EATA 71st Conference

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT. MEMBERS PAY: $60

Many athletic trainers (ATs) have limited experience treating the shoulder in overhead athletes, and as a result, often fail to appropriately assess the shoulder and scapula. This often leads to an athlete not returning to their sport, returning at a lower level, or having surgery. In a throwing or overhead athlete, good scapula assessment is essential. Rehabilitation must emphasize good posture as well as assuring that the individual can properly stabilize the scapula prior to beginning more complex exercises or before attempting to strengthen the rotator cuff or other muscles around the shoulder. Identifying tight muscles/overactive muscles as well as deficits which may come from the shoulder, diaphragm or pelvis will be explored.

Objectives:
1. Identify the importance of the scapula and its relationship to the shoulder.
2. Demonstrate how to assess tightness in the shoulder
3. Demonstrate special tests of the scapula and review MMT (with emphasis on overactive muscles).
4. Recognize and understand posture and illustrate its effect on the throwing shoulder.
5. Discover effective treatment methods to stretch the shoulder/ scapula.
6. Appreciate movement dysfunction and the kinetic chain and understand why it is vital to fully assess movement patterns/ dysfunction with any shoulder injury.
7. Recognize the effect breathing has on the shoulder.
8. Identify the causes of Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD) and select how to treat GIRD through breathing and posture correction.
9. Demonstrate how to improve scapula awareness
10. Employ scapula exercises as part of a prevention or rehabilitation program.
11. Explain the most essential components of throwing mechanics.
12. Compare deficiencies from the physical assessment to pathomechanics in the throwing motion.
13. Predict the effects of pathomechanics on pathologies of the elbow and shoulder."

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Treatment and Rehabilitation

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT. MEMBERS PAY: $70

Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries to the lower extremity. Although the prognosis for functional recovery following ankle sprain is typically good, continued pain and elevated risk for re-injury appears to be linked to limited ankle joint mobility. Research has identified manual therapy treatments as a mechanism to improve talocrural DF ROM, and reduce ankle pain, disability, and risk for re-injury following ankle sprains. Few athletic trainers understand the evidence supporting early manual therapy nor feel proficient in performing advanced manual therapy techniques following acute ankle injury. This workshop will focus on the evidence supporting the use of these techniques and will allow clinicians to learn and practice various advanced manual therapy treatments for the foot and ankle.

Objectives:
1. Following this workshop, attendees will be able to understand the evidence supporting the use of manual therapy in the treatment of acute ankle sprains.
2. Following this workshop, attendees will be able to apply clinical prediction rules to determine which patients will benefit from manual therapy intervention(s) following acute ankle injury.
3. Following this workshop, attendees will be able to perform advanced manual therapy techniques for the tibiofibular joint, talocrural joint, subtalar joint, and mid-foot.
4. Following this workshop, attendees will be able to create a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan for patients suffering from an acute ankle injury."

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Treatment and Rehabilitation

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT. MEMBERS PAY: $105

There has been a gap created between the expected knowledge and skills based outcomes and competencies from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Programs (CAATE) and the current professional knowledge and skills in the area of emergency care. The workshop will bridge the gap and give the participants the opportunity to become more competent in the assessment and management of respiratory emergencies.

Objectives:
1. Identify the signs and symptoms of respiratory emergencies.
2. Demonstrate the ability to auscultate and interpret adventitious lung sounds.
3. Demonstrate the ability to utilize pulse oximetry and peak flow meters to assist in the assessment of respiratory emergencies.
4. Demonstrate the ability to maintain an airway through the use of Oralpharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal airways adjuncts.
5. Demonstrate the ability to administer a Metered Dose Inhaler and nebulizer treatments for a patient with asthma.
6. Demonstrate the ability to administer an EPI-PEN for a patient in Anaphylactic Shock.
7. Demonstrate the ability to administer oxygenation using Nasal Cannulas, Non-Rebreather masks and Bag-Valve Masks.
8. Demonstrate the ability to perform a Medical Assessment and Manage a patient with a respiratory emergency.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Immediate and Emergency Care

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT. MEMBERS PAY: $55

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound has become a standard evaluation technique in many sports medicine settings, ranging from collegiate athletic training facilities to physician offices. However, few athletic trainers have expertise in using MSK ultrasound to visualize anatomical structures or to identify pathology. The ability of athletic trainers to incorporate MSK ultrasound into the initial clinical evaluation allows for timely diagnosis, management, and referral of the patient. This presentation will provide an overview of instrumentation and the science of MSK ultrasound, and present specific techniques to visualize commonly-injured anatomical structures. Identification of normal and abnormal tissue will be emphasized.

Objectives:
1. Summarize the role of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound within clinical evaluation and diagnosis
2. Describe appropriate techniques for visualizing anatomical structures using musculoskeletal ultrasound
3. Identify characteristics of normal and abnormal anatomical tissue in a sonogram

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Treatment and Rehabilitation

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT. MEMBERS PAY: $105

Hydration needs during exercise vary greatly depending on the sport and athletic trainers are often tasked with making hydration recommendations for competitive and recreational athletes; however, there are many confounding variables causing understandable confusion. This workshop will dive into the variants of hydration: fluid availability, environment and exercise intensity and then provide sport-specific guidelines.

Objectives:
1. Attendees will develop hydration action plans based on sport-specific guidelines.
2. Attendees will develop the ability to outline differences between hydration recommendations based on the sport.
3. Attendees will develop the ability to outline and apply how environment and exercise intensity affect hydration requirements.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT. MEMBERS PAY: $55

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound has become a standard evaluation technique in many sports medicine settings, ranging from collegiate athletic training facilities to physician offices. However, few athletic trainers have expertise in using MSK ultrasound to visualize anatomical structures or to identify pathology. The ability of athletic trainers to incorporate MSK ultrasound into the initial clinical evaluation allows for timely diagnosis, management, and referral of the patient. This presentation will provide an overview of instrumentation and the science of MSK ultrasound, and present specific techniques to visualize commonly-injured anatomical structures. Identification of normal and abnormal tissue will be emphasized.

Objectives:
1. Summarize the role of musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound within clinical evaluation and diagnosis
2. Describe appropriate techniques for visualizing anatomical structures using musculoskeletal ultrasound
3. Identify characteristics of normal and abnormal anatomical tissue in a sonogram

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Treatment and Rehabilitation

NATA MEMBER AND CONFERENCE ATTENDEE DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED AT CHECKOUT.  MEMBERS PAY: $195

Sport-related concussions are on the rise worldwide. Athletic trainers and other sports health care practitioners are on the “front-line” when it comes to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sport-related concussions. As a leader in providing contemporary and innovative educational programming and evidence-based practice CEUs, the EATA is proud to present the 2019 Pre-Convention Sport-Related Concussion Summit featuring a line-up of world-renowned researchers and clinicians that will provide participants with the current standard of care in the management of sport-related concussions.

Throwing athletes are often difficult to manage since they have very unique biomechanical and tissue specific adaptations. Having an understanding of these adaptations will provide the clinician with advanced knowledge to better assess and prevent common injuries in these athletes.

Objectives:
1. The structural and biomechanical adaptations that occur at the shoulder.
2. Novel clinical measurement techniques to isolate specific adaptations.
3. The mechanism by which the structural and biomechanics adaptations lead to injury.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis

Athletic Trainers are educated and trained to recognize, evaluate and provide emergent care to athletes who have sustained blunt trauma to the abdomen and thorax as well as various types of lacerations. However, few athletic trainers have received formal training in mass casualty scenarios or the management of severe hemorrhaging associated with an active shooter event. Athletic Trainers are uniquely positioned to work with other health care providers in an effort to educate teachers, coaches, students and community members about the importance of life-saving interventions that must be employed during these events.

Objectives:
1. Understand the background and statistics associated with active shooter/mass casualty events.
2. Describe the current role of tourniquets and other interventions in the field.
3. Describe how to manage a patient who needs a tourniquet.
4. Define the role that the Athletic Trainer can play in “Stop-The-Bleed” programs in their community to improve trauma care.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Immediate and Emergency Care 

Adolescent shin pain is common and often misunderstood. Clinicians frequently find it difficult to appropriately identify adolescents with bony stress injury. Improved recognition and treatment can positively impact outcomes.

Objectives: 
1. Learners will be able to utilize the Shin Pain Scoring System to predict tibial injury
2. Learners will be able to discuss imaging and treatment options for athletes with tibial pain
3. Learners will be able to implement a running plan to modify gait patterns of athletes with bony stress injury.

Level of Difficulty: Mastery
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation

In 2015, all members of the Strategic Alliance selected to adopt or endorse the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) with the Children and Youth (ICF-CY) updates as the disablement model framework for the profession. The ICF provides a holistic view of health which aligns well with athletic training and helps to establish a common language across many groups, which athletic trainers interact with including various disciplines, services and countries. The model provides a broad framework with which to assess our patients and clients. Because implementation of this model is relatively new, this presentation aims to provide foundational information regarding disablement models and tools and tips for clinicians to assist with implementing the framework into clinical practice.

Objectives:
1. Identify evaluation tools which apply to each domain of the ICF Model
2. Identify specific patient examples within each ICF domain.
3. Identify how to implement the ICF into their clinical practice.
4. Recognize how the ICF aids in providing patient centered care.

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being 

Lower extremity stress fractures make up 60% of all rehabilitation injuries to students training for Navy SEALS. Many miles are run every day with few modifications allowed to decrease injuries. Gait training analysis and modifications are methods used to make runners more efficient. Results have demonstrated faster running times and fewer repeat stress fractures. These same analyses and modifications can be utilized by athletic trainers to go beyond strength, balance and endurance in the rehabilitation of stress injuries.

Objectives:
1. Recognize the importance of gait analysis and be able to observe the most efficient forms of running for the athletes for prevention and rehabilitation.
2. Describe the six prime efficiency reminders and have the athlete perform the modifications necessary to be faster and lessen the chance of stress injury.
3. Identify the techniques needed to modify the runner’s style and teach drills that will imprint those patterns in their training.

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, and Treatment and Rehabilitation

This session will focus on how patient values can impact the prevention, care, clinical evaluation and treatment of injuries and illnesses of our patients. The main objective is to empower athletic trainers with the ability to talk to patients about their values in order to provide high quality patient care in which patients feel respected, valued and part of the decision-making team.

Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to define the concepts of patient-centered care, cultural competence, and related terminology.
2. Participants will be able to describe the evolution of patient-centeredness and cultural competency.
3. Participants will be able to identify examples of and describe strategies for enhancing culturally competent and patient-centered care.
4. Participants will be able to utilize strategies and identify tools and techniques to assess patient satisfaction for improving patient-centered care in their clinical practice.

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Immediate and Emergency Care, Treatment and Rehabilitation, and Organization and Professional Health and Well-Being. 

Full Title: Identification and Management of Post-Concussion Syndrome Patients with Cervicogenic and Vestibular Ocular Dysfunction: Moving Beyond Brain Physiology

The literature is inundated with articles dealing with the topic of concussions and Post- Concussion Syndrome (PCS). Despite this fact, there is little current discussion in the sports medicine world as to PCS symptoms which are not specifically caused by abhorrent physiologic changes within the brain such as the upper cervical spine. While the literature has provided ample evidence that symptoms commonly found in PCS patients can be caused by the upper cervical spine there is little information available in the sports medicine journals as to best screening procedures for patients with PCS symptoms despite the multitude of evidence of its importance. While evidence suggests that PCS symptoms can be attributed to non-physiologic changes in the brain, athletic trainers may not be aware of need to screen the cervical spine and vestibular ocular systems for causes of prolonged PCS symptoms in their athletes. This is despite the fact that common PCS symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, headache and feelings of confusion or difficulty with concentration have all been linked to symptomatic as well as asymptomatic upper cervical pathology. This presentation will provide the attendee with evidence-based screening procedures for identifying PCS symptoms due to physiologic, cervicogenic or vestibular ocular origins. Attendees will also be introduced to evidence-based treatment procedures designed to allow the Athletic Trainer to treat individuals with cervicogenic PCS symptoms.

Objectives:
1. Recognize physiologic, vestibular ocular and cervicogenic PCS Symptoms
2. Identify the most appropriate evidence-based screening procedures to differentiate between physiologic, vestibular ocular and cervicogenic causes of PCS symptoms
3. Identify the most appropriate evidence-based treatment options for the treatment of cervicogenic PCS symptoms

Level of Difficulty: Mastery
Practice Domain: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis

This session will educate the Athletic Trainer who desires to create an inclusive LGBTQ+ environment in their athletic training clinic. Further, this session is intended to promote allyship and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. The session promotes understanding, support and inclusivity through education, policy changes, conversation and activities. Note: This session is not a complete Safe Space Training but is intended to be an introduction to creating an inclusive and safe space within all athletic training facilities.

Objectives:
1. Explain commonly-used LGBTQ+ terms
2. Summarize methods of incorporating safe zone educational resources into the athletic training classroom
3. Incorporate best practices in providing equitable healthcare to LGBTQ+ patients

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

When an athlete tears their UCL, there has been a trend to reconstruct the damaged ligament. Recent advancements have led to a shift in some ligaments being amenable to repair. The type of surgery, repair vs reconstruction, may change the rehabilitation protocol and Return –To-Play (RTP) process significantly.

Objectives:
1. Review the relevant literature
2. Identify which ligaments may be amenable for repair.
3. Review differences in rehabilitation and RTP protocols based on ligament characteristics

Level of Difficulty: Mastery
Practice Domain: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation 

NATA Committee on Practice Advancement

Within the athletic training profession, regardless of practice setting, it is critical that athletic trainers be able to understand, quantify and articulate their worth and value and put into practice. The Physician Practice Value Model was developed to educate both athletic trainers, administrators and consumers about athletic training services – especially within the physician practice setting. This document is meant to outline the value and worth an athletic trainer in the physician practice can bring to an institution.

Objectives:
1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the following terms as it relates to the athletic training profession globally and the physician practice setting specifically: worth, value, revenue, reimbursement
2. Quantify, articulate and provide outcomes and objectively demonstrate why athletic trainers are vital health care service providers.
3. Educate athletic trainers on the importance of putting a worth to their services by outlining regional and national industry norms for service.
4. Educate athletic trainers on the importance of building a positive perception in the value of their services within the community once there is a “worth” attached to those services.
5. Provide resources for athletic trainers in the physician practice setting that will outline worth of services, value assessments and opportunities for growth.
6. Provide a template to help ATs educate administrators, physicians, physician practices, hospital systems and patients on the worth and value of athletic trainers in this setting.
7. Provide an educational resource for Athletic Training Education Programs (ATEP) to give AT students a better understanding of their worth and value as athletic trainers and health care providers.
8. Demonstrate a need for outcomes and evidence-based practice in the physician practice setting that will ultimately provide standards of care, revenue and reimbursement within health care.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

It is important to practice and refine emergency skills to be best prepared in handling emergency situations, as well as to update and refine policies and procedures. Replicating real-life emergency scenarios can be a challenge, however integrating simulation scenarios into continuing education content for Healthcare providers can help bridge this gap.

Objectives:
1. Learners will interpret and analyze available evidence on the effectiveness of simulated learning.
2. Learners will select and apply strategies to implement simulated learning in their continuing education programs.
3. Learners will demonstrate ability to efficiently summarize value of simulated learning to administrative colleagues in attempting to advance this style of education in their programs.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Immediate and Emergency Care

This presentation will discuss the known science behind the long term effects of concussion on cognitive and motor control. Limitations of the science and potential solutions to the problem will also be presented.

Objectives:
1. Define concussion incidence across sports
2. Outline research on the Persistent Effects of Concussion
3. Discuss Alternative Causes of Cognitive Declines
4. Discuss Sport Safety Options

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Immediate and Emergency Care, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation 

Presented by NATA President, Tory Lindley, MA, ATC

Blood loss is the leading cause of preventable death in multiple casualty events, like mass shootings, terrorist attacks and earthquakes. Rapid control of bleeding at the scene of the event can be life-saving. Athletic Trainers are employed in settings where these skills could be needed. Additionally, they are uniquely positioned to partner with their local hospitals and EMS colleagues to train individuals at schools, sport and community organizations.

Objectives:
1. Understand the importance of your response during an active shooter event.
2. Describe the progressive strategy for controlling hemorrhage.
3. Demonstrate wound packing and learn about topical hemostatic dressings.
4. Explain the rationale for early use of a tourniquet for life-threatening extremity bleeding.
5. Demonstrate the appropriate application of a tourniquet to the arm and leg.
6. Develop the skills to instruct teachers, coaches and community members on these skills.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Immediate and Emergency Care

The Grant Writing Workshop is designed to provide athletic trainers with foundational knowledge and helpful strategies for submitting a research grant proposal addressing the NIH (R03 mechanism) and EATA guidelines. Successful recipients of externally funded grants from the NIH, DoD, NATA Foundation, and other mechanisms will contribute to this active workshop. Participants will have opportunities to have their work reviewed by the facilitators and peers.

Objectives:
1. Understand the required elements of a successful grant proposal, including the Specific Aims, Significance, Innovation, Justification, Preliminary Data, and Work Activities.
2. Actively participate in written and verbal discussions to identify strengths and weaknesses of a grant proposal.
3. Prepare an outline of the Specific Aims page of a grant proposal.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility

Full Title: Evidence-Based Estimation of Time to Return-to-Play for Hamstring Strain Injuries

Time to return-to-play is a critical outcome following hamstring strain injury, and evidence shows that clinicians lack confidence and express frustration due to lingering symptoms and an extremely high hamstring re-injury rate. Current literature suggests that specific portions of the patient history and clinical exam provide the best prognostic value, and may allow for a safer return-to-play decision when integrated into clinical practice.

Objectives:
1. Specify aspects of the patient history and clinical exam that provide prognostic value for time to return-to-play following hamstring strain injury.
2. Interpret how imaging techniques correlate to predicted time to return-to-play following hamstring strain injuries.
3. Discuss various hamstring strain injury classification systems that are based on mechanism of injury, clinical evaluation, and imaging techniques.
4. Summarize how different classifications (type, severity, location) of hamstring strain injury are related to time to return-to-play.
5. Apply specific assessments and patient-reported outcomes in the return-to-play decision following hamstring strain injury."

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Currently, athletic training education programs in NATA Districts 1 and 2 provide limited exposure, educational and/or comprehensive guidance to future athletic trainers and young professionals interested in practicing in the occupational setting. It is understood and recognized by the NATA that the occupational setting is an alternative and emerging area of employment for athletic trainers. It is also recognized that working in this setting requires additional skills not currently offered in traditional entry-level educational programs. Therefore, ATs must learn those skills on the job or through continuing education, sometimes not knowing where to start and relying on peers or work-related mentoring programs to point them in the right direction.

Objectives:
1. Describe how athletic training skills transfer into the occupational setting
2. Discuss challenges and opportunities unique to employment as an athletic trainer in the occupational setting
3. Identify gaps in NATA Districts 1 and 2 athletic training educational opportunities with regards of education specific to occupational setting
4. Discuss current NATA membership statistics related to the occupational setting
5. Recommend future steps to potentially address education gaps to better equip athletic trainers considering pursuing the occupational setting as a career option

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

Athletic Trainers are asked to control insurance (premium) cost when their institution's secondary insurance premium goes up, sometimes significantly. Understanding how to setup controls to minimize an institutions exposure can only occur if the athletic trainer fully understands how the claims process works. Understanding the different design plans gives the athletic trainer better ideas to present to their managers.

Objectives:
1. Describe common terms in the athletic insurance industry
2. Discuss common insurance plans and designs
3. Recommend cost containment solutions
4. Describe the impact of healthcare reform
5. Describe the claims management process

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being 

Full Title: Validation of Self Report Depression Screening Tools in Collegiate Student-Athletes

Athletic trainers across the country are adopting mental health screening tools into clinical practice and preparticipation exams to meet the current mental health screening recommendations of the NATA and NCAA. Contrary to the evidence-based practice cornerstone of providing athletic training and other healthcare services, athletic trainers must currently rely on cut-off scores for non-athlete populations to indicate referral to a mental healthcare professional. In the present study, we administered two depression screening tools during preparticipation exams in collegiate student-athletes, and implemented structured neuropsychiatric interviews, to identify the sensitivity, specificity, and appropriate cut-off scores of the Patient-Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD) scale. We will discuss how our results can be applied using an evidence-based approach to depression screening in athletes. By appropriately identifying athletes struggling with symptoms of depression, and in return offering mental health referrals, athletic trainers may improve the health of their patients beyond physical wellness.

Objectives:
1. Review and discuss literature regarding depression in the student-athlete population and depression screening.
2. Describe the results from our study validating two mental health screening tools in the student-athlete population.
3. Explain how our results may be further applied in clinical practice by athletic trainers

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion

In an athletic population, returning athletes to sport following an injury is a complex process that includes input from multiple different stakeholders. Often, this information is primarily obtained from health related disciplines, but this presentation will include why collaboration with strength and conditioning in return-to-sport should be included when in the context of interprofessional collaborative practice. Additionally, it reinforces the role of the athletic trainer as the central mediator for information for RTS decisions and driving interprofessional collaborative practice. Additionally, there is a fair amount of research that provides information on objective measures, but very little information and guidance about how that information should be utilized on a practical level within a health care system.

Objectives:
1. Following this lecture, attendees will be able to identify areas of a return-to-sport progressions or decisions that can benefit from risk assessment
2. Information contained in this lecture will allow attendees to identify the different levels of the StARRT Framework and how they apply to their individual practice settings
3. Attendees will gain a basic understanding of how measuring load in various ways can contribute to the application of the StARRT Framework and how that contributes to risk assessment and communication between health care providers and strength and conditioning coaches.

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

EATA Research Committee – Presenters TBA

A rapid-fire talks are shorter presentations than the standard free communication talks. In just five minutes it cuts to the chase and offers a quick overview. It focuses on the key things you need to know to decide whether a new finding may influence your clinical practice. Instead of 4 presentations per hour in a standard session a rapid-fire session can offer 6-8 talks and discussions.

No open-access online database or directory exists displaying the extent of Athletic Training services provided to secondary schools on a national scale. This presentation will describe the most up-to-date data for states within the EATA and nationally related to secondary school employment status (full-time, part-time, and none), employment setting, extent of physician oversight, level of education, among other key variables obtained via online survey. This presentation is critical for ATs to communicate current employment numbers in their states, educate and inform legislators, connect with other ATs to improve the delivery of healthcare, and to continue to promote involvement in.

Objectives:
1. Attendees will be able to accurately quantify the percentage of ATs employed full time, part time, and no AT services in their state and throughout the U.S.
2. Attendees will be able to accurately quantify the percentage of AT services that are employed by school districts directly, school district with teaching responsibility, medical or university facility, or per-diem.
3. Attendees will be able to describe the extent of secondary school ATs with standing orders and type of medical credential of the overseer.
4. Attendees will describe the percentage of school ATs with emergency action plans and extent who practice EAPs annually.

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

Sport specialization is such a concerning topic that medical organizations have released statements warning of this practice. Despite these warnings, anecdotal evidence suggests that this information is being ignored. Sport specialization may partially explain the increase in the frequency and severity of pediatric musculoskeletal injuries over the past two decades. This lecture will discuss the current evidence linking sport specialization to injury, as well as evidence-based recommendations for safe participation in youth sport. Athletic trainers are the forefront of youth sport participation and knowledge regarding this import topic is imperative to changing the environment and culture surrounding sport specialization.

Objectives:
1. Define sport specialization and how it is associated with injury risk.
2. Describe the different methods of determining an athlete’s level of specialization.
3. Identify common injuries associated with sport specialization.
4. Describe the prevalence of sport specialization in the adolescent and high school populations.
5. Identify factors that that influence sport specialization decision making.
6. Describe recommendations for parents, coaches, and athletes regarding volume of sport participation.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Organization and Professional Health and Well-being

The standard of care for the athletic training profession has expanded over the past decade. When comparing the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that define athletic training, the domain of emergency care has advanced more than any other. Managing an emergency situation is the most important task required of an athletic trainer and this task begins and relies on emergency preparedness. Unfortunately many in the field either have not received proper training in this area or have not kept up with current standards.

Objectives:
1. Develop a comprehensive risk management and emergency action plan with considerations beyond typical personnel, communication and equipment details.
2. Establish a line of communication with local EMS and hospital agencies for expedient care of a patient suffering from a serious medical condition or traumatic injury.
3. Identify the emergency supplies and equipment necessary to provide the current standard of care expected of an athletic trainer.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Immediate and Emergency Care, Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

Yoga is a theory and concept that has been around in eastern medicine for decades. It is used as a mind-body connection tool that also increases body awareness. With the implementation of yoga to my patient's treatment I have been able to see decrease pain levels and have been able to highlight areas of weakness in my patients to prevent injuries all together. This workshop is designed to help athletic trainers better evaluate injuries through functional (and sport specific) movements, all while helping patients increase proprioception and balance to prevent and treat injuries.

Objectives:
1. Learn how to develop. modify and implement a yoga flow that is anatomically sound
2. Review myofascial lines and meridians for a more ""full-body"" treatment approach
3. Apply through hands-on approach, how to use movement for evaluation and performance assessment tools

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Developing a comprehensive approach to injury control strategies for athletics is difficult. To begin to establish recommendations for a comprehensive approach of appropriate health care to secondary school aged athletes, National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) developed an inter-association task force to develop recommendations and guidelines for appropriate medical care for adolescents competing in school and club-level sports in 2002. The Appropriate Medical Care for Secondary School–Age Athletes Task Force (AMCSSAA) comprised experts from 17 school, health care, and medical associations and included certified athletic trainers, physicians, other health care professionals, administrators, and school principals. This effort addressed more than basic emergency care during sports participation; it involves virtually all aspects of prevention, and activities of ongoing daily athletic health care and resulted in a consensus statement, monograph, and peer-reviewed summary statement. However, it has been nearly 15 years since the original consensus statement was published and in that time we have seen a plethora of original research and the development of numerous position statements published. As such, there was a need to review the original statement and update based on the most recent evidence to support best practices.

Objectives:
1. Attendees will gain an understanding of the process used to create the document.
2. Attendees will learn the 12 standards and sub-standards identified in this process.
3. Attendees will learn the potential uses of the tool in evaluation of their organizations current status.
4. Attendees will begin the process of self-evaluating their organization and the medical care they provide to secondary school aged athletes."

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Immediate and Emergency Care, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Organizational and Professional Health and Well-Being

Typical patterns are evident in common shoulder conditions. This presentation focuses on connecting what is often ignored, the predisposing postural antecedents; specifically the role of the Pectoral and other related fascia. The workshop will include an exploration of three (3) myofascial techniques (direct/indirect) to make this correction. A review and discussion of the biomechanics, and its clinical significance as well as the associated research will be thoroughly instructed to better understand these powerful and effective hands-on techniques.

Objectives:
1. Formulate an integral understanding of the role of scapula mechanics in shoulder function
2. Comprehend the role of fascia in determining scapula positioning
3. Develop the feel for fascia and the ability to manipulate it to achieve optimal biomechanics

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Treatment and Rehabilitation 

Full Title: Wound Care Management during a Mass Casualty Emergency: An Evidence-Based Approach for Triage, Tourniquets, Wound Packing and Chest Seals

As athletic trainers broaden their scope of practice, they must be prepared to respond to a wide variety of traumatic injuries and situations that may require the ability to critically manage a scene with multiple patients, identify those patients who need the most critical interventions, and respond with rapid intervention to massive hemorrhage to prevent catastrophic results. The use of evidence-based tourniquet and wound packing techniques and rapid evaluation triage methods will dramatically improve survival rates for critically injured patients. Adequate preparation should be combined with clinical expertise to utilize skills and equipment to minimize casualties and prevent death. Perceived challenges such as budget, equipment constraints, and training should be explored and addressed with practical solutions.

Objectives:
1. Discuss the knowledge/skills associated with the administrative and risk management aspects of planning for a critical event such as a bus crash, bleacher collapse or other larger scale event.
2. Examine and discuss the current scientific guidelines and treatment recommendations regarding prehospital wound management of the Mass Casualty Scene.
3. Identify and discuss the most current evidence for the use of and the interrelatedness of advanced wound care and Airway management.
4. Compare and contrast the roles, characteristics, and advantages /disadvantages for using tourniquets (ie., CAT, SOFTT, and SWAT-T), hemostatic agents, wound packing and simple chest seals in the prehospital setting.
5. Demonstrate how to prepare, administer and monitor the use of tourniquets (ie., CAT, SOFTT, and SWAT-T), hemostatic agents, wound packing and simple chest seals in the prehospital setting in the prehospital setting using the current evidence.
6. Recommend how and when to employ the use of tourniquets (ie., CAT, SOFTT, and SWAT-T), hemostatic agents, wound packing and simple chest seals in the prehospital setting after interpreting an primary triage assessment data.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Immediate and Emergency Care

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the initial help offered to a person developing a mental health or substance use problem, or experiencing a mental health crisis. Similar to the ‘traditional’ first aid that athletic trainers are familiar with, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves. MHFA is not a substitute for counseling, medical care, peer support or other professional treatment.

Objectives:
1. What Mental Health First Aid is, and is not
2. What content is included in an 8-hour Mental Health First Aid certification course
3. Mental Health First Aid course options that exist, including youth, adult, older adult, higher education, public safety, military / veterans / family, law enforcement / corrections / public safety.
4. The 5 steps in Mental Health First Aid action plan (abbreviated ALGEE)

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection, Immediate and Emergency Care

This presentation provides a comprehensive review of pediatric concussion epidemiology, evaluation and management. A review of the concussion signs, symptoms, diagnosis and management of the pediatric patient. The attendee will interpret the visio-vestibular exam as well as abnormalities and adapt to current evaluation standards for the pediatric patient.

Objectives:
1. Comprehensively approach the diagnosis of pediatric concussion with directed history, validated symptom assessment and directed visio-vestibular physical examination
2. Understand the implications of concussion associated deficits with pediatric return to function
3. Actively treat pediatric concussion to promote recovery"

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Full Title: Gatorade Lecture: The Hydration Debate: Making Sense of the Mixed Messages

Hydration strategies used during exercise, training and competition seek to prevent over/under hydration and preserve performance. This session will discuss the two most commonly recommended and highly debated drinking strategies, programmed drinking vs. drinking to thirst. The session will review the physiology of thirst and hydration strategy research, it will discuss the factors that influence hydration during exercise (environment, exercise intensity and duration, etc.) and will make specific recommendations regarding the situations and conditions that best fit both strategies.

Objectives:
1. Review research findings regarding to the two most commonly recommended drinking strategies.
2. Describe the physiology of thirst and hydration strategies during exercise.
3. Develop appropriate recommendations for their patients/athletes.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Injury Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection

Literature continues to emerge on the topic of mental health in athletics. With the publication of the NCAA Mental Health Best Practices and the Interassociation Statement for secondary schools in the Journal of Athletic Training, it is critical to address the barriers that might impede an athletes desire to seek help. The adolescent athlete population comprises close to eight million participants and there data lacking on how these identified barriers affect teenagers. Athletic trainers are typically a regular fixture in the lives of adolescent athletes therefore we are able to reduce some of these barriers and educate athletes on mental health care.

Objectives:
1. Appraise the Mental Health Best Practice Statement by the NCAA
2. Outline sources of stress unique to the adolescent student-athlete
3. Determine support network for adolescent athletes struggling with stress management
4. Identify stigmas associated with help-seeking
5. Define mental health literacy
6. Formulate strategies to educate adolescent athletes on mental health wellness

Level of Difficulty: Essential
Practice Domain: Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection

Full Title: Evaluation and Treatment of Peripheral Vestibular Dysfunction: Demystifying Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Although it is generally accepted that concussion symptoms typically resolve within 7-10 days in adults, approximately 10-15% of patients do not experience this expected resolution of symptoms. Vestibular dysfunction, which can present as post-traumatic dizziness, vertigo, or disorientation / balance issues, is one of the major complaints reported following a head injury. Of these vestibular dysfunctions, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is most commonly associated with post-concussive symptoms and is the most common cause of vertigo in the general public, affecting approximately 2.4% of individuals across their lifespan. Despite its prevalence, BPPV is very responsive to treatment and rehabilitation. Although the evaluation and treatment of vestibular dysfunctions are not outside of an athletic trainer's scope of practice, many athletic trainers are not proficient enough to appropriately identify and treat these conditions. This workshop will help fill this professional practice gap by providing athletic trainers with patient problems and hands-on skill practice in order to develop proficiency in the evaluation and treatment of BPPV.

Objectives:
1. Describe the pathophysiology behind BPPV.
2. Perform common evaluation techniques for BPPV.
3. Perform common treatment techniques for BPPV.
4. Understand the importance of a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to manage patients with BPPV.
5. Identify appropriate referrals, return to activity criteria, and documentation coding for patients with BPPV.

Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Practice Domain: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Treatment and Rehabilitation