Journal of Athletic Training

CONTEXT: Athletic trainers are employed in various settings, which may utilize one of three organizational infrastructure models: 1) sport/athletic model, 2) medical model, and 3) academic model. These different settings and organizational infrastructure models may result in varying levels of organizational-professional conflict (OPC). However, how OPC may differ across infrastructure models and practice settings is not known. OBJECTIVE: Examine the prevalence of OPC among athletic trainers in various organizational infrastructures and explore athletic trainers' perceptions of OPC, including its precipitating and mitigating factors...

CONTEXT: Patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) frequently display altered movement patterns during functional movements. However, conflicting results regarding movement patterns during jump-landing movements often hinder clinicians in developing proper rehabilitation programs for the CAI population. Calculating joint energetics offers a novel method to overcome discrepancies in movement patterns by individuals with and without CAI. OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in energy dissipation and generation by the lower extremity during maximal jump-landing/cutting among groups with CAI, copers, and controls...

CONTEXT: Engaging in exercise and appropriate nutritional intake improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. However, limited research has examined energy availability (EA), mental health, and sleep patterns in athletic trainers (AT). OBJECTIVE: To examine ATs' EA, mental health risk (i.e., depression, anxiety) and sleep disturbances across sex (males, females), job status (part-time: PT-AT; full-time: FT-AT) and occupational setting (college/university, high school, non-traditional)...

CONTEXT: Data on the early- to mid-life effects of repetitive neurotrauma on patient reported outcomes have been delimited to homogeneous samples of male athletes with failure to utilize comparison groups or account for modifying factors such as physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of contact/collision sport participation on patient reported outcomes among early-middle aged adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Research Laboratory...

In this case report, we discuss a case of a now 23-year-old athlete, diagnosed with mild hemophilia who successfully played varsity soccer throughout high school and continued to play intramural and club soccer while in college. A prophylactic protocol was developed by the athlete's hematologist to allow his safe participation in contact sports. Similar prophylactic protocols have been discussed by Maffet et al, that successfully allowed an athlete to participate in high level basketball. However, there still exist significant barriers to the athlete with hemophilia participating in contact sports...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to investigate if a positive vestibular or oculomotor screening is predictive of recovery in patients following concussion. DATA SOURCES: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to search through PubMed, Ovid Medline, SPORTDiscuss, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and hand searches of included articles. STUDY SELECTION: Two authors evaluated all articles for inclusion and assessed their quality using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool...

CONTEXT: Lack of education, stigma and negative self-attitudes are key barriers to help-seeking in Gaelic footballers. With the prevalence of mental health issues in Gaelic footballers and the increased risk of experiencing mental health issues following injury, mental health literacy (MHL) interventions are necessary. OBJECTIVE: To design and implement a novel MHL educational intervention program in Gaelic footballers. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study...

CONTEXT: The knee, low back, and shoulder account for the majority of overuse injuries in volleyball; unfortunately, previous studies utilized methodology that failed to examine the extent of their injury burden and impact on performance. OBJECTIVE: To develop a more accurate and complete understanding regarding the weekly prevalence and burden of knee, low back, and shoulder problems within the highest levels of men's volleyball - including the role that preseason complaints, match participation, player position, team, and age have on complaints...

CONTEXT: Mental health screening as a part of collegiate athletic pre-participation evaluations is becoming increasingly common, but effective and efficient screening is dependent upon a screening tool that can accurately identify mental health symptomatology and the need for mental health intervention. DESIGN: Case-Control Study. SETTING: Archival clinical records review. PARTICIPANTS: Two cohorts of incoming NCAA Division 1 collegiate athletes (N= 353)...

CONTEXT: Exercise dependence (EXD) is a compulsive and addictive behavior that can negatively impact physical and mental health, leading to significant impairment or distress. EXD has been associated with symptoms of eating disorders (ED). Student-athletes are an at-risk population for EDs and EXD given the physical and psychological demands of competitive sports. OBJECTIVE: To examine EXD and ED risk in student-athletes across sex and sport category; and determine the association between EXD and ED...

CONTEXT: The abrupt cessation of school and sport participation during the COVID-19 pandemic may have negative implications for adolescent mental health. OBJECTIVE: (1) To compare mental, physical, and social health and behaviors during pandemic-related stay-at-home mandates with the same measures collected 1-2 years prior. (2) To assess the relationship of physical activity and sleep during the pandemic with anxiety, fatigue, and peer relationship changes between assessment timepoints...

CONTEXT: Individuals with mechanical ankle instability (MAI) have obvious lateral ligament laxity and excessive ankle joint motion beyond the physiologic range. Arthrometry has been introduced to quantitatively measure the laxity of ankle joint. However, the diagnostic accuracy of arthrometers in diagnosing MAI is still debatable. OBJECTIVES: To (1) evaluate the difference in laxity between bilateral ankles in patients with and without MAI and (2) calculate the diagnostic accuracy of ankle arthrometry using bilateral comparisons...

CONTEXT: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) has been considered a neurophysiological disease, having dysfunction in somatosensory and motor system excitability. However, few studies have so far explored the changes in cortical activation during balance tasks of CAI patients. OBJECTIVES: To compare the cortical activity during single-leg stance among CAI, copers and uninjured controls and to compare dynamic balance across groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study...

CONTEXT: Social determinants of health (SDH)-education, transportation, housing, employment, health systems and services, economic status, and physical and social environments-influence patient outcomes; therefore, athletic trainers (ATs) need to be able to understand and address these factors. However, little is known about how ATs perceive SDH or how knowledgeable they are about social factors that contribute to patient health and well-being. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ATs' familiarity and comfort with SDH and their perceived knowledge and recognition of SDH...

CONTEXT: Neurocognitive testing is a critical tool in management of sports-related concussions. Adversity during childhood and adolescence effects cognitive tasks, behavioral outcomes, and academic performance. Adversity may be important in baseline concussion test validity as well; however, the effect of these experiences is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between individual-level experiences of adversity and baseline test validity of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) Program...

Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) patients experience discrimination, harassment, marginalization, and minority stress at greater rates than their cisgender counterparts leading to numerous health and healthcare disparities that negatively impact wellbeing and access to quality healthcare.1 While in an opportune position to improve health equity for TGD patients under their care, many athletic trainers (ATs) report having little to no formal education on TGD patient care leading to a reduction in self-reported competence...

CONTEXT: Collegiate club-sport athletes participate in a variety of competitive sports and have been understudied in the concussion literature. Baseline performance measures are warranted to better understand assessment and management. OBJECTIVE: To quantify normative values and modifying factor effects of sex, concussion history, diagnosed attention disabilities (ADHD), and sport-type on baseline symptom evaluation among collegiate club-sport athletes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study...

CONTEXT: Sports specialization, or focused participation in a single sport, is associated with an increased rate of overuse injury and burnout. Medical associations and sport organizations have published recommendations for sport specialization aimed to reduce the negative consequences. Healthcare providers (HCPs) are often identified as individuals who can educate athletes and parents about these important recommendations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare knowledge, perceptions, awareness, confidence, and use of sports specialization recommendations between HCPs who work with pediatric athletes...

Recently, there has been an increase in media attention surrounding transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals between discriminatory legislation efforts and changing participation policies within organized sports. These changes and the historical lack of competence and education regarding the transgender patient population have resulted in sub-par patient care, and a misunderstanding of the athletic trainer's (AT) role within the healthcare and compliance systems. This literature review is the second part of a two-paper series and the objective of this paper was to educate ATs on the processes relevant to medical affirmation including compliance considerations regarding medical eligibility and to establish the AT's role...

Athletic identity is a psychological factor of concern for athletes following a sport-related concussion (SRC). The integrated model of response to sport injury includes athletic identity as a psychological factor within its model but it has often been overlooked as a consideration impacting outcomes of SRC. This review applied the integrated model of response to sport injury to the current available evidence about the negative consequences of a stronger athletic identity on health outcomes after SRC. Theory-based research recommendations will be provided to facilitate research in this area...