NATA Now

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Board of Directors approved a technical change to its bylaws, specifically section 7.2 (a), during its conference call meeting on Monday, August 27, 2019. 

With football season underway, now is a great time to educated parents, student athletes and administrators on the important role athletic trainers play in the sport. To help with this, NATA and At Your Own Risk have created a “What to Know About Football” infographic handout.

The Performing Arts Workshop took place June 25 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas prior to the 70th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo. More than 40 athletic trainers attended the workshop, participating in dialogue and offering feedback along the way.

One of the speakers was Jackie Haas, MS, AT, supervisor of performing arts medicine for Mercy Health/ Cincinnati Ballet. She presented on the preretirement performer and how ATs can assist with the transition.  

By Josh Euten, ATC, MAE, Eva Frank, PhD, ATC, and Erin Ulrich, MS, ATC, LAT

Globally elevating the athletic training profession is done through grassroots efforts and, in part, by the efforts of the athletic trainers who work abroad. To complete this work, these ATs have to main their certification. It is a difficult endeavor for ATs abroad to earn continuing education units (CEUs).

By Kim Diggs

As the concern with the long-term effects of football in athletes grows, discussions about chronic traumatic encephalopathy have become more highly publicized. During the 70th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo, NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills addressed these concerns during the two-hour session, “Is There a Future for Football: Ronnie Barnes Case Studies in the NFL,” June 27. This lecture series was presented by the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society.

As temperatures around the country continue to reach record-breaking highs, the concern of heat-related illnesses remains at the forefront. However, as medical volunteers at this year’s Buffalo Marathon learned, under the right circumstances, exertional heat illness can be an issue in any weather condition.

For the second year, the athletic training faculty at the University at Buffalo volunteered during the annual Buffalo Marathon, which takes place at the end of May, a notoriously fickle time of year for the city in upstate New York.

By Kim Diggs

After retiring from Modesto Junior College in Modesto, California, following a 38-year career that included time spent as a professor, head athletic trainer and treatment center coordinator, Bobby Boswell, ATC, forged a new path.

By Kim Diggs

Over the years, schools have taken more interest in proper post-concussion procedures, ensuring return-to-sport protocol is implemented. In addition, a key component to the recovery and adjustment of student athletes is the development of return-to-learn policies.

It is up to the athletic trainer to advocate for student athletes who have recently suffered a concussion to guarantee they are able to safely recover without being rushed to return to their normal schedules.

Advancing its intentional strategy to meet members where they are, NATA is pleased to announce the AT EducATionalist Community. The dynamic and progressive evolution of athletic training provides unique opportunities and challenges for the numerous settings in which ATs are employed. Diversity in thought and representation of various perspectives throughout the athletic training profession are critical to addressing the possibilities of tomorrow and exploring innovative ways to improve patient care. This can be accomplished by remaining sensitive to serving specific setting areas.

By Kim Diggs

Following the award ceremony and financial report, NATA President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC, delivered the State of Association Wednesday, June 26, in Shoreline, Mandalay Bay. Each year, during the NATA convention, the president discusses the major accomplishments of the previous fiscal year and lets attendees know what to expect in the coming fiscal year.