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