training & conditioning 14.9

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

Training & Conditioning • December 2004 • Vol. XIV, No. 9

P.11

◆ Optimum Performance ◆

Team Effort..........11Sometimes, the toughest part of a strength coach’s job is getting on the same page as the sport coach. At Tennessee, this author has found solutions through sharing goals and communicating constantly.By Heather Mason

◆ Management ◆

Lifting Your Salary..........17Getting a pay raise takes more than just thinking you deserve one. Here is how to prepare for, approach, and enter into a salary negotiation.By David Hill

◆ Nutrition ◆

A Tomato a Day?..........25What strategies keep the doctor away, help athletes lose weight, and keep dehydration at bay? A report from the recent SCAN conference provides some new answers.By Christopher Mohr

◆ Treating the Athlete ◆

Changing Times..........30In the past, pregnant athletes were expected to stop competing and postpartum athletes were expected to stay at home. But times have changed, and sports medicine staffs have found new ways to help their athletes who are expecting.By Laura Smith

◆ Sideline ◆

Fighting Off Colds..........3

◆ Bulletin Board ◆

Medicare Ruling...Heat Illness...Vioxx...Athletes’ Diets..........4

◆ Above the Call Award ◆

This Issue’s Winner..........6Nomination Form..........9

◆ Competitive Edge ◆

A Consistent Path..........41A well-planned strength and conditioning program has helped the Ithaca College baseball team remain a perennial winner in the NCAA Division III ranks.By Dr. Kent Scriber and Chris Hummel

State of the Industry..........45Topical Analgesics..........50Electrotherapy Equipment..........51Plyometrics Equipment..........53Catalog Showcase..........54More Products and Web News..........55

Advertisers Directory..........56CEU Quiz..........60

P.17

P.25

DEPARTMENTS

On the cover: Teana Miller, a center with the WNBA Charlotte Sting, successfully returned to competition after a recent pregnancy. Article begins on page 30. Photo by Kent Smith, NBA Photos.

P.41

◆ T&C D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 ◆ A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M 2

Publisher Mark Goldberg

Editorial StaffEleanor Frankel, DirectorR.J. Anderson Kenny Berkowitz David Hill Dennis ReadGreg ScholandLaura Smith

Circulation Staff Dave Dubin, DirectorJohn CallaghanJoan Doria

Art DirectorsKaren IresSuzanne Lynch

Production StaffKristin Ayers, DirectorAdam BerenstainJonni CampbellJim HarperKristi KempfSteve Rokitka

IT ManagerMark Nye

Business ManagerPennie Small

Special ProjectsDave Wohlhueter

Administrative AssistantSharon Barbell

Advertising Materials CoordinatorMike Townsend

Advertising Sales AssociatesDiedra Harkenrider(607) 257-6970, ext. 24Sheryl Shaffer(607) 257-6970, ext. 21

Marketing/Sales AssistantDanielle Catalano

T&C editorial/business offices: 2488 N. Triphammer RoadIthaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970Fax: (607) [email protected]

TRAINING & CONDITIONING • December 2004 • Vol. XIV, No. 9

Marjorie Albohm, MS, ATC/LDirector of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Research,Orthopaedics Indianapolis

Jon Almquist, ATCSpecialist,Fairfax County (Va.) Pub. Schools Athletic Training Program

Brian Awbrey, MDDept. of Orthopaedic Surgery,Massachusetts General Hospital,and Instructor in Orthopaedics,Harvard Medical School

Jim Berry, MEd, ATC, SCAT/EMT-BDirector of Sports Medicineand Head Athletic Trainer,Myrtle Beach (S.C.) High School

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDDirector, Sports Medicine Nutrition Program,University of PittsburghMedical Ctr. Health System

Christine Bonci, MS, ATCAsst. A.D. for Sports Medicine,Women’s Athletics,University of Texas

Cynthia “Sam” Booth, ATC, PhDManager, Outpatient Therapyand Sportsmedicine,MeritCare Health System

Debra Brooks, CNMT, LMT, PhDCEO, Iowa NeuroMuscular Therapy Center

Cindy Chang, MDHead Team Physician,University of California-Berkeley

Dan Cipriani, MEd, PTAssistant Professor,Dept. of Physical Therapy,Medical College of Ohio

Gray Cook, MSPT, OCS, CSCSClinic Director,Orthopedic & Sports Phys. Ther.,Dunn, Cook, and Assoc.

Bernie DePalma, MEd, PT, ATCHead Athl. Trainer/Phys. Therapist,Cornell University

Lori Dewald, EdD, ATC, CHESAthletic Training Program Director and Associate Professor of Health Education, University of Minnesota-Duluth

Jeff DiltsDirector, Business Development& Marketing, National Academyof Sports Medicine

David Ellis, RD, LMNT, CSCSSports Alliance, Inc.

Boyd Epley, MEd, CSCSAsst. A.D. & Dir. of Athletic Perf.,University of Nebraska

Peter Friesen, ATC, NSCA-CPT, CSCS, CAT, Head Ath. Trainer/ Cond. Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

Lance Fujiwara, MEd, ATC, EMTDirector of Sports Medicine,Virginia Military Institute

Vern Gambetta, MADirector of Athletic Development,New York Mets

Joe Gieck, EdD, ATC, PTDirector of Sports Medicine and Prof., Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery,University of Virginia

Brian Goodstein, MS, ATC, CSCS, Head Athletic Trainer, DC United

Gary Gray, PTPresident, CEO,Functional Design Systems

Maria Hutsick, MS, ATC/L, CSCSHead Athletic Trainer,Boston University

Christopher Ingersoll, PhD, ATC, FACSMDirector,Graduate Programs in Sports Medicine/Athletic TrainingUniversity of Virginia

Jeff Konin, PhD, ATC, PTAssistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, James Madison University

Tim McClellan, MS, CSCSDirector of Perf. Enhancement,Makeplays.com Center forHuman Performance

Michael Merk, MEd, CSCSDirector of Health & Fitness,YMCA of Greater Cleveland

Jenny Moshak, MS, ATC, CSCSAsst. A.D. for Sports Medicine,University of Tennessee

Steve Myrland, CSCSOwner, Manager, Perf. Coach,Myrland Sports Training, LLCInstructor and Consultant,University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine

Mike Nitka, MS, CSCSDirector of Human Performance,Muskego (Wisc.) High School

Bruno Pauletto, MS, CSCSPresident,Power Systems, Inc.

Stephen Perle, DC, CCSPAssociate Prof. of Clin. Sciences,University of BridgeportCollege of Chiropractic

Brian Roberts, MS, ATCDirector,Sport Performance & Rehab. Ctr.

Ellyn Robinson, DPE, CSCS, CPTAssistant Professor,Exercise Science Program,Bridgewater State College

Kent Scriber, EdD, ATC, PTProfessor/Supervisor ofAthletic Training,Ithaca College

Chip Sigmon, CSCSStrength and Conditioning Coach,Carolina Medical Center

Bonnie J. Siple, MS, ATCCoordinator, Athletic Training Education Program & Services,Slippery Rock University

Chad Starkey, PhD, ATCAssociate Professor,Athletic Training Educ. Program,Northeastern University

Ralph Stephens, LMT, NCTMBSports Massage Therapist,Ralph Stephens Seminars

Fred Tedeschi, ATCHead Athletic Trainer,Chicago Bulls

Terrence Todd, PhDCo-Director, Todd-McLeanPhysical Culture Collection,Dept. of Kinesiology & Health Ed.,University of Texas-Austin

Editorial Board

Training & Conditioning (ISSN 1058-3548) is published monthly except in January and February, May and June, and July and August, which are bimonthly issues, for a total of nine times a year, by MAG, Inc., 2488 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. T&C is distributed without charge to qualified professionals involved with competitive athletes. The subscription rate is $24 for one year and $48 for two years in the United States, and $30 for one year and $60 for two years in Canada. The single copy price is $5. Copyright© 2004 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the publisher. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Training & Conditioning, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, NY 14852-4806.

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Great Ideas For Athletes...

Request No. 101

David C. Nieman, Dr. P.H.

The relationship between exercise andsickness, especially the common cold,evokes considerable interest among athletes, coaches and athletic trainers.Many are convinced that regular moderate training can protect againstillness, while others feel that too muchexercise will lower immune levels.

Can Moderate Exercise HelpPrevent Colds?

Research shows that several positivechanges occur in the immune systemas a result of regular exercise:

● Moderate exercise keeps stress hor-mones low; that’s good because stress hormones can suppress immunity.

● People who exercise report fewer colds than those who are sedentary.

● Near daily exercise cut the number of sick days in half during a 12-to-15week period.

Although the immune system returnsto pre-exercise levels very quickly afterexercise, each workout represents aboost to the immune system thatappears to reduce the risk of infectionover the long term.

Can Too Much ExerciseIncrease the Risk for Colds?

While studies show exercise mayreduce the risk of colds, there mayalso be some validity to the common perception that heavy exertion lowersresistance to illness. Studies havealso shown a steep drop in immunefunction lasting anywhere from six to72 hours in athletes after they ran for two to three hours.1 Muchof this immune suppression appears to be related to the elevationof stress hormones, which are secreted in high quantity duringand following heavy exercise.

Guidelines for ReducingRisk

While training hard for competi-tion must be part of the athletes’experience, an increased risk forinfection does not have to be.There are several practical rec-ommendations athletes can fol-low to minimize the impact ofstress on the immune system:

● Keep life stresses to a minimum.

● Eat a well-balanced diet to keep vitamin and mineral status at optimal levels.

● Avoid over-training and chronic fatigue (and get ample sleep on a regular schedule).

● Avoid rapid weight loss.

● Refrain from touching the eyesand nose.

● Get a flu shot, especially ifcompeting in the winter.

● Use sports drinks before, during and after endurance events or unusually heavy training bouts. Studies indicate that a sports drink (about one quart per hour of heavy exercise) causes higher blood sugar levels, lower stress hormone production, and less suppression to the immune system when com-pared to drinking water alone.

David Nieman, DR P.H. is the director of the Human Performance Lab at AppalachianState University in Boone, N.C. He can be reached at [email protected].

Reference:1 Nieman DC. Current perspective on exercise immunology. Curr Sports Med Rep

2:239-242, 2003.

Can exercise keep you from getting sick?

For more information on exercise, please visit the Sports Science Center at www.gssiweb.com.

To reduce the stress of intense and prolongedexercise to your immune system, keep otherlife stresses to a minimum, eat a balanced

diet, obtain adequate rest, and ingest carbohydrate beverages during bouts lasting

75 minutes or longer.

Medicare Rule Threatens Clinic ATC workAthletic trainers who work in certain clinical settings face a new difficulty thanks to a change in Medicare regulations. In August, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said it plans to no longer pay for therapy incident to a doctor’s care in physicians’ offices or clinics unless it is given by physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and lan-guage therapists, or by doctors themselves. CMS says the move, part of its 2005 physician-payment rates, is designed to implement Congress’s wishes to make sure therapy is given only by the most qualified people and to hold down Medicare costs.

While the change directly affects only Medicare patients, many other insurers follow the government’s lead, and a ripple effect could limit future payments for services provided by clinic-based athletic trainers.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association says the change will only make it harder for patients to be adequately served while removing physicians’ ability to choose what other practitioners their patients see. Many physicians have weighed in, too, saying athletic trainers are qualified to provide the therapy-related services and that without them, there may not be enough practitioners available to help patients.

The American Medical Association, and at least three members of Congress, have asked CMS to stop the proposal or at least reconsider. Unless CMS withdraws its plan, the rule will take effect March 1.

Monitoring Football Players’ Body TempsIt isn’t news that athletes working out in hot weather may be at risk for heatstroke. What is news, however, is what one Colorado doctor did this summer to keep a high school football team safe.

During voluntary football workouts at Cherry Creek (Colo.) High School, Michael Davidson, MD, attached gauges to players’ foreheads to constantly monitor their body temperature. “[Heatstroke casualties] are needless, preventable deaths,” Davidson told the Rocky Mountain News.

The experiment may have saved at least one athlete from harm. A player was pulled aside one day when his gauge revealed a body temperature of 108 degrees.

Along with monitoring the athletes for heat illness, Davidson also collected data during the three-week monitoring period. He found that if a player’s temperature rises early in a workout, that player is out of shape, while if it spikes late, that player is dehydrated. And a player whose temperature peaks after remaining steady for several days is suffering from long-term dehydration.

Study Evaluates College Athletes’ DietsA recent study examining the eating habits and behaviors of NCAA

Division I athletes revealed that this population could benefit from better

education on nutrition and the effects of diet on performance. It also showed that many athletes’ diets failed to meet some of their basic nutritional needs.

The study, which involved 345 athletes at one D-I school, found that male athletes’ mean energy intake was generally below the level recom-mended for their age group and activity level. In addition, most male and female athletes consumed inadequate amounts of both carbohydrate and protein. Males were especially prone to insufficient carbohydrate consump-tion, while typically consuming more fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium than recommended by dietary guidelines. The study also found athletes’ diets often lacked adequate amounts of several key nutrients, including folate, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.

A majority of female athletes reported that they wanted to weigh less, regardless of their sport. And the attempt to lose weight was “significantly associated” with decreased energy and macronutrient intake, as well as fat and carbohydrate restriction.

The study, “Nutrient Intakes and Dietary Behaviors of Male and Female Collegiate Athletes,” was conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri and published in the August 2004 issue (Volume 14, Issue 4) of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. It is available for purchase at: www.humankinetics.com/IJSNEM/

No More VioxxSports medicine professionals have recently lost one of their newest options in pain medications. In October, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx® was pulled from the market by its manufacturer, Merck.

The prescription-only drug (generic name rofecoxib) was recalled after a three-year study showed an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke, after 18 months of use, according to Merck. The study was conducted to discover if Vioxx could prevent the recurrence of colon polyps that sometimes turn cancerous, but it was halted when the increased risk of heart problems was discovered.

Vioxx, which had worldwide sales of $3.5 billion in 2003, was best known for treating arthritis pain, but was also commonly used with athletes as an anti-inflammatory. Vioxx is one of several second-generation NSAIDs known as COX-2 inhibitors that were expected to produce fewer side effects than first-generation NSAIDs, which can cause gastrointestinal problems.

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If you have any news or interesting items you would like

to contribute to T&C’s Bulletin Board, please e-mail them to

[email protected], or fax them to (607) 257-7328.


THE ATHLETE

Request No. 102

6 ◆ T&C D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 ◆ A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M

T&C’s Above The Call AwardDecember 2004 Winner

Sponsored by

Wearing many hats fails to slow Mo Sizemore.

HometownHero

Kenny Berkowitz is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning.

responsibilities. If she has telephone calls to return, she does it on the road as she drives from one playing field to another. If she has paperwork, she takes care of it on the bench while watching a team warm up. And at home, where she juggles care of Jack with her husband, mother, and three brothers, she uses the baby’s naptimes to catch up on her workload.

Now 36, Sizemore grew up in Cleveland Heights, attending nearby Beaumont School. A bad knee kept her out of competitive sports but introduced her to rehab. Referred to the clinic where she now works, Sizemore met her first athletic trainer, was intrigued by the profession, and started on her career path. Majoring in athletic training, she graduated from Bowling Green State University

in 1990, and after moving back home, went to work for a rehab center on the city’s east side.

Three years later, Sizemore landed the athletic trainer position at Cleveland Heights and has been there ever since. At the time she was hired, she’d never worked with high schoolers before, and found herself working in a largely male environment. It was more than a little intimidating, and from the begin-ning, Sizemore learned to win over her students and co-workers with a combi-nation of smarts, skills, and honesty.

“I try to always be completely hon-est,” says Sizemore. “Kids appreciate honesty more than sugarcoating, even when the news isn’t good. With that age

Sizemore believes in always being completely honest with her athletes: “With this age group, if you don’t have their trust, then it doesn’t matter what you say,” she explains.

When Maureen “Mo” Sizemore was first hired as a part-time athletic trainer at Cleveland Heights (Ohio) High School,

the athletic department had three varsi-ty teams. Eleven years later, it sponsors 22 teams spread out over six facilities located miles apart. For Sizemore, that has meant an opportunity to grow with the school and continue to feel chal-lenged in her work.

“I love my kids, love my school, and love my job as much as ever,” says Sizemore, ATC, EMT-B. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve added new sports every year, so my job constantly changes.”

Sizemore works under contract with the University Suburban Sports Medicine Center, where she spends 12 hours a week coordinating clinics and physicals for corporations, han-dling daily patient care of orthopedic injuries, and supervising coverage of four other area schools as Director of Athletic Training. And she added “Mom” to her list of roles when son Jack was born this spring. Sizemore’s story is one of dedication and building. Not only has she established her career at CHHS, but she’s given back to her community and profession by earning respect for her work and by creating a program introducing the field to young people at her school.

Sizemore likes the challenge of having to balance all her different

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◆ T&C D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 ◆ A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M

Above The Call Award

8

group, if you don’t have their trust, then it doesn’t matter what you say.

“I don’t want to tell them they’ll be back in three days, and then have them out for 10,” continues Sizemore. “Because then the next time you say they’ll be out three days, they won’t believe you. After 11 years, I’ve learned that no two injuries are ever the same, and the speed of their recovery depends on how hard they’re prepared to work.”

For Andrew Fetchik, CHHS’s Coordinator of Boys’ Athletics, Sizemore’s greatest contributions to the school have come from her ability to communicate with students, coach-es, and parents, her work setting up a program for student athletic training aides, and her emphasis on injury pre-vention. “I couldn’t even imagine what our program would be like without Mo,” says Fetchik. “We’ve had other athletic trainers as substitutes, such as when Mo was on maternity leave, and they all did a great job. But they didn’t have her loyalty to the students or her vision for the program.

“She meets with coaches to talk about athletes who might be at risk of injury,” continues Fetchik. “She meets with athletes to deal with any injuries they have, and if we can’t provide treatment at the school, she’ll give them a referral. She meets with her student aides, helping answer ques-tions about college and keeping them on track academically. And she meets with parents, helping translate medical jargon for them and making them feel comfortable. She doesn’t have to do all that, but she does, and it adds up.”

To Desiree Powell, Coordinator of Girls’ Athletics, Sizemore’s outstand-ing qualities are her professionalism, flexibility, and dedication. “For Mo, this isn’t just a job—it’s a part of her,” says Powell. “I’m proud of the fact that she’s a female who holds her own. She works hands-on, not only with our students, but with our athletic direc-tors and coaches as well. When people have a question, she’s the first person they call.

“She relates to the kids very well,” continues Powell. “They respect her

as the person in charge, but at the same time, they connect with her as a human being. She’s a role model and a mentor—especially for her student aides. And she’s always willing to go the extra mile, even now that she has a baby.”

Cleveland Heights coaches echo their administrators’ sentiments. “With Mo, you never have to worry about your athletes, because she’s very thorough, very dependable, and very knowledgeable,” says Jim Cappelletti, who has been Head Boys’ Basketball Coach for the last 35 years. “She’s always available, and makes sure every coach has her cell phone number. She supervises our weight room, and as a result of her emphasis on stretching and flexibility, we’ve had very few injuries. She’s made a big difference to our athletic program, both on and off the court.”

Cappelletti also praises Sizemore’s athletic training student aide program. “Mo practically adopts the kids that work with her,” he says. “She does a

great job of training them and making sure they do exactly what she needs.”

Sizemore typically has a staff of 15 to 20 athletic training student aides who work beside her at both home and away contests. Over the past six years, she has earned a reputation for working particularly well with at-risk students, bringing them onto her staff of student aides, encouraging them to consider a career in athletic training, and steering them toward good sports medicine education programs. Starting work in the summer, she sets high expectations for all of her aides, with a three-strikes-you’re-out policy if they can’t handle the job.

“Some of these kids have never been given the chance to be respon-sible for anything,” says Sizemore. “So when they’re finally trusted to do something on their own, without someone watching their every move, they tend to do very well. Giving them the chance to try something new and letting them know that people have faith in them to do a good job can make a big difference.

“They also know what they do is important, and that without them, we could not be effective,” continues Sizemore. “That’s gratifying for them to know, and it keeps them coming back and working hard.”

After starting her program with a series of PA announcements, Sizemore now recruits her student aides through word-of-mouth, assigning them a range of tasks, from handing out ice bags to taping ankles, and always supervises them directly. Establishing rules from the very beginning, Sizemore encour-ages them to bring their friends onto the team, and expects each of her seniors to find and mentor at least one new aide before graduation.

“She’s a good boss,” says senior Brittany Watts, Head Student Athletic Training Aide and a member of the girls’ basketball team. “She’s helped me find something that I like to do, that I’m good at, and that I can do in the future. She’s moved me closer to finding a career.

“She is always there for us, if we ever have a problem,” continues

Award Winner

Maureen “Mo” Sizemore

Athletic Trainer, Cleveland Heights High School

Director of Athletic Training Services, University Suburban

Sports Medicine Center

A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M ◆ T&C D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 ◆ 9

Nomination Criteria and Procedures


Watts. “I trust her—everyone trusts her—because she tells it like it is. If we’re having trouble with homework, or having a hard time finding a job outside school, she helps us. And she trusts us with the responsibility of helping other people.”

Sizemore also plans activities that allow her aides to meet their peers at the other schools covered by the Sports Medicine Center. She and her staff have taken aides on field trips to college athletic training rooms and held a tape-off contest at the clinic.

“The contest was great. Everyone got very excited, and it was wonder-ful for our high school students to see other people taping in different ways,” says Sizemore. “There are a million ways to tape an ankle, and as long as you can explain what each piece of tape does, all of them are right. Actually, it’s fascinating to see what each kid can come up with, and as long as the outcome is beneficial, I don’t nit-pick the approach. What matters is that people have confi-dence in them that it’s going to come out right.”

Sizemore also donates her time and knowledge to the community. In 1999, she worked as the Co-Director for Athletic Training Services at the AAU Junior Olympics in Cleveland, organizing volunteer coverage for 3,000 student-athletes. And in 1996, she worked as Staff Athletic Trainer at the Olympics, providing coverage for track and field, volleyball, weight-lifting, and women’s gymnastics.

Now, she is enjoying the challenge of balancing work and parenting. “It’s actually made me work more efficient-ly,” she says. “I do better when I have to do three or four things at once—I’m just that kind of person.

“Working as an athletic trainer is different from working at any other job,” continues Sizemore. “There are always things to do, and you can’t really put a definition on what is ‘above the call.’ Every kid is worth 100 percent of your effort, and if you’re going to help them, you have to do whatever it takes.” ◆

he “Above The Call” Awards Program serves to honor outstanding athletic trainers for work not otherwise

recognized. This may include someone who has shown exem-plary dedication and devotion to his or her job or outstanding work outside of the everyday ATC duties. The goal is to honor those athletic trainers who go above and beyond the already extraordinary demands placed on anyone in the profession.

EXAMPLES INCLUDE: ◆ Someone who is doing some-

thing different and exciting in the profession.

◆ Someone who serves as a role model and mentor to others.

◆ Someone who has taken on additional significant duties in the field.

◆ Someone who gives 110 percent in all that he or she does.

◆ Someone who has a special way with athletes.

TO NOMINATE AN ATHLETIC TRAINER:Please fill in the form below, and attach a 500- to 1,000-word description of the athletic trainer’s achievements, including:◆ Why you think this athletic

trainer stands out from the crowd.◆ Where he or she is currently

working and any pertinent academic or work history.

◆ Testimony and/or quotes from those he or she works with.

T

✁

Nomination Form

Name of Athletic Trainer: ___________________________________

His/Her Phone No.: ________________________________________

Your Name: _______________________________________________

Your Affiliation: ____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Your Phone No.: ___________________________________________

Your Address: _____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Send nominations to: Above The Call AwardTraining & Conditioning2488 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850

If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (607) 257-6970, xt. 18, or e-mail us at [email protected].


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◆ O P T I M U M P E R F O R M A N C E ◆

SS trength and conditioning coaches have been a part of the collegiate athletic land-scape for 35 years now, ever

since the position was introduced at the University of Nebraska in 1969. However, many schools still struggle with meshing the role of the strength and conditioning coach with that of the sport coach. What the strength and conditioning coach does with athletes must always complement what the sport coach does, and vice versa. But that doesn’t always happen.

Most sports coaches have at least some background in sport-specific strength and conditioning. But as a strength and conditioning coach, you need to control the strength program to ensure athletes follow a safe, progres-sive plan. This can often lead to sport coaches and strength and conditioning coaches not being on the same page. The solution is communication—and more communication.

This means talking about goals and philosophies, updating each other on a regular basis, and showing the sport coach the results of your efforts. In this article, I’ll explain how I work with sport coaches in the University

Heather Mason, SCCC, MEd, is Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the University of Tennessee women’s athlet-ic department. She is a former Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame.

Sometimes, the toughest part of a strength coach’s job is getting on the same page as the sport coach. At Tennessee, this author has found solutions through sharing goals and communicating constantly.

By Heather Mason

Elizabeth Olivier

TEAM EFFORTTEAM EFFORTof Tennessee women’s athletic depart-ment to achieve team goals.

BEGINNING COMMUNICATIONThe first step to communicating well with a sport coach is understanding each person’s role. It’s important to remember that the sport coach must answer for the success or failure of the team. The strength and conditioning



coach is charged with alleviating some of the sport coach’s burden of prepar-ing the athletes for competition by overseeing the process of enhancing performance and minimizing injuries.

Some coaches will want you to set up the entire strength and condition-ing plan with little input of their own. Others will want to work closely with you in developing a plan. And still oth-ers may disagree with your methods and want to use their own ideas. A successful strength and conditioning coach has to be able to work with all three types of coaches.

To start, you must discuss overall periodization plans with sport coach-es to ensure you are both on the same page. Because most sport coaches do not have an educational background in muscle development, energy sys-tems, and biomechanics, this can be a complicated and frustrating process. The best solution is to tailor your explanations to the particular coach’s level of understanding.

I’ve found that the use of anal-ogies can be very beneficial. For example, if I want to discuss the importance of carbohydrates in an athlete’s diet, I might say that carbo-hydrates are to the body as premium gas is to a Ferrari. Without premium gas, the expensive car does not run as effectively as it should.

What about coaches who come from different strength and condition-ing backgrounds and disagree with my philosophies? First, I prepare research and articles for the coaches to read. If they are still hesitant about my ideas, I try to find common ground and com-promise on some issues.

For example, if a coach has some specific drills and exercises that he or she strongly believes in, I find a place to use them, unless they are dangerous. I’ve found that when I listen and offer to compromise, sport coaches are will-ing to compromise, too.

However, the philosophy and integrity of your program should not deteriorate as a result of compromises. A “flavor of the month” approach to strength and conditioning will not help your athletes. Both the strength and

conditioning coach and sport coach are charged with ensuring a safe training environment, which includes a consis-tent training program.

If you find a sport coach is not giving you the trust and respect you need, you still need to stick with your philosophies and overall plan. If your philosophy is a good one, it will bear good results. To build that, be sure to show the coach the physical results of your plan.

You might need to explain that something that works at one school might not work at another. But don’t let that diminish what you can do with the athletes in your program.

ADVANCED COMMUNICATION

Beyond establishing a basic understand-ing about the elements of a successful strength and conditioning program, fur-ther communication should explore the nuances of the team’s needs. Before the start of each school year, I meet with each sport coach to reiterate the philosophy of the strength department and discuss team and individual athlete goals for the year. All concerns from the previous season are addressed, and we usually tweak the periodized plan based on next year’s goals.

Once a general approach is agreed on, the communication continues. First, I make sure to ask what the coaches are doing in practice every day and impress on them the importance of letting me know when their plans change. If I am at all unclear on their plans, I will ask specific questions, such as, “How many pitches will your pitchers be throwing in practice today?” or “Exactly how many court sprints will the volleyball team be doing tomorrow?”

I also attend practices in order to monitor the athletes’ work. Even with constant communication, there are misunderstandings on volume and intensity that can only be discovered by seeing practices myself. If the vol-ume and intensity levels are higher than I thought, I will adjust training levels to avoid injuring the athletes as a result of fatigue.

For example, if I notice at soc-cer practice that athletes do not have

“punch” in the knee, I know that they are tired and are not getting much hip flexion. So I will decrease the volume of the exercises involving the hips in the weight room during the after-prac-tice workout.

Just as important, I provide regular updates to coaches on all the players. Reports detail the athlete’s strength and power improvements, work inten-sity and attitude, and intangibles, such as leadership, discipline, and account-ability. Each report is given to the coach in person.

In fact, I make a conscious effort to spend as much “face time” with the players and coaches as possible. When athletes see the strength and conditioning coach and sport coach talking on a regular basis, there’s an unspoken message of increased accountability sent to athletes. Although the strength and condition-ing coach does not submit the starting line-ups for the team, the players need to know that their playing time could potentially be affected by the infor-mation the strength and conditioning coach shares with the sport coach. Few things will motivate an athlete more than the possibility of losing playing time.

I also try to attend as many sport practices as possible to improve my knowledge of the sport and the ways the sport coach teaches the nuances of the game. For example, by going to

Another key is to

implement team goals.

Don’t think that just because

a goal is not directly related

to developing strength

or increasing conditioning,

you can’t make a difference.



basketball practices, I have improved my understanding of how our coaches teach the defensive stance and the close-out (from helpside defense). I also try to pick up the specific vocabulary the coaches use. Then, in my agility drills containing defensive slides and close-outs, I can use the same phrases their coach uses in her teaching. This way, consistency with coaching cues is established.

By attending practices and closely communicating with the coach, I can also come up with contingencies for when a coach wants to cancel a work-out session. When a sport coach thinks his or her athletes are too tired for a full workout, I can create an alternative that will achieve some of the desired results with fewer demands on the team.

For example, if the soccer coach complains that several athletes have tight backs and sore knees, and she wants to cut the day’s conditioning workout, I might ask her to have the athletes come in for a pool workout

or cardiovascular work. Although my original plan called for on-field conditioning through a designated volume of sprints, I can come up with another way to work the anaer-obic systems. Inevitably, an extra practice session or overtime game will throw off your periodization plan, so it’s important to have alter-native workouts ready.

CHALLENGE ON THE COURT

Another key to making the communi-cation process work is to implement the team’s goals into your strength program. Don’t think that just because a goal is not directly related to develop-ing strength or increasing conditioning, you can’t make a difference.

For example, after the 2003-04 basketball season, Coach Pat Summitt and I discussed several needs for the following season. One was for the ath-letes to consistently play more than four continuous minutes during a game. The coaching staff also wanted the athletes

to visually react quicker, sit lower in a defensive stance, and close-out with low hips and high hands. Third, the coaches wanted to place the players into an environment that would physi-cally and mentally challenge the team and reveal team leaders. The condition-ing program was designed to contain all of these components, even though they weren’t all traditional strength and conditioning goals.

The preseason plan followed our usual pattern for increasing strength and power, but also included new exercises to strengthen the muscles involved in lowering the hips in a defensive stance. To improve our anaerobic conditioning base and sport-specific skill development, the conditioning workout included stan-dard dynamic flexibility, balance and coordination drills, agility drills, and a conditioning game.

The agility drills were designed to accomplish four of the teams’ goals: to be conditioned to play for more than a

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four-minute stretch, to work on close-outs and seals, to combine a physical and mental challenge, and to find team leaders. Here’s how it works:

• Drills are divided into five-minute segments.

• Two drills are run at the same time at opposite ends of the basketball court. Guards complete a close-out drill and posts complete a seal drill. (“Seal” is the term we use when offensive players post up and have to keep the defensive player behind them.)

• After two and a half minutes, the players sprint to the opposite end of the court and perform the other agility drill.

• After the second two and a half minutes, the whistle blows indicating the end of the five-minute period.

• Next, the players sit in a row, like they do during a time-out, for two minutes as I diagram the next five-minute set of agility drills, which again focus on close-outs and seals, but differ from the pre-vious drills. The whistle blows to signify the end of the “time-out.”

• This pattern of five-minute agility drills and two-minute time-outs repeats for five cycles.Following the agility drill sequence,

a conditioning game, using interval training with a one-to-one work-to-rest ratio, is played. Here’s how it works:

• The goal is to beat the (absent) opponent. We usually pick a rival team as our opponent. This oppo-nent begins the game with 20 points. Tennessee begins with zero points. The first team to reach 24 points wins.

• Players form two lines (one group is guards, the other group is posts).

• Six different sprints are listed on the dry erase board. Each group takes turns doing the sprints listed.

• The opponent receives a point when any Tennessee player miss-es a line touch with her foot, does not run hard through the finish line, puts her hands on her knees (showing fatigue), or misses her goal time.

• Tennessee receives points when goal times are achieved and each player proves herself accountable for the details of the drill.

• If the opponent wins the game, we play again with adjusted goal times that are longer than the original ones.

• If all six sprints are run and nei-ther team reaches 24 points, then we run the drills again.Along with conditioning, anoth-

er element of the drill is teaching leadership. One player is named a captain for the drill and is given additional responsibilities. She is allowed to call two time-outs and one halftime (rest times). Thus, she needs to listen to her teammates and understand the strategy behind winning the game.

This conditioning game creates an amazing team atmosphere. Because two lines of athletes are running sepa-rately for points, each is cheering the other on. The game places ownership in the players’ hands. And the idea of doing it right the first time definitely hits home, as does a “do whatever it takes” mentality.

The basketball coaching staff asked for physical and mental chal-lenges, leadership breakthroughs, accountable and disciplined athletes, and improved skill development. All became apparent through the condi-tioning workouts. The drill fits my

Along with conditioning,

another element of the drill

is teaching leadership.

One player is named a

captain for the drill and is

allowed to call two time-

outs and one halftime.


Request No. 106



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needs as a strength and conditioning coach too, as I’m getting quality runs out of the athletes. They are moti-vated to have great mechanics and intensity in every run.

SOCCER SURVIVORS

Another example of how I communi-cate with coaches involves the soccer team. During the off-season, the coach told me her goal was to make the team more competitive and boost their level of strength and conditioning. This particular group of athletes was not very interested in weightroom work and needed extra motivation to break through mental and physical barriers.

In response, I wanted to create an environment in the weightroom that would motivate them to work hard-er. So after conducting typical (but hard) workouts their first four weeks of training, we dubbed the fifth week, “Survivor Week.”

The idea was to mimic the popular television show and also give the athletes

an intense environment. We split the soc-cer athletes into three teams, each with its own name and team color (orange, blue, and white), and gave each athlete an iden-tifying bandana that they were required to have on their person at all times that week.

During Survivor Week workouts, we inserted one to three competi-tions every day. Whichever team won that competition would be granted immunity from the Superfinish of that competition. We tallied points for each team and the team with the most points for the day was dubbed “Queen Tribe.” The competition activities ran the gamut from tug-of-war to wall sits with 135-pound weights to George of the Jungles (flexed-arm hang from bar for maximum amount of time). The team with the most points at the end of the week were the Survivors.

To make the week as intense as possible, we made sure to add all the right nuances. We began the week with an opening ceremony—we played

music from the television show, lit torches, and made the athletes walk across a fake bridge. During the week, whenever a member of the athlet-ic department saw a soccer athlete around campus, he or she would check the athlete for her bandana.

The athletes responded very well. They showed higher levels of intensity and competitiveness within strength workouts that we hadn’t seen from them before. They called me at night to make sure I had all the scores correct and ask me questions. And so far this season, all of their hard work is showing on the field, with the team ranking sixth in the nation at the midseason mark.

Through these examples, it’s apparent how strength and condition-ing plans can fulfill the varied needs of a sport coach as well as the strength and conditioning coach. When all involved are speaking the same lan-guage and committed to excellence, a consistent, intense training environ-ment can be created. ◆

Request No. 107

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Request No. 108


◆ M A N A G E M E N T ◆

After five years on the job, athletic trainer Kevin Kotsko believed he had a lot to show for himself. Covering eight Olympic sports at West Virginia University, he estimated that he averaged more than 70 hours a week. On top of that, he’d worked on a large number of cases involving surgery or other complicating factors.

He had the respect and admiration of his athletes and his coaches, as shown by a stack of thank-you let-ters from them. He had a monstrous cell phone bill, from telling athletes and coaches to call whenever they needed him. And he had an offer for a job that would pay him more.

So when Kotsko, MEd, ATC, Assistant Athletic Trainer at WVU, approached his administrator to ask for a raise, he believed he had a good case. So did his boss. Though WVU’s athletic department wasn’t able to match the salary of the other job offer right away, the increase could be phased in. Kotsko would also get a 12-month contract to replace the 10-month package he’d been on. Finally, the athletic department gave him a cell phone so he wouldn’t have to keep racking up the charges on his own plan. “I’d say the total raise was around five percent,” Kotsko says.

Getting a pay raise takes more than just thinking you deserve one. Here’s how to prepare for, approach, and enter into a salary negotiation.

David Hill is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning.

A

© Getty Images

LiftingYour SalarySalary

By David Hill



Kotsko is hardly alone in believ-ing he deserved a better compensation package. But in an era of squeezed athletic and health services budgets, getting one is another matter. For many athletic trainers, raises seldom come in any form other than a cost-of-living adjustment or by inching up another rung on the longevity ladder. That is, if they come at all. And yet many in the field believe they deserve more. They put in long hours, show loyalty to their institution, and add value to the enterprise by giving excellent care to athletes.

As Kotsko shows, however, it is possible to get a raise by asking. Here is a look at how to do it, along with advice from professional career coun-selors and administrators.

DO YOU DESERVE IT?The place to start asking for a raise is not necessarily with your supervi-sor, but with yourself. The question is, do you really deserve a raise? The answer might seem obvious at first, but walking yourself through this response lays the foundation for the entire process. If you can’t objec-tively justify a raise to yourself, how can you justify it to the person who controls the budget? However, if you determine for yourself that you deserve more pay, you’ll have objec-tive reasons you can then take to the decision makers.

“It’s got to be about more than just working hard,” says Janet Lenz, President of the National Career Development Association and Associate

Director of the Career Center at Florida State University. “To me, working hard is assumed, especially in a field like athletic training. So doing that is not really a justification for the raise. Instead, think about if you’ve done something that goes above and beyond regular duties. Something like, ‘I creat-ed a whole new database to manage the athletic training program.’ You’ve got to show some concrete reality beyond just working hard.”

In addition, don’t assume you are due a raise out of longevity and loy-alty. “Most employers don’t see it the same way as employees do,” says Amy Lindgren, a nationally syndicated employment columnist and President of Prototype Career Service in St. Paul, Minn. “There’s a gap in perspec-tives there. The workers I’ve talked to expect raises due to their loyalty and the employers aren’t seeing this as an important factor.” Her advice: Unless some type of longevity pay increases are part of your organization’s culture, the fact that you’ve been devoted to the school should only be a small part of your case.

Instead, ask yourself what you’ve done to make yourself more valuable. How does your work help the school in ways that other athletic trainers can-not duplicate?

Kotsko was able to demonstrate that he handled a large number of complicated rehabilitations and received accolades from coaches and athletes for his work. “In my training room, I keep track of all the surgery cases, MRI’s, X-rays—any kind of diagnostic test—so people can see the number of tests and complicat-ed cases I’m dealing with,” Kotsko says. “With our computer program we document and track the number of treatments we do per sport, per week, and per month.”

You can also keep your own documentation of specific accom-plishments that might not show up in the day-to-day records. “Try to help your employer place a value on the contributions you have made,” says Kevin Wolf, MS, ATC, Athletic Trainer at Tennessee Sports Medicine

What do administrators think when an employee asks to be paid more? Two administrators at NCAA Division I universities offer some insight.

“If a person is valuable to an organization, their superiors are going to find a way to compensate them,” says Rod Walters, DA, ATC, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at the University of South Carolina. “There’s a direct correlation between your value to a company and how much it will honor your requests. Sometimes, the compensation cannot be a raise, but may mean getting to manage something or moving up the ladder. But one way or another, I think there’s a correlation between value and compensation. The more valuable a person is, the more they will be taken care of.”

How do you know if your supervisors think you are valuable? The best way is to listen carefully during your performance reviews, both annually and on-going, Walters says, and to ask questions about the value of your work if you are unsure. “I would hope you’re having a dialogue about your financial status and value to the department before it gets to a crisis,” he says.

But it’s a complex decision, Walters adds. “We try to evaluate perfor-mance versus what we can provide,” he says. “We may be limited by how much money we’re going to have that particular year for raises, and we have to evaluate that staff-wide to make sure that things are fair for everyone.”

Russ Sharp, Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Administration at West Virginia University, says that in compensation discussions at his institution, he and other high-level administrators depend on the opinions of front-line supervisors. “The main two questions I ask the supervisor are: ‘Do we want to try to retain this person? What’s their attitude like?’ The supervisor is not going to end up making the financial decision, but they’re going to give me a recommendation of whether we should try to retain the person.”

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in Lebanon, Tenn. “It is easier to make a case for yourself if you have a written record of your progress. Items might include new relationships or contacts you’ve established, new rev-enue opportunities, major problems solved, above-and-beyond contribu-tions, and new skills developed that the institution benefits from.”

Career counselors recommend going even further, by thinking about what you can do to help the organiza-tion in the future. “Think of trends that you’ve noticed, things you’d like to try with your athletes that you haven’t had a chance to yet. Maybe a new program or a new way of doing something,” suggests Lindgren. “I don’t want to make it seem like you can’t go ask for a raise unless you have some cool new idea, but I think that more employees have cool new ideas than actually express them to other people. I think they underesti-mate how much the employer would like to hear those ideas.”

In addition, get other people’s opinions—primarily that of your immediate supervisor, assuming he or she isn’t also the person who controls your compensation level. For Kotsko, this meant raising the issue with the head athletic trainer before approach-ing the administrative supervisor.

“If you don’t have the support from your boss, then you’re running up a hill in the mud,” Kotsko says. “If you don’t have the support of your

supervisor, who interacts with you on a daily basis, then you’re in trouble.”

Lenz concurs. “You don’t want to violate the lines of who reports to whom,” she says. “First, talk to your immedi-ate supervisor, who should have at least somewhat of a big-picture view. He or she can also let you know if this is a good time to ask for a raise, and may share with you some data that you don’t have.

“If you feel like you’ve hit a dead end with your supervisor, there might

Wolf suggests also trying to see things from

your supervisor’s point of view, “who has the

responsibility to run an efficient department…

as well as effectively represent management

in the eyes of the employees.”

Request No. 109



be a justification in some settings for going up the line,” Lenz continues. “But in general, that’s not something you want to do unless you feel there is no other recourse.”

Wolf suggests also trying to see things from your supervisor’s point of view. “It is wise to be respectful of his or her position in this matter,” he says. “A supervisor has the responsibility to run an efficient department in the eyes of management, as well as to effectively represent management in the eyes of the employees.”

THE BROADER CONTEXT

Once you feel confident that you can describe why you are an asset to the institution, the next step is to figure out how your request will fit into the broader context. Is your compensation typical for your position at the type of school you’re at? Is your institution having a good or bad year financially? Are there other big-picture factors that come into play?

You’ve had a great discussion with the decision-maker, and you got the pay raise you wanted. Now you’re ready to just sit back and think about that big fat number in the next paycheck.

Not so fast. There’s one more thing to do: Get it in writing.

“Even when a raise is part of an annual review, it may seem like it’s being put in writing, but it isn’t,” says Amy Lindgren, a nationally syndicated employ-ment columnist and President of Prototype Career Service in St. Paul, Minn. “An awful lot of times it doesn’t get put in writing, and then things get a little bit confused. A couple weeks pass and the employee wonders when it is going to start—but nothing happens.”

Lindgren suggests writing a letter to the decision-maker—one that is mostly a thank-you for the discussion, but also spells out the details you agreed on. “Write a letter that says, ‘Thank you for talking with me,’” says Lindgren. “‘It was a wonderful discussion about my role in the organization’s future. I understand my new salary will be $42,000 and will begin on Nov. 1. Thank you. I look forward to the next chapter of our work together,’ or some other nice, polite professional ending.

“The key piece is ‘I understand I’m getting a raise of this amount, and my new salary will start on this date,’” Lindgren continues. “Without one of the parties putting it in writing, there stands a chance the whole thing could get confused, and that can lead to bad feelings down the road.”

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First of all, know that many athletic departments use salary sur-veys to determine whether they are paying a competitive wage. “Every year we have a compensation survey completed for us through an outside agency,” says Russ Sharp, Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Administration at WVU, and the person most responsible for hearing Kotsko’s request. “We use that as the baseline information for the salaries of the athletic training staff [and others in the department].

“We try to be competitive,” Sharp continues, “and we try to retain people, so we use the compensation survey to assess requests. If some-body comes to me and says they want to make more money, we look at the survey to help us know where those positions need to be at our level. If what someone is asking for falls with-in the parameters of what we think is reasonable, then we’re going to try to meet their request.”

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association last surveyed its mem-bers about salaries in 2003. A detailed breakdown, including salary ranges by geographic area, is available for a fee, but the free version on the NATA’s Web site offers an average salary for several work settings and educational levels. (See “Resources” box on page 24.) What other allied health care professionals in your locale are paid might be relevant, too, but only if their work and settings are similar to yours, Wolf adds.

It’s important, however, to know the limitations of salary surveys. As Kotsko notes, they may not take into account local conditions or a person’s precise experience. If you feel the salary surveys don’t represent your situation, it’s fine to bring those thoughts to the table.

A big question is whether you should discuss the salaries of other athletic trainers at your school. Unfortunately, there is not a clear-cut answer. Lindgren believes Americans

are over-sensitive about salaries, and that the tradition of confidentiality can hide many forms of discrimination. But others say to avoid the topic in discussions with management unless it’s crystal clear that talking about other people’s salaries is fair game in the culture of your organization.

“It depends on the institution,” says Lenz. “I’m at a public university, and in our state it’s public record. But you certainly don’t want to make it seem that you’ve been doing illegal snooping.”

Another consideration is what Lindgren calls an organization’s “inter-nal economy.” Making a profit or, in the not-for-private sector, avoiding the budget chopping block, is obviously a part of that, but there are other factors to look into. These include the insti-tution’s history of giving raises, how your division or department is fairing, and whether there have been any other major expenses recently.

A negative financial situation doesn’t preclude asking for a raise,

Request No. 111



Untitled-2 1 11/1/04 2:21:42 PM

but it might help to wait until the picture is a bit brighter. Conversely, if things are going well, management may be in a more optimistic situation. For instance, though Kotsko doesn’t normally work with the football and men’s basketball teams, those rev-enue-generating programs at WVU had just finished winning seasons, so there was a positive atmosphere in the athletic department.

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

With justification in hand and timing favorable, it’s time to talk. The best approach, counselors say, is to set up an appointment with the decision-maker, and enter the meeting with the right attitude.

“At this stage, since you’re already working for the employer, do not think of the meeting as a nego-tiation session,” says Lindgren, “but rather as a discussion—a meeting with your work and compensation as the topic. Make it clear that there’s an

agenda or an outcome you want for the discussion, but be interested in hearing your supervisor’s thoughts on the subject.

“The term ‘negotiation’ suggests that there are two people on opposite sides,” explains Lindgren. “But the employer and the worker are really on the same side. They both work for the overall health of the organization, but they’re just coming from different perspectives. The employer has the bigger picture to keep in mind—with other bills and budgets to balance and strategies for the organization. The employee brings the smaller picture to bear—if they don’t keep up his or her salary, they’re eventually going to lose him or her as an employee, and that would be bad for the company.

“If the employee and employer try to work as a team, both thinking about the health of the organization,” contin-ues Lindgren, “the discussion is going to go much more smoothly, with better outcomes. For example, the employer

may be thinking, ‘If I give this raise, next year my budget will increase this much, and where am I going to find the money?’ If the employee thinks of himself or herself as being on the same page, he or she can anticipate that question and try to help answer it a little bit. He or she may have ideas on how to save money elsewhere.”

Keep in mind, adds Lindgren, that to the employer, a raise in salary means more than just the added amount the worker sees in the paycheck. Not only will it become a higher base in the bud-get for years to come, but other expenses rise based on salary, such as employers’ retirement benefits, health insurance contributions, and unemployment and worker’s compensation premiums.

It’s important to keep with the team approach, even if you have another job offer. Kotsko told man-agement he had been offered a higher-paying job, and he believes that helped him make his case. But he didn’t use it as leverage. He never

Request No. 112



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said he would leave if he didn’t get what he was asking for.

“That would have been a turnoff,” Sharp says. “You’ve got to give the administration an opportunity to do something. It can’t just be an ultima-tum because usually everybody loses when it comes to that.”

“If the conversation goes badly for any reason, it’s always good to know there might be somebody else willing to hire you so you don’t have to grovel,” says Lindgren. “But if you’re actually doing a job search before you go in, it’s very possible for that to change the dynamic of the con-versation. Then the employer may feel like you’re half out the door already. If they don’t feel you’re committed, then it’s less appealing to commit more funds to you.”

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

A better middle-ground approach is to know your options, both within and outside your present situation, and set limits for yourself going in. Lenz describes it as having “quiet confidence,” along with understanding what you want and what’s realistic.

“You make your case with data and quiet confidence,” she says. “You obvi-ously want it win-win, and you don’t want to put the supervisor in a corner and make threats. But as in the Kenny Rogers song, you got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.”

If you anticipate a cool reception, think in terms beyond a raise in base pay. Because several other employer costs are linked to salary, it may pay to think of a smaller raise coupled with a one-time bonus that won’t cost your employer as much, suggests Lindgren.

Another angle is to discuss over-time. Athletic trainers and others in institutional athletics have not always been considered eligible for overtime, but for those who have been, federal rules adopted in August 2004 make overtime pay less likely than it had been. Anyone losing substantial over-time because of the change may want to approach their administration to increase their base salary.

“If it’s already in the budget, before it evaporates or gets reallo-cated to something else, the employee should probably make the point that it was real income that they’ve lost and they’d like to get it back under a differ-ent category,” says Lindgren.

This is what happened for the 11 athletic trainers who were reclassified by the Southcoast Hospitals Group near Boston a couple of years ago. Not long after three hospitals were merged to form the Southcoast Group,

administrators sought to reclassify the athletic trainers to exempt-from-over-time status. The goal was to reduce the differential pay athletic trainers were earning for night, weekend, and holiday work while giving employ-ees greater flexibility to set their own hours based on the demands of their outreach and clinic respon-sibilities. The athletic trainers liked the idea of greater flexibility but not of losing the extra pay. So they made a proposal.

Request No. 113

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“I went back to our administration,” says Joe Scott, MS, LAT, ATC, Team Leader in the Sports Performance and Orthopedic Rehab Team for Southcoast, and the supervi-sor of the athletic trainers. “I said, ‘We’ll do this, but you need to give us a base rate increase of five percent in salary, because that’s what we would be losing, on average, if we go to exempt status and no longer get that differential pay. We had to work out some kinks and show the hospitals the value of what we provide to the community. But doing it up front gave them a better idea of how much money they’d have to set aside in the budget for our particular discipline.”

In other cases, the surest and quickest route to a raise might be getting yourself reclassified to a higher pay scale within your organization. “That’s not about asking for more money,” says Lindgren. “It’s more of an extended paperwork process to ask for a jump in grade, because you’re reclassify-ing your job.”

And consider other ways to get more money. Kotsko’s university cell phone is a good example, says Lenz. “Think about what else the employer can do to improve your situ-ation, whether it’s a better office, an upgraded computer, or travel money,” she says. “There may be other sources of money that could support some aspect of your work that might make the quality of your work a little better.”

“Vacation time and scheduling are usually at the top of everyone’s list, though that might not work in athletic training,” Lindgren says. “But there are memberships and training and license fees—things that help the individual worker build a career. Those are things you can ask for in a salary discussion, and they help both parties. If it’s an expense the employee was going to take on themselves, it actually is more money in their pocket.”

The bottom line, as the saying goes, is the bottom line. Know your needs, the market, and the value of your services, and don’t undersell yourself, Scott offers. From there, take it one step at a time and be confident as you ask for a raise. As another saying goes, you never know until you ask. ◆

Request No. 114




◆ N U T R I T I O N ◆

S taying up to date on the lat-est recommendations in sports nutrition is no easy task. But it is easier thanks to a special

one-day symposium now held annual-ly in October to kick off the American Dietetic Association conference.

Organized by the Sports, Cardio-vascular, and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN) group, this year’s meeting was titled “Nutrition Counseling for Athletes: Different Sports, Different Approaches.” This article is a summary of the seminars most applicable to those of us working with high school and college athletes.

EMERGING RESEARCH ON EXERCISE & IMMUNITY: CAN NUTRITION MAKE A DIFFERENCE?Presented by David Nieman, DrPH

To ensure they are prepared for competition, most athletes focus on sport-specific training, resistance training, and cardiovascular work. But one aspect of preparation that ath-

Christopher Mohr, MS, RD, LDN, is a doctoral candidate in Exercise Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a registered and licensed dietitian and was a Sports Nutritionist at the University of Massachusetts for two years.

A Tomato a Day?

What strategies keep the doctor away, help athletes lose weight, and keep dehydration at bay? A report from the recent SCAN conference provides some new answers.

By Christopher Mohr© Getty Images

letes often forget is “training” their immune system. Athletes who are unable to compete because of illness are obviously not maximizing their contribution to the team.

Studies have shown that athletes who exercise excessively may have weakened or impaired immune sys-tems because of the additional stress they encounter. In fact, one study by Nieman and his colleagues dem-onstrated that nearly 25 percent of runners reported an infection of the upper respiratory tract in the imme-diate two-week period following an ultramarathon (100-mile run). Of course a 100-mile run is an extreme case, but another study published in the late 1980s demonstrated that even after a marathon (26.2 miles), there was approximately six times the num-ber of upper respiratory tract infections among the athletes than there were in the control group of non-athletes.

In addition, college students don’t always get enough sleep and they live

in close quarters that expose them to a high concentration of germs. Therefore, finding ways to strengthen the immune system is important for your athletes. But can one enhance his or her immune system through nutrition?

To fight off getting sick, many athletes turn to antioxidant supple-ments along with taking other vitamins and minerals. In a study published in 2002, researchers measured the effect of supplementing with vitamin C. The researchers provided either vitamin C or a placebo to the athletes in a 20-mile race. The authors found no significant changes in immune func-tion in the body.

Similarly, vitamin E is another common antioxidant supplement used



to boost immunity. In a recent study, athletes were provided either vitamin E or a placebo during an Ironman triath-lon. Again, the athletes supplemented with vitamin E had no significant immu-nity benefits after the race.

Next, Nieman reviewed several published studies that measured the effects of carbohydrate on immune changes during heavy exertion, with some promising results. In these stud-ies, athletes supplemented with a sport drink containing carbohydrate, which was found to positively enhance their immune systems. In addition, the authors found that during activity with rest intervals, immune markers were not negatively impacted to the same degree as they were during long, con-tinuous activities.

Nieman suggests supplementing with carbohydrate drinks or gels during rest intervals in training or competing. He also recommends introducing rest intervals if exercise duration exceeds 90 minutes. However, more research is necessary on the effects of other dietary supplements, such as protein, glutamine, other antioxidants, and other nutrient mixtures.

WEIGHT-CLASS SPORTS: HOW TO LOSE POUNDS SAFELYPresented by Amy Freel, MS, RD

Helping wrestling athletes with nutrition can be one of the toughest challenges that coaches, athletic train-ers, and sports nutritionists face. The practice of “making your weight” has a long history of unhealthy methods that wrestlers are only just beginning to turn away from.

In this case study, Freel described a college wrestler who competed at 141 pounds but constantly struggled to make weight. After he gained 30 pounds during the off-season, his coaches decided to move him up a weight class. However, his new weight of 170 pounds was still a far cry from the 149 pounds needed to make the new class.

Because the tradition in wrestling is to lose weight by starving oneself and sweating out extra pounds, Freel felt it was important to clarify that

these practices are dangerous and do not ultimately improve performance. Even though new rules in the sport are helping curtail rapid weight-loss prac-tices, there is still much education that needs to be done.

When counseling the wrestler, Freel emphasized how rapid weight loss and dehydration will negatively affect performance—that without the proper fuel and a hydrated body, he will not have the energy to perform at his best. She also explained that losing weight slowly will pay off in the long run, since the weight is more likely to

stay off, and that fasting or starving can actually slow metabolism.

In addition, Freel talked to the coaches and athlete about focusing on body composition rather than body weight. She explained that a leaner athlete is better than a skinny athlete with lower lean body mass. Although it flies in the face of tradition, it would be much better for wrestlers to move up a class than to lose enor-mous amounts of weight to meet unrealistic goals.

Freel also provided a specific list of suggestions:

Take Home MessagesThese are some of the most important points from the conference’s presentations:

• To boost immunity in athletes, carbohydrates may be important, but supplementing with vitamins C and E appears to be ineffective.

• During workouts that exceed 90 minutes, introducing rest intervals may boost immunity.

• Athletes in weight-class sports need specific suggestions for gradually losing weight.

• Athletes in weight-class sports should not deviate from their desired weight by more than five pounds in or out of season.

• Athletes needing to lose weight should eat small snacks throughout the day, consume fiber-dense foods, and stay hydrated at all times.

• Within one-half hour after a workout, athletes should supplement with a product containing at least 35 grams of carbohydrates and six grams of amino acids. This should be doubled for athletes over 150 pounds and tripled for those over 200 pounds.

• For rehydrating athletes after a workout, drinking milk protein appears to be more effective than drinking soy protein.

• Athletes who don’t have the time or interest to make drastic changes to their unhealthy diets need simple, clear-cut suggestions.

• Many athletes need to eat more carbohydrates.

• Many athletes need more information on how to stay hydrated.

• For every pound of weight lost during an event, athletes should rehydrate with at least 16 ounces of fluid.

• Athletes should be provided with fluids during events and encouraged to consume fluids throughout the day.



• Do not starve yourself. • Eat small snacks throughout

the day.• Eat nutrient-dense foods that are

high in fiber, which help sati-ate and prevent overeating. Good examples are fruits, vegetables, and oatmeal.

• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 16 ounces of fluid for each pound of weight lost during practice.

• Eat carbohydrate, which is the main source of fuel for explo-sive and powerful sports such as wrestling.

• Do not allow your weight to fluc-tuate more than five pounds from your class in or out of season.

ATHLETES AND PROTEIN: HOW MUCH & WHEN?Presented by Martin Gibala, PhD

With the popularity of low-carb, high-protein diets, athletes are easily confused about how much protein they need. Gibala’s presentation reiterated

information that many athletes still haven’t heard.

The first important reminder was exactly how much protein athletes need. Here is a general breakdown of the protein needs of individuals:

Sedentary individuals need 0.36 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. A person weighing 155 pounds, for example, needs 56 grams of protein a day.

Endurance athletes need 0.64 grams of protein per pound of body-weight. A person weighing 155 pounds needs 98 grams of protein a day.

Strength athletes need 0.77 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. A person weighing 155 pounds needs 119 grams of protein a day.

Most athletes fit somewhere between the endurance and strength categories. As long as athletes are get-ting enough calories, they are probably getting plenty of protein.

The second important reminder was the need for a small amount of

protein, with carbohydrate, immediate-ly following a workout. Various studies have shown that 6 grams of essential amino acids plus 35 grams of simple carbohydrates can facilitate glycogen resynthesis and muscle accretion.

What type of protein is recom-mended after a workout? One recent study compared the effects of 18 grams of soy protein with the effects of 18 grams of milk (primarily casein protein) after resistance training. The results demonstrated that the acute stimulation of muscle protein was higher after milk than after soy protein.

I recommend using low-fat choc-olate milk as an excellent, inexpensive way to rehydrate athletes after a work-out. Because chocolate milk has more carbohydrates than plain milk, as well as the recommended amounts of car-bohydrates and amino acids, it works well. Other suggestions include yogurt and yogurt smoothies, which are convenient, rapidly absorbable sources of nutrients.

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THE FOOTBALL ATHLETE: DIET MAKEOVER NEEDEDPresented by Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, LDN

One of the hurdles sports nutri-tionists often face when working with athletes is the limited amount of time they have to provide the necessary information. Therefore, sometimes it is best to provide only the bare essentials necessary to keep the athlete healthy and performing well. This is especially true when an athlete’s diet needs a big overhaul.

In this case study, Bonci was working with a 300-pound offensive lineman at an NCAA Division I uni-versity who was told he would be a better player at 280 pounds. The ath-lete decided that the best way to lose weight was to eat only two meals per day and restrict carbohydrates. He also restricted his sodium intake, drank only a protein shake for dinner, and spent extra time doing aerobic work to burn more calories. He typically went

out a few nights each week and drank several beers.

This player saw the dietitian because he was feeling fatigued during practice. Nutrient analysis revealed an intake of 2,300 calories per day, with only 50 grams of carbohydrate, 275 grams of protein, 50 grams of fat, and about 600 calories from alcohol alone.

The first consideration here was the extremely low caloric intake. The estimated needs for this player were approximately 5,600 calories per day. Bonci’s first message: Eat more.

It was crucial that the player increase his carbohydrate intake to eliminate fatigue during practice. This should come naturally with the increase in calories, but you should never assume anything when commu-nicating with your athletes. Message number two: Eat more quality carbo-hydrates, including fruit, vegetables, pasta, and whole-grain bread.

Message number three: Beer does not count as a quality carbohydrate!

Bonci explained to the athlete that he could lose the weight he wanted by sim-ply cutting out alcohol from his diet. She also explained that alcohol consumption in the evening can affect one’s energy levels in practice the next afternoon.

Bonci emphasized the importance of staying hydrated. She explained that an athlete who is even marginally dehy-drated can feel under par at practices and games. Message number four: Drink plenty of water—and a sports drink, if possible—during practices and games.

While a thorough diet analy-sis and specific suggestions on food choices would have provided this ath-lete with a more thorough plan, Bonci thought that the likelihood of this ath-lete following such a plan was remote. Therefore, she decided to provide him with four very clear messages, all of which related to improving his perfor-mance. The tactic proved successful in helping the athlete lose weight, reduce fatigue, and begin a plan for healthier eating.

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Request No. 116

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FLUID NEEDS FOR ATHLETES: GETTING THE MESSAGE OUTPresented by Stella Volpe, PhD, RD, FACSM

The importance of hydration for optimal performance is now well known, as is the danger of dehydration in athletes. Research has demonstrated that losing as little as one percent of bodyweight from fluids (e.g., two pounds for someone who is 200 pounds) can negatively affect performance. And acute dehydration can lead to a number of consequences, such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat intolerance, cardiovascular strain, and impaired mental performance. In addi-tion, chronic dehydration leads to many more negative health consequences, such as gall stones, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections.

The problem is that some ath-letes are not properly hydrated before walking onto the playing field. The solution: more clear-cut guidelines to athletes on proper hydration and more vigilance by athletic trainers.

Athletes need to understand what helps and hampers hydration. Volpe suggests providing athletes with these tips:

• Attach a full water bottle to your backpack and drink several swal-lows between each class.

• Have at least two glasses of water or non-caloric juice at every meal.

• Eliminate beverages that act as diuretics, such as alcohol.

• Count fruits and vegetables towards fluid consumption.

• Drink enough fluids to make your urine a pale yellow, not a concen-trated gold color.

• Stay hydrated at all times. You can’t make up for a lack of fluids by hydrating only before practice or a game.Athletic trainers should also con-

sider weighing athletes before and after training, especially during extended practices in hot weather. For every pound of weight lost, athletes should rehydrate with 16 ounces of fluids.

To help reduce the risk of dehydra-tion, water bottles should be available at all times during practices and games. During games, water should be forced upon athletes to ensure that dehydra-tion doesn’t become a problem.

Athletic trainers need to remember that other factors play a role in hydra-tion. For example, athletes who wear extensive padding, such as football or ice hockey players, will typically sweat more because of the additional weight and layers. Athletes who are continually running, such as soccer and basketball players, will need more fluids than more stationary athletes. Of course, climate also comes into play. Along with high temperatures, high humidity increases the risk of dehydration. ◆

To learn more about Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness

Nutritionists (SCAN), see: www.scandpg.org.

Reference Code: H2020041201

elecrto.indd 1 11/17/04 1:59:47 PM

Request No. 117


◆ T R E A T I N G T H E A T H L E T E ◆

With help from her athletic trainer and strength coach, Charlotte Sting center Teana Miller

successfully returned to competition this summer after the birth of her daughter, Trinity.

CHANGINGCHANGING TIMES



I By Laura Smith

Laura Smith is an Assistant Editor at Training & Conditioning.

In the past, pregnant athletes were expected to stop competing and postpartum athletes were expected to stay at home. But times have changed, and sports medicine staffs have found new ways to help their athletes who are expecting.

t’s one of the most difficult sit-uations an athletic trainer can face, combining complex medical questions with powerful psychological issues. It’s rare, so when it hits, chances are you won’t have a backlog of experi-ence to draw on. Complicating matters further, your athletic department may not even have a policy you can turn to for help. The scenario? An athlete tells you that she is pregnant.

From the time an athletic trainer learns or suspects that an athlete is pregnant, a series of questions arise. How do you balance confidentiality with protecting the athlete’s health and safety? What, if anything, is your role as she faces the question of whether to keep or terminate the pregnancy? Is it safe for her to continue training and competing, and if so, with what restric-tions? After an athlete gives birth, what are the best rehab practices?

In this article, we tackle these ques-tions with the expertise of several veteran athletic trainers, two team physicians, two specialists in sports gynecology, a strength and conditioning coach, and a team psychologist, all of whom have cared for pregnant athletes.

PLANNING AHEAD

Successfully handling an athlete’s preg-nancy starts long before the athlete shows up in the athletic trainer’s office to break the news, but this is one area where athletic departments have his-torically failed to plan ahead, according to Lois Mattice, MS, ATC, Athletic Trainer at California State University-Sacramento. “What is the policy if

someone becomes pregnant? Most institutions don’t have one,” she says. “Often, nobody wants to touch the subject, and the lack of clear guidelines makes it very difficult to deal with.”

Jon Almquist, ATC, Specialist for the Fairfax County (Va.) Public School System, has encountered the same pol-icy vacuum at the high school level. “There just aren’t any concrete rules,” he says. “It’s really left up to each insti-tution to set a policy, so it’s critical to put one in place.”

One school that has developed a formal policy on athletes and preg-nancy is Wright State University. “We believed that athletes who became pregnant were either concealing their pregnancies and continuing to play, or feeling pressure to quickly opt for abortion,” says Elizabeth Sorensen, PhD, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing and Health and Faculty Athletic Representative at Wright State, who helped develop the poli-cy with assistance from the school’s sports medicine staff. “A policy was desperately needed to make sure this would no longer happen.”

To be effective, a policy first needs to clarify the athletic department’s phi-losophy on pregnant athletes. “Our policy makes it clear that we view pregnancy as a health event in an athlete’s life, and that she is to be treated no differently than someone with a knee injury, a shoulder injury, or any other temporary medi-cal condition,” Sorensen says. “And it stresses that a pregnant athlete should be allowed to continue to participate whenever possible, under close medical supervision, up to and sometimes even past 14 weeks of gestation.”

The Wright State policy also requires the university to assist a preg-nant athlete in two very specific ways. One, it will help her obtain neutral coun-

seling from someone outside the athletic department prior to making any decision about her course of action. Second, it will form a decision-making team to address her continued participation.

An effective policy also needs to address scholarship issues. According to NCAA rules, an athlete cannot lose his or her scholarship because of a temporary injury or medical condi-tion, but the NCAA does not currently specify whether pregnancy falls into this category. However, if the athlete wishes to return to play, Title IX would likely protect her scholarship. And NCAA rules do allow an additional medical redshirt year for athletes who become pregnant. The Wright State policy considers pregnancy a protected condition under its scholarship rules, and counsels pregnant student-athletes against voluntarily withdrawing from their sport, since this can lead to loss of their scholarship.

Once a policy is in place, the next step is communicating it beyond the athletic administrators and sports medicine staff. Sorensen first met with all Wright State coaches. Next, she met with each female sports team and with Wright State’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council. She also made sure that the information was included in this year’s student-athlete handbook.

In addition to having a policy, it’s wise to gather a few other resourc-es beforehand. For Jeff Konin, PhD, ATC, PT, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at James Madison University, that means having a set of names and phone numbers for referral within arm’s reach. “We’ve set up a team for situations like this,” Konin says. “It includes our team physician and counselors at the health center. I have those resources all arranged, so I

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can immediately give the athlete names and numbers.”

Another resource to have on file is information regarding health insur-ance coverage. “Contact your student health insurance office before this ever comes up and find out exactly what is covered if a student becomes preg-

nant,” says Sorensen. “Having that kind of practical information read-ily available is often the most helpful thing you can do.”

FIRST RESPONSE

The days surrounding the initial dis-covery and disclosure of an athlete’s pregnancy are often the most tense and difficult, both for the athlete and the athletic trainer. How can you help her navigate this time period, protecting her confidentiality, health, and safety?

If an athlete tells you she is preg-nant, the first step is to verify her condition, according to Anita Clark, LAT, ATC, Associate Athletic Trainer at the University of Oklahoma. “We need to know for sure, so I send her to our health center for a pregnancy test,” Clark says. “And I make sure that the confidentiality stays 100 percent until she has the test.”

If the test confirms a pregnancy, the next step is to refer the athlete to a gynecologist without delay. “There are

important steps that need to be taken immediately,” says Mona Shangold, MD, Director of the Center for Women’s Health and Sports Gynecology in Philadelphia. “She needs to make a decision about keeping or terminat-ing the pregnancy as soon as possible, so that thought process needs to start immediately. And if there is any chance at all that she’s going to keep the pregnancy, she needs to begin taking prescription folic acid right away. Any delay on that could have a negative outcome for the fetus.”

The need for the athlete to decide quickly whether to keep or terminate the pregnancy must be balanced with giving her time. Clark feels it’s impor-tant not to pressure the athlete. “She needs to really process the situation and talk with the important people in her life,” Clark says.

During this phase, the athlete may request that the athletic trainer not inform the coach or anyone else of the situation—a request Clark says she will sometimes agree to for a short period of time. “I try as hard as I can to encourage her to tell the coach as soon as she is able to,” says Clark.

Confidentiality and disclosure issues at the high school level can be more complex. Rules vary, but most schools require personnel to inform a school counselor or administrator immediately of a personal issue that affects a student’s welfare—and an athlete’s pregnancy may well fall into this category.

Almquist advises against handling the situation on your own at the high school level. “It’s critical to understand the reporting structure at your school,” he says. “Immediately involve anoth-er professional—the counselor, the school nurse, or the person you report to. And if an athlete begins to tell you something in confidence, don’t prom-ise you can keep it a secret. Make sure she knows that you may be required to tell someone.”

BE CAUTIOUS WHEN COUNSELING

While an athlete is deciding whether to continue her pregnancy, what is the appropriate role of the athletic trainer in

POLICY TALKSThe NCAA is considering adopting the Wright State policy on athletes and pregnancy as a model for all its member institutions. The NCAA’s Committee on Women’s Athletics reviewed the policy in June and forwarded it to the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, which will consider it in December. For more on the policy, visit: www.ncaa.org/news/2004/20040412/awide/4108n14.html.

Request No. 119

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helping her through the decision? The degree to which athletic trainers discuss this issue with a pregnant athlete var-ies by individual, but all agree on one thing: Proceed with caution, remain neutral and supportive, and focus on your role as a health care provider.

“If the athlete wants to discuss her decision with me, I’ll ask her what she has been considering,” Clark says. “I just listen and let her talk about what she’s been thinking and feeling.”

Nicki Moore, PhD, Assistant Director for Athletic Psychological Services at the University of Oklahoma, stresses the importance of acknowledg-ing your own biases. “This is a very visceral issue for many people,” Moore says. “If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, that’s fine—but understand that you may not be able to objectively help the athlete consider her options. Be aware of your own limita-tions and refer her to a counselor.”

“An athletic trainer risks exceed-ing their expertise on this one,” notes Konin. “Even though a trusting rela-tionship may exist and the athlete may turn to you for advice, athletic training curriculums do not equip us to counsel

athletes about crisis pregnancy. And if the pregnancy is a result of sexual assault or an incident involving alco-hol, that requires a whole different level of counseling. I have no problem saying I’m out of my league and refer-ring her to a trained counselor.”

In the high school setting, Almquist believes athletic trainers should stay out of counseling pregnant athletes entirely. “Even discussing options can be dan-gerous,” he says. “Let’s say I’m an athletic trainer working with the girls’ basketball team, and an athlete tells me she is pregnant and considering an abortion. If I offer her any information about the procedure, or even acknowl-edge that it’s an option, and her parents are adamantly against abortion, my job could be gone in a heartbeat. Stay pro-fessional and express concern, but do not express any advice or opinion one way or the other. Refer her to a coun-selor who is trained to handle it.”

Oklahoma recently added Moore as an on-staff counselor for athletes, providing athletic trainers with a ready referral. Her training and position allow her to open a supportive, confidential dialogue with the athlete over the

course of several sessions. “I focus on helping her develop a plan,” she says. “I make sure she has thoughtfully con-sidered all the options and that she is making her decision on her own behalf and not being coerced by anyone, and I help her communicate her decision to pivotal people in her life.

“The athlete’s focus for many years may have been on reaching this level of play with her sport,” she con-tinues. “She’s also used to spending a lot of time with her team, and she may lose that. She may be dealing with issues in her own relationship. These are some of the issues that a counselor will help her work through.”

COMPETING & CONDITIONING

If the athlete elects to carry the preg-nancy to term, can she continue to train and compete with her team? This needs to be decided by the athlete’s obstetrician, although at schools like Wright State, the entire decision-mak-ing team weighs in. In either case, the decision should be individualized to fit the particular athlete, and a host of variables should be considered.

When obstetricians weigh the pros and cons of athletic participation for a pregnant athlete, they have little concrete medical evidence to go on. However, in recent years, evidence has prompted the medical commu-nity to loosen its guidelines regarding pregnant athletes’ participation. In fact, a healthy student-athlete with a complication-free pregnancy can often continue to compete and work out alongside her team for the first three to four months of gestation.

Even in contact sports, accord-ing to Shangold, competition is safe. “During the first trimester, the fetus is very tiny and well protected by the bones and muscles of the mother’s pelvis,” she says. “There really is no danger from participating, even in a contact sport, at that point.”

James Clapp, MD, Professor of Reproductive Biology at Case Western Reserve University and a leading researcher on pregnancy and exercise, agrees. “A rational, conser-vative approach would be to allow

Pregnancy TerminationReturn to play following an abortion generally takes five days to one week,

according to Kimberly Harmon, MD, Team Physician at the University of Washington. “Typically, an athlete will have a very early term abortion, and it’s a relatively simple procedure,” she says. “The after effects are primarily bleeding and cramping. As soon as the bleeding and cramping are no longer heavy, she can return to play. However, she should monitor herself for an increase in bleeding as a result of exer-cise. If that happens, she should back off for a few more days.”

Anita Clark, LAT, ATC, Associate Athletic Trainer at the University of Oklahoma, makes sure to get information from the athlete’s gynecologist. “I always find out from her doctor if there were any complications and get her recommendations for the athlete’s return to play,” she says.

“I also make sure to refer the athlete to our counselor,” Clark continues. “The procedure may be over quickly, and physically, she may not look any different. But she may experience emotions afterward that she isn’t anticipating.”

Nicki Moore, PhD, Assistant Director for Athletic Psychological Services at the University of Oklahoma, agrees. “It’s important to be alert to the athlete’s mood,” she says. “Notice if she’s isolating herself, losing weight, or showing signs of depression or anxiety. Check in with the athlete to make sure she has access to the support she needs, including counseling.

“Sometimes,” Moore continues, “the athlete will seem fine right after the abor-tion, but issues will come up for her later. Significant periods can be at the time when she would have given birth and one year after the date when she had the abortion. Be aware of those times, because she may need some additional support.”



Untitled-7 1 11/4/04 3:30:28 PM

competition until 16 to 20 weeks, but not later,” he says. “After 16 to 20 weeks, sports with a risk of blunt abdominal trauma should be avoided.”

Exactly when the athlete should stop competing varies with the individ-ual and the sport. “If she’s a swimmer, that’s going to be a very different scenario than if she’s a rugby player,” Sorensen says. “The plan should be highly individualized.”

Whether the athlete is competing or just training with the team, there are several important considerations to take into account:

Intensity: In the 1980s, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommended that preg-nant women not allow their heart rate to exceed 140 beats per minute, but that guideline is now considered obsolete. Clapp advises instead that the athlete rate her perceived exertion during exer-cise, and limit it to “moderately hard.” She should also monitor herself for the usual signs of over-training.

Core temperature: Because high fevers in pregnant women are known to cause birth defects, obstetricians have historically advised women to avoid exercise that raised their core body temperature. While no human studies have established a concrete link between exercise-related increas-es in core body temperature and birth defects, animal studies do bear out a relationship. “We think it’s reasonable for pregnant athletes to avoid over-heating,” says Jennifer Solomon, MD, Assistant Attending Physiatrist at the

Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and Team Physician at Saint Peter’s College. “Don’t exercise in a hot environment, do wear cool cloth-ing, and certainly stay well hydrated to help with thermo-regulation.”

Cool down: “After a workout, the most dangerous time for a fetus is immediately after the exercise ends,” Shangold says. “If the mother stops exercising abruptly, her heart rate falls, which leads to decreased stroke vol-ume and cardiac output. That means a marked decrease in blood supply to

A healthy student-athlete with a complication-free

pregnancy can often continue to compete for

the first three to four months of gestation.

“There really is no danger from participating, even

in a contact sport, at that point,” says Shangold.

Request No. 121



the uterus. It’s absolutely critical that a pregnant woman slow down and cool down very gradually.”

No supine training: Pregnant women should not do any exercises in a supine position. More research is needed, but new studies suggest that doing so may cause the enlarged uterus to press on the aorta and inferior vena cava, decreasing both venous return to the heart and blood flow to the uterus, which can result in decreased cardiac output, hypotension, and fainting.

Nutrition: Pregnant athletes who continue participating in athletics need to be careful to get enough calories for themselves, their training, and their baby, with a focus on adding carbohy-drate and protein. The athlete will also need additional folic acid, calcium, and iron.

Listen to her body: After about the fourth month, the pregnant

athlete will generally need to focus on low-impact, gentler workouts. “At about 18 or 20 weeks, most athletes are going to become very uncomfort-able running,” says Kimberly Harmon, MD, Team Physician at the University of Washington. “They should switch to a stair climber, walking, or stationary biking.” Because the growing uterus shifts the athlete’s center of gravity, the focus should also change to exer-cises that limit the risk of falling, Solomon advises.

The athlete’s body is the best judge of when to back off, according to Jodi Hopkins, Strength and Conditioning Coach for the WNBA Charlotte Sting, who recently helped center Teana Miller through prenatal workouts fol-lowing the 2003 season. “For the first four months, Teana worked out four or five days a week for an hour, doing 30 minutes of conditioning and 30 minutes

of weight lifting,” Hopkins says. “After that, it was a matter of listening very carefully to when her body told us not to push it as hard. At about four months, we went to the pool to take the weight off her body. She did pool running in place and leg kicks, and dipped down underwater to her neck to do some pec flies and side and front raises, lunges, and squats.

“The athlete’s body is very sci-entific,” she continues. “Encourage her to stay in tune with its signals and she’ll know when it’s time to stop doing something.”

COMING BACK

After giving birth, as long as there were no complications, athletes can generally begin light exercise within a few weeks. By three or four months postpartum, most will be cleared to begin training with their team. When

NCAA rules allow an additional medical redshirt year for athletes who become pregnant, and Title IX offers them protection from discrimination. But those safeguards can be meaningless if a coach communicates that he or she may not want the athlete to come back. In most cases, the coach’s attitude toward an athlete’s pregnancy is one of the biggest factors in her decision whether or not to continue with her sport.

That’s why, when Wright State University instituted a new policy on athlete pregnancy this year, the medical team’s first meeting was with coaches. “I told them about the new policy, which stresses that a pregnancy is to be treated no differently from any other temporary medical condition,” says Elizabeth Sorensen, PhD, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing and Health and Faculty Athletic Representative at Wright State.

Communicating with coaches about the issue before it comes up is key, agrees Carol Tracy, JD, Executive Director of the Philadelphia-based Women’s Law Project. Tracy rep-resented Tara Brady, a basketball player who sued Sacred Heart University over its handling of her pregnancy. Brady alleged that her coach refused to speak to her except through a third party following her return. The suit ultimately was settled out of court with undisclosed terms.

“If the coach has a negative attitude about the athlete’s pregnancy, it has a profound effect on the student,” Tracy says. “Athletic trainers can help educate coaches about the issue by making sure they understand that their behavior can become an issue of discrimination. The number of male ath-

letes who become fathers is staggering, but they don’t face negative stereotypes and treatment from the coach or risk los-ing their spot on the team. A student-athlete who experiences this kind of treatment has a very legitimate legal claim.”

Athletic trainers can also help ease the initial communi-cation process between coach and athlete. Most believe it’s the athlete’s responsibility to inform her coach of her pregnan-cy, but there are ways to help her through that conversation and pave the way to a positive outcome.

“What often keeps coach and athlete from communi-cating effectively is the athlete’s fear of the disappointment or anger she assumes the coach will express,” says Nicki Moore, PhD, Assistant Director for Athletic Psychological Services at the University of Oklahoma. “Before she goes and talks with the coach, do some role playing with her. Tell her, ‘I’m going to be your coach and you practice what you’re going to say.’ Or tell her, ‘I’m going to be you and you be the coach’ and allow her to voice the worst things she imagines the coach saying.

“The coach-athlete relationship can almost be a parent-child relationship,” Moore continues. “So before she talks to the coach, help her embrace her status as a young adult and not as a child. Remind the athlete that she has spent a lot of time reaching the decision to carry the pregnancy to term, so help her voice the message that, ‘I have thought this through and I am handling this situation as responsibly as I can, and I’d like to ask for your support.’ That can result in a much better exchange that sets the stage for a more supportive, or at least accepting, reaction.”

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an athlete comes back to her sport after giving birth, the first step is thorough-ly evaluating her individual situation in order to tailor a plan for her needs.

“Have an extensive talk with the athlete,” Konin says. “Ask her to tell you about any after-effects she’s still experiencing. Is there lower back pain? Is she taking any medications? How is her energy level? In addition, find out as much as you can from her doctor.”

When a player returns to the Charlotte Sting after giving birth, Head Athletic Trainer LaTonya Holley, LAT, ATC, performs a thorough assessment. “We evaluate her hips, shoulders, and knees to make sure everything is up to par,” she says. “We pay attention to the little things, too. We evaluate her shoes and determine if she needs orthotics. We make sure that her clothing fits well and is comfortable. And as funny as it may sound, we make sure she is wear-ing an appropriate bra, especially if she is breast feeding.”

Getting an athlete back in shape post-pregnancy generally involves helping to lower her body fat. However, Clark advises being very sensitive about weight-loss issues with this population. “The athlete is going to need a lot of energy to care for her child, go to class, and participate in her sport,” she says. “This is not the time for cutting way back on calories. It’s best to avoid focusing a lot of attention on it, and be very sensitive in how you approach it, because an eating disorder could very well be triggered during this stressful time.”

Hopkins began working with Miller three months postpartum. She began with weight lifting and shooting drills, and worked up to 50 minutes of cardio, using a stair climber, treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical trainer. She did weight training three times a week, using high reps, increasing weight gradually and focusing on flex-ibility and range of motion. “We also used a lot of court drills, since having the athlete actually do her sport is the best conditioning,” Hopkins adds.

As the athlete works on gradual weight loss, it’s important to be aware of the stress placed on muscles and

joints. “When an athlete is pushing herself in workouts and she’s carrying extra weight, you tend to see a lot of little injuries,” Holley says. “It can be shin splints, knee, back, or hip pain, or even stress fractures in the feet. It’s very important to prevent small inju-ries and to address them immediately if they do occur.”

To accomplish that, Holley and Hopkins work closely together. “We emphasize to the athlete that she needs to tell us immediately if she feels that anything isn’t 100 percent,” Hopkins says. “As we’re working out, I ask her, ‘How do your hips feel? How do your knees feel? How do your shins feel?’ I also keep a close eye on what I’m hav-ing her do. If she ran yesterday, I’ll put her in the pool or on the elliptical today. And if she has any hint of pain, I’ll send her to LaTonya so she can work with her right away.” It’s also important to take into account what the athlete is doing in practices and games when planning post-pregnancy workouts, she adds.

For an athlete who’s also a new mother, being aware of changes in her life outside of athletics is equal-ly important. “Be flexible with your workout goals and take into account what’s going on with her at home,” Hopkins advises. “Lend an under-standing ear, if needed. She probably has some new priorities and a lot of new responsibilities.”

Although being a new mother and a student-athlete or professional athlete can be a tall order, it can also be a story with a very happy ending. “Once an athlete is responsible for someone else’s life, she almost always starts taking more control of her own life,” Moore says. “That can mean working harder academically, work-ing harder at her sport, and working harder to make a positive future for herself and her child. Having a child always results in changes in the ath-lete’s sense of self. And with the right support, the change can definitely be for the better.” ◆

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C O M P E T I T I V E E D G E

▼

F

A well-planned strength and conditioning program has helped the Ithaca College

baseball team remain a perennial winner in the NCAA Division III ranks.

or 28 of the past 29 years, the Ithaca College baseball team has been select-ed to participate in the NCAA Division III playoffs. It has advanced to the College World Series nine times and won national championships in 1980 and 1988. Although there are many reasons for the program’s success, one of them has been a consistent strength and conditioning program.

As a small school located in cen-tral New York state, where the winters are very long, there are some limita-tions to what we can do in our program.

Our weight training facilities are not large, training outdoors cannot realis-tically happen until the beginning of April, and staying consistent with the Division III philosophy, we believe in making sure our athletes don’t spend too much time on their sport.

At the same time, we work hard not to be too restricted by our limita-tions. We maximize our sessions with an

exercise program that is quite specific to our established goals—one that uses the least amount of time and space possible to produce well-conditioned athletes.

Kent Scriber, EdD, ATC, PT, is a Professor and the Program Director for the Athletic Training Education Program within the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences at Ithaca College. He has served as an athletic trainer with the baseball team for more than 30 years. Chris Hummel, MS, ATC, is a Clinical Instructor in the same department and is currently working as an athletic trainer with the baseball team.

By Dr. Kent Scriber and Chris Hummel

Tim McKinney

A Consistent PathA Consistent Path

▼



▼THE COMPONENTS

The primary activities in base-ball—batting, fielding, throwing, and running—involve dynamic, total body movements, so our program focuses on multiplanar, functional exercises. Our primary goals are increasing strength, power, cardiovascular endurance, and dynamic flexibility. Our baseball-spe-cific goals are to increase agility, speed, and quickness. (Note that we will dis-cuss training position players only in this article—our pitchers have a sepa-rate program.)

Preventing injuries is another goal of the program. We focus on preventing injuries that occur around the elbow joint and the shoulder complex and to the quadriceps and hamstrings, which are most common among baseball players.

To accomplish these goals, our program has four main components: cardiovascular conditioning, core strengthening, upper and lower body weight lifting, and plyometrics. Our daily warmup is also an important part of the program.

Conditioning: Our baseball athletes perform cardiovascular con-ditioning three days a week. They go through seven cardio stations, which are normally two minutes in length with two-minute rests between stations. The aim is to increase heart rate and ulti-mately improve aerobic capacity.

The stations we use are: bike, stairclimber, upper body ergometer, treadmill, stairs, jump rope, and sprints. Body blade, wrist, or shoulder exercises are added if time permits. If you have the available space and equipment, you might add change of direction drills and partner sport cord drills.

Why do baseball players need this type of conditioning? In general, we feel that all athletes should partake in cardiovascular training for general fitness. Since games are often sched-uled daily during the heart of the season, a well-designed cardiovascu-lar training program fends off fatigue and should improve performance and prevent injury over the long run of the playing season.

Weight Lifting: To build a strength base and prevent injuries, baseball ath-letes perform standard weight lifting twice a week, often on the days they are doing their cardio conditioning. One day per week emphasizes upper extrem-ity lifting exercises, while the other day emphasizes the lower extremity exer-cises. (See “Lifting Program,” below.) The upper body lifting focuses on the muscles around the elbow joint and the shoulder complex, while lower body work targets the quadriceps and ham-string muscles.

Core Training: Our baseball ath-letes strengthen their core one day a week through trunk plyometrics with various medicine ball rotational exer-cises. The exercises we use include: Russian twists, crunches, leg lifts, V-sits, fire hydrants, med-ball drops, med-ball crunch passes, med-ball side bends, and ceiling kicks. The use of stability balls can also be incorporated.

Plyometrics: Our plyometrics pro-gram is critical in providing our athletes with the small advantages that can add up when they are on the playing field. The benefits of these exercises include: first step quickness in fielding and base stealing, overall throwing strength, lat-eral quickness, and injury prevention.

To ensure our program is effective, we allow for a slow progression and at least two days for recovery between sessions. We emphasize warming up thoroughly beforehand and technique

over quantity. We break our plyometric work into upper extremity and lower extremity routines, each done once a week. Volume is limited to 100 to 120 contacts per session. (See “Plyometrics” on page 43.)

In developing our plyometric drills, we try to make them as func-tional as possible. For example, rather than just running sprints in a straight line, we might have them run sprints around the bases. This requires the players to do high intensity running drills that mimic what they do in a game situation. We do the same with throwing and catching exercises.

Warmup: Before we begin any session, we take five to 10 minutes to perform a dynamic warmup. This warmup ensures each athlete is ready to perform the skills for that session, as well as helping increase flexibility and prevent injuries. Some of the exer-cises we do include: jogging, skipping, side-stepping, lunge walks, arm circles, monster walks, butt kicks, cariocas, and backward runs.

Progression: We typically begin with 30-second sets and progress to 60-second sets as form improves. However, we do not exceed 120 repetitions/touch-es per session. We insist on proper form before letting athletes advance.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

To fit all components into a schedule that allows for proper rest, we group the

Ithaca College baseball players typically perform three sets of 12 repetitions for each exercise during preseason training.

Upper Extremity Lifting:• Incline bench press• Upright row• Bench press• Lat pull down• Bentover row• Hammer curl• Triceps extension• Shoulder series

Table One: Lifting Program

Lower Extremity Lifting:• Squats• Calf raises• Hamstring curls• Knee extensions• Cleans



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Upper Body: For our upper extremity plyometric exercises, we use medi-cine balls to enhance power and speed, as well as prevent injuries that affect throwing athletes. We typically use two to three pound balls for throwing-catching activities and eight to 10 pound balls for bilateral throwing activities or rotational trunk movements. If available, the use of a mini-trampoline can also be helpful.

Chest pass: • Standing• Kneeling• Sitting

Overhead throw/retro

Single-arm throw

Plyo-wall push ups

Chop and throw:• Waist• Knee• Ankle• Between feet

Table Two: Plyometrics

Lower Body: We use the following lower extremity plyometrics to improve agility, power, and quickness. We start with low heights and speeds and progress as form improves.

Jump rope (patterns)

Squat/tuck jumps

V-grid jumps

Power skips

Explosions (Theraband):• Side to side• Front to back• X jumps

Zig-zag jumps/bounds

Dot drill

Restart jumps/bounds

Request No. 124



▼• It is extremely important to strictly

adhere to the guidelines set for the exercise program in order to maintain proper balance between exercise and sport—before and dur-ing the competitive season.

• It is very important to perform each exercise with proper tech-nique and listen to your body to ensure you are not doing more harm than good.

• If you experience pain, or feel you can’t properly perform an exercise, stop and tell the athletic training staff immediately.Once the athletes are familiar with

these principles, various exercises are demonstrated and the players practice each skill while being monitored by the athletic training staff for proper form. We reiterate frequently the need for them to tell us if they are in pain when performing an exercise.

IN-SEASON PROGRAM

Once the season begins, our primary goal is to maintain the athletes’ levels of strength and conditioning. Therefore, our in-season plan is a modified ver-sion of the preseason program. The main differences are that intensity and frequency are decreased, all work is done on the ball field, and the plyo-metric upper extremity exercises are

sessions into six topics then fit them into a monthly calendar. The topics are:

• Lower extremity plyos• Upper extremity plyos• Core strengthening• Lower extremity weight lifting• Upper extremity weight lifting• Cardiovascular conditioning

Due to the high intensity and fatiguing nature of plyometrics, we uti-lize a 48-hour rule when scheduling plyometric sessions. For example, lower extremity plyometrics and lifting are done at least 48 hours apart. The same principle applies for the upper extremity. On the off days we train for cardiovas-cular fitness or target core strength.

With the science in place, our next step is figuring out a schedule that works with our facilities. Because we share facilities with other sports and activities at the school, we can’t have a consistent weekly schedule as most larger schools do, which requires us to improvise a bit. (See “Conditioning Calendar,” below.) However, as long as we adhere to the basic training principles, we can still obtain gains in strength, power, and flexibility.

We aim to limit all strength and conditioning sessions to no more than 30 minutes, six days per week during the preseason. During weight lifting, core training, and plyometric sessions, athletes can choose three to four exer-cises from the list. Then, each day, additional exercises can be added if time allows and the athletic trainer feels they would be helpful. For exam-ple, during core training days, agility exercises such as a box drill or jump-ing rope can be added, or sprinting drills can supplement plyo, core, or cardio workouts.

Putting all the pieces together also entails educating athletes about the pro-gram. We introduce the players to this program and review the goals at the beginning of each season. The follow-ing four points are discussed thoroughly with the players:

• Proper rest and diet along with exercise are essential to your devel-opment as a baseball player.

Day 1: Upper extremity plyos

Day 2: Cardio

Day 3: Lower extremity plyos

Day 4: Cardio and upper extremity lifting

Day 5: Off

Day 6: Core work

Day 7: Cardio and lower extremity lifting

Day 8: Upper extremity plyos

Day 9: Cardio

Day 10: Cardio and upper extremity lifting

Day 11: Lower extremity plyos

Day 12: Cardio

Day 13: Lower extremity lifting

Day 14: Core work

Table Three: Conditioning Calendar

eliminated. Because of the intensity of plyometric training, there is generally not enough time for muscle recovery of upper extremities between the exercises and an upcoming ball game.

For our lower body plyo workout, to emphasize agility over power we decrease the intensity and increase the speed of the jumps, skips, and other drills. Core training days are kept the same. Cardio days are modi-fied so they can be done on the field: Various running drills that maintain an increased heart rate for a minimum of 15 minutes replace the cardio stations from the weight room. Athletes still come to the weight room for lifting sessions during the season, but we either have them lift less weight or decrease the number of repetitions.

From the preseason to the in-sea-son, we feel the key to our program is that it is easy to follow, doesn’t take a lot of time, and focuses on the most impor-tant aspects of training baseball players. Another strength is that there is variety, which stimulates the athletes and results in better program compliance.

We have found this program easy to implement and well received by our coaching staff and players. It has also been convenient for us to moni-tor and allows for modifications as situations arise. ◆

Here’s a sample two-week schedule for preseason conditioning:

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Circle No. 200

NEW TECHNOLOGY: The BodyGuard™by Antibody is a line of patented com-pression sportswear that revolution-izes how muscle injury is treated andprevented. Utilizing stored elasticenergy transfer, the BodyGuard pro-vides performance enhancement andprotection against injury.

BENEFITS: Made of a state-of-the-art,highly compressive neoprene polymerthat literally attaches to the skin, the

BodyGuard transfers elastic energy to the muscle, offering aunique combination of muscle support and performanceenhancement. A study at Ball State University's HumanPerformance Lab (see the Journal of Sports Sciences, 2003,Issue 21, p. 601-610) found that the BodyGuard increases ver-tical jump and stride rate, and assists muscles in generatingtorque. It also reduces muscle vibration, minimizes tissue dam-age, delays the onset of muscle fatigue, raises muscle temper-ature, and absorbs direct impact. The result is superior musclesupport and enhanced performance.

Antibody, Inc. 301-782-3700www.antibodywear.com

Circle No. 201

NEW TECHNOLOGY: The new burst-resistant FitBALL Sport,from Ball Dynamics International is available in two types—afirm version with increased balance challenge for the fitnessmarket, and a soft version with increased comfort for the thera-py market.

BENEFITS: Both are made of a unique material that reducesslipping during use and prevents sudden loss of pressure ifpunctured. These FitBALLs set the standard for exceptionalvalue, quality, and safety. FitBALL offers a complete line ofexercise balls, strength and resistance training aids, and bal-ance and stability products.

Ball Dynamics International800-752-2255www.fitball.com

Circle No. 202

INDUSTRY TREND: The current trend among portable elec-trotherapy devices is to include multiple modalities in oneportable device. This has encouraged the engineers atBioMedical Life Systems to take things a step further anddevelop a device with four modalities—interferential, T.E.N.S.,N.M.S., and high voltage—all in one unit.

BENEFITS: A portable, multi-modality device benefits the athlet-ic trainer because he or she is no longer forced to choosebetween carrying multiple electrotherapy devices and leavingdevices back in the training facility. The QuadStar® Elite byBioMedical Life Systems has everything needed to ensure thatthe trainer is fully prepared to treat athletic injuries, right onthe sidelines, with one unique device.

BioMedical Life Systems, Inc.800-726-8367www.bmls.com

Circle No. 203

Leading companies discuss trends, new product technologies, and more.

T&C D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 ◆ A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M ◆ 45


NEW TECHNOLOGY: CeraProducts, working with physiciansat Johns Hopkins University, hasintroduced new technology forsports drinks. Clinical tests havedemonstrated that long-chain car-bohydrates—like those found inCeraSport—promote faster fluidabsorption when compared to theglucose used in today's top sportsdrinks. These drinks only partially

compensate for the loss of fluid and electrolytes, and seriousathletes will attest that the current crop of sports drinks arenot optimal. CeraSport is the solution to this problem, with itsrice-based oral hydration formula that outperforms traditionalsports drinks due to an advanced transport mechanism and aunique blend of carbohydrates and electrolytes.

BENEFITS: CeraSport’s blend of complex rice carbohydratesand low osmolality speeds gastric emptying and maximizesabsorption of fluids, salts, and energy for optimal hydrationand peak performance. This fast absorption eliminates bloat-ing, cramping, and other side effects that typically occur withsports drinks. As a result, athletes and others at risk for dehy-dration can drink more CeraSport, which means a higher rateof fluid replacement and extended energy release.

CeraSport888-CERALYTEwww.ceraproductsinc.com

Circle No. 204

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Cho-Pat’s unique I.T.B. Strap gives med-ical professionals, athletic trainers, and physical therapistsanother tool to help reduce and relieve the discomfort causedby Iliotibial Band Syndrome. The strap applies compression atthe area of discomfort, usually above the knee joint or theupper thigh, to help prevent snapping or friction of the IliotibialBand, which reduces pain and helps the healing process.

BENEFITS: Medical professionals, athletic trainers, and thera-pists now recognize Cho-Pat’s I.T.B. Strap as an effective addi-tion to the treatment procedures for Iliotibial Band Syndrome.

Cho-Pat, Inc.800-221-1601www.cho-pat.com

Circle No. 205


NEW TECHNOLOGY: Thenew PowerTower from efiSports Medicine addsthe dynamic dimensionof electrical power toTotal Gym®. The motor-ized PowerTower enablesathletic trainers and cli-nicians to fine-tuneclients’ exercise regi-mens in one-degree

increments, or at any of the 12 pre-calibrated levels, with thetouch of a button. The resistance level can be adjusted duringany exercise in progress while users remain on the glideboard,resulting in a more cohesive exercise session.

BENEFITS: The PowerTower is the only exercise product in theworld that can change resistance levels during an exercise.This intensifies the workout by putting more demand on themuscle, saves time, increases user safety, and allows an ath-letic trainer or strength coach to safely maximize fatigue bydecreasing the load during movement. PowerTower providesover 100 functional exercises and clinical variations for thetrunk and upper and lower extremities, as well as a Pilatesrepertoire of over 100 mat and reformer exercises.

efi Sports Medicine800-541-4900www.efisportsmedicine.com

Circle No. 206

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Alpha-Stim®, from ElectromedicalProducts International, Inc., has 55 completed research stud-ies and published reports to back up its unique proprietarytechnology.

BENEFITS: No other device is proven as effective in treatingpain, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Only Alpha-Stim hasboth microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) for pain and cranialelectrotherapy stimulation (CES), proven by researchers toimprove concentration and fine motor skills and decrease per-formance anxiety. That’s why Alpha-Stim is used by many prosport teams, Olympians, and weekend warriors alike. CESgives athletes the confidence to train harder, knowing theirrecovery period will be shortened. The results are long-lasting,cumulative, and cost-effective. Call and ask about the compa-ny's 60-day trial program.

Electromedical Products International, Inc. 800-FOR-PAINwww.alpha-stim.com

Circle No. 207

◆ T&C D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 4 ◆ A T H L E T I C B I D . C O M46

State of the IndustryLeading companies discuss trends, new product technologies, and more.

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Gebauer’sInstant Ice™ is a new-generationtopical skin refrigerant. Use it likeice for muscle spasms (streamspray only), minor sports injuries,and minor pain and swelling fromsprains, strains, bruising, and contu-sions. Gebauer’s Instant Ice aerosolcomes in either mist or streamspray.

BENEFITS: Athletic trainers, coaches, school nurses, physicaltherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and athletescan enjoy the benefits of Gebauer’s Instant Ice without a pre-scription. It’s nonflammable and ozone friendly, and can beused in facilities that restrict the use of flammable compo-nents. “I personally know professional athletic trainers in manysports who use Gebauer’s skin refrigerants. Now, a profession-al-grade skin refrigerant is available over-the-counter for thefirst time," says Jim Ramsay, Head Athletic Trainer of the NewYork Rangers.

Gebauer Co.216-581-3030www.gebauerco.com

Circle No. 208

NEW TECHNOLOGY: MET-Rx AMPEDECN takes sports nutrition supplementa-tion to a whole new dimension. TheAMPED ECN Pumped Blend supportsmuscle size, strength, power, and recov-ery from high-intensity exercise. Thisproduct has a muscle-nitro blend con-taining important amino acids to sup-port muscle nitrogen levels, a neuro-muscle blend to increase energy levels,and the AMPED ECN NOS blend to sup-port nitric oxide synthesis. This combi-

nation of proprietary ingredients was formulated so athletescan hit the gym and take care of business.

BENEFITS: AMPED ECN provides greater energy levels and sup-port for serious workouts by combining proprietary formulationsfor extreme energy and nutrient circulation to the cell. MET-RxAMPED ECN offers the multi-action pre- and post- workout ben-efits that performance athletes deserve.

***Results may vary; when used in conjunction with an intense dailyexercise program and a balanced diet including an adequate caloricintake. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Thisproduct is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

MET-Rx Engineered Nutrition800-55-METRXwww.metrx.com

Circle No. 209

INDUSTRY TREND: The National Academy of Sports Medicineis changing the shape of health and fitness by providing theindustry’s most comprehensive certifications for personal exer-cise, group exercise, and athletic training.

BENEFITS: NASM certification courses not only offer an in-depth study of the basic science of human movement, exer-cise, and nutrition—they also teach a scientific system of train-ing called Optimum Performance Training™ (OPT™), designedand proven to help anyone reach a designated fitness goal.Created by NASM President and CEO Mike Clark, OPT providesthe tools that trainers need to transform NASM’s movementscience into customized fitness programs guaranteed to pro-duce results. NASM’s training facility, headquartered inCalabasas, Calif., also serves as a training base for profes-sional and Olympic athletes, including baseball’s Cy YoungAward winner Barry Zito and All-Star NBA players PennyHardaway and Stephon Marbury.

National Academy of Sports Medicine800-460-6276www.nasm.org

Circle No. 210

NEW TECHNOLOGY: NZ Mfg.’s innovative TurfCordz SafetyCord (shown with wall mount) is used by the U.S. Olympic skat-ing team, plus leading NFL, NBA, and NHL teams. TurfCordzSafety Cords are now available in six resistance levels andeight lengths, from 1 1/2 to 20 feet long, in both modular kitsand dedicated sets with tubes and handles.

BENEFITS: The TurfCordz Safety Cord offers outstanding safe-ty, security, and reliability during rigorous training and condition-ing drills.

NZ Mfg., LLC800-886-6621www.nzmfg.com

Circle No. 211


State of the IndustryLeading companies discuss trends, new product technologies, and more.

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Pictured above is Oakworks’ patentedIntegra-hinge. Some people feel that it can't possibly be asstrong as the piano hinges used on other portable treatmenttables because piano hinges are bigger. The Integra-hinge isnot only superior to the piano hinge, but far superior—instrength, stability, safety, and durability. The Integra-hingerequires fewer holes drilled into the framework of the table.This means a stronger frame. The Integra-hinge incorporatesthe table braces as part of the hinge itself. This means thatthe very weight of the table and the client serves to strengthenthe ability of the hinge to do its job.

BENEFITS: This kind of integration offers unbeatable stability,exceptional durability, and the kind of reliable strength that youand your athletes can depend on.

<None>Oakworks800-558-8850www.oakworks.com

Circle No. 212

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Thenew OPTP Pro-Roller™ isengineered for fitness andtherapy professionals. Itsfirm, comfortable closed-cell foam is heat-sealed, soit won't break down evenunder constant use byPilates and Feldenkrais®practitioners, physical ther-apists, chiropractors, andathletic trainers.

BENEFITS: The high-quality foam in the Pro-Roller features aslightly textured surface that provides great proprioceptive ben-efits and enhances exercise effectiveness. The dense foamoffers firm, cushioned support, and keeps germs on the sur-face, where they can easily be wiped off with a sanitary solu-tion. The "waffle" design reduces slipping, especially duringbalancing skills. The Pro-Roller can be used for myofascialrelease, muscular flexibility, and dynamic strengthening. Rollerexercises enhance balance reactions, body awareness, musclere-education, and core stability. This product is available in themost popular foam roller size, a cylinder 36” long x 6” high,and in an attractive teal and white "wave" pattern.

OPTP800-367-7393www.optp.com

Circle No. 213

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Performance Health, Inc. has introducedProssage™ Heat, a unique, all-natural, area-specific warmingointment that's non-slip. It's formulated specifically for deep-tissue work, myofascial release, and trigger-point therapy.Prossage Heat is unique because it only takes a small amountto effectively work an area of the body. Put a drop or two ofProssage Heat in your hand, rub your hands together vigorous-ly, and then begin working the area in need of treatment.

BENEFITS: Prossage Heat makes it easier to “hook” the deepfascia, allowing you to work faster and more efficiently. Heatingtissue with Prossage Heat reduces muscle spasms and helpsligaments and joint capsules. The non-slip controllable glideand unique properties of Prossage Heat make deep-tissuework easier and less painful.

Performance Health, Inc.866-4-PROSSAGEwww.prossage.us

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INDUSTRY TREND: PowerSystems has observed a move-ment toward functional andthrowback training. Conditioningthat mimics the specific skillsneeded to perform at anexpected level can be achievedby training the body in an unsta-ble environment. Getting backto the basics of traininginvolves plyometric and weight-ed exercises. In response,Power Systems has introduceda return to the ancient art ofkettlebell training. These castiron bells, ranging from 20 lbs.

to 50 lbs., can be incorporated into full-body workouts, explo-sive sport-specific movements, and core training programs.Specific functional movements that can be utilized includesquats, pulls, overhead throws, and rotational training.

BENEFITS: By incorporating functional training with throwbackmethods, athletes will develop strength, power, muscleendurance, flexibility, and balance. Kettlebells add variety toworkouts, keeping them interesting and challenging.

Power Systems800-321-6975www.power-systems.com

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NEW TECHNOLOGY: TanitaCorporation, manufacturersof the world’s best-sellingscales and body fat moni-tors, has now added bodywater percentage calcula-tion to a segment of itsscales.

BENEFITS: By showingboth body fat and body

water level, these scales help individuals gain a better under-standing of their overall body composition. Two models of the“scale plus body fat monitor” with body water composition (theUM026 classic model and the BF-592 glass model) calculatebody water percentage using bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA). This method sends a safe, low-level electrical signalthrough the muscle and fat in the body. It travels more quicklythrough lean muscle than through fat because muscle containsmore water. The length of time that the signal takes to passthrough the body, along with the user’s height, weight, gender,and body type (normal adult, athlete, or child) are all factors incalculating body fat and body water percentage.

Tanita Corporation800-9 TANITAwww.TANITA.com

Circle No. 216

NEW TECHNOLOGY: The new Thera-Band® black (extra soft)Stability Trainer is an air-filled balance pad that provides multi-directional displacement for one- or two-foot applications. Madeof durable PVC, the black Stability Trainer has heavy-gauge sidewalls that resist the tendency to roll the ankle during exercise.Additionally, one side has rounded points for sensorimotorstimulation.

BENEFITS: This new oval Stability Trainer can be used for bal-ance and proprioception training for rehabilitating ankle andknee injuries, core strength and stability training, ankle rangeof motion, flexibility training, and sensorimotor training.Coupled with the firm (green) and soft (blue) foam StabilityTrainers, Thera-Band balance products now offer an integratedsystem of Progressive Balance Training™.

The Hygenic Corp.800-321-2135 www.thera-band.com

Circle No. 217



Topical Pain Relieving Gels

FREE SAMPLE 800.527.4923

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For a copy of our latest study supporting the

benefits of adding Flexall pain relieving gels

to your therapeutic ultrasound treatments and

a free sample, call toll free 800-527-4923 or

email us at [email protected].

Untitled-2 1 11/23/04 3:56:42 PM

Request No. 126 Request No. 127

Topical Analgesics


Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals800-527-4923WWW.ARI-MED.COM

Flexall topical pain-relieving gels can benefitany therapy protocol and are great for usewith ultrasound. Recent studies prove that a

25-75 Flexall-ultra-sound gel mixturedelivers heatingresults equal to100 percent ultra-sound couplinggel. Flexall (7 per-cent menthol) andMaximum

Strength Flexall (16 percent menthol) providefast, long-lasting relief from arthritis,backache, bursitis, tendonitis, muscle strainsand sprains, bruises, and cramps. Flexallgels absorb quickly and are greaseless, non-staining, and gentle on the skin. Professionalsizes are available.

Circle No. 219

Biofreeze800-246-3733WWW.BIOFREEZE.COM

For pain-management programs, use Biofreezefrom Performance Health to reduce swelling,pain, and stiffness. It soothes next-day achesand pains and speeds recovery. Biofreeze can

also help toincrease mobilityand flexibility, andimprove the overallhealing process.The product canbe used in situa-tions requiring iceand breathable

wraps, or it can be blended with water for icecups. Biofreeze will also prolong the effectsand benefits of ultrasound and massage-thera-py treatments. Biofreeze is endorsed by TheFlorida Chiropractic Association, ProSportsChiropractic, The United States TaekwondoUnion, The Florida State Massage TherapyAssociation, The New York State Society ofMassage Therapists, and The TexasAssociation of Massage Therapists. It isapproved for use by the American PhysicalTherapy Association.

Circle No. 220

Performance Health, Inc., the maker ofBiofreeze Pain Relieving Gel, has introducedthe new “Single Use Application GravityDispenser” package. This single-dose dispens-ing system is perfect for clinical and trainingroom use, allowing easy distribution ofBiofreeze to patients and athletes for trial useand use at home. Biofreeze provides deeper,

longer-lasting relieffrom pain thanother cooling gels. Itis effective forenhancing therapyand relieving painfrom arthritis, musclestrains, and backach-es. It also helps

reduce edema and myospasm. Apply Biofreezegenerously for penetrating relief from pain andstiffness in muscles and joints. The coolingeffect accelerates the rate of basic healing byrelaxing stiff and aching muscles.

Circle No. 221

The Gebauer Co.800-321-9348 WWW.GEBAUERCO.COM

Gebauer has introduced Spray and Stretchas a replacement for the company's Fluori-Methane. Spray and Stretch is a nonflamma-ble, topical skin refrigerant that won't deplete

the ozone. It is intendedfor use with the Spray andStretch technique for themanagement of myofas-cial pain, restrictedmotion, muscle spasms,and the temporary relief ofminor sports injuries. Idealfor reducing or relievingthe initial trauma of an

injury, Spray and Stretch controls the pain ofbruises, contusions, swelling, and minorsprains.

Circle No. 222

From the most trusted name in skin refriger-ants for over 100 years comes a new, non-prescription topical skin refrigerant:Gebauer's Instant Ice™. Use it like ice forthe temporary relief of minor pain and

swelling from sprains andstrains, minor sportsinjuries, bruising, and con-tusions. Instead of usingice for on-the-scene treat-ment of minor sportsinjuries, high school andrecreational league coach-es, athletic trainers, and

others can now use what the pros use. Infact, Jim Ramsay, Head Athletic Trainer forthe New York Rangers, has been usingGebauer topical skin refrigerants for years.“Instant Ice is great for on-the-scene care,”says Ramsay. “If a player gets hit on thewrist or takes a puck off the shin, I can eas-ily anesthetize the area with Instant Ice toreduce the pain, allowing the player to getback in the game quickly.”

Circle No. 223

Nothing Else Comparesto The BOSS“Here at T.A.N.K. many of our clients areworld-class athletes who come in withunique problems and whose bodies have

enormousdemands.We useThe BOSStables inour clinics

and wherever we go. Because we'refocused on VIP treatment, we practice afull spectrum of high-intensity, high-impact treatments. The tables take thebrunt of it: We stand on them,sometimes two practitioners at a time --plus the athlete! We've used The Bossfor four years and never had a problem.The other tables we tried broke.The BOSS is light enough to throw in acar or on a plane, but strong enough towithstand the serious challenges set byNFL players, major league baseball play-ers, Olympic Gold Medalists, and NBA All-Stars.”

Ashley Black, C.E.O.Training Athletes Neuro Kinetically

T.A.N.K. is a company of medical profes-sionals, biomechanics and hands-on ther-apists dedicated to revolutionizing humanperformance and sports medicine. Thecompany is expanding its proprietaryapproach nationally.

For 25 years Oakworks has been the pre-mier provider for therapeutic andtreatment tables, dedicated to offeringthe most ergonomically superior, safeand comfortable therapeutic tables avail-able. At Oakworks: Bodies talk. Welisten.

Communications Specialist, Oakworks, Inc.P.O. Box 238, Shrewsbury, PA [email protected]

WWW.PTEQUIPMENT.NET

Testimonial

Electrotherapy

Accelerated Care Plus800-350-1100WWW.ACPLUS.COM

The Omnistim FX2 Pro uses PENS(Patterned Electrical NeuromuscularStimulation) to induce contractions in

agonist-antagonistmuscles,simulatingthe “live fir-ing” patternof musclesduringnormal activi-ty. PENS

refers to the pattern of electrical firing inmuscles identified by EMG studies andincorporated into the FX2 Pro’sprotocols. The muscle contractions in theagonist-antagonist muscle groups provideafferent inputs that assist in retrainingthe CNS and spinal motor loops, to pro-mote normal muscle function.

Circle No. 224

The Omnisound 3000E, by AcceleratedCare Plus, is the next generation of ACP’sOmnisound system. An important feature ofthe new Omnisound 3000E is its fast front-

panel accessto the patentedDelta T mode.Delta T allowsthe therapist toselect adesired temper-ature increasefor the targeted

tissue. The timer automatically adjusts toachieve the correct temperature increase—it’s that simple. There are now over 35 pub-lications supporting the Omnisound 3000and its Delta T technology.

Circle No. 225

BioMedical Life Systems, Inc.800-726-8367WWW.BMLS.COM

BioMedical Life Systems is proud toannounce the newestproduct in its interferentialdevice line, the digitalBioStim INF. It featuresthree pre-programmedsweeps: 1-10 Hz, used foredema reduction; 80-150Hz, used for pain relief;and 1-150 Hz, used fortotal treatment. The

device offers bipolar stimulation usingtwo electrodes where the interferentialstimulation is already “mixed,” or fullinterferential stimulation with the use offour electrodes. The device has an auto-mated timer and operates on four AA bat-teries or the BioStim wall adaptor.

Circle No. 226

BioMedical Life Systems has introducedthe QuadStar® Elite, a four-channelT.E.N.S., N.M.S., high-voltage, and interfer-ential stimulator in one portable unit. Easyto understand instructions guide usersthrough nine pre-programmed protocols

and four typesof waveforms:symmetricalbiphasic squarewave, asymmet-rical biphasicsquare wave,sine wave, andmonophasichigh-voltage(twin peak).

Users can sequence two or more modali-ties for complete treatment. The deviceincludes a patient lock compliance system

and a timer. It comes ready to use with allaccessories (including eight electrodes),and runs on a rechargeable battery pack(included) or a wall adaptor.

Circle No. 227

Rehabilicare 800-343-0488 X4072WWW.COMPEXTECHNOLOGIES.COM

The revolutionary IF 3Wave interferentialcombination device from Rehabilicare isthe only true IF and NMES device, provid-

ing three distinctmodalities in onepowerful, portabledevice. With itseasy-to-use digitalinterface and datadownloading andtrackingcapabilities, itmakes managing

patient care paths hassle-free forclinicians. The IF 3Wave is ideal for nearlyall chronic and acute pain and rehabilita-tion treatments. To schedule a demonstra-tion of the IF 3Wave, call Rehabilicare.

Circle No. 228


PlyoBacks from Exertools.Enjoyable. Effective. Affordable.

Get an intense strength and aerobicworkout using weighted medicine ballsand the time-tested Exertools PlyoBack.™

� Both models are fully adjustable for aclinically proven upper body and cardio workouts

� Professional and Light Institutional modelsavailable separately, and as packages

� All heavy-duty construction with powder-coated steel

� Proven choice of NFL, Major LeagueBaseball, NHL, college and high schoolsinternationally

PlyoBack Pro

New PlyoBackLight Institutional Visit us at www.exertools.com or call

800-235-1559 for packages and pricing.Ask about our our Trade-in Program for yourold rebounderin anycondition!

©2004 Exertools. All rights reserved.

Request No. 128


Electrotherapy

Chattanooga Group800-592-7329WWW.CHATTGROUP.COM

Chattanooga Group is pleased tointroduce the new Vectra™ Genisys.Vectra Genisys is the first modular therapy

system that consolidatessix therapeutic modalitiesinto one system. The clini-cian can access dual chan-nel sEMG, sEMG activatedmuscle stimulation, multi-ple waveform electrothera-py, dual frequencyultrasound and combinationelectrotherapy. The Genisysalso offers the ability to

add two more channels of electrotherapy,a battery or a future laser module.

Circle No. 229

Long known for innovative clinicalelectrotherapy, Chattanooga Group isexpanding its popular portable TENS prod-uct line to include an assortment ofportable electrotherapy products. The

Intelect® NMES (neuromuscular electricalstimulation) and Intelect IFC (interferentialcurrent) units can be used in several typesof treatment and therapy, from pain man-agement to preventing and retarding disusemuscle atrophy.

Circle No. 230

Electromedical ProductsInternational, Inc.

800-FOR PAINWWW.ALPHA-STIM.COM

The Alpha-Stim® 100 has been acclaimedby athletic trainers and health care practi-tioners worldwide for treating pain andreducing rehab time. Teams such as the

Dallas Cowboys ofthe NFL and theUtah Jazz andHouston Rocketsof the NBA useAlpha-Stim regular-ly to treat their ath-letes. OnlyAlpha-Stim hasElectromedical

Products’ proprietary waveform that’s beenproven effective in 55 research studies andpublished reports. Call the company andask about its 60-day trial program.

Circle No. 231

Rich-Mar Corp.800-762-4665WWW.RICHMARWEB.COM

Rich-Mar’s AutoSound 7.6 combinespatented automatic ultrasound with twochannels of stimulation for the ultimate in

combinationtherapy. Its fea-tures includethe AutoSoundautomatic ultra-sound applica-tor with 1 and 3

MHz capabilities, a built-in ‘gel well,’ andfive stimulation waveforms. Rich-Mar isthe innovation leader in ultrasound andelectrotherapy, with over 30 years of expe-rience. Call or visit the company’s Website to learn more.

Circle No. 232

Rich-Mar now offers the AutoPrism, a newautomatic light-therapy device. This devicecan be used as a handheld piece or as an

automaticstrap-ondevice to deliv-er over600mW ofpower at multi-ple

wavelengths. The red and infraredwavelengths are intended to treat a widevariety of soft-tissue conditions.

Circle No. 233

THOR Laser866-251-7743WWW.THORLASER.COM/SPORTS/INDEX

Trainers and clinicians in the UnitedStates can now enjoy the highperformance and durability offered byEurope’s most popular low-level laser man-ufacturer, THOR International. THOR has

been thepreferredsupplierto manyprominentEnglish,Canadian,and

American institutions and sports teams,including Manchester United, the Royal AirForce, and the British Army and RoyalNavy. THOR products are FDA-cleared.

Circle No. 234

Well-EstablishedCredentials are a Key toSuccess"Obtaining the prestigious CSCScredential is both challenging andrewarding for athletic trainers. The examhas the credibility to identify profession-als who have the specialized expertiseneeded to design safe, effective, perfor-mance-enhancing strength training andconditioning programs for athletes,which directly translates into bettercareer opportunities for athletictrainers."

Dr. Bill Holcomb, ATC, CSCS,*DAssociate Professor

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

"Obtaining the CSCS certification givesathletic trainers the opportunity toestablish themselves as leaders in theallied health profession and open doorsfor themselves professionally. When hir-ing, I seek out CSCS-certified athletictrainers because they have demonstrat-ed that they possess the knowledgeneeded to develop sport-specificstrength training and conditioningprograms for athletes."

Dr. Don Chu, PT, ATC, CSCS,*D;NSCA-CPT,*D

"As an athletic trainer and strength andconditioning professional, two of mymain objectives are preventing injuryand improving performance. The CSCScredential shows me that the individu-als I hire possess this expertise, regard-less of the sport or needs of theathlete."

Dan Wathen, ATC, CSCS,*D; NSCA-CPT,*DHead Athletic Trainer

Youngstown State University

NSCA Certification Commission3333 Landmark Circle, Lincoln, NE [email protected]

WWW.NSCA-CC.ORG

Testimonial

Plyometrics

efi Sports Medicine800-541-4900WWW.EFISPORTSMEDICINE.COM

The Plyometric Rebounder with MedicineBalls provides a fun and highly effectiveworkout that improves coordination and

core stabi-lization. TheRebounderis a circulartrampolinethat can beadjusted toany incline.

Its sturdy materials and design make it asafe yet challenging jogger and balance-training device. When adjusted on anincline, the medicine ball always returnsperpendicular to the rebound surface, atthe same velocity and angle at which itwas thrown. This system promotes corestabilization in safe and functionalpositions for the spine, trunk, and extremi-ties, and improves dynamic rhythmic stabi-lization of the involved joints.

Circle No. 235

Human Kinetics800-747-4457WWW.HUMANKINETICS.COM

Jumpmetrics outlines a complete programthat improves first-step explosion, leapingability, and overall quickness. It contains a

series of function-al tests, morethan 160 drillsand exercises,and three levels ofdetailed program-ming. Athletes canlearn proper jointpositioning duringhigh-speed, loadedmovements so

that they can develop better body controland achieve a more effective transfer ofpower to performance, while at the sametime reducing the risk of knee injuries.

Circle No. 236

NASM800-460-6276WWW.NASM.ORG

Flexibility is one of the most overlookedcomponents in today’s fitness programs,yet it can make or break even the mostcarefully designed training regimen.Neuromuscular Stretching is a passivestretching technique that enhances one’srange of motion through the use of exter-

nal force. Thiscourse exploresthe benefitsand properimplementationof neuromuscu-lar stretching

techniques designed to improveperformance and decrease the risk ofinjury.

Circle No. 237

Optimum Performance Training™ for thePerformance Enhancement Specialist setsthe international pace for athletic training

and sports-medicine pro-fessionals.Explore thescience andapplication ofcore, balance,power, speed,

and strength training as part of NASM’sadvanced techniques for creating highlyindividualized, integrated programs thatenrich training, enhance performance, andhelp prevent injuries in athletes of alltypes and at all levels.

Circle No. 238

Perform Better800-556-7464WWW.PERFORMBETTER.COM

Perform Better's 2005 catalog includesthe new Biokinetic Plyobox. This box isembedded with Isogel™ technology that

allows users toadjust thestiffness of thelanding surface,thereby dynami-cally reducingimpact forces. A“tuning” featurelets users pre-select a desired

stiffness, so it can meet a wide spectrumof training needs. The Biokinetic Plyoboxis available in four sizes, ranging from 12inches to 30 inches tall. Call the companyor visit its Web site to learn more.

Circle No. 239

Perform Better has introduced “softdesign” cones designed to prevent

injuries duringplyometrictraining. Thecones flattenwith pressurebut return

immediately to their original shape. A

weightedpolyvinyl basepreventstipping andsliding. Theyare available infour sizes,ranging from 41/2 inches to

18 inches tall, and are featured in the2005 Perform Better catalog. Contact thecompany for more information.

Circle No. 240

Power Systems, Inc.800-321-6975WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM

For explosive lateral training in a limitedspace, Power Systems has designed theWall Lateral Plyo Box. Place this sturdy

training tool againsta solid wall andadjust the angle ofincline to varyintensity. The plat-form angle can beset at 25, 35, or45 degrees for tar-geting multiple pat-terns of movement

to increase lateral agility, speed, andendurance. The 14-gauge, one-inch steelbox has a reinforced non-slip surface anda rubber bottom to protect floors.

Circle No. 241

Power Systems’ new Versa-Fit Bags allowweighted resistance to be centered acrossthe shoulders to add intensity to plyomet-ric training. These sand-filled nylon bags

contour to thebody, and thehandles help tokeep the bag inplace duringdrills. A progres-sion of weightsis available from5 lbs. to 30 lbs.,

in 5-lb. increments. This product can beused with individuals or groups at anylevel.

Circle No. 242

The Hygenic Corp.800-321-2135WWW.THERA-BAND.COM

The new Thera-Band® Wobble andRocker Boards feature a sensory-stimula-tion surface for improved feedback. Theanti-slip base keeps the boards from slid-


Plyometrics

Catalog Showcase

Creative Health Products, Inc.800-742-4478WWW.CHPONLINE.COM

Creative HealthProducts hasbeen in businesssince 1976 as aleading discountsupplier of reha-bilitation,fitness, exercise,and athleticequipment, aswell as health,medical, and fit-

ness testing and measuring products, allavailable at reduced prices. The productsoffered include heart rate monitors, bloodpressure testers, pulse oximeters, bodyfatcalipers, scales, strength testers, flexibilitytesters, stethoscopes, pedometers, exer-cise bikes, ergometers, stopwatches,fitness books and software, exercisebands, step benches, hand and finger exer-cisers, heating pads, and more.

Circle No. 246

Power Systems, Inc.800-321-6975WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM

Since 1986, PowerSystems has beena leading supplier ofsports performance,fitness, and rehabili-tation products andprogramming. Thecompany pridesitself on being theone resource for allyour training needs.

The 2005 catalog has a new look, with bet-ter graphics and photos. It includes sectionson core strength, medicine balls, speed, ply-ometrics, agility, strength equipment,strength accessories, and fitnessassessment. The catalog features hundredsof new products and dozens of productsavailable exclusively from Power Systems.The company has even lowered some of itsprices, enabling the customer to get premi-um products for less. Call or visit the com-pany Web site for your free copy.

Circle No. 247

ing on hard surfaces, and the boards arelightweight and portable. The RockerBoard moves unilaterally, while the

Wobble Boardmoves in alldirections. Thera-Band Wobbleand RockerBoards offer agreat challenge

and can be used in progression with theThera-Band green (beginner), blue(intermediate), and black (advanced) sta-bility trainers for an integrated system ofProgressive Balance™.

Circle No. 243

Xvest800-697-5658WWW.THEXVEST.COM

“I have found the Xvest to be an excellenttool for providing overloads in plyometric,strength training, conditioning, and rehabili-tation programs. The fit and adaptability areexcellent. The Xvest allows freedom ofmovement and doesn't interfere with any ofthe agility, bounding, or running programsthat I write for a wide variety of athletes,collegiate and professional. The Xvest hasproven itself in my programs. Thank you for

all your efforts andhelp in improving mycapability as a strengthand conditioning spe-cialist.”—Donald A.Chu, Ph.D., PT, ATC,CSCS, author ofJumping IntoPlyometrics.

Circle No. 244

Xvest has a new weight configuration, andit's heavy: 84 pounds of heavy. The newXvest, known as the Fire Fighter model,was developed especially for fire fighters

and their rigorous train-ing. It has the samebasic design as the origi-nal Xvest, but internally ithas a new weight config-uration that allows for 84pounds of weight.Because of the ability toadjust weight like theoriginal Xvest, everyonefrom body builders to mil-

itary personnel is buying them. For moreinformation on all the Xvest models, callthe company or visit its Web site.

Circle No. 245

The Smart Way toBuild Strength"I have lived by the theory that there are twokinds of athletes in the world. Those who siton the sidelines and watch life happen, andthose who jump in feet first and make life

happen. Guess whichone I am.

“After 13 years in theNFL, I’ve had my shareof aches and pains. Ibuilt myself into one ofthe strongest NFL play-ers, but I did it by beingsmart.

“I began using electromuscle stimulationwith my normal workouts to enhance mymuscle performance. E-Stim, as it is called,provided me with four big advantages:

1. Injury Prevention: E-Stim helped me buildand maintain strength during a rigorous in-season schedule. Many times, I couldn’twork out in the gym because of nagginginjuries, and E-Stim helped me continue totrain the muscles that needed it the most.

2. Injury Maintenance: E-Stim allowed me towork around injuries to continue my strength-training program, because I could work outthe body parts that were healthy, unlike intraditional weight training.

3. Target Specific Muscles: There were manytimes when I couldn’t get a muscle or groupof muscles to respond to training, and E-Stimtargeted those muscles and stimulatedincreases in strength beyond what I was get-ting from traditional weight training.

4. Rapid Muscle Recovery: E-Stim has beenclinically proven to speed muscle recovery,and I personally experienced that every time Iused E-Stim. When I had tight or sore mus-cles, I didn't head for the ‘ice bath’... I head-ed for E-Stim.”

“Superstar” Mike MorrisHost of the Power Trip Morning Show

KFAN, Minneapolis, MN

Compex Technologies, Inc.1811 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112866-826-6739 Toll [email protected]

Get a free informational DVD by visiting:www.compex.us/exposed

Testimonial


Web News

More Products

AyhansMarketplace.com866-211-7650WWW.AYHANSMARKETPLACE.COM/VALUE

Ayhan’s Mediterranean Marketplace offerssignificant savings on healthy, delicious

energy snacksfor athletes.Ayhan’s hasintroduced a“Sports EnergyPack,” consist-ing of gourmet-quality driedapricots, gold-en raisins,dried banana

chips, cranberry health mix, walnuts,yogurt-covered pretzels, dried apple rings,soy chips, and dream candy bars. Ayhan’sis offering a special price to T&C readersfor the Energy Pack—$21.95, a savings ofmore than $10. Visit the company’s Website to place your order today. Shipping isfree for all orders over $20.

Circle No. 249

Human Kinetics800-747-4457WWW.HUMANKINETICS.COM

The second edition of UnderstandingSports Massage, from Human presentsthe fundamental theory and practicalbasis for using sports massage to keepathletes in top shape, speed injury recov-

ery, and improveperformance.Coaches and ath-letes areintroduced tomassagetechniques whichthey can apply innonmedical situa-tions, such asduring warm-ups

and while preparing for and recoveringfrom competition. The techniques helpreduce the potential for injuries and aid inrehabilitation. The text is accompanied bynearly 100 photographs that illustrateproper technique.

Circle No. 250

The Hygenic Corp.800-321-2135WWW.THERA-BAND.COM

The First Step To Active Health™ kit isan evidence-based, progressive physical-activity program for inactive adults over

50. The kitincludes a pro-gram manual,instructions forcardiovascular,flexibility,strength, andbalance training,and an activity

card to track progress. A red (light-resistance) Thera-Band® exercise band isincluded as well. The First Step to ActiveHealth kit is produced by the manufactur-ers of Thera-Band products. Visitwww.firststeptoactivehealth.com for moreinformation.

Circle No. 251


ELECTROTHERAPY INFORMATION AT THE CLICK OF AMOUSE

BioMedical Life Systems has an informational Web siteon electrotherapy, with descriptions of the company'snumerous portable electrotherapy products. Visitors canview electrode placement charts, protocols, and otheruseful information. The site is easy to navigate andoffers many printer-friendly reference pages. Check outthe What’s New section for up-to-date information onBioMedical Life Systems' newest innovations.

www.bmls.com

AN EASY-TO-USE WEB RESOURCE FOR NSCA CERTI-FICATION INFORMATION

The NSCA Certification Commission®'s Web site offersmany resources for individuals interested in taking theCertified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®)and/or NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®)exams. The site allows candidates to view up-to-dateexam schedules, register for the exams, and purchasereview materials. Other resources include sample examquestions, online practice exams, suggestions on how to

prepare for the exam based on educational background,and an extensive downloads section. Certified individualscan use the site to find continuing-education opportuni-ties and recertification information.

www.nsca-cc.org

OPTP INSIDER OFFERS SPECIAL BENEFITS TOCUSTOMERS

New to OPTP is a host of preferred-customer servicesand specials. Preferred-customer status is free and opento anyone, and signing up is easy. Some of the exclusivebenefits of the OPTP Insider include advance notificationof hot new publications and products, UPS tracking andshipment notification for orders, special values,discounts, and product closeout deals, the OPTP InsidereNewsletter, and priority pre-order access and first ship-ping on new products as soon as they become available.To sign up for the OPTP Insider benefits, visit the compa-ny's Web site today.

www.optp.com

Check out www.AthleticBid.com to contact these companies.


225. . . Accelerated Care (Omnisound 3000E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

224. . . Accelerated Care (Omnistim FX2 Pro) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

219. . . Ari-Med Pharmaceuticals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

249. . . AyhansMarketplace.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

220. . . Biofreeze (pain management) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

221. . . Biofreeze (Single Use Dispenser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

226. . . BioMedical Life (BioStim INF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

227. . . BioMedical Life (QuadStar Elite) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

230. . . Chattanooga Group (Intelect NMES) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

229. . . Chattanooga (Vectra Genisys) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

246. . . Creative Health Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

235. . . efi Sports Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

231. . . Electromedical Products Int’l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

223. . . Gebauer (Instant Ice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

222. . . Gebauer (Spray and Stretch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

236. . . Human Kinetics (Jumpmetrics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

250. . . Human Kinetics (Sports Massage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

237. . . NASM (Neuromuscular Stretching) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

238. . . NASM (Optimum Performance Training) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

239. . . Perform Better (Biokinetic Plyobox) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

240. . . Perform Better (“soft design” cones) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

247. . . Power Systems (catalog) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

241. . . Power Systems (Plyo Box) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

242. . . Power Systems (Versa-Fit Bags) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

228. . . Rehabilicare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

233. . . Rich-Mar (AutoPrism) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

232. . . Rich-Mar (AutoSound 7.6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

251. . . The Hygenic Corp. (Active Health kit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

243. . . The Hygenic Corp. (wobble boards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

234. . . THOR Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

244. . . Xvest (Don Chu) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

245. . . Xvest (Fire Fighter model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY200. . . Accelerated Care Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

201. . . Antibody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

202. . . Ball Dynamics International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

203. . . BioMedical Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

204. . . CeraSport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

205. . . Cho-Pat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

206. . . efi Sports Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46


208. . . Gebauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

209. . . MET-Rx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

210. . . NASM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

211. . . NZ Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

212. . . Oakworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

213. . . OPTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

214. . . Performance Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

215. . . Power Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

216. . . Tanita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

217. . . The Hygenic Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

A D V E R T I S E R S D I R E C T O R Y CIRCLE COMPANY PAGE CIRCLE COMPANY PAGENO. NO. NO. NO.

109. . . Accelerated Care Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

116. . . Antibody (BodyGuards) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

102. . . Biofreeze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

120. . . BioMedical Life Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

126. . . CeraSport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

108. . . Chattanooga Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

101. . . Cho-Pat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

129. . . Compex Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

103. . . efi Sports Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7


128. . . Exertools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

119. . . FitBALL USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

127. . . Flexall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

106. . . Game Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

107. . . Gebauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

112. . . Human Kinetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

100. . . MET-Rx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC

123. . . NASM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

130. . . Oakworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC

111. . . OPTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

105. . . Perform Better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

118. . . Prossage Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33

114. . . Rehabilicare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

104. . . Rich-Mar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

113. . . Seton Hall University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

110. . . Stott Pilates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

115. . . Thera-Band/Hygenic Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

121. . . THOR Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

122. . . TurfCordz/NZ Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

124. . . Xvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

P R O D U C T S D I R E C T O R Y CIRCLE COMPANY PAGE CIRCLE COMPANY PAGENO. NO. NO. NO.

TOTAL GYM® POWERTOWER™POWERS UP WORKOUTS ANDREHABILITATION

efi Sports Medicine has beenat the forefront of innovationin athletic training, physical

therapy, andhomefitness formore than aquarter cen-tury. Itsproductsare in more

than 14,000 clinics, schools,hospitals, athletic trainingcenters and health clubs.efi's ground-breaking integra-tion of the proven benefits ofgravity resistance andfunctional training on asingle exercise apparatusfacilitates shorter, more effi-cient workouts that producesuperior results. efi mostrecently introduced the TotalGym PowerTower. Presidentand co-founder TomCampanaro discusses thisamazing new product.

Company Q & A

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBETHE NEW TOTAL GYMPOWERTOWER?The PowerTower works on the same prin-ciples as our other incline resistanceproducts with a cable and pulley systemand free-motion glideboard. What setsthe PowerTower apart is that it’s fullyelectric. It is the only product in the worldthat lets you literally change theresistance during the exercise regimen:mid-curl, mid-squat, mid-anything with thetouch of a button. You can go from

essentially lifting 20 pounds tofully loading the muscle with 100pounds without any interruption.More specifically, it can provideunlimited incremental increases inresistance from three to 72 per-cent of a person’s body weightand additional weight up to 450pounds at any of the pre-calibrat-ed levels.

Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OFCHANGING THE RESISTANCELEVEL DURING AN EXERCISE?Changing the resistance level mid-movefurther intensifies the workout by puttingmore demand on the muscle. Not onlydoes it offer a more cohesive andefficient exercise session but it alsoincreases the user’s safety becauseyou’re not dealing with external weights.This also allows you to maximize fatiguesafely by enabling you to decrease theload during movement.

Q: WHAT IMPACT IS THEPOWERTOWER HAVING ON PER-SONAL TRAINING AND THEHEALTH CLUB INDUSTRY?When I talk to personal trainers, theylove the PowerTower because it givesthem a means of training that they can’tget anywhere else. It brings a whole newlevel of sophistication to training. No mat-ter why you are practicing strength train-ing -- whether it is for restored functionand mobility, endurance, stability, muscle

mass or a lean physique,PowerTower is the ultimatefunctional training tool.Anybody who uses it, evenprofessional athletes, cancompletely fatigue their mus-cles.

Originally, the PowerTower was developedfor the physical therapy environment.Clients with back injuries had a difficulttime getting on and off equipment, sothis was the perfect solution. Now, per-sonal trainers see this machine and real-ize that using body weight is not onlyeffective and safe but it can revolutionizethe way they work with resistance-trainingclients. Most recently, and an NFL teambought Total Gym PowerTower for itsrehabilitation program and uses it on adaily basis.efi SPORTS MEDICINE

7755 ARJONS DRIVESAN DIEGO, CA [email protected]

WWW.EFISPORTSMEDICINE.COM


Association Corner

The Voice of the Doctors who care for the Pros

The PTP provides resources and services for allsports medicine professionals.

Visit www.proteamphysicians.com to find a PTP doctor, ask a question of a PTP doctor, orexplore the educational materials from PTP regarding

prevention, treatment and performance.

SPECIALIST IN SPORTS CONDITIONING

ISSA Certification Program• Be the conditioning coach for your team.• Expand strength & conditioning programs.• Maximize earning potential as a coach.• Learn to enhance athletic performance.

CALL FOR FREE INFO: 1.800.892.4772www.FitnessEducation.com

International Sports Sciences Association

Athletic Therapy. Rapid return to work and play.

Athletic Therapists are dedicated to the promotion and delivery of qualitycare through injury prevention and rehabilitation and emergency services.

In collaboration with other health care professionals, athletic therapistswork to create a healthier environment that encompasses the needs of the

active community, including the high-performance athlete.

For more information please visit us online at www.athletictherapy.org

Take Your Career to New Heights

P E R F O R M A N C E E N H A N C E M E N T

CONTINUING EDUCATION ● CERTIFICATION

• Earn CEUs for NASM, NATA, NSCA

• Live workshops, home-study and online courses

• Flexibility, core, balance, power, speed and strength

training

• Clinical applications

• Proven methods

JUN 11-12 2004 Lifting For Power

Colorado Springs, CO

JUL 14-17 2004 National Conference & Exhibition

Minneapolis, MN

JUL 30-31 2004 Plyometric & Speed Development

Colorado Springs, CO

All NATA certified athletic

trainers are eligible to receive a

free subscription to T&C.

JAN 7-8 2005

JUL 6-9 2005

NSCA Sport-Specific Training ConferenceLouisville, KY

NSCA National Conference & Trade ShowLas Vegas, NV

The following associations offer services of interest to our T&C readers.

2005

NATA Bronze

Corporate Partner

149assoc.indd 64 11/19/04 11:09:48 AM


AN INDUSTRY LEADER BUILTAROUND THE BEST PRODUCTS ANDCUSTOMER SERVICE

It was nearly two decades agothat Bruno Pauletto, formerOlympian and Strength and

ConditioningCoach at theUniversity ofTennessee,saw a needto supplyproductsthat helpathletes

compete at their very best. Tofulfill this need, Pauletto found-ed Power Systems, Inc., locatedin Knoxville, Tenn. BecausePauletto understands strengthand conditioning, he knows therole that various equipment andproducts can play in improvingperformance. Training &Conditioning recently askedPauletto to share his views ona number of topics related tohis field and business.

Company Q & A

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF POWERSYSTEMS, INC.?In 1986, I made a series of five strengthand conditioning training videos for coach-es. The videos focused on teaching anddemonstrating correct techniques and drillsfor strength, speed, and plyometrics. Then Ibegan to provide coaches with the opportu-nity to purchase quality training equipmentthat had previously been difficult to locate,and from that the Power Systems catalogwas born. Since then, Power Systems hasbecome the leading distributor of specialtyexercise, sports conditioning, and fitness-training equipment and programming. Weproduce two printed catalogs annually, onefor sports-performance professionals andone for fitness professionals. We also havea fully functional, secure online catalog.

HOW DO YOU COME UP WITHIDEAS FOR NEW PRODUCTS ANDPROGRAMS?The Power Systems staff is comprised ofindividuals from many different sports andfitness backgrounds, and includes certifiedpersonal trainers, certified strength and con-ditioning specialists, and people with mas-ter’s degrees in exercise physiology,exercise science, recreation, kinesiology,and sports medicine. It is with this experi-enced group and through tracking industrytrends that we are able to provide our cus-tomers with functional, effective, and excit-ing products. We also listen to ourcustomers. They give us additional insightinto the effectiveness of a product orprogram, new ways to use it, andsuggestions for improvements,modifications, and new products.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THETRENDS IN SPORTSCONDITIONING AND TRAINING?At Power Systems, we’re seeing a continuedemphasis on functional training, whichmeans conditioning athletes in a way thatmimics the specific skills needed to performat a high level. However, there is also agrowing population of coaches andpractitioners implementing “throwback”training methods. This group is going backto basics, incorporating fundamentalstrength-training methodologies and empha-

sizing technique. For example, PowerSystems has introduced a return to theancient art of kettlebell training. These castiron bells, ranging from 20 lbs. to 50 lbs.,can be incorporated into full-body workouts,explosive sport-specific movements, andcore-training programs. Specific functionalmovements that can be performed with ket-tlebells include squats, pulls, overheadthrows, and rotational training.

WHAT SHOULD A TRAININGPROFESSIONAL LOOK FOR WHENSHOPPING FOR CONDITIONINGEQUIPMENT AND PROGRAMS?Professionals should seek to work with aprofessional company. They should look fora company that offers a large selection ofinnovative, quality products and programsat the best possible prices. The companyshould have a knowledgeable and educatedcustomer service department and theability to provide one-stop shopping for alltheir training equipment needs. Additionally,they should seek a company that offersexceptional product warranties and standsbehind every product it sells. At PowerSystems, our goal is to exceed ourcustomers' expectations 100 percent ofthe time. We think like coaches andtrainers because we are coaches and train-ers, and it's this strong commitment tocustomer service that reflects our corevalue: integrity.

POWER SYSTEMS, INC.P.O. BOX 31709KNOXVILLE, TN [email protected]

WWW.POWER-SYSTEMS.COM

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Training & Conditioning is pleased to provide NATA and NSCA members with the opportunity to earn continuing education units through reading issues of the magazine. The following quiz is based on articles that appear in this issue of Training & Conditioning. By satisfactorily completing the quiz and mail-ing it back to T&C, readers can earn 2.0 BOC Athletic Training and 0.2 (two hours) NSCA continuing educa-tion units.

INSTRUCTIONS: Fill in the circle on the answer form (on page 62) that represents the best answer for each of the questions below. Complete the form at the bottom of page 62, include a $15 payment to Training & Conditioning, and mail it by January 30, 2005 to the following address: Training & Conditioning, ATTN: 14.9 Quiz, 2488 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Readers who correctly answer 70 percent of the questions will be notified of their earned credit by mail no later than March 15, 2005.

LIFTING YOUR SALARY (pages 17-23)Objective: To understand the most effective ways of asking for a raise in salary.

1. When determining if you should consider asking for a raise, your first question should be:

a) Will my boss think I deserve a raise?b) How many hours per week do I currently work?c) Do I really think I deserve a raise? d) Will my peers think I deserve a raise?

2. Other factors to consider in determining reasons to jus-tify a raise include:

a) Longevity with the employer.b) Loyalty to the employer.c) Possessing skills and abilities other athletic train-

ers cannot duplicate.d) Possessing a hard work ethic.

3. To help justification for a raise, the athletic trainer should keep:

a) Written documentation of specific accomplishments.b) Written log of hours worked.c) A list of personal honors and awards earned.d) A record of community service performed.

4. According to Kevin Wolf, it is recommended to discuss your intent to request a raise with:

a) Your spouse.b) Your co-workers.c) Your supervisor.d) Your human resources department.

5. One important resource in determining a certified ath-letic trainer’s financial value is:

a) The department budget.b) The university/employer’s fiscal standingc) The salaries currently paid to all employees at your

institution.d) A recent salary survey conducted by the NATA.

6. According to Amy Lindgren, the best approach to requesting a raise is to set up a meeting with the decision maker and enter the meeting with:

a) The attitude that this meeting is a discussion, not a negotiation.

b) All your written documentation to justify your raise.

c) The attitude that this meeting is a negotiation ses-sion.

d) The attitude you are willing search for a new job if your terms are not met.

7. Other ways to increase your income within your employ-ment setting may be to:

a) Add outside consulting jobs.b) Request an increase in vacation time.c) Decrease your work hours.d) Pursue getting your job reclassified to a higher pay

scale within your organization.

8. The final step to finalizing your raise is to:a) Wait for the salary increase to take effect.b) Be sure to put in writing the agreed upon salary

increase and when it is to take effect.c) Redo your personal budget.d) Watch your paycheck and check the calculations.

A TOMATO A DAY? (pages 25-29)Objective: To understand emerging research on nutrition and sports performance, as presented at the SCAN confer-ence, and how to apply it to today’s athletes.

9. According to David Nieman, athletes may enhance their immune systems by:

a) Ingesting carbohydrate drinks during rest intervals if exercise duration exceeds 90 minutes.

b) Supplementing with vitamin C.c) Supplementing with vitamin E.d) Building up the athlete’s endurance to sustain pro-

longed activity.

10. Sedentary individuals need ________ grams of protein per pound of body weight.

a) 1.0b) 0.8c) 0.6d) 0.36

11. Endurance athletes need ________grams of protein per pound of body weight:

a) 0.64b) 0.84c) 0.94d) 1.0


CEU QUIZ T&C December 2004Vol. XIV, No. 9T&C December 2004Vol. XIV, No. 9

12. Strength athletes need ____grams of protein per pound of body weight.

a) 0.36b) 0.64c) 0.77d) 1.0

13. The article recommends using ___________as an excel-lent way to rehydrate athletes after a workout.

a) soy milkb) plain milkc) protein bard) low-fat chocolate milk

CHANGING TIMES (pages 30-39)Objective: To understand the role of the sports medicine staff when an athlete is pregnant and when she returns to competition postpartum.

14. At Wright State University, a policy was developed that views pregnancy as:

a) A reason to discontinue athletic participation.b) A health event.c) A reason to contact the athlete’s parents.d) A different category from other injuries such as

knee or ankle injuries.

15. An effective policy regarding pregnancy should address:a) Scholarship issues.b) Obstetrical care.c) The need to know issues.d) The time frame an athlete is required to inform the

medical staff of her pregnancy.

16. Once a policy is in place, the next step is to:a) Discuss the policy with female athletes.b) Inform the parents of female athletes about the

policy.c) communicate the policy to coaches and sports

teams, and include it in the student-athlete hand-book.

d) Post the policy in locker rooms.

17. It is recommended to gather some of the following resources before information is needed in a pregnancy situ-ation:

a) Time frames for diagnostic ultrasounds.b) Counselor telephone numbers as well as informa-

tion regarding health insurance coverage for preg-nancy.

c) Case studies of athletes that continued to partici-pate throughout their pregnancy.

d) The sport’s rules regarding pregnant athletes.

18. According to Anita Clark, the first step to take after an athlete informs you she may be pregnant is to:

a) Inquire as to how confident she is that she is preg-nant.

b) Gather information about pregnancy and exercise.c) Set up a meeting with the coach.d) Confirm pregnancy with a pregnancy test.

19. If a pregnancy is confirmed, the next step is:a) Refer the athlete to a gynecologist immediately.b) Set up a meeting with the coaching staff.c) Provide the athlete with nutritional information for

pregnant athletes.d) Withdraw the athlete from sports.

20. When a high school athlete informs the ATC of a preg-nancy, Jon Almquist recommends:

a) Promising confidentiality.b) Documenting the discussion.c) Contacting the athlete’s parents immediately.d) Involving another professional immediately.

21. Athletic trainers should:a) Realize they are not trained to counsel in crisis

pregnancy.b) Discuss options with the pregnant athlete at the

high school level.c) Determine if the pregnancy was due to sexual

assault.d) Involve the father in discussions.

22. According to James Clapp, a rational, conservative approach with a pregnant athlete would allow competition until ___________weeks of gestation.

a) 22b) 24c) 14-22d) 16-20

23. Clapp advises to limit intensity based on:a) Gestational period.b) Type of sport.c) Rate of perceived exertion and limit this to “moder-

ately hard”.d) ACOG guidelines of keeping heart rate less than

140 beats per minute.

24. A cool down period after exercise is critical for pregnant women since:

a) They are more prone to lactic acid build up.b) Stopping exercise abruptly leads to a drop in heart

rate, as well as a decreased stroke volume and car-diac output leading to decreased blood supply to the uterus.

c) They need to cool down their core body temperature slowly.

d) A cool down period decreases the risk of ligamen-tous sprains.

25. According to Kimberly Harmon, return to play after an abortion generally takes:

a) three weeks or when the athlete’s weight returns to previous level.

b) three months or when the athlete feels ready.c) 14-21 days.d) five to seven days or when bleeding and cramping

are no longer heavy.


ANSWER SHEET IS ON PAGE 62

CEU QUIZ ANSWER FORM

INSTRUCTIONS: Fill in the circle on the answer form below that represents your selection of the best answer for each of the previous questions. Complete the form at the bottom of this page, include a $15 payment to Training & Conditioning, and mail it to the following address: Training & Conditioning, ATTN: 14.9 Quiz, 2488 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, no later than January 30, 2005. Readers who correctly answer 70 percent of the questions will receive 2.0 BOC Athletic Training and 0.2 (two hours) NSCA CEU’s, and will be notified of their earned credit by mail no later than March 15, 2005.

LIFTING YOUR SALARY

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Last Name ______________________________________ First Name _____________________________MI _____

Mailing Address ____________________________________________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________ State _______________Zip Code ___________________

Daytime Telephone _____________________________ E-Mail Address __________________________________

Payment Information

❏ $15 check or money order (U.S. Funds only) payable to: Training & Conditioning ❏ Visa ❏ Mastercard ❏ Discover ❏ American Express

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A TOMATO A DAY?

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CHANGING TIMES

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CEU Accredited as a Home Study Course by NATA, NASM & NSCA

Encompassing the most up-to-date & proveninformation for functional analysis, injury prevention, physical rehabilitation, training & conditioning & performance enhancement.

866-230-8300 www.functionaldesign.com

SETTING the STANDARD

EARN BOC CEUs• Complete quizzes found in the Strength & Conditioning Journal• Complete online quizzes at www.nsca-cc.org

888-746-2378E-mailToll [email protected]

Phone402-476-6669

NATA CEU AD STRENGTH AND COND M 1 6/25/04 11:41:06 AM

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EElectromuscle stimulation (EMS) has a well-established rolein rehabilitation and pain management, but is now the world'sworst-kept secret among elite athletes as a way to safely enhancemuscle performance. Even more, professional trainers andstrength coaches have witnessed that training with EMS producesbetter results than conventional training alone.

High quality pre-programmed EMS devices are valuableassets to professional and amateur athletes alike. To name a few,NFL Pro Jerry Rice, European athletes like World Champion SkierHermann Maier and Olympic tennis champion Justine Henin-Hardenne, and World Champion Triathletes Melanie McQuaidand Simon Lessing continue to benefit from EMS training sessionsin conjunction with traditional training inside and outside theweight room. Professional teams for MLB, the NFL, NBA andNHL are also now using EMS outside the training room.

so what is it?EMS devices generate electrical impulses that trigger an actionpotential in muscle nerve fibers (motor neurons). In response to this,the motor neuron produces a response known as a twitch. Twitchesperformed in succession generated by EMS are the same as a musclecontraction generated by the nervous system in response to regularexercise. The work performed by the muscle fibers varies accordingto the frequency (# of pulses per second) of the electrical stimulation- 10 impulses per second produces low excitement of fibers and 100impulses per second produces high working power in the fibers.

what can ems do?Electromuscle stimulation can accomplish three things that are outsideof the brain's capabilities:� It can recruit up to 100% of the muscle fibers in any muscle group,to perform work or exercise. The brain can only recruit (use) about45-50% of the muscle fibers.� It can target specific muscle fibers: slow twitch, fast twitch, very fasttwitch fibers… the brain cannot discern between these fiber types.� It can create more muscle activity in muscles being worked.Thebrain has a “limiting switch” that always keeps some of the musclein reserve for emergency purposes.

what are the benefits of ems?Scientific research has demonstrated that there are several physio-logical benefits to using EMS in conjunction with a traditional trainingprogram for fitness and sports performance:

� Recruitment of fast-twitch fibers The “size principle” orthe “Henneman law” determines the way muscles respond duringexercise whereby the smallest motor units (slow twitch) are activatedfirst because of their low action potential. As demand on the muscleincreases, the larger motor units (fast twitch) begin to activate. WithEMS, this is reversed; the fast twitch muscles are activated first, thusinitiating maximal eccentric movements which also focus on the fasttwitch muscle fibers. This is a boon to those athletes who arerequired to perform maximal eccentrics and plyometrics which canbe taxing to the joints and nervous system. Using EMS these athletescan reduce their volume of these training sessions and get betterresults with less risk of injury.

� Increase in Muscle Strength Numerous studies haveshown significant strength gains with EMS. Using a Compex® unitfor 10 minutes three times per week for three weeks, sprinters

gained 52% in strength. (Ratton and Cometti) Boxers using EMS onthe triceps had strength gains of 18.5% in the same three weeks witha similar protocol. (Champion and Pousson) In addition, several studieshave shown a cross-education benefit whereby an untrained limbgained strength when the opposite limb was trained with EMS, justas it would be with traditional exercise.

� Muscle Mass Gains Only a few studies have been done onmuscle hypertrophy in healthy athletes using EMS. In one study, competitive triple jumpers had size gains of 4 to 8% in the quadricepsin 3 weeks, a 2 to 4 times better result than the control group.(Turostowski,et al.) Competitive wrestlers experienced a 4.5%improvement in muscle mass after a 3 week EMS program. (Gilletand Cometti) Other studies have shown that EMS training can produce more micro-trauma than concentric training therefore leadingto more growth.

� Increase in Vertical Jump/Power A study was conductedon athletes performing squat jumps and countermovement jumpsusing EMS for 16 minute sessions three times per week for four andeight weeks. The experimental group used only EMS and the controlgroup used only regular strength training. The SJ increased 14% after4-weeks for training whereas the CMJ increased 17% after 8-weeks oftraining. There was a strength increase of 11.45% for the EMS groupand 3.65% for the control group over all. Further research showed thatEMS and plyometrics together produced significant improvements inthe countermovement jumps. (Cometti, Maffiuletti, et al.)

� Speed Increases Since EMS impacts the fast twitch fibers,there is good reason to believe that it improves speed even thoughclinical studies are not yet available. Careful stimulation of the musclesinvolved in running - quadriceps, rectus femoris, hamstrings, calves,and the gluteals is vital to avoid strength imbalances.

� Muscle Recovery When EMS is utilized in sub-tetanic frequency, the pulsation acts like a massage, increasing blood flow,releasing endorphins, causing muscle relaxation and helping to break-down adhesions between fibers. During recovery, EMS can be usedto speed up the muscle ability to perform at high levels. A study(Gregory) showed that active recovery from EMS is effective inremoving lactate after exhaustive exercise. Compared to post-exerciserest or light aerobic activity to help the body recover, EMS recoveryshowed a tendency toward a longer all-out effort than the other formsof recovery.

� Work Beyond Normal Limits Psychological, muscular andcardiovascular fatigue are limiting factors in any traditional trainingscenario. With EMS programs, an athlete can effectively work localizedmuscles aerobically or anaerobically even after they have finished atraditional training session. EMS training can also take place beforetraditional training to “pre-fatigue” certain muscle groups before lifting.

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