I helped to moderate a STOP Sports Injuries tweetchat March 13, 2013. Since March is National Athletic Training Month, we discussed athletic trainers and spring sports. The post below is a summary of that discussion. The transcript might seem a little more disorganized than it normally does. Joe Siebelts and I both noticed that a large number of people were not using the #SportsSafety hashtag in their tweets, so participants likely didn’t see them during the chat. Please remember to use the hashtag so that we can hear your opinions!
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
About to get started! Let us know you are here. Joining us again tonight will be @DrDavidGeier from @MUSChealth. #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
We will use a Q&A format going through Q1, A1, Q2, A2 and so forth. Remember the #SportsSafety tag!
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Hi everyone! Excited to hear thoughts from the athletic trainers out there! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits Glad you could join! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Let’s get going! Q1: What sports have the focus of athletic trainers in the spring? And the favorites to cover? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
@ENERGYbits Welcome! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
Checking in once again tonight. March is National Athletic Training Month! #NATM2013 #youthathletesafety #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety Thank you! A1 Baseball is our big spring sport here @ENERGYbits! #sportssafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
A1: Girls soccer is priority for me. Actually enjoy baseball, softball, and girls soccer (but I didn’t say that!) #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
Do athletic trainers prefer to cover wider variety of sports in spring or work mainly football in the fall? Easier? Harder? #SportsSafety
JfitGirl @JFitGirl
I need to get things done!! But too many good chats tonight!!!! #kttape #SportsSafety #Awesome
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@JFitGirl Agreed! Cant get enough tonight #sportssafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@JFitGirl Join us! The #SportsSafety chats are always fun and informative!
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier Tough call. I like my football, but nice thing about HS setting is the variety! #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s Mike, is it hard to prioritize sports in spring? With many going on, do you focus on ones w higher injury rates? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
@mnhopper1s Glad to have you joining again! #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @DrDavidGeier @JFitGirl Join us! The #SportsSafety chats are always fun and informative!
@DrDavidGeier Soccer is priority over all else. After that, just get it done! Fields all close to each other #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits @SportsSafety Baseball and soccer seem to be the big spring sports here too, at least for HS #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
Have track, softball, baseball, girls soccer, and boys tennis in the spring. Oh we also have bass fishing in Illinois 😉 #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety I thought there would be more of a draw for lacrosse, lots of soft tissue injuries there. #sportssafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@SportsSafety A1: g soccer, b/g track, b gymnastics, b/g water polo, softball, baseball, badminton, b volleyball #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s That’s good. Some schools we cover have their teams play at different locations, sometimes not close to each other #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @DrDavidGeier @ENERGYbits Baseball and soccer seem to be the big spring sports here too, at least for HS #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier underclass baseball and softball play offcampus at our old fields. Built new HS complex 4 years ago.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@ENERGYbits @SportsSafety Great point. Lacrosse probably has appeal in different parts of country, but growing fast here #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@DrDavidGeier Spring stretches you thin with all events and more athletes. Fall is more trauma. I like the Fall #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Moving to Q2: How can athletic trainers help prepare young athletes for spring sports like baseball and soccer? #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@MVP_ATC @SportsSafety Sounds like a lot of teams to cover, Mike. Are you the only AT there? #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@MVP_ATC @sportssafety and boys tennis, can’t forget that! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety Build a relationship with them so that athletes don’t hide their injuries from you… #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Yes! RT @MVP_ATC @sportssafety and boys tennis, can’t forget that! #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@SportsSafety A2: ImPACT test, EAP review, coaches meeting. Get every1 on same page. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@SportsSafety A2: Gotta build slow which is hard bc little time to prepare for season. 1 reason multi-sport athletes disappear #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@DrDavidGeier I am the only full time. 1 asst 30 hrs/week, 1 asst 10 hrs/week #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
RT @MVP_ATC: A2: ImPACT test, EAP review, coaches meeting. Get every1 on same page. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
@DrVondaWright Hope you can join us, Vonda! #SportsSafety
ENERGYbits @ENERGYbits
@SportsSafety Pre screen for concussion baselines, good to have when two soccer players bang heads! #sportssafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
MT @mnhopper1s A2: Gotta build slow which is hard-little time to prepare for season. 1 reason multi-sport athletes disappear #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s @SportsSafety How do you ramp up training slowly? Seems so many kids come straight from another sport/season #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier Agreed. And I think that’s a big reason why multi-sport athlete is disappearing too.. #SportsSafety
Kickit365 @kickit365
@DrDavidGeier our winter sports are still going! Possibly though next week. The overlap of seasons can definitely be tough!
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier Many of our basketball players start playing catch after practice in January. Spring px started @ end of BBall #SportsSafety
Brad Morgan MEd AT @PirateATC
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s @sportssafety I encourage all baseball and softball, esp. pitchers, to start throwing just after New Years.
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
RT @PirateATC Make sure every PPE is done, ImPACT, EAP, and team meetings, and new concussion information forms. #SportsSafety
@DrDavidGeier @mnhopper1s Not many of the Baseball players played BB when I worked HS. Most specialized in only Baseball
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s Single-sport specialization at very young ages probably contributes to that too #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
RT @DrDavidGeier: @mnhopper1s Single-sport specialization at very young ages probably contributes to that too #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Going off that-Q3: How can young athletes prep for the new season while the weather is still cold? Safe training ideas. #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@DrDavidGeier some seasons don’t stop. Some still play club volleyball during HS soccer #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@BWW_ATC Join us in our athletic training chat! #SportsSafety
Steven Kleinman @StevenRKleinman
@SportsSafety #sportssafety, cold weather schools have indoor seasons and practices to prep for new seasons
Brad Morgan MEd AT @PirateATC
@mnhopper1s @drdavidgeier I am seeing a BIG surge in private “trainers” who will “rehab and train” you for that next big season.
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@MVP_ATC Many of our coaches put a stop to that after club injuries hindered their season. Still goes on though.. #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@SportsSafety long sleeves! Train indoors if facility is big enough. Be creative. Utilize pool, fitness center, etc #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@MVP_ATC like concussed girl who decided to play club tourney bc “we didn’t have enuff players otherwise” #justwow #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
MT @MVP_ATC long sleeves! Train indoors if facility is big enough. Be creative. Utilize pool, fitness center, etc #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@MVP_ATC I don’t doubt it. Have to think injury rate higher when playing on two teams or two sports at same time #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier definitely. Club volleyball is the worst culprit around here.. Academy soccer has gotten bad too! #SportsSafety
Steven Kleinman @StevenRKleinman
#sportssafety some club soccer teams in NJ do not allow you to play HS soccer if you play on their team. only 1 specific club level
Brad Morgan MEd AT @PirateATC
@MVP_ATC @drdavidgeier You mean like my club VB and track thrower who could never figure why her shoulder hurt?
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@PirateATC @MVP_ATC Hmmm have to think about that..Why would she have shoulder issues? #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@DrDavidGeier can we say… Overuse?!
Bobby Weisenberger @BWW_ATC
@DrDavidGeier @mvp_atc Saw high injury rate from players playing on 2 teams at same time. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s Soccer is a year-round sport here for sure #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@StevenRKleinman wouldn’t be legal. Many HS associations dont let you play club sport during season.. we lost 4 kids last fall #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@BWW_ATC @MVP_ATC I know that has been shown in youth baseball. Assume it’s true in other sports but haven’t seen data, esp HS #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@StevenRKleinman Steve, I’ve seen that too. Many top soccer players sit their HS seasons to prepare for travel/club seasons #SportsSafety
Steven Kleinman @StevenRKleinman
@mnhopper1s #sportssafety, the club team doesn’t want you getting hurt in HS game. feel they will get you into college, not HS.
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s @StevenRKleinman Mike, why couldn’t the kids just choose not to play for their HS team? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@StevenRKleinman @DrDavidGeier Academy soccer plays 10 month season including thru the fall. Boys cannot do both by rule #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@StevenRKleinman feel they don’t want to lose the check the organizers are getting either! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@BWW_ATC @MVP_ATC I always wonder how these kids can play on 2 teams in same season and go to school, study, etc #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@DrDavidGeier it has to be difficult. I don’t know how they do it
ホソカワユリ @eurihosokawa
ATTENTION ATHLETIC TRAINERS!!! #SCAT3 is here now!!! Keep yourself updated! #Professionalism #SportsSafety #ATC
Some great discussion tonight! Interesting ideas surrounding multi- and club sport play to explore more. #SportsSafety
Steven Kleinman @StevenRKleinman
@mnhopper1s #sportssafety i dont know what state you’re in, but 3 top players on a state champ HS team didn’t play this year cause of club
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Some have commented on this, but to Q4: Do spring sports receive more/less coverage than other seasons in your community? #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@StevenRKleinman IL. I know bc the clubs will not let them! They specifically schedule games that conflict with HS season here #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@SportsSafety spring sports get short-changed d/t budget running out d/t extensive fall schedule. Money is gone by spring #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@StevenRKleinman @mnhopper1s It probably depends on the sport too. But I definitely hear about it in soccer and baseball #SportsSafety
Steven Kleinman @StevenRKleinman
@mnhopper1s #sportssafety, as long as the kids are happy ….and get the college exposure i think it’s all good in my opinion
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s @SportsSafety Plus those sports don’t drive ticket sales like football, so resources often focused on football? #SportsSafety
Diesel Dave™ @DieselDave22
@SportsSafety Same coverage, if not more. Lax is as big as Football in our region #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@MVP_ATC And if HS kid who practices every day loses starting spot to club player that just comes for games, seems wrong #SportsSafety
Heath Blackmon @heathblackmon63
@DrDavidGeier have you thought of doing any discussion for ATCs that are out there helping the industrial athlete?
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@heathblackmon63 What do you mean? #SportsSafety
Bobby Weisenberger @BWW_ATC
@DrDavidGeier @mvp_atc pressure on coaches to win makes it happen all the time. #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@DrDavidGeier that would be unfortunate. That’s why I am glad I don’t make the rosters! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@BWW_ATC @MVP_ATC Sadly I know you’re right #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@BWW_ATC @DrDavidGeier could be why IHSA wont allow you to play club sport at same time as inseason sport.. #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@kickit365 Basketball, wrestling overlap here. Others where you are? #SportsSafety
LeeAnne Ketchen @LKetchen14ATC
@DrDavidGeier I’m still working with hockey. Have been with them since September. #AT4ALL
Kickit365 @kickit365
@DrDavidGeier we had Bkb, soccer, and wrestling overlapping with track, baseball, softball, lax, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, & swimming
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
Before we post our final question, thanks again for joining tonight! Would love to hear your thoughts on any topics ’til now #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
For Q5: Are schools in your community or that you are a part of doing more to offer coverage – in any season? #SportsSafety #ATC
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
Q5 My HS hours have increased. Clinic is footing part of bill. Hoping to sustain it, but we’ll see what happens! #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Seems like we are getting more requests from individual teams/leagues for athletic trainer help. @BWW_ATC agree? #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@SportsSafety A5: I am fortunate to have enough & good quality radios at each practice for when I can’t physically be present #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @TheA4SHR Fall season gets additional coverage and more hours for football. Districts only pay for PT hours covered.
Bobby Weisenberger @BWW_ATC
@DrDavidGeier @sportssafety We absolutely do. Have request from HS Hockey and Rugby. Club sports not covered by schools #SportsSafety
@SportsSafety Q5: We’ve had 3-4 HS in our section hire AT’s for 1st time this school yr. #SportsSafety
Mike Porters, ATC @MVP_ATC
@SportsSafety I frequently pick up extra work covering club sports. Seems to be increased need for ATs in club sport setting #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@LKetchen14ATC I forget that hockey is a sport with overlapping seasons. And one that prob needs AT present #SportsSafety
Agency4StudentHealth @TheA4SHR
@mnhopper1s @bww_atc @drdavidgeier That’s a great rule. Wish it was established in SoCal #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier Local company in STL seems to only cover HS hockey. Contracts out ATs for it.. #SportsSafety
LeeAnne Ketchen @LKetchen14ATC
@DrDavidGeier it overlaps in the fall and the spring. I am solely with them and assist w baseball when I have time. #SportsSafety #AT4ALL
Agency4StudentHealth @TheA4SHR
@DrDavidGeier @lketchen14atc Coverage is always an issue. What is an acceptable ATC to athlete ratio for a high school, iyo? #SportsSafety
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
We are wrapping up tonight’s #SportsSafety chat, but please continue to share! And thanks to all our #ATCs out there for the work you do.
STOP Sports Injuries @SportsSafety
We are also planning multiple tweet chats for April to celebrate Youth Sports Safety Month. Stay tuned! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
RT @SportsSafety: We are also planning multiple tweet chats for April to celebrate Youth Sports Safety Month. Stay tuned! #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@TheA4SHR @LKetchen14ATC Good question. We need to start by getting at least one athletic trainer at each school somehow. #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@SportsSafety that sounds great! Will definitely look forward to that! #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
YEP! RT @DrDavidGeier Good question. We need to start by getting at least one athletic trainer at each school somehow. #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Bobby Weisenberger @BWW_ATC
@LKetchen14ATC @drdavidgeier Overlaps here in SC. I cover the HS hockey during offseason then pass it to one of our other ATs #SportsSafety
LeeAnne Ketchen @LKetchen14ATC
@TheA4SHR @drdavidgeier that’s what we did at m last location/job. Worked very well. Numbers show a lot #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@TheA4SHR Let me know what you find out. I would love to see (and share) the data. #SportsSafety
LeeAnne Ketchen @LKetchen14ATC
@TheA4SHR @drdavidgeier track injuries, physician visits, surgeries, etc #SportsSafety #AT4ALL
Agency4StudentHealth @TheA4SHR
@DrDavidGeier @sportssafety @bww_atc Liability concerns are on the rise and “club”teams want to show what they are doing to ensure safety.
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@LKetchen14ATC @TheA4SHR We track visits to MDs, ER, PT, surgeries, but we don’t look at school’s insurance costs #SportsSafety
Mike Hopper @mnhopper1s
@DrDavidGeier I am beginning to track a lot more. Trying to justify to both school and clinic need for more HS time.. #AT4ALL #SportsSafety
Bobby Weisenberger @BWW_ATC
@LKetchen14ATC @thea4shr @drdavidgeier We have created a database that tracks all downstream revenue from our AT referrals #SportsSafety
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@mnhopper1s I think it’s critical to show how AT’s generate revenue for hospitals or sports medicine programs #SportsSafety
Agency4StudentHealth @TheA4SHR
@DrDavidGeier @lketchen14atc We are working with our school’s insurance cos. to demonstrate financial impact of ATs by tracking injuries.
LeeAnne Ketchen @LKetchen14ATC
@TheA4SHR @drdavidgeier track injuries, physician visits, surgeries, etc #SportsSafety #AT4ALL
LeeAnne Ketchen @LKetchen14ATC
@BWW_ATC @thea4shr @drdavidgeier I find it very helpful as a group and shows how everyone is needed and utilized properly
Dr. David Geier @DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Thanks everyone! Really enjoyed it! #SportsSafety
Remember to join us for the #SportsSafety tweetchats! If you are interested, follow me on Twitter and follow STOP Sports Injuries as well!