NATA Now

By Casey Christy, MA, ATC, CSCS, and Dale Grooms, ATC

The Athletic Training Education Journal (ATEJ) Editor-in-Chief (EIC) position becomes available in June 2017. The term of appointment is three years and can be renewed once, with agreement between the EIC and NATA, for a total of six years of service. Electronic applications are being accepted.

By Aaron Ngor, ATC

I consider myself lucky that I was able to find my passions early on. By passions I mean my love for hip-hop dance and medicine.

The Back to Sports Mini-Grant Program, an initiative of the National Football League and American Heart Association, is accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year.

A study conducted by NATA found that 82% of members surveyed felt they were not prepared to deal with psychological impact of catastrophic events.

While H.R. 921, the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act has been NATA’s most publicized legislative effort, our advocacy team is always working behind the scenes on other issues related to the profession.

By Monica Serra, PhD, RD, ATC

Unfortunately, athletic injuries are unavoidable, regardless of sport or participation level. Identifying ways to minimize the impact of the injury to enhance recovery, and thus prevent time away from activity and loss of muscle mass, strength and function, are of utmost importance. Although the physical rehabilitation modalities, including rest, ice, elevation and massage, are prevalent, the role of nutrition in recovery is often overlooked.

Big news out of Hawaii this week: Governor David Ige signed into law Senate Bill 2557 appropriating legislative funding to continue the development and implementation of the concussion monitoring and testing program. Hawaii is the first state to designate legislative financial support for a law targeting youth sport related concussions.

By Katie Scott, MS, ATC

NATA Athletic Trainer in Residence

What a great week in Baltimore!

As I write this, I’m sitting on a plane heading back from what I consider to be a successful, powerful, celebratory and impactful week for our profession. It is hard to believe it has been a year since accepting the role of athletic trainer in residence at the NATA office, and I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to spend another year representing the membership on a day-to-day basis at our headquarters.

By Amanda Donahue MS, ATC, NATA COPA Performing Arts Workgroup Member