career in physical therapy, so that’s what I did. One of my coworkers at the clinic who was a certified physical therapist and athletic trainer must have sensed that physical therapy wasn’t quite the right fit for me, so when I began applying to four-year universities, she recommended I take a look at some athletic training programs. “If you want to be the one running out on the field and in the trenches of sports medicine, then you need to be an athletic trainer,” she told me. That was all I needed to hear. I attended the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and

the first time I walked into the athletic training room, knew that I was where I belonged. I had found my calling. After graduation, I returned to the physical therapy clinic where I had worked prior to attending UNLV. The town I lived in had a large population of motocross and BMX athletes, and it wasn’t long before I started seeing them in the clinic. I had raced BMX professionally and am an avid skateboarder and snowboarder, so there was a lot of common ground between us. Working in the clinic allowed me a great opportunity to get to work with some of these athletes. During this time, I met two motocross team managers and they invited me to work at a few races. They wanted to see how an athletic trainer might be able to help their teams. What started out as a few races turned into two full seasons. During the second year, I met two physicians who were working together to develop a mobile medical unit that would offer services on the racing circuit. My dream of working in the action sports industry was within arm’s reach. Using information I found on the NATA Web site, I put together a pro-

posal describing the importance of including an athletic trainer on the mobile medical unit staff. I was immediately shot down and told they were looking to hire someone from a different area of healthcare. But I felt strongly that athletic training embodies sports medicine in a way no other healthcare profession can. So I made numerous phone calls and sent many e-mails expressing my frustration with their decision. A couple of months later, I received a call informing me that the job was mine. The best way to describe the Asterisk Mobile Medical Center (AMMC) is to picture an emergency room, urgent care facility, and athletic training room all rolled up into one large tractor trailer truck. Upstairs is the sponsored athlete support center. Asterisk is an industry leader in off-the-shelf knee braces for action sport athletes, and the company provides its riders knee brace refurbishment and on-site repairs. Downstairs houses a clinic, which is staffed by at least one physician (either an emergency room physician or an orthopedist), one nurse, and one athletic

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LEADERSHIP trainer (me). Aside from some major trauma emergencies, the AMMC has the capability to manage any medical situation that may arise during a race weekend, including taking x-rays and performing minor surgery. All medical services provided by the AMMC are free of charge to the athletes.

lic that athletes get when they visit their school’s athletic training room. On a daily basis, I do injury evaluation, rehabilitation, and prehab work. We also offer ImPACT testing, functional movement screening, and performance testing. My weekday job is a great one, but the weekends provide me with an op-

I may have less than a minute or two to choose one of three options: stop the race, assist the racer off of the track, or organize track personnel to direct racers away from the crash site while I attend to the fallen rider. I should note that this is a part-time gig for the medical workers on the team. For 30 weekends out of the year, we fly around the country to wherever that weekend’s race is being held on Friday evening, then fly home in time to work our respective nine-to-five jobs on Monday morning. During the week, I am the owner and Clinical Director of iCHOR Sports Medicine—an athletic training facility that offers the same services to the pub-

portunity to switch things up. When I’m working on the AMMC, race day begins with a staff review of the previous week’s injuries, paying special attention to any concussion cases. We are very conscious of the long-term effects of concussions and place extra effort on educating riders about the dangers of competing with a head injury. We currently use the ImPACT testing system on a limited basis, but I hope to make it mandatory in the near future.

In the hours leading up to the start of a race, I will likely dispense overthe-counter drugs, set up a sterile field, position a racer or two for x-rays, apply various splints and casts, size crutches for riders, evaluate aches and pains, and apply all forms of tape from Kinesio to Elastikon to traditional white. During practice runs and actual racing laps, myself and the physician on hand split up to monitor different parts of the track. Local emergency service personnel are always on hand as well. One of the unique things about motocross racing is that if there’s a crash, the race doesn’t stop unless the medical staff deems it necessary. That means that depending on the course setup, I may have less than a minute or two to choose one of three options: stop the race, assist the racer off of the track, or organize track personnel to direct racers away from the crash site while I attend to the fallen rider. Most crashes involve multiple racers. There are times when several are off their bikes lying right next to each other, but also plenty of instances when they are scattered around the track. Then

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LEADERSHIP I’m performing triage on the fly. Race organizers definitely want to keep the races going, but in the rare instance that there is loss of consciousness, stopped breathing, or spine pain, we stop the race without question. I tell other athletic trainers interested in this field that over the course of one racing season, they will see every injury ever described in our textbooks. The most common are wrist and ankle sprains and strains, followed by wrist and ankle fractures and lacerations. I also see a handful of shoulder, knee, and hip dislocations, ACL tears, femur and clavicle fractures, chipped teeth, and heat illness over the course of a season. Once or twice a year, athletes suffer jaw fractures, liver or kidney lacerations, and even punctured lungs. The main challenge in working with the riders is that they have a very high pain tolerance and often mask the severity of an injury. For example, a rider who was leading the women’s championship race series a few years ago fell at the start of the last race of the season. She knew she needed to finish in fifth place or better to win the championship, so she remounted her motorcycle and proceeded to pick riders off one by one until she crossed the finish line in fifth. She rode straight to the AMMC staff and told us she thought she had broken her collar bone in the crash more than 20 minutes earlier. Upon inspection, we could easily see that her collar bone was indeed broken and actually on the verge of popping through her skin. Athletic trainers who work in this setting have to remember that this type of medical care is still fairly new to action sport athletes. In the past, they had little to no options for proper on-site medical care, often times self-diagnosing their injuries in order to not have to go to the emergency room for fear of being chastised about what they do for a living. It’s been amazing to introduce athletic training to motocross and supercross athletes. Gone are the days of being chased by the police for skating ditches and being the only one on a snowboard at the local ski resort. Today we have city-funded skate parks, BMX in the Olympics, and often, more snowboarders than skiers on the mountains. Visionaries such as Jeremy McGrath, Tony Hawk, and Jake Burton have helped pave the way for what has become a huge industry and has allowed me to turn a passion into a career. TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

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internship at a General Motors plant in Saginaw, Mich., and was hired to a full-time position there after graduation. During the internship, my main role was to work with the athletic trainers on staff by assisting with treatments for common work-related injuries like

Traci Jo Hubbard, ATC, CEAS, is Program Manager of the Work-Fit® Injury Care Program at the Michigan Department of Corrections in Jackson, Mich. She can be reached at: thubbard@work-fit.com.

By Traci Jo Hubbard t was an internship and my first job out of college that got me hooked on working as an athletic trainer in the industrial setting. While I was in school, I completed a three-month

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LEADERSHIP track to meeting their goals. This included doing a fitness assessment where I took blood pressure and resting heart rate, and measured their flexibility and strength before creating a plan for improvement. I felt a strong bond with the working population right away. After leaving the GM plant, I spent the next 20-plus years working in several industrial sports medicine facilities before landing at Work-Fit. I had opportunities to work in the scholastic setting and clinical arena, but my heart was always in the industrial setting. Other options just never quite appealed to me in the same way. Work-Fit was founded by NATA Hall of Famer Ken Kopke, MEd, ATC, who has been recognized for opening up the industrial arena as a viable career path for athletic trainers. The company currently employs about 50 athletic trainers across seven states. Companies can hire us to implement wellness and fitness programs, on-site rehabilitation services, and/or work safety programs. For example, one company might employ Work-Fit to manage a sports medicine clinic at a job site. Another might want to offer their employees a fitness program with the idea that having healthy employees would help save on overhead insurance costs. A third company may ask that a Work-Fit athletic trainer work closely with people like ergonomists, engineers, line workers, and managers on a biomechanical analysis of employees’ jobs on a production line so they can make it safer for the workers. The main difference in industrial athletic training is the setting we work in and the people we work with. Our clients aren’t athletes per se, but their jobs are often physically de-

Traci Jo Hubbard (right) shows a client how to do a “ropes” strengthening exercise. Brian Hauger and Ericka Johnson

low back, shoulder, knee, and ankle pain. I learned how to use modalities like diathermy, ultrasound, electric muscle and nerve stimulation, massage, paraffin, whirlpools, and hot and cold packs. There was also an on-site fitness facility, and I helped start employees on individualized fitness programs to get them on

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*Casa D.J. et al. Validity of devices that assess body temperature during outdoor exercise in the heat. Journal of Athletic Training. 2007;42(3):333-342. Circle No. 136 46

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LEADERSHIP manding, and I’ve found this setting is a tremendous opportunity for athletic trainers to use our sports medicine knowledge. But we don’t necessarily work with injured workers all the time. My job also entails things like making work station setup suggestions for a safer and more ergonomically-friendly area for the worker. In my role as Program Manager of the Injury Care Program at the Michigan Department of Corrections, I work closely with the officers and employees at the Jackson County facilities. WorkFit provides both on- and off-site injury rehabilitation services, and my staff and I custom design fitness programs that include a combination of cardio, weight training, and functional conditioning so employees can stay healthy and in shape. Jackson County also allows retirees to utilize our fitness space and programs, so I work with a lot of different age groups. We also triage all occupational injuries. A typical day may include providing first aid treatment for acute injuries as well as emergency care for more critical cases. We assist injured employees in

figuring out their medical care options and act as a liaison for their care until their case is completed. Though I work with an older population than a high school or college athletic trainer, the injuries I see and treatments I employ are often the same. Our on-site rehabilitation provides treatment for a plethora of conditions from typical strains and sprains to post-

lows me to keep my emergency response skills up to snuff. Standard hours and a regular schedule are two of the greatest draws for athletic trainers in the industrial setting. Burnout is a real concern in our profession, especially for those in the scholastic setting, but this environment allows me to continue contributing in my role as an athletic trainer while also affording me

The best part of working in the industrial environment is the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life. Each and every day, I meet people who need my help to keep their job, lead a productive life, and earn a living. surgical care for knees, shoulders, elbows, and backs. Due to the nature of the job for many of the correctional facility employees, we suggest that an aggressive strengthening program follow any rehabilitation protocol. I stay active in the world of high school sports as well. I’ve filled in as an official, coach, and athletic trainer when local high schools need help. It’s become a fun outlet for me and al-

more time to enjoy my family. I’ve found that the best part of working in the industrial environment is the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life. Each and every day, I meet people who need my help to keep their job, lead a productive life, and earn a living. When a company employee gives me a hug with tears in their eyes and thanks me for helping them, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. n

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Women’s Soccer: In-season training on field

By Lesley Moser Lesley Moser is the Sports Performance Coach for Women’s Soccer, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Swimming, and

Field Hockey at Stanford University. Prior to Stanford she was a coach at the Athletic Performance Center where she was a coach for speed and movement training, headed up the NFL Combine training, and MLB Spring training programs. She has a Masters in Exercise Science and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.

Training the Women’s Soccer team at Stanford University we are always advancing our methods to get the best possible outcomes for our athletes. Integrating the TRX® into our training programs throughout the year allows for an innovative approach to training in the weight room and on field. Taking advantage of the TRX on field allows for a more versatile, innovative, and effective workout in a timely manner. Using the TRX for weight room and on-field training to modify exercise we are able to help keep our athletes competing at a high level of intensity, thus achieving our goals of keeping our athletes strong, healthy, and on the field.

A. The TRX Lunge is used for single leg training which is very effective for improving performance, balance, and strength. This move can be performed using bodyweight only and holding kettlebells or dumb bells in various positions. Important coaching cues for this exercise include; keep a proud posture, actively engage the core and hips, bend the back knee upon lowering, keep a positive shin angle on the front leg when at the bottom of the movement, and stand up strong by driving through the front heel.

Acceleration drills are used to practice proper sprinting form. Using the TRX Sprinter Start to maintain a 45-degree lean required when doing a wall drill is a challenging exercise. The athlete must continually engage the core and hips in order to maintain the single leg stance position. Starting with the right leg up, quickly switch legs ending with the left leg up. To maintain control of the exercise, pause and hold between each foot exchange. This exercise continues to review and reinforce proper sprint mechanics

While Soccer is a mainly lower body sport, it is important to address upper body strength to resist being pushed off a ball. The TRX Single Arm Row with Rotation is a quality pulling exercise requiring core strength, as well as, proper shoulder packing mechanics. Start out with a normal single arm row on the TRX. At the bottom of the single arm row, rotate your non-involved shoulder toward the ground keeping your core and hips in a stable position. Before pulling back up to the starting position, square-up and pack the shoulders back, then initiate the row.

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Valdosta State University COMMUNICATIONS

sport specific

Author Michael Doscher’s off-season training program has helped Valdosta State University develop a focused defensive unit, as well as capture two NCAA Division II championships and six Gulf South Conference titles.

DOMINATING THE COMPETITION By Michael Doscher

he off-season. This is the time for strength coaches to build the foundation of next year’s team. No matter how the previous season ended, the slate is wiped clean and we concentrate on setting the players up to perform even better next year. The athletes are challenged physically by the strength and conditioning staff and team coaches. We also look for strengths and weaknesses—and figure out how to improve both. A lot of coaches even hold boot camp-style training sessions to set a tone that demands hard work. Here at Valdosta State University, I like to add one more thing to our football team’s off-season to-do list: develop competitiveness. Any strength coach can make athletes bigger, faster, and

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The football off-season at Valdosta State University isn’t just about physical development. It’s also about teaching athletes how to be competitors. stronger, but our job descriptions don’t need to stop there. Does gaining a physical edge matter if the athletes don’t know how to compete while handling the stresses of competition? I’ve seen a lot of great players and teams not live up to their true potential due to an inability to compete under pressure. I’d rather not have that happen on my watch so I’ve made competition a big focus of our team’s off-season strength program. Stoking a competitive fire in training drills and games

builds confidence and prepares athletes for future success. It also adds a little more fun to off-season workouts. OUR COMPETITIONS There are many ways a strength coach can inject competition into a traditional training plan. For example, early on in the off-season, our athletes compete in head-to-head competitions and then separate into position groups or as offense and defense for team competitions. AfMichael Doscher, MS, CSCS-CP, MSCC, SCCC, has been the Head Speed/Strength and Conditioning Coach at Valdosta State University for 15 years, where he is also an Instructor in the school’s Kinesiology and Physical Education departments. He can be reached at: mdoscher@valdosta.edu. T&C APRIL 2011

sport specific ter spring ball is over, we continue using these formats, but the entire squad also separates into small groups for teamwide competitive drills to keep the juices flowing strong the last six weeks of the semester. Here’s a breakdown of the different structures we use: Head-to-head. Twice a week at the end of the team lifting session, I select

or pull-ups in a set amount of time, or who can hold a plank or wall sit the longest. Any type of agility drill or sprint that can be completed side by side also works well when matching up two athletes. The head-to-head format allows you to see whether there are certain athletes who seek out a teammate they

Closer to the start of the season, it’s invaluable for the coaching staff to be able to see what each athlete thinks of his teammates ... When it’s crunch time in the first game of the season and the head coach has to call a play, they will know who they can count on to lead the way. an exercise and let the athletes challenge each other in a race or conditioning drill. The player who loses has to “pay” the athlete who won. For example, a set of 25 burpees is often used as a method of payment. These competitions only take a few minutes, and are a fun way to end our sessions. In this type of setting, I use competitions like who can do the most pushups

know they can beat, as well as which athletes choose to challenge a teammate who might be faster or stronger in hopes of seeing how they stack up. These competitions reveal the different types of athletes you have on the team and if you might need to push or challenge some of them individually. Since my goal is to bring out the inner competitiveness of the athletes, I

challenge those who need it by not hesitating to match players up. If I see that one athlete is constantly challenging his weaker teammates, I’ll pair him up with someone stronger than he is to see how he’ll perform when he is the underdog. Position vs. position. For these matchups, we follow the same format as above. One position group calls out another, then the athletes are paired off and go head-to-head. Each two-person competition is tallied as a win or loss and the position group with the most wins gets to watch their competitors perform burpees. It takes a little longer to tally everything up, but these competitions generally take less than 10 minutes. We’ve also tweaked this format a bit so that instead of facing off in pairs, players compete as a large group and the last man standing wins it for their position. Another option is to hold an obstacle course race, then combine everybody’s times and whichever position group has the fastest total time wins. This type of competition allows you to see which position is the most competitive and which groups of athletes

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sport specific

WEIGHTROOM WORKOUTS If you were wondering what we do during a typical week, here’s a quick breakdown of the team’s off-season workouts. We usually work a four-day split during the off-season. Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Dynamic Dynamic Metabolic warmup warmup recovery: sub team Speed/agility Lower body competitions & plyos lift (snatch) Upper body Work lift (clean) capacity

Dynamic warmup

Speed/agility & plyos

Lower body lift (snatch)

Upper body lift (clean)

Work capacity

Circuits

Head-to-head competitions

Offense vs. Head-to-head defense competitions competitions

Offense vs. defense competitions

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sport specific are good at motivating each other to perform—and which are not. It’s also a great way to develop leaders and build cohesiveness within position groups. Offense vs. defense. Similar to position vs. position competitions, these are group challenges, so any type of head-to-head drill or exercise works, as do various games. Strongman competitions are fun alternatives with a group of this size. For these games, I allow for up to half an hour of time at the end of our lifting sessions. The most important thing is to remind the athletes that it is the team that wins or loses, not an individual. I’ve found that this type of competition fosters pride and creates a sense of identity for the offensive and defensive units. Bonded units are those that know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can pull together to overcome adversity. These drills also spotlight natural leaders. I allow the upperclassmen to pick who will compete against whom if it’s a head-to-head competition, and watch to see how they organize their teammates in a team game. Sub teams. The final type of contest

we use involves splitting the team up into random groups of 10 to 12 players. There is no offensive and defensive identity, and no position versus another. I set aside one day a week as our competition day. It’s part of our regular conditioning program and classified as a recovery day. So if the team is training on a four-day split schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, then Wednesday will be our competition day. If we’re on a three-day split with work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then either Tuesday or Thursday will be the competition day. This format builds team unity across position lines. It also highlights true leaders who have the ability to lead large groups of players with different personalities. Closer to the start of the season, it’s invaluable for the coaching staff to be able to see what each athlete thinks of his teammates. Who do they respect? How do they respond when a fellow teammate is telling them what to do? When it’s crunch time in the first game of the season and the head coach has to call a play, they will know who

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they can count on to lead the way and execute their plan. MANY OPTIONS I’ve been tweaking our sub team competitions for many years, and there are lots of different options for personalization, depending on the size of the team you’re working with and your facility and equipment. Here is how I do things, along with some possible modifications: Competition games. You can make just about anything work. We’ve done various strongman events, a 225-pound chest press rep test, sprints, an obstacle course, individual or team tug of war, towel wrestling, relay races, a steeple chase, wheel barrow race, and even dodge ball. I try to pick events that cater to all types of athletes. If we’re always sprinting, the running backs definitely have a huge advantage over the offensive line. And if we’re always doing a strongman competition like a van push, the tables are turned. Size of teams. This is largely dependent on the number of players on the squad. We generally have anywhere

sport specific from six to 10 teams made up of 10 to 12 players. I’ve found this size to be pretty manageable. With larger teams, head-to-head heats can turn into a marathon. And if the teams are too small, you won’t have the option to play some group games like ultimate Frisbee. Team captains. Each sub team is assigned two captains—one offensive and one defensive player. Athletes who were team captains in the fall are automatically sub team captains for our off-season competitions. And to fill the remaining spots, the sport coaches and strength and conditioning staff chooses players we think show good leadership skills. We look for players who hold themselves accountable, are competitive, show initiative, are good all-around athletes, and are respected by their peers. We take seniority into account, but also look at underclassmen who have the ability to be groomed into leaders. Captains play a big role in our team competitions. They are in charge of pretty much everything, including taking attendance, deciding who will compete against whom in the various events, and acting as the team spokesperson. They are expected to coach their team while also competing. It’s made clear early on that the captains are the leaders and the rest of the players are expected to listen and fall in place behind them. Picking teams. We hold a draft to choose teams. It quickly becomes very obvious what the players all think of each other. As the teams grow and the athletes discuss who they’re going to pick next, you can see who really wants to win and who just wants to pick their friends for their team. To keep things fair, the coaching staff does not tell the captains what the events will be ahead of time. Keeping score. You certainly don’t have to keep score, but I’ve found that doing so is an extra motivator for the athletes to compete hard the entire time. I also keep score during the entire off-season, not just the final six weeks when we’ve introduced the sub team competitions. I set it up so each event is worth a certain number of points. Each headto-head challenge might be worth 10 points, and a team competition might be worth 100 points for the win, while the second place team gets 80, third gets 60, and so on. Or if you’re playing a tournament-style game like ultimate Frisbee, you could use a bracket TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

system and award points to the top 10 finishers. I keep a scoreboard displayed in the weightroom, and the winning teams and individuals get their pictures on the wall and take home various prizes like a team T-shirt or wind suit. And of course, they get bragging rights. A final idea is to carry the competition over to other aspects of the program. For example, a team might score bonus points for doing community service. And to make things really interesting, you can add in de-

Get Your

ductions when an athlete misses a class, training session, or competition day, or breaks a team rule. I have seen some amazing things happen during our competition days, including physically weaker athletes beating stronger teammates, underclassmen beating upperclassmen, and units coming together to pull off a huge comeback win. These examples reinforce to me how important breeding competitiveness really is. The resulting team cohesiveness and desire to win is a combination that can’t be beat. n

Education

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FREE

Online Video

with purchase

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As part of our mission to advance health, fitness and physical performance for everyone, we are pleased to offer FREE online instructional videos after purchase on over 100 different products. Thousands of exercises developed by industry experts and Power Systems’ Education Team designed to help you utilize the products you purchase. *Videos may be viewed online or downloaded for viewing on computers or other devices.

Circle No. 144 T&C JULY/AUGUST 2010

> > 2011 N ATA T R A D E S HOW SN EAK PRE VIE W

Getting Ready for the NATA Convention in New Orleans Here’s an early look at some of the products to be featured at the show.

SpyderCord

Train like they did way back when. Use the Mega Medicine Ball to develop strength and sport-specific skills.

OPTP

Power Systems

Booth No. 644

Booth No. 623

www.optp.com

See ad on page 43

Pre-Cut Tape

Rigidlite Gameday Kit

Visit the Kinesio USA booth to see the company’s new precut tape applications.

See one of the top sources of functional training equipment, and find what best fits your needs and budget.

Designed for anyone who needs an easy-to-transport, lightweight, protective, and easy to organize sideline kit.

Kinesio USA

Perform Better

Cramer Products, Inc.

Booth No. 237

Booth No. 1329

Booth No. 1119

www.kinesiotaping.com See ad on page 41

Elite Seat

Training Equipment

www.performbetter.com See ad on page 5

Cosamin DS

Sport-Specific Training Tools

Composed of medium-level resistance tubing joined in an X-shape, the OPTP SpyderCord will help you strengthen, tone, and stretch.

www.powersystems.com See ad on page 55

Team Sports Training

Experience how TRX® improves athletes’ performance and durability with minimal investment.

Fitness Anywhere, Inc.

www.cramersportsmed.com

www.TRXtraining.com/ teamsports

See ad on page 38

See ad on page 52

Gatorade

Booth No. 1754

Sanctband

Extension isn’t everything, it’s the first thing. Visit Kneebourne’s booth to learn more about the portable knee extension device.

Learn more about this joint health supplement, certified for sport by NSF International.

Stop by for a chance to sample the company’s latest innovations.

Sanctband products are low in powder and latex protein to help in minimizing latex allergy.

Kneebourne Therapeutic

www.eliteseat.com

Nutramax Laboratories

Gatorade

Sanctuary Health

Booth No. 545

www.nutramaxlabs.com

Booth No. 137

Booth No. 919

Booth No. 1751

See ad on inside front cover T&C APRIL 2011

See ad on page 23

www.gatorade.com See ad on inside back cover

www.sanctband.com See ad on page 44

TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

> > 2 0 1 1 N ATA TR AD E SH OW SN EAK PRE VIE W

Books, Online Learning

Browse the latest books, preview online courses for BOC CEUs, and take advantage of discounts.

Human Kinetics

www.HumanKinetics.com

Booth No. 1344 See ad on page 42

Improved Recovery Suit

Get a first look at McDavid’s reengineered Recovery Suit, and enter to win an iPod Touch.

McDavid USA

www.mcdavidusa.com

Booth No. 537

See ad on page 29

Compression Sleeves

See the complete line of Stromgren Athletics Nano Flex sleeves and other sports medicine products.

Training Tables

Stop by the PROTEAM booth to check out the company’s new catalog and the products in it.

PROTEAM

CytoSport, Inc.

Booth No. 848

Booth No. 1641

Booth No. 718

www.proteamtables.com See ad on page 47

Portable Cryotherapy Spa

www.cytosport.com

See ad on Back Cover

Kinesiology Tape

www.proorthopedic.com See ad on page 9

Buoyancy Belt

Witness the magic of Mueller Kinesiology Tape, as presented by magician Seth Kramer.

See the belt developed for no-impact, vertical water workouts.

Coldtub

Mueller Sports Medicine

AquaJogger

Booth No. 1829

Booth No. 1037

Booth No. 1639

Stop by and check out the completely portable cryotherapy spa that offers cold water, hot water, and saltwater therapy—all in one. www.coldtub.com See ad on page 48

Vibrosphere

Try vibration therapy at the Accent Ventures booth.

Accent Ventures

Booth No. 946

Booth No. 348

See ad on page 18

Spine Board Strap

See the PRO 316 Spine Board Strap—a fast, easy way to stabilize a helmet/head on a spine board.

PRO Orthopedic Devices

Stromgren Athletics www.stromgren.com

Muscle Milk

See the new and improved “Muscle Milk” and product packaging.

www.muellersportsmed.com See ad on page 3

Biofreeze/Thera-Band

See the company’s newest pain-management and progressive resistance training products.

Performance Health

www.vibrosphereUSA.com

www.biofreeze.com www.thera-bandacademy.com

See ad on page 48

See ad on page 25

TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

Booth No. 1438

www.aquajogger.com See ad on page 64

CorTemp

It’s the core that counts. CorTemp is a core body temperature monitoring system for athletes.

HQ, Inc.

www.hqinc.net

Booth No. 419

See ad on page 46

T&C APRIL 2011

> > 2011 N ATA T R A D E S HOW SN EAK PRE VIE W

Testimonial

Medical Experts Trust Concussion Management Program Injury Prevention

Visit ZAMST and ask about our Injury Prevention Clinic Series and sampling program.

Electrotherapy & Light Therapy

Visit our booth to see the latest in Electrotherapy & Light Therapy Technology.

ZAMST

Rich-Mar

Booth No. 1755

Booth No. 531

www.zamst.com

richmarweb.com

See ad on page 11

See ad on page 37

Training Tables

See the company’s line of durable, wobble-free, and customizable training and taping tables.

Natural Whey Protein Isolate

Learn how MLB, NFL, and NHL are using BiPro, an all natural whey protein isolate now NSF Certified for Sport™.

Samson Equipment

BiProUSA

Booth No. 525

Booth No. 1823

www.samsonequipment.com See ad on page 54

“I’m very happy with the new Biodex Play It S.A.F.E.® Concussion Program. We have tried some other balance screening tools in the past but haven’t been thrilled with the results. In fact, for some devices, we’ve questioned the reliability of the data generated. However, we are very excited with the results from our Biodex BioSway System. Over the past six to 12 months, we have made an effort to fully implement the BioSway System and the Play It S.A.F.E.® Concussion Management Program and, in fact, we are well on our way to making the BioSway the only balance assessment tool we use.” — Mark V. Paterno, PT, MS, MBA, SCS, ATC Coordinator of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Assistant Professor Sports Medicine Biodynamics Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

www.BiProUSA.com See ad on page 59

Visit these exhibitors at the NATA Show

and watch for the May/June issue of Training & Conditioning for details on these & other exhibitors in our NATA Show Preview

“Play It S.A.F.E.® is a guideline that respects the role of all parties involved. This is a protocol that can be driven by a physician, physical therapist, and/or Certified Athletic Trainers.” — Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT Owner of 360o Balance, Austin, TX

Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. 20 Ramsay Road, Shirley, NY 11967 800-224-6339 info@biodex.com • biodex.com/concussion

THE BEST

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Use Whey Protein to Help

Fuel Your Active Lifestyle

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Call 1-877-MYBIPRO or go to BIPROUSA.COM Visit us at NATA at Booth #1823

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Nutritional Aids Prolonged Results

Complete Casein delivers 25 grams per serving of anti-catabolic, slow-digesting protein from micellar casein and calcium and sodium caseinates. Because casein protein digests slower, it provides amino acids over a longer period of time than whey protein. Complete Casein contains aminogen—a digestive enzyme—to help promote efficient and complete protein utilization and uptake. Complete Casein is lactose- and gluten-free. CytoSport • 888-298-6629 www.cytosport.com

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Healthy and Refreshing

GenEthix is an industry leader in developing supplements of superior quality that optimize the health and performance of competitive athletes. The quality-control tests start with the production— every single ingredient must have a purity factor higher than 99 percent. The GenEthix laboratory meets one of the strictest production standards in the industry, implemented by the Food & Drug Administration, and is accredited by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF International). Call or go online to learn more. GenEthix • 314-775-9363 www.genethix.com

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The G Series™ Pro Nutrition Shake is a portable and convenient bridge between meals that helps elite athletes meet their daily calorie needs. Each shake provides a quality balance of macronutrients to help support optimal performance, with a blend of 15 vitamins and minerals. The G Series Pro Nutrition Shake is designed as a nutritious snack that can be used to assure adequate daily energy intake and stimulate muscle growth and repair.

Power-Packed Shake

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com

Met-Rx • 800-996-3879 www.metrx.com

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Beat The Heat

Heat Guard® can be your first line of defense in the prevention of heat-induced fatigue and performance loss. In addition to sodium and chloride, Heat Guard contains potassium, and the unique wax tablet provides slow release—up to five hours—of the active ingredients to prevent “salt sickness” and provide a continuous, gradual flow of vital electrolytes throughout a workout or competition. Heat Guard is convenient, easy to use, and cost-effective. Mission Pharmacal Co. • 210-696-8400 www.missionpharmacal.com

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Fortified Refueling

Shamrock Farms offers a real-milk, first-of-itskind optimal sports recovery beverage—Rockin’ Refuel™ protein-fortified chocolate milk. The latest discovery in muscle recovery, Rockin’ Refuel is packed with 20 grams of high-quality protein to help refuel athletes and provides nine essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. In fact, Rockin’ Refuel contains a 2:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio—the optimal balance for rebuilding muscle after exercise, according to sports nutritionists. Shamrock Farms • 602-272-6721 www.rockinrefuel.com

Fueling Champions

T&C APRIL 2011

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MET-Rx Collegiate Series Nutrition Shake is an NCAA-compliant beverage great for fueling back up after a strenuous workout. Each shake delivers 18g of metamyosyn protein, 240 calories and 0g trans fat. Available in chocolate and vanilla, this ready-to-drink shake was designed to be used as a post-workout supplement to rapidly replenish glycogen (muscle energy) and begin recovery. Call or go online to learn more. Circle No. 561

Certified Safe

Joint Health Supplement Cosamin® ASU is certified for sport by NSF International, which verifies that the product does not contain banned or prohibited substances. Cosamin ASU is an advanced proprietary formulation that combines avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) to act synergistically with glucosamine, and has been shown in laboratory research to inhibit components that result in cartilage breakdown. Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. • 877-COSAMIN www.cosaminforsport.com Circle No. 569

Battling Electrolyte Loss

UMAX was developed by pharmaceutical scientists at the request of professional athletic trainers, who discovered they needed another option in their battle against electrolyte loss. After extensive research and collaboration with sports medicine doctors, the team concluded that sodium was critical to improved performance, magnesium was important for energy production, and the carbohydrate source makes a big difference. Armed with this information, and with athletes as their only focus, UMAX was designed. Unique Sports Science (UMAX) 866-788-8629 www.umaxsports.com Circle No. 572

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Nutritional Aids Health Food For Your Brain Brain Armor™ helps support an athlete’s brain and cardiovascular health by delivering, per serving, 1,050 mg of DHA—a naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body that has been shown to have important health benefits. Just like calcium is needed for strong bones, DHA is needed for strong brains. Brain Armor, NSF Certified for Sport, is derived from a vegetarian, sustainable source of DHA that contains no ocean-borne contaminants. Martek Biosciences • 888-OKBRAIN www.Brain-Armor.com

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Eat Up, Fuel Up

The G Series™ Pro Nutrition Bar helps elite athletes meet their daily calorie needs in order to optimize performance. Each bar contains high-quality milk protein isolate, plus a blend of 15 co-factor vitamins and minerals for muscle metabolism and energy to promote normal muscle adaptation resulting from training. The G Series Pro Nutrition Bar helps keep athletes’ bodies fueled and nourished. Call or go online to learn more.

BiPro, now NSF-Certified for Sport™, is a 100-percent natural, unflavored whey protein isolate. It is gluten-free and contains no carbs, fat, sugar, or lactose. There are 20 grams of protein per serving and BiPro can easily be added to your favorite beverage or recipe. MLB, NHL, NFL, and PGA athletes are all using BiPro because it has successfully met the requirements of NSF International’s athletic bannedsubstances certification program, Certified for Sport.

TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. • 877-COSAMIN www.cosaminforsport.com Circle No. 570

BioZzz Alpha-lactalbumin, an isolated whey protein, is the purest commercially available form of alpha-lactalbumin. BioZzz is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that has been shown in studies to improve sleep and morning alertness. BioZzz is 100-percent natural and contains no fat, carbs, sugars, or lactose. Each scoop contains 18 grams of protein and one gram of tryptophan. One scoop of BioZzz before bedtime is the perfect addition to your favorite beverage . BiPro USA • 877-MY-BIPRO www.biozzz.com

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Vitamins and Minerals

The MET-Rx MASS Collegiate Series Powder is formulated with 8g of BCAAs, 580 calories, 43g of metamyosyn protein, and 25 essential vitamins and minerals. It’s the perfect post workout combination, and comes in Original Vanilla and Extreme Chocolate. Call or go online to learn more. Met-Rx • 800-996-3879 www.metrx.com

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Proven Safe

BiPro USA • 877-MY-BIPRO www.biprousa.com

Joint Health Supplement Cosamin® DS is certified for sport by NSF International, which verifies the product does not contain banned or prohibited substances. Cosamin DS has proven effective in controlled, published U.S. studies to reduce joint pain, and has been shown in laboratory tests to protect cartilage cells from breakdown.

Rest Easy

Whey Isolate is a premium-quality, lactosefree whey protein supplement. Each pleasanttasting serving provides 20 grams of pure whey protein isolate. Sugar-free, lactose-free, and gluten-free, Whey Isolate provides more of what athletes want without all the fillers. It’s available in six flavors: vanilla creme, chocolate, sour apple, pineapple banana, tangy orange, and blue raspberry. Call or go online to learn more.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com

Playing it Safe

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No Fat or Fillers

CytoSport, Inc. • 888-298-6629 www.cytosport.com

Nutritional Aids

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Nature’s Protein Drink

Research suggests that low-fat chocolate milk, with its unique mix of nutrients, is a naturally nutrient-rich protein drink that can help you refuel and rehydrate within the critical twohour recovery window after exercise. Drinking low-fat chocolate milk after exercise not only provides the carbohydrates and protein to refuel and repair muscles, it also helps replenish fluids and electrolytes that are lost in sweat such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Milk Processor Education Program info@milkdelivers.org

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T&C APRIL 2011

Football Conditioning Get the Width

The Wide Base Monster Rack features 3” x 3” x 11-gauge steel tube construction with self-locking jumbo steel pins and “J” hooks. There is a front deep knurled chinning bar, a side-mount chinning bar, and 33 inches of space between the front and rear posts. Designed for Olympic bar use, it is available in 84- and 96-inch heights and includes a specially designed non-slip diamond plate covering that promotes athlete safety. The extra-wide base is ideal for stretching and rowing movements. New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. • 800-446-1833 www.newyorkbarbells.com Circle No. 542

Improve Your Agility

The SPRI Roll Out Ladder resists bunching-up and stays in place on all types of indoor surfaces and many outdoor surfaces. Made of heavy-duty, durable, non-skid recycled rubber, this ladder quickly unrolls and lies flat, then rolls up for easy storage and portability. Generous 16-inch by 12.5-inch foot-placement is larger than traditional agility ladders, making the Roll Out Ladder perfect for all ages and ability levels. The product comes in lengths of 15 and 30 feet, and will not scratch floor surfaces. SPRI Products • 800-222-7774 www.spri.com

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Pump Some Iron

The new Pro Plate Load® Jammer allows users to perform explosive, multi-joint movements for a complete workout. Key features include independent converging work arms made of 7-gauge steel, 10-peg weight storage, variable hand positions, low start resistance, rubber floor bumpers, band attachments, band storage, 1 1/4” handles with Santoprene® rubber grips, and an open base for optimal foot movement. The Pro Plate Load® Jammer is finished using state-of-the-art powder-coat paint. Power Lift • 800-872-1543 www.power-lift.com

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Who Wants It More?

The Tug is the ultimate competitive tool—it tests the heart of the athletes using it, while fostering toughness. It’s a variable-weight strength and conditioning apparatus made of a rubber-like resin with the capacity to hold up to 15 gallons of water. The Tug’s shape and flexibility have significantly reduced injuries associated with stick wrestling, towel wrestling, and tire-tugging competitions. The construction of the Tug allows for separation between participants and introduces an element of weight to the equation by simply adding water. You can tug it, flip it, drag it, hoist it, curl it, or row it.

The Tug • 612-669-3158 www.thetug.net

T&C APRIL 2011

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Get A (Stronger) Grip

Nothing works the body for developing power and explosiveness quite like rope training. Ropes push your stamina, grip strength, and overall conditioning like no other style of training. Power Systems’ training ropes are available in white or black, and come in lengths of 30, 40, 50, and 100 feet, and diameters of 1.5 and 2 inches. Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com

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Up to Speed

The TurfCordz ™ Modular Speed Belt is designed for speed-assisted and resisted running exercises. This two-person system allows the lead runner to run against the resistance provided by the trailing runner. The system includes a modular 20-foot heavy rubber tube with safety cord, mounting loop, and two 2-inch adjustable Velcro™ closure belts that fit up to a 52-inch waist. NZ Manufacturing • 800-866-6621 www.turfcordz.com

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Log Your Workouts

Designed as a low-cost strongman training log, the Econo Log is also a neutral-grip bench log. The outside handles are 24 inches apart to match the handles of logs used in strongman competitions. The other two sets of inside handles are great for regular and narrow neutral-grip bench pressing. The handles are 1 1/4” in diameter and the dimensions are 1 1/2” x 10” x 84.” Total Strength and Speed • 888-532-8227 www.fatbars.com

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Push and Pull

Perform Better’s Drive Sled II is the perfect sled for both pushing and pulling exercises. The redesigned handle allows for quick change of direction, while the flat-bottomed steel feet allow for smooth pushing and pulling on multiple surfaces. The sled is constructed of heavy-duty welded steel for maximum durability, and has multi-point attachments. It measures 46” long by 20” wide by 36” high, and comes with a heavy-duty H-harness. Perform Better • 800-556-7464 www.performbetter.com

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WHEN Accuracy Is a Must

“Oral, axillary, aural, temporal, and field forehead temperatures were significantly different from rectal temperature and, therefore, are considered invalid for assessing hyperthermia,” wrote Doug Casa in the Journal of Athletic Training in 2007. The CorTemp core body temperature pill reveals vital information necessary for the prevention and treatment of heat-related illness on the field. It has been used in sports for over 22 years and is FDA-cleared. HQ, Inc. • 941-723-4197 www.hqinc.net

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Football Conditioning THE CHOICE OF NFL STARS

Versatile Sled

TRX • 888-878-5348 www.TRXtraining.com

Legend Fitness • 866-753-4363 www.LegendFitness.com

Train like the pros with the TRX® Suspension Training ® Pro Pack. It includes the TRX Suspension Trainer, a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to enable hundreds of exercises for every athlete—pro football players such as Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers use TRX. Also included is a 65-minute basic training DVD and guide for efficient high-quality workouts anywhere.

Inspired by the need for a weight sled that could be ultra-versatile for intense training, the Pro Series Push/ Pull Power Sled is among the most capable sleds on the market. The Power Sled features a fully welded frame with replaceable feet, multiple attachment points for belt straps/handle straps, foam rubber-coated handles, and removable chrome-plated weight pegs that can also be used as high handles. The unit will accommodate kettlebells, and comes with two web handle straps with snap links.

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Personalized Whiteboards

DIVERSE, reliable equipment

EverWhite • 800-824-1482 www.everwhiteboards.com

Samson Equipment • 800-472-6766 www.samsonequipment.com

EverWhite® Sports Printed Whiteboards are customized to fit the specific training regimen of any coach. Design your own whiteboard or let EverWhite design one for you. Graphics can include team logos, mascots, or even photos. EverWhite boards feature a smooth writing surface with vibrant graphics that will never wear away. College, high school, and professional coaches use them for strength and conditioning charts, mapping out training goals, and workout schedules. Circle No. 556

The new Samson Power Sled is another example of the company’s continued dedication to product diversity. The Power Sled’s unique, compact design allows athletes to apply force forward from a multitude of access points, as well as to easily add resistance with the weight horn attachment and hook up to one, two, or three belt/strap position points. As with any Samson Equipment product, the entire framework is backed by a lifetime guarantee against any bends or breaks. Call or go online to learn more.

Rolling Muscle Massager

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“Thank you for making great tools— your company is the only one I trust and recommend to my patients/colleagues." – Haley N. Masbruch, LMP

• Massage and soothe tired or overworked muscles • Prepare conditioned muscles for action • Save fingers and hands from fatigue

Use with

• Dense foam roller spins smoothly • Easy to clean with antibacterial gel/spray • Completely portable • For best results, use with The Original Backnobber® II

• Press deeply into over stressed muscles • Self treat daily wear and tear of muscles

www.pressurepositive.com

• Comes apart for easy travel and storage • Four colors available

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T&C APRIL 2011

Football Conditioning Expert-Developed

The Yessis Glute/Ham/Back Machine has several features that separate it from the competition. Created by worldrenowned kinesiologist Dr. Michael Yessis, inventor of the original glute/ ham developer, it has low-angled handles for easier dismount for fatigued users and to provide clearance for barbell exercises. It also accommodates a wide variety of user heights and facilitates 12 posterior chain exercises, and its peaked thigh pad design optimizes proper rotation of hip axis. The unit, made in the USA, comes with an instructional DVD and manual.

Legend Fitness • 866-753-4363 www.legendfitness.com

The Samson Power Thrust is a dynamic piece of equipment that allows athletes to develop hip explosion, upper-arm strength, and shoulder strength. Each handle operates independently on linear ball bearings to allow for an amazingly smooth movement, and resistance can be easily added to the weight horns that are already attached to the handle apparatus itself. A variety of exercises, including extensions and rotations, can easily be performed using this unique piece of equipment. Samson Equipment • 800-472-6766 www.samsonequipment.com

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Learn The Ropes

Rope training is quickly becoming one of the most popular training methods available today, and Total Strength and Speed offers a great selection of exercise ropes, sled pulling ropes, and rack pull-up ropes. All styles are available in multiple lengths, with either 1or 2-inch diameters, and either manila or composite construction. Call or go online to learn more. Total Strength and Speed • 888-532-8227 www.totalstrengthandspeed.com

Extend and Rotate

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Sturdy Flooring

Infinity Max 1.25-inch-thick tile stands up to the constant abuse of heavy weights being dropped directly onto the weight-room floor. The tile resists denting, tearing and splitting, and is backed by a 10-year warranty. Infinity Max is available in 10 standard colors, plus an unlimited number of custom colors; custom logos also are available. The tile contains up to 95 percent recycled content, and qualifies for up to eight LEED points. Infinity Performance Inc. • 888-479-1017 www.infinityflooring.com

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You Can’t Hide From

The TUG!

Uses the inertia of water movement for core body work, weight is adjustable by adding or removing water, and The Tug’s versatility delivers tremendous value.

See a video of The Tug in use at www.thetug.net

“The Tug” – Competitive Action Sports, LLC 405.474.7777, Steve Zabel 612.669.3158, Garry Spurlock E-mail: gspur17@aol.com • Powered by InertIa SPortS ® Circle No. 147

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Football Conditioning Customize It

The Power Lift Performance Training Station is a multi-functional training piece. Standard features include five-peg weight storage on each side of the rack, safety spot bars, Rhino Hook bar catches, pulley handle attachment storage, chrome rotating chin-up handles, and safety spot bar storage. A glute/ham bench can be locked into the existing band attachments, and various rack and pulley attachments can also be added to this station. Power Lift • 800-872-1543 www.power-lift.com

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Comfort and Protection

The 1530SHTP hamstring compression girdle, part of the Hammy series, is designed to provide numerous functions while on either the game or practice field. The high-compression, anti-microbial, moisture-wicking girdle provides optimal protection to the athletes iliac crest and tail bone. The adjustable straps are attached to the back of the girdle legs, then pulled tight to add support to the hamstring. Thin neoprene in back helps to retain body heat. Stromgren Athletics • 800-527-1988 www.stromgren.com

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Safe Plyometrics

Serious Training Equipment

New York Barbells of Elmira, Inc. • 800-446-1833 www.newyorkbarbells.com Circle No. 548

Black Iron Strength • 360-574-6524 www.blackironstrength.com

Titan Plyometric Platforms feature heavyduty 1 1/4” x 14-gauge square steel tube construction. The top has a 3/4” CD plywood base with 3/4” American-made non-toxic non-skid rubber. An extended base on two sides reduces the risk of tipping, while rubber pads on four corners of the base prevent markings on floors. Three sizes are available: 12” H - Top 16” x 16” - 16” W x 22” L; 18” H Top 20” x 20” - 20” W x 26.5” L; and 24” H - Top 24” x 24” - 24” W x 30.5” L.

Black Iron Strength® is a leading manufacturer of patented rotating thick bars, patented poles apart modular dumbbell/barbell systems, patented rotating handle kettlebells, and antimicrobial handles for the athletic performance market. All of Black Iron’s products are made in the U.S., and the company offers one of the strongest warranties in the industry. Black Iron provides top-quality strength training products for competitive athletes, leading to awesome results when the game is on the line.

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Product Launch

Contec® Foam Hand Sanitizer

Athletix Products by Contec, Inc. www.athletixproducts.com 864-503-8333 Circle No. 541

StrechCordz Quick Connect NZ Manufacturing www.strechcordz.com 800-866-6621 Circle No. 537 Unique features:

• Two belts with connection buckles and a safety cord tube • Available in four resistance levels

Benefits for the user:

• Quick disconnect to speed up exit/entry time during resisted swimout and speed-assisted swim back exercises

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• Kills up to 99.999 percent of germs in 15 seconds • Provides two- to fourhour residual protection

• Non-flammable and non-hazardous • Fragrance-free, nonstaining formula • Contains natural emollients to soften hands

Published by Training & Conditioning! Performance Nutrition For Football

Author Lisa Dorfman provides athletic trainers, strength & conditioning professionals, coaches and football players with cutting-edge information on how to gain a competitive edge in this demanding sport. It follows the annual football calendar and offers nutrition strategies for each of these stages. There are tips on such topics as food timing, gaining weight, and how to assess supplements. 264 pages • 2010 • Item Number: 111001 Price: $18.95

The Nutrition Edge

Learn how proper nutrition can help your players reach their true potential through the valuable information presented in this collection prepared by Susan Kundrat, Sports Dietitian for the University of Illinois. Topics include recovery nutrition, nutrient timing, pregame meals, losing weight, caffeine, and hydration. It also includes case studies and a look at special situations including celiac disease and vegetarian athletes. 180 pages • 2010 • Item Number: 111002 Price: $16.95 66

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ORDER ONLINE BY GOING TO TRaINING-cONDITIONING.cOM TR AINING-CONDITIONING.COM

Case Study

Top Performance: Trainers Demand It

ocated in Indianapolis, St. Vincent Sport is cluttered with so many products, but with Rockin’ Performance is one of the most recognized Refuel, I can confidently look my client in the eye and say performance training facilities in the country. it is the best they will find.” Serving athletes coast-to-coast, St. Vincent implements the latest developments Rockin’ Refuel was named the in performance training, medicine, official sports recovery beverage of St. psychology, and nutrition techniques Vincent in September 2010. Since the “I like Rockin’ Refuel to help its clients achieve maximum partnership began, the product has performance. When clients ask for quickly become the most requested as a recovery product the best sports recovery drink on the beverage in the facility. St. Vincent market, the fitness professionals at St. fitness professionals have brought because not only is it Vincent have one answer— Shamrock Rockin’ Refuel to high-profile events natural milk that our Farms’ Rockin’ Refuel™. where their clients compete, like last year’s USA Gymnastics Visa athletes love to drink, Championships in Hartford, Conn. The latest discovery in muscle but the 2:1 carb-torecovery, Rockin’ Refuel is a first“We are very picky about who we of-its-kind, protein-fortified, lowprotein ratio is proven choose to align our brand with,” said fat milk that helps athletes’ muscles Ralph Reiff, the director of St. Vincent to be beneficial after recover faster after exercise. It has 20 Sports Performance. “Our clients rely grams of protein to rebuild athletes’ on us to provide the best advice when hard workouts.” muscles, and essential nutrients like — Lindsay Langford it comes to product recommendations, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium St. Vincent sports dietitian and there is no doubt that this is found in 100-percent real milk. Most not only the best for you in terms of important, the athletes at St. Vincent nutrition, but the best tasting as well.” love Rockin’ Refuel for its great taste. Although most post-workout beverages contain supplemental protein, Rockin’ Refuel contains the 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio that, according to sports nutritionists, is the optimal ratio to help rebuild muscles after physical exertion. “I like Rockin’ Refuel as a recovery product because not only is it natural milk that our athletes love to drink, but the 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio is proven to be beneficial after hard workouts,” said Lindsay Langford, St. Vincent sports dietitian. “The sports recovery beverage market

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St. Vincent and Rockin’ Refuel are also working together on an online contest for youth and high school sports teams to win a chance to train with the pros at the facility. Go online for more details on the contest, as well as Rockin’ Refuel.

Rockin’ Refuel 602-272-6721 www.rockinrefuel.com

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Rehab Equipment More Effective Stretching

Prescriptive Stretching presents full-color anatomical illustrations that demonstrate exactly how each stretch targets a specific muscle, ideal for treating pain and imbalances in a targeted way. Detailed discussion of PNF stretching, a popular combination of passive stretching and isometric contraction, is covered with sample stretching programs designed to improve flexibility and assist with injury prevention for various parts of the body.

Human Kinetics • 800-747-4457 www.humankinetics.com

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Many Modes

Rich-Mar offers up to seven modalities in one unit, including exclusive handsfree ultrasound and a Therapy Hammer with two- and five-centimeter applicators. The company’s products are protected by industry-leading three-year warranties. Rich-Mar offers TENS, MENS, NMS, high-voltage, interferential, laser/light, and ultrasound, with four channels and all these stimulation modes: Quadpolor IFC, pre-mod IFC, Russian, high-voltage, microcurrent, and biphasic.

Rich-Mar • 888-549-4945 www.richmarweb.com

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Improve Balance, Strength

Take cardio, strength, and flexibility workouts to the next level with the unique Step360™ Pro. This versatile, functional training tool combines a stable platform atop dual inflatable oscillating air chambers for a valuable balance challenge during a multitude of functional and traditional exercises. All levels of exercisers can add variety to their routines, improve core strength and stability, maximize exercise efficiency, and achieve optimal performance through 360 degrees of movement. SPRI Products • 800-222-7774 www.spri.com

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Mind, Body in Balance

The CoreAlign™ combines cardiovascular work and integrated, full-body exercises with a mind-body approach. Many exercises are performed while standing, allowing your body to learn movement patterns that translate directly to functional activities like high-level athletics. It is a powerful difference-maker for gait and core training, and balance and neuromuscular re-training.

Balanced Body, Inc. • 800-745-2837 www.pilates.com/corealign

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For Top-of-the-Line Treatment

The new Econo Series 1441 Electric Hi-Lo Mat Platform is a state-ofthe-art table for treating athletes. The unit features two direct-drive, synchronized lift mechanisms for unsurpassed power, and a tear-resistant, seamless nylon-reinforced vinyl upholstered top with two-inch, high-density urethane foam. The model

T&C APRIL 2011

1441 can lift the patient nine inches (20 to 29 inches) with a foot control, and has a weight capacity of 600 pounds. It comes in two lengths—4-feet-7-inches and 5-feet-7inches—and features a hospital-grade power cord. PROTEAM by Hausmann • 888-428-7626 www.proteamtables.com

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No Plumbing Required

The Coldtub cryo-therapy spa offers cold-water therapy, hot water therapy, and salt-water therapy—all in one. It’s completely portable, so you can provide athletes with state-of-the-art treatment and pain relief without installing new plumbing or redesigning your entire facility. Users can sit or kneel in the pool, and the purification and sanitization systems keep the water clean while the solid-state cooling system maintains the temperature you want. New deeper seating accommodates taller athletes. Coldtub • 617-480-7683 www.coldtub.com

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Protect a Vulnerable Area The Complete Training for ACL Injury Prevention two-DVD series, created by Brian Schiff, will teach parents, athletes, and coaches step-by-step strategies to reduce ACL injuries. Strategies discussed include self assessment, specific jump training with progressions, strength training exercises, dynamic warm-up exercises prior to cutting and pivoting, agility drills, and functional balance exercises with progressions. Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com

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Gentle, Effective

With 30 years of research, development, and clinical use, Kinesio® Tex Gold is and has always been the only product manufactured to the specifications Dr. Kenzo Kase—founder of the Kinesio taping method. The Kinesio method is the standard for Kinesiology taping and offers a gentle and effective approach to the re-education of the neuromuscular system, improvement of circulation of blood/lymph, and relief of pain. Tex Gold provides comfort and stability to your rehabilitating athletes. Kinesio USA • 888-320-8273 www.kinesiotaping.com

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Get On A Roll

Perform Better’s new Elite Soft Molded Foam Rollers are perfect for people who are just starting out with foam rolling. These soft molded rollers provide the same durability as the regular Elite Molded rollers, but are softer and not as dense. These rollers will not break down like traditional biofoam rollers, and are great for self-myofascial release, mobility, and flexibility. They are sold in 3’ or 1’ lengths, and come with an instructional CD-ROM. Perform Better • 800-556-7464 www.performbetter.com

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Rehab Equipment Travel-Friendly

Biofreeze® Pain Reliever, the most frequently used and the No. 1 clinically recommended topical pain reliever, is the perfect product for your road-warrior and travel-weary athletics program. For nearly 20 years, Biofreeze products have been helping people manage discomfort by assisting in pain relief, therapy, and overall comfort. Three different formulations are packaged in carry-on travel sizes: two-ounce Biofreeze Spray, three-ounce Biofreeze Roll-On, and the newest addition to the product line— Biofreeze Pain Relieving Wipes. Performance Health • 800-246-3733 www.biofreeze.com Circle No. 524

Astonishing Back Relief

Pressure Positive recently received the following compliment from a user of its Backnobber II product: “I am astonished as to how well the Backnobber II works. This tool has given me relief I have not felt before. I get massages every couple of weeks and the massage therapist has a Backnobber II in the office. I tried it once and thought it was great. I took one home and I could not put it down, I used it for three hours. I honestly believe it is one of the best inventions of the 20th century. Thanks.”—Peter K. Pressure Positive Company • 800-603-5107 www.pressurepositive.com Circle No. 525

A Good Egg

Thanks to a new surfacemodification process, Eggsercizer® hand exercisers are smooth and entirely tack-free. They feature a translucent color scheme that corresponds to Magister’s well-known REP Band® color scheme, with each color representing a different level of resistance. Magister Corp. • 800-396-3130 www.magistercorp.com Circle No. 526

Improved Functionality

The all-new motorized Total Gym® PowerTower® features an adjustable glideboard and resistance levels from three percent to 72 percent of body weight, with 12 levels calibrated. Instantly adjust the glideboard parallel to the floor to promote optimal spine positioning during transverse movements, or use it as an easy-sit bench at lower levels. PowerTower now features 26 calibrated incline levels, with the ability to electronically change loads during exercise. Total Gym • 800-541-4900 www.totalgym.com

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Hands-On Learning Tool

Massage for Sport Performance provides instruction on giving a proper sport massage by clearly demonstrating pre- and post-event massage, recovery massage, and spot treatments to speed muscle recovery and improve performance. This resource breaks down massage techniques with detailed pictures and a 60-minute DVD displaying all the necessary techniques for sport massage. The book includes specific massage recommendations for basketball, running, cycling, football, golf, tennis, baseball, soccer, and swimming. Human Kinetics • 800-747-4457 www.humankinetics.com

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Kick off your training right. TurfCordz™ resistance products meet the extreme demands of high-level athletic training, from core strength and agility workouts to explosive start and quick-reaction drills.

• Safety Super Bungie

Best seller for increasing speed and improving endurance

• Resist-Assist

Provides resistance in multiple directions for two athletes

• Tug of War Harness

Maximizes running speed and acceleration with less restriction in movement

TurfCordz help you overcome physical and mental barriers to enhance performance.

Order today! Call 800.886.6621 or visit turfcordz.com now.

Made in USA

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Rehab Equipment Versatile and Compact

The EXO® Chair delivers a unique and challenging Pilates-based workout in a small footprint, making it ideal for group programming. Add a Functional Resistance Kit and gain more exercise options. Athletic trainers can add reciprocal and rotational exercises with the new split pedal version exercises. Great for postrehabilitation treatment. The chair comes in black, or choose from 63 custom-color options.

Balanced Body, Inc. • 800-745-2837 www.pilates.com/corealign

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Now You Have Options

Hausmann Industries, building off the success of its Model A9065 SplitLeg trainer’s table, has added models A9064, A9066, and A9067, which offer a combination of open storage or double doors on both sides. The new models are variations on the A9065, with added features to serve your needs. The A9064 adds double-door sets to both sides; the A9066 is the same as the A9065 without the split-leg top, and the A9067 adds double doors to the A9066. Call or go online to learn more. PROTEAM by Hausmann • 888-428-7626 www.proteamtables.com

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Helps Legs Recover Faster

The 8830 Graduated Compression Lower Leg Recovery System is designed to be worn after hard workouts and competition. These socks have compression that starts at the toes and gradually decreases as you go up the calf, to help push away the blood carrying waste from exhausted muscle tissue while the heart naturally pushes fresh blood back in. This increases circulation and allows muscles to recover faster, which can ease cramping and prevent sores. McDavid, Inc. • 800-237-8254 www.mcdavidusa.com

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On a Roll

Positively Satisfied

Pressure Positive earned the following praise from a user of its muscle massager: “I just bought this muscle massager. It works great. Five minutes using this stick feels better than many hour-long massages that I’ve received. I do kickboxing and I’m a black belt in martial arts. I know a thing or two about sore muscles. This massager hits the sore places and is easy to manipulate so that you can use it by yourself or with a partner. Definitely worth the money.”—KMV, Des Moines, Iowa. Pressure Positive Company • 800-603-5107 www.pressurepositive.com

Monitor Everything

Since 1976, Creative Health Products has been a leading discount supplier of rehabilitation, fitness, exercise, and athletic equipment, as well as health, medical, and fitness testing and measuring products, all available at reduced prices. Creative Health Products offers heart rate monitors, blood pressure testers, pulse oximeters, body fat calipers, scales, strength testers, flexibility testers, exercise bikes, ergometers, stopwatches, fitness books and software, step benches, heating pads, and more.

Creative Health Products, Inc. • 800-742-4478 www.chponline.com Circle No. 552

Rehab Quicker, Train Harder The AlterG ® Anti-Gravity Treadmill allows athletes to rehab while experiencing up to an 80-percent reduction in body weight. The AlterG expands the concept “weight bearing as tolerated” by reducing body weight from 20 percent to 100 percent in 1 percent increments, so patients can specify exactly where exercise becomes pain-free, and progress can be tracked and charted. The Alter-G also allows for pre-surgery conditioning (prehab) with significantly reduced pain. AlterG www.alter-g.com

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The Thera-Band® Foot Roller is an ideal tool for athletes seeking temporary relief from pain associated with plantar fasciitis and over-activity. By following the illustrated exercise instructions, athletes can use the roller to stretch the plantar fascia and toes to increase flexibility. Those experiencing soreness from tired feet will find the massaging benefits of the roller pleasant and therapeutic. In all applications, the Foot Roller can be chilled or frozen to help reduce inflammation.

Cooling Relief

Performance Health • 800-321-2135 www.thera-band.com

Gebauer Co. • 800-321-9348 www.gebauer.com

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Gebauer’s Spray and Stretch topical anesthetic skin refrigerant provides a fine stream of spray with a cooling effect. It’s designed to be used in conjunction with the spray and stretch technique and trigger-point therapy to help manage myofascial pain syndromes in the head, neck, shoulders, extremities, and lower back. The product is non-flammable and non-ozone depleting. It can be purchased through your medical supplier or wholesaler, or directly from Gebauer, Rx only. Circle No. 554

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Rehab Equipment Climb Your Way Back

The SRM Rehab Model VersaClimber is a total-body, closed-chain, rehabilitation exercise machine. The SRM allows athletes to progress from non- to partial- to full weight-bearing, full-body exercise. It is fully adjustable to fit the height, weight and length of all types of athletes and patients. Rehabilitation routines have been developed to provide a continuous arm and leg action in a seated or standing position, using varying stroke lengths, rates, and resistance levels. VersaClimber/HeartRate Inc. • 800-237-2271 www.Versaclimber.com

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Enhances Recovery

Cramer Products’ ESS Calf Compression Sleeves are made with true medicalgrade compression to provide proven improvement in circulation. Improved circulation allows for faster recovery through improved removal of lactic acid from the muscles. The sleeve’s unique knitted design allows for lightweight fit and exceptional stretch and comfort. Compression provides a performance enhancement benefit as well as mild muscular support. Call or go online to learn more. Cramer Products, Inc. • 800-345-2231 www.cramersportsmed.com

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Get Moving Again

The Rotational Platform from OPTP is a great option for post-op and post-injury rehabilitation. It provides a smooth gliding, non-skid surface for upper and lower, closed-chain, extremity rotational exercises. For use in either seated or standing positions, the Rotational Platform is ideal for hip range-of-motion exercises, tibial rotation, and foot/ankle exercises. You can incorporate resistance bands for added challenge.

Virtually identical to latex bands, REP Bands® resistive exercise bands. offer greater elastic response, higher resiliency, and faster recovery. Patented REP Bands are the only resistive exercise bands manufactured exclusively in the United States.

OPTP • 800-367-7393 www.optp.com

Magister Corp. • 800-396-3130 www.magistercorp.com

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Band Leaders

2011 learn-by-doing

SeMinar SerieS For Everyone Who Trains or Rehabs Clients, Patients or Athletes

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For more information on Perform Better Seminars

Call 800-556-7464 RESULTS FITNESS

FunCtionAL movement sCreening & CorreCtive eXerCise Workshop

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• 45 nationally known presenters • 27 lecture sessions and 26 hands-on sessions at each Summit

with Gray Cook and Lee Burton

• Improve functional and athletic performance • Identify imbalances and strengthen them with corrective exercises • Become a certified FMS Specialist

From Counting reps to Counting revenue with Alwyn and Rachel Cosgrove

• Achieve success in the fitness industry • Learn to think like a business owner • Discuss hiring, marketing, sales and leadership

Mark Verstegen

Martin Rooney

Michael Boyle

Stuart McGill

Thomas Myers

Todd Durkin

FOR INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER CALL 800-556-7464 OR VISIT performbetter.com/seminars 530-24984 PB_Seminar_halfPg_AD_TC.indd 1

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