scholarly journals National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Evaluation of Dietary Supplements for Performance Nutrition

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie L. Buell ◽  
Rob Franks ◽  
Jack Ransone ◽  
Michael E. Powers ◽  
Kathleen M. Laquale ◽  
...  

Objectives To help athletic trainers promote a “food-first” philosophy to support health and performance, understand federal and sport governing body rules and regulations regarding dietary supplements and banned substances, and become familiar with reliable resources for evaluating the safety, purity, and efficacy of dietary supplements. Background The dietary supplement industry is poorly regulated and takes in billions of dollars per year. Uneducated athletes need to gain a better understanding of the safety, eligibility, and efficacy concerns associated with choosing to take dietary supplements. The athletic trainer is a valuable athletic team member who can help in the educational process. In many cases, athletic trainers are asked to help evaluate the legality, safety, and efficacy of dietary supplements. For this position statement, our mission is to provide the athletic trainer with the necessary resources for these tasks. Recommendations Proper nutrition and changes in the athlete's habitual diet should be considered first when improved performance is the goal. Athletes need to understand the level of regulation (or lack thereof) governing the dietary supplement industry at the international, federal, state, and individual sport-participation levels. Athletes should not assume a product is safe simply because it is marketed over the counter. All products athletes are considering using should be evaluated for purity (ie, truth in labeling), safety, and efficacy.

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 796-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. Mazerolle ◽  
William A. Pitney ◽  
Ashley Goodman ◽  
Christianne M. Eason ◽  
Scott Spak ◽  
...  

Objective: To illustrate the concept of work-life balance and those factors that influence it and to provide recommendations to facilitate work-life balance in athletic training practice settings. To present the athletic trainer with information regarding work-life balance, including those factors that negatively and positively affect it within the profession.Background: Concerns for work-life balance have been growing within the health care sector, especially in athletic training, as it is continuously linked to professional commitment, burnout, job satisfaction, and career longevity. The term work-life balance reflects those practices used to facilitate the successful fulfillment of the responsibilities associated with all roles one may assume, including those of a parent, spouse, partner, friend, and employee. A host of organizational and individual factors (eg, hours worked, travel demands, flexibility of work schedules, relationship status, family values) negatively influence the fulfillment of work-life balance for the athletic trainer, but practical strategies are available to help improve work-life balance, regardless of the practice setting.Recommendations: This position statement is charged with distributing information on work-life balance for athletic trainers working in a variety of employment settings. Recommendations include a blend of organizational and personal strategies designed to promote work-life balance. Establishing work-life balance requires organizations to have formal policies that are supported at the departmental and personal level, in addition to informal policies that reflect the organizational climate of the workplace. Individuals are also encouraged to consider their needs and responsibilities in order to determine which personal strategies will aid them in attaining work-life balance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1053-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel W. Beam ◽  
Bernadette Buckley ◽  
William R. Holcomb ◽  
Mario Ciocca

Objective:  To present recommendations for the cleansing, debridement, dressing, and monitoring of acute skin trauma in patients. Background:  Acute skin trauma is common during participation in athletic and recreational activities. Clinical decisions and intervention protocols after injury vary among athletic trainers and are often based on ritualistic practices. An understanding of cleansing, debridement, and dressing techniques; clinical features of infection and adverse reactions; and monitoring of acute skin trauma is critical for certified athletic trainers and other allied health and medical professionals to create a local wound environment that promotes healing and lessens the risk of complications. Recommendations:  These guidelines are intended to provide the certified athletic trainer and others participating in athletic health care with specific knowledge about and recommendations for the management of acute skin trauma.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20
Author(s):  
Johna K. Register-Mihalik ◽  
Kelly Sarmiento ◽  
Christina B. Vander Vegt ◽  
Kevin M. Guskiewicz

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published an evidence-based guideline, “Diagnosis and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Among Children.” The guideline has many applications for athletic trainers. The following commentary provides considerations for athletic trainers regarding the guideline in conjunction with the current National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement “Management of Sport Concussion” and the “Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport—The 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport Held in Berlin, October 2016.”


2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 416-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey E. Eberman ◽  
Leamor Kahanov

Context: Life-work balance may be one reason for retention concerns among athletic trainers (ATs), yet evidence does not exist to support the supposition. Objective: To assess the perceptions of ATs regarding life-work balance, specifically on parenting issues. Design: Survey. Setting: Online survey at www.surveymonkey.com. Patients or Other Participants: A random sample of National Athletic Trainers' Association members (N = 9516) received the survey; 20.6% (n = 1962; male = 954, female = 816; age = 37 ± 10 years, experience = 13 ± 9 years) completed any portion of the survey. Most respondents worked in the college/university (34.5%, n = 657 of 1908) and secondary school settings (25.9%, n = 476 of 1908). A majority of participants (50.7%, n = 898 of 1770) were parents. Intervention(s): We calculated frequencies and percentages and used Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests to identify the differences between sexes and among job settings on life-work balance measures among parents. Main Outcome Measures: The questionnaire included 8 life-work balance items, 7 parenting challenge items, and 3 nonparent items. Results: The results indicate that sex and setting significantly affected perceptions about parenting. Males articulated a stronger sense of difficulty in finding balance as a working parent (P < .001; 1.95 ± 1.98). Females felt more strongly than males that managing work and family was stressful (P = .04; 3.86 ± 1.13) and caused burnout (P = .004; 3.50 ± 1.24), and that their energy tended to fall short of their needs (P < .001; 3.74 ± 1.15). The decision not to have children was strongly affected by the work setting (P = .014; 3.37 ± 1.42). Both college/university (4.14 ± 0.85) and secondary school (4.03 ± 0.90) ATs would prefer to spend more time at home, as compared with ATs in other settings (P < .001). College/university ATs (P = .025; 3.17 ± 1.23) felt most strongly that their families were neglected because of work. In none of the settings did ATs feel that their employment settings were particularly tolerant of their parenting responsibilities (P = .027; 1.72 ± 1.97). Conclusions: Male and female employees had similar perceptions of life-work balance, but occupational setting may affect these perceptions.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Conley ◽  
Delmas J. Bolin ◽  
Peter J. Carek ◽  
Jeff G. Konin ◽  
Timothy L. Neal ◽  
...  

Objective To present athletic trainers with recommendations for the content and administration of the preparticipation physical examination (PPE) as well as considerations for determining safe participation in sports and identifying disqualifying conditions. Background Preparticipation physical examinations have been used routinely for nearly 40 years. However, considerable debate exists as to their efficacy due to the lack of standardization in the process and the lack of conformity in the information that is gathered. With the continuing rise in sports participation at all levels and the growing number of reported cases of sudden death in organized athletics, the sports medicine community should consider adopting a standardized process for conducting the PPE to protect all parties. Recommendations Recommendations are provided to equip the sports medicine community with the tools necessary to conduct the PPE as effectively and efficiently as possible using available scientific evidence and best practices. In addition, the recommendations will help clinicians identify those conditions that may threaten the health and safety of participants in organized sports, may require further evaluation and intervention, or may result in potential disqualification.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 1129-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Huggins ◽  
Kelly A. Coleman ◽  
Sarah M. Attanasio ◽  
G. Larry Cooper ◽  
Brad D. Endres ◽  
...  

Context Previous research from a sample of US secondary schools (n = 10 553) indicated that 67% of schools had access to an athletic trainer (AT; 35% full time [FT], 30% part time [PT], and 2% per diem). However, the population-based statistic in all secondary schools with athletic programs (n = approximately 20 000) is yet to be determined. Objective To determine the level of AT services and employment status in US secondary schools with athletics by National Athletic Trainers' Association district. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Public and private secondary schools with athletics. Patients or Other Participants Data from all 20 272 US public and private secondary schools were obtained. Main Outcome Measure(s) Data were collected from September 2015 to April 2018 by phone or e-mail communication with school administrators or ATs and by online surveys of secondary school ATs. Employment categories were school district, school district with teaching, medical or university facility, and independent contractor. Data are presented as total number and percentage of ATs. Descriptive statistics were calculated for FT, PT, and no AT services data for public, private, public + private, and employment type by state and by National Athletic Trainers' Association district. Results Of the 20 272 secondary schools, 66% (n = 13 473) had access to AT services, while 34% (n = 6799) had no access. Of those schools with AT services, 53% (n = 7119) received FT services, while 47% (n = 6354) received PT services. Public schools (n = 16 076) received 37%, 32%, and 31%, whereas private schools (n = 4196) received 27%, 28%, and 45%, for FT, PT, and no AT services, respectively. Most of the Athletic Training Locations and Services Survey participants (n = 6754, 57%) were employed by a medical or university facility, followed by a school district, school district with teaching, and independent contractor. Combined, 38% of AT employment was via the school district. Conclusions The percentages of US schools with AT access and FT and PT services were similar to those noted in previous research. One-third of secondary schools had no access to AT services. The majority of AT employment was via medical or university facilities. These data depict the largest and most updated representation of AT services in secondary schools.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Jacobson ◽  
Michael Cendoma ◽  
Jacob Gdovin ◽  
Kevin Cooney ◽  
Dustin Bruening

Context The National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement on acute management of the cervical spine-injured athlete recommended the all-or-nothing endeavor, which involves removing or not removing both helmet and shoulder pads, from equipment-laden American football and ice hockey athletes. However, in supporting research, investigators have not considered alternative protocols. Objective To measure cervical spine movement (head relative to sternum) produced when certified athletic trainers (ATs) use the all-or-nothing endeavor and to compare these findings with the movement produced using an alternative pack-and-fill protocol, which involves packing the area under and around the cervical neck and head with rolled towels. Design Crossover study. Setting Movement analysis laboratory. Patients or Other Participants Eight male collegiate football players (age = 21.4 ± 1.4 years; height = 1.87 ± 0.02 m; mass = 103.6 ± 12.5 kg). Intervention(s) Four ATs removed equipment under 4 conditions: removal of helmet only followed by placing the head on the ground (H), removal of the helmet only followed by pack-and-fill (HP), removal of the helmet and shoulder pads followed by placing the head on the ground (HS), and removal of the helmet and shoulder pads followed by pack-and-fill (HSP). Motion capture was used to track the movement of the head with respect to the sternum during equipment removal. Main Outcome Measure(s) We measured head movement relative to sternum movement (translations and rotations). We used 4 × 4 analyses of variance with repeated measures to compare discrete motion variables (changes in position and total excursions) among protocols and ATs. Results Protocol HP resulted in a 0.1 ± 0.6 cm rise in head position compared with a 1.4 ± 0.3 cm drop with protocol HS (P < .001). Protocol HP produced 4.9° less total angular excursion (P < .001) and 2.1 cm less total vertical excursion (P < .001) than protocol HS. Conclusions The pack-and-fill protocol was more effective than shoulder pad removal in minimizing cervical spine movement throughout the equipment-removal process. This study provides evidence for including the pack-and-fill protocol in future treatment recommendations when helmet removal is necessary for on-field care.


2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Zinder ◽  
Rodney S. W. Basler ◽  
Jack Foley ◽  
Chris Scarlata ◽  
David B. Vasily

Abstract Objective: To present recommendations for the prevention, education, and management of skin infections in athletes. Background: Trauma, environmental factors, and infectious agents act together to continually attack the integrity of the skin. Close quarters combined with general poor hygiene practices make athletes particularly vulnerable to contracting skin diseases. An understanding of basic prophylactic measures, clinical features, and swift management of common skin diseases is essential for certified athletic trainers to aid in preventing the spread of infectious agents. Recommendations: These guidelines are intended to provide relevant information on skin infections and to give specific recommendations for certified athletic trainers and others participating in athletic health care.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 891-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Guskiewicz ◽  
Scott L. Bruce ◽  
Robert C. Cantu ◽  
Michael S. Ferrara ◽  
James P. Kelly ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron B. Terranova ◽  
Jolene M. Henning

Context: Membership in the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) has declined in recent years, generating much debate about professional commitment. Objective: To compare the contributing factors of job satisfaction and intention to leave athletic training of certified athletic trainers (ATs) employed in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A link to a Web-based questionnaire containing the Spector Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and an original Intention to Leave Survey (ITLS) was distributed by e-mail to 1003 certified members of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 191 certified members of the NATA employed in a college or university setting in a primarily clinical capacity; representing all NCAA divisions; and having the job title of head athletic trainer, associate/assistant athletic trainer, or graduate assistant/intern athletic trainer. Main Outcome Measure(s): We used separate 3 × 3 factorial analyses of variance to compare the mean scores of each JSS subscale and of the ITLS with NCAA division and job title. A stepwise multiple regression was used to determine the strength of the relationships between the JSS subscales and the ITLS. Results: We found differences for job title in the subscales of Fringe Benefits (F2,182 = 7.82, P = .001) and Operating Conditions (F2,182 = 12.01, P < .001). The JSS subscale Nature of Work was the greatest indicator of intention to leave (β = −0.45). Conclusions: We found a strong negative correlation between various facets of job satisfaction and intention to leave athletic training. The NCAA division seemed to have no effect on an individual's job satisfaction or intention to leave the profession. In addition, only Fringe Benefits and Operating Conditions seemed to be affected by job title. The ATs had similar levels of job satisfaction regardless of NCAA division, and their job titles were not a major factor in job satisfaction.


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