Preparing for the Upcoming Season as a Coach

Many sports are beginning to start preparations for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.  Depending on your role in sports be it coach, athletes, or parent how you prepare for the season will differ.  In a three part series we will discuss some of the keys to preparing for the season so that everyone can find success. 

For many coaches there is no off season or down time. Once the season ends they are going over how to improve for next year.  By half way through they are ordering supplies, uniforms and planning their practice and game schedule.  All of this may seem very easy and very routine after a couple of years of coaching, but complacency can be one of the greatest threats to safety. 

When ordering supplies it is important to take into account any changes in equipment policy and regulation.  Equipment manufacturers are great for making something new and improved, however does that new and improved model meet your league and governing body regulations?  Are the new improvements actually for the better or will they cause more harm to your athletes?  Did they remove padding to make the item lighter, leaving your athletes more prone to injury?  These are some of the questions that need to be asked to either your equipment manager or equipment representative.

Another aspect of ordering supplies is restocking your first aid and medical kit.  Replacing all used and expired items.  Keeping your first aid kit up to date with appropriate supplies to your sport and personal qualifications, is a major step in your risk management program.  

Scheduling practices and games is very time consuming and at times very frustrating.  Keeping a good practice to game ratio is very important to avoid physical and mental development and to promote proper skill acquisition.  A minimum ratio of 2:1 would be nice.  For those coaching/teaching sports that do not involve games, keeping the number of hours of practice down is equally as important.  Look at the schedule from a monthly and yearly perspective as this will give you a better indication of what is actually going on, not just a week to week basis.  

As a coach/instructor preparing your athletes for all aspects of life, not just the given sport is the greatest task you will be given.  Mike Babcock has said it is a "great opportunity to make a difference", he is truly right.  You may not realize that not matter the age, you will be an influence on your athletes.  Being prepared to instil life skills and educate them on basics other than sports skills and tactics, will help you create better all round athletes, both on the playing surface and in life.  

I have met many coaches who feel they need to be an expert at everything and be able to do it all.  As the coach you are the captain of the ship.  You need to ensure you have everything taken care of to guide your ship straight.  Being prepared before the season starts will set you on the right course, but no matter what you will face some turbulent seas and need to adjust course.  Having a group of experts to help you right the course will set you apart from the rest. 

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our services at EliteInjury.com 

Beating the Heat the Safe Way

Even though back to school sales are starting in the stores, we still have at least a month of hot weather ahead of us.  Exercising and playing sports outside is a right of passage for many of us during the summer.  However there are some key points everyone needs to know to help prevent heat related illness.  

When planning an activity outside, try to plan it before 11 am and after 4 pm as the suns UV rays are at the highest at this time.  Drink 2-4 glasses of water every hour that you are outside.  Hydrate prior to and after any activity outside.  Even the what may seem like a simple activity can cause heat illness.  Take frequent breaks, if unable to go inside, find a shady, cool area to do so.  The type of clothing is important as well.  Wearing a wide brimmed hat and light weight and light coloured clothing is recommended.  A minimum of SPF 15 sunscreen is recommended and needs to be reapplied regularly especially if you are sweating or in the water.  

Part of prevention is also knowing the signs and symptoms of heat illness, so that if your or someone around you starts to experience any, you can act swiftly and safely.  

The most mild form of heat illness are heat cramps, which are brought on by exertion in heat.  They are characterized by pain and muscle contraction that continues even after exercise.  Treatment consists of rehydration with a sodium based liquid and gentle stretching.  

Heat exhaustion is a moderate heat illness.  Signs and symptoms include loss of coordination, dizziness, possible fainting, profuse sweating and pale skin, headache, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps and persistent muscle cramping.  Removal from activity immediately and being taken to a shady place and rehydration with water.  

Heat stroke is a severe and serious medical situation,  Core body temperature of greater than 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.  Altered conciousness including confusion, irritability, and decreased mental acuity.  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness and weakness are also present.  Increased heart rate, dehydration, and decreased blood pressure are some of the more extreme symptoms.  It is imperative to deal with anyone exhibiting these symptoms quickly.  The whole body should be cooled immediately, transport to an emergency room should be done quickly and under the guidance of trained personnel such as EMS.

Heat illness needs to be taken very seriously as the consequences of miss handling can be tragic.  Heat acclimation is important, gradually build up your tolerance to heat and humidity.  Young children and seniors are more prone to suffer heat illness, these populations should be closely monitored for the signs of heat illness.  

Have fun and enjoy your summer safely.

For more information on health and safety follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt 

Sources used for this article. 

National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) offers Tips for Exercising Safely in the Heat

 Heat Related Illness - BC Health Link 

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Kim Schneider

Here is our final spotlight for National Athletic Therapy Month. 

Name: Kim Schneider 

Job: Athletic Therapist with The Edmonton Wildcats Football Club and Mentor Therapist for the Sherwood Park Kings Athletic Club (hockey)

Education Background: I have a Bachelor of Physical Education with a specialization in Sports Performance from the University of Alberta as well as an Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal College.

What is a typical day for you:  A typical practice day with the Wildcats consists of arriving at the clubhouse 1.5 hours before practice starts to get everyone prepared and taped up. We are there for 30-45 min after practice to assess anything that may have happened at practice. On game day, we get to the field 2.5 hours before the game as we need to have everyone ready and taped up in time for warm ups. We are usually there for 45 min after a game to assess any new injuries or have our team doctor assess injuries that do not seem to be responding to our treatments. For hockey, I will typically get to the rink 1-1.5 hours prior to the game to prep the athletes and to prepare the bench with water bottles, towels, etc. I am basically the equipment manager too! For both sports, game day is a 5-6 hour commitment. 

Favourite part of job: My favourite part of the job is seeing my athletes eyes light up and the smile that comes across their face when I tell them that they are able to play again after an injury. I also enjoy the camaraderie of being a part of a team. 

Why did you become an AT: I became an AT because I like helping people and I love sports. I put the two together and found a fantastic job!

Highlight of Career: The highlight of my career thus far would have to be winning the 2013 Western Canadian Challenge Cup with the U16 boys Team Alberta Hockey as the Head Athletic Therapist. Representing our province is a privilege that not everyone gets to do and to do that while bringing home the gold was an experience that I will never forget!

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website Elite Injury Management 

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Nicole Lemke

Name: Nicole Lemke

Job: Athletic Therapist for Football Alberta

Education background: Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta, Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal College and a Master of Science from the University of Alberta.  

What is your typical day: My typical day on the road with Football Alberta's U18 provincial team involves per-practice preparations, sideline coverage in the event of an injury and treatment time in a host clinic.  

What is your favourite part of your job: The favorite part of my job is always game day.  Being part of the team and sharing in their pre-game anxieties and post-game reactions.  

Why did you become an AT: I became an AT because I enjoy sports.  I was an active high school athlete and this gave me a great opportunity to stay involved in sport.  

What is the highlight of your career: Football Alberta takes a team to Maui, Hawaii each summer.  I have gone 8 times! It's a beautiful location and there's a lot to be said for working on a sideline that overlooks the ocean. 

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website www.eliteinjury.com  

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Andrea Hanssen

This weeks Athletic Therapist spotlight is on Andrea Hanssen. 

Name: Andrea Hanssen

Job: Owner of Activa Sports Therapy Athletic therapist & Red Cross First Aid Instructor. 

Education Background:  Bachelors of Physical education from the University of Alberta & Mount Royal University Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy 

What is a typical day for you: During the school year I provide Athletic therapy services at a local high school and everyday can be very different.  The days go by fast doing assessments  and treatments for the students and staff,mostly the athletes that pick up injuries in football, Rugby or other school sports or activities. Other tasks that keep me busy are supervising and providing guidance in the fitness centre and assisting teachers as guest instructor of subjects such as first aid, athletic injury management, taping, nutrition and other topics.  Outside of the school you will most likely find me on the soccer pitch taking care of a variety of different levels from youth to professionals. 

Favorite part of job: Travelling is one of my passions and often times that is  a part of the job.  I have been fortunate that Athletic Therapy has taken me all over Canada, USA, Sweden, England, France and Spain. 

Why did you become an AT: I love sports and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I am happiest around a field or court, either on it playing or helping those that are. 

Highlight of Career:  There are so many great events to choose from, but one memorable moment that will always stick out in my mind is quite comical.  Dwayne Laing and I received a Red Card from the Ref (as Therapists) during a professional soccer game while on the field assisting an injured player. Apparently the he had not waved us on, however the fourth official did signal us to enter the field.  We had to leave the game. 

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and our website at www.eliteinjury.com 

SCORE - Saving & Creating Better Athletes

Today is the official launch of our SCORE - Saving and Creating Better Athletes - program.   This program has been designed to give all school athletes tools to help them succeed in all areas of their lives.  The goal of the SCORE program is to create athletes who are not only better prepared to participate in sport and excel but also create athletes who are able to reduce the risk of injury and deal with injury and emergency situations if they do occur.

The SCORE program consists of the following. 

First Aid & CPR Certification 

In the case of any emergency having someone present who is able to perform CPR and       administer life saving first aid can be the difference between life and death.  Having these skills is not only applicable to those in sport but is a great life skill.  Student athletes will be certified in CPR, AED and First Aid.

Injury Recognition 

The importance of having first aid and CPR is great, however without the knowledge of how to recognize common sports injuries those skills are not useful.  We offer numerous injury recognition seminars including concussion recognition. musculoskeletal injuries, anaphylactic    reactions, spinal injuries, heat illness and medical episodes such as cardiac arrest, diabetes, and asthma.  

Sport Taping & Strapping

If you want to learn unique and practical taping techniques for most common sports injuries.  Participants learn proper taping procedures, when to tape and when not to, taping versus bracing, as well as have the opportunity to practice different taping techniques for all parts of the body.

Education Seminars 

Seminars will increase athletes awareness of health and safety topics. Participants will gain knowledge on how to perform at peak levels as well as knowledge to use in everyday life.  Topics include nutrition, injury prevention, drugs in sport and mental training skills such as goal setting.

Student Trainer Course

For those students who wish to expand their knowledge of sports medicine or who are wanting to pursue a career in sports medicine this is the place to start.  This course is comprised of three parts: First Aid and CPR certification, Sport Taping and Strapping and our Managing Injuries—A Trainer’s  Responsibility.

 By creating an athlete that not only has the skills to compete on the playing field or gym, but who now has the knowledge as to how injury prevention and management plays a role in athletic success.  The SCORE program truly makes athletes - student athletes as it gives direct education applicable to sport that they can carry over into every day life.

Please follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website www.eliteinjury.com 

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Carrie Mussbacher

In our second National Athletic Therapy Month spotlight we feature Carrie Mussbacher. 

Name: Carrie Mussbacher

Job: Athletic Therapist, Fitness Centre Coordinator & Personal Trainer

Education Background: I completed my Bachelors of Physical Education at the U of A, and while there I became a Certified Personal Trainer through Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). Then I completed Advanced Certificate Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University which prepared me for becoming a Certified Athletic Therapist with CATA.

What is a typical day for you: A typical day will involve supervising the fitness centre at Strathcona High Schoool, helping with Phys Ed or Sports Performance classes who use the facility. I will do a few clinical assessments every day, as well as injury treatment/rehabilitation sessions. I am on call for any injuries occurring in the school (sports teams, phys ed classes or sports performance classes mostly). Depending on the season, I provide on-field coverage for rugby and football games and any tournaments that we host. At the end of the day I often have one personal training session/group fitness class outside of my work at the school.

Favorite part of job: I love being apart of competitive sports, the adrenaline rush you get when you run onto the sports field to help an athlete, and the feeling you get when your injured athletes return to sport and are able to compete again after sustaining an injury. I love being challenged daily, and that no two days will ever be the same!

Why did you become an AT: I was once told as an athlete myself that I would have to quit sport in the middle of the season if I wanted my shoulder to get better. I wasn't given any other options. I don't want to put individuals in that position if they don't have to be. I want to promote the idea of returning to sport/activity in a healthy way. You don't have to play in pain but you also don't have to quit. There are options for every individual. 

Highlight of Career: 

-Winning 2006 CIS National Championship with U of A Bears Soccer

-Working with the Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Team (2011-12 & 2012-13 seasons

For more information on Athletic Therapy and Certified Athletic Therapists please visit www.athletictherapy.org or www.aata.ca

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website at www.eliteinjury.com