NATA Now

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

For the past year we have been including monthly injury infographics in the NATA News, and we have accumulated a nice library of resources. Those infographics are now available in one place on our website for members to download, print and distribute. We hope you''ll utilize these informative, visually appealing handouts to educate your community about these injuries and the important role athletic trainers play in the management of these conditions.

UPDATE: H.R. 921 was passed unanimously at the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee full committee markup at 3:40 p.m. CT on July 13. Another huge step for this important piece of legislation!

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The NATA Research and Education Foundation has the following positions open for nominations until Monday, August 15.  

•    President
•    VP District Relations
•    VP External Affairs
•    At-Large Member

About 28,000 ankle injuries occur each day in the United States. An ankle sprain is believed to be the most common sports injury, however, not all ankle sprains are alike. To help you educate members of your community on ankle sprains, how they’re treated and how to prevent them, NATA has created an ankle sprain handout (pdf).

As NATA President Scott Sailor, EdD, ATC, addressed the crowd during the NATA General Session and Annual Members’ Meeting, Friday in Baltimore Convention Center, Swing Hall, he announced that the association will launch a new public website, www.atyourownrisk.org, to better communicate the role of athletic trainers in work, life and sport.

“Athletic trainers – man, you guys are the unsung hearos,” said famed figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton as he addressed the pack Baltimore Convention Center Swing Hall during his J&J Keynote Friday, June 24.

Hamilton spoke about the stages of his life, beginning with his childhood. Adopted at six weeks old, Hamilton grew up in a loving family with a mother who was compassionate and full of humor.

“She was the center of my universe,” he said of his mother, who passed away from cancer when Hamilton was 18 years old.