Sports Medicine Commons^™

Improving Adls, Iadls, And Qol In Breast Cancer Survivors, Tincy Samuel, Rebecca King

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Breast cancer and its treatment can significantly impact breast cancer survivor’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and Quality of Life (QoL). Physical activity programs have been found to positively impact various aspects of quality of life in breast cancer patients, including physical condition, state of mind, and selfesteem. However, there is a gap in the OT practice and the literature regarding how to improve independence in ADLs, IADLs, and overall quality of life in breast cancer survivors. A program was created to improve Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of …

How An Athlete’S Injuries Affect Their Caregiver, John-Luke Taylor, Susan Macdermott

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this proposal was to explore the experiences that caregivers face when their child recovers from a sports injury and needs physical rehab.

Exercise As A Therapeutic Intervention And Its Effects On The Quality Of Life Of Those Diagnosed With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Theresa Stettner, Helen Carey, Cynthia Haynes

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

The standard of care for those with ALS includes range of motion, limb relaxation, trunk balance, and gait training (Braga et al., 2018). This study examines perceived quality of life in ALS clients before and after an in-person exercise program and home exercise program to evaluate the benefits of exercise as exercise does not exacerbate symptoms of ALS (Meng et al., 2020). Daily occupation performance requires functional ability which may be preserved through exercise (Kalron et al., 2021).

Benefits Of Occupational Therapy In Concussion Treatment For Professional Athletes, Alexandria Brown, Zeida Gutierrez Ph.D., Mhs, Otr/L, James Wersal Otd, Msot, Otr/L, Cbis, Drs, Dcs

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Concussions are a significant concern in sports, with an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million cases in the U.S. annually, many of which go unreported. These traumatic brain injuries result from various impacts, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and memory loss, which can disrupt an athlete's daily life. Recovery typically follows a staged protocol, with professional organizations implementing concussion management guidelines. Despite these measures, athletes often hesitate to report symptoms due to concerns about playing time or team expectations. There is a gap in treatment for concussions as activities of daily living and occupations are not addressed. Occupational therapy can help …

Awareness And Advocacy For The Needs Of Nfl Athletes: A Qualitative Study, Bianca Castro, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The presentation delves into understanding, investigating, and supporting the occupational needs of NFL athletes. Through thorough research and analysis, it was revealed that these athletes face distinct challenges and demands in their professional and personal lives, specifically in wellness, quality of life, and lifestyle balance. The study results provide knowledge and abilities to address and advocate the unique needs of NFL athletes. The evidence strongly emphasizes the advantages and benefits of occupational therapy services in non-traditional settings such as sports.

Mental Health In College Athletes: An Ot Perspective, Olivia Sarik, Lakeisa Boykin, Susan Didino

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Problem: There is often increased stigma surrounding college athletes in the spotlight, thus preventing them from seeking help with their mental health (Kaier et al., 2015). There are currently no known programs that offer resources specifically for college athletes (Sudano & Miles, 2016). It is important for occupational therapists to advocate for mental health resources for student-athletes to create healthy habits and routines within the athletic environment.

Purpose: The purpose of this capstone was to increase awareness of mental health resources that are available to student-athletes and coaching staff at Baldwin Wallace University to improve mental health in athletics and …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Athletic Retirement, Diana Mellin, Karen Park, Madison Harris

Summer 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Athletic retirement is described as a life transition involving withdrawal from the athletic role. Throughout the process of athletic retirement, individuals experience a loss of identity, roles, routines, and social support which has shown to negatively impact their overall mental health and well-being (Marterella & Smoot, 2017). This study investigated elite athletes’ experiences throughout their transition to athletic retirement, a ten-question online survey and semi-structured interviews were administered. Themes that emerged from the data are occupational adjustment and relearning roles, experiencing a crossroads of identity, external expectations, and pressures. Participants shared experiencing a period of burnout and detachment right after …

Barriers And Resources For Competitive Adaptive Rock Climbing, Amy Griswold, Susan Macdermott

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to (1) identify barriers to participation in competitive adaptive rock climbing for adults with a physical disability and (2) create and distribute virtual educational resources to meet identified barriers. The need for this project was highlighted by athlete and coach self-report of limited ability to engage in competitive adaptive rock climbing, also known as paraclimbing.

The sample consisted of 108 adaptive athletes, adaptive rock-climbing coaches, staff members in rock climbing gyms, and volunteers at adaptive rock climbing events. Participants anonymously completed a ten-minute mixed methods virtual survey using Microsoft Forms.

Statistical analyses suggest recurrent …

Lower Extremity And Trunk Electromyographic Muscle Activity During Performance Of The Y-Balance Test On Stable And Unstable Surfaces., Navpreet Kaur, Kunal Bhanot, Germaine Ferreira

Physical Therapy Collection

Background: The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) has been used as a rehabilitation exercise. To improve its efficacy, efficiency, and method variations, the Y-Balance Test (YBT) with anterior (A), posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) directions of the SEBT has been recommended. Electromyographic activity has been reported to change when the same task is performed on various surfaces.

Hypothesis/Purpose: To compare the EMG activity of trunk and LE muscles during the performance of the YBT on stable and unstable surfaces.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional study.

Methods: Healthy adults with no history of chronic ankle instability were recruited for the study. …

An Online Educational Resource On Adaptive Sports For People With Spinal Cord Injuries, Rachel Morgan, Steven M. Gerardi

Fall 2021 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A spinal cord injury (SCI) has a serious impact on an individual’s participation in everyday life activities, leading to a high risk of a sedentary life-style. There is a paucity of research pertaining to adaptive sport participation post-injury and the role of occupational therapy (OT). Additionally, there are limited resources available that inform people with SCI on the benefits of adapted sports or where to go to engage in them. As such, this paper describes the development of a doctoral capstone project to address this need. The purpose of this capstone project was to create an educational web page that …

Prevalence Of Soccer Heading In Middle School American Youth Club Soccer Players, Pedro Gonzalez-Cabrera, Mohan Ganesan, Julie Jameson, Deanna M. Hughes

Physical Therapy Collection

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of soccer heading during a season in a youth soccer club competitive team

Heading events were recorded real time using a recording datasheet for a single team and their opponent teams during the 2014 season of a youth soccer league. Position on the field at the time of the heading event was also documented.

Mean heading events were 35.5 events/match. A paired sample t-test showed no statistically significant difference between observed team and opponent teams. Mean standardized assessment of concussion (SAC) score for the observed soccer team was 24.9±2.6 (out …

Faculty Perceptions Of Readiness To Implement Interprofessional Education In Athletic Training, Meredith M. Parry, Jennifer Jordan Utley, Sue Shapiro, Stefanie Podlog

Athletic Training Collection

PURPOSE As the athletic training profession advances, master’s degree accreditation standards aim to position athletic trainers as key players on interprofessional healthcare teams. Interprofessional education standards were recently introduced to academic leaders as key elements in the professional healthcare education of athletic trainers.

While the current standards reflect essential skills for entry-level clinicians, faculty instructing these elements may require additional development.

METHODS The objective of this study was to explore athletic training educators’ perceptions of interprofessional education and to examine perceived barriers related to the implementation of IPE in athletic training curricula. An electronic survey was administered to a stratified, …

Breast Injury During Sport Participation, Laura J. Smith, Tamara Eichelberger, Elizabeth Miller, Edward J Kane

Athletic Training Collection

A recent study found that almost half (47.9%), of female college athletes participating in basketball, soccer, volleyball and softball (n = 194) suffered a breast injury during their college career with less than 10% reporting their injury to health personnel with only 2.1% receiving treatment ^[1]. Breast injury in female athletes is under-reported and is lacking a much-needed level of awareness in sport. If there is a void in awareness of breast injuries and in reporting breast injuries, preventive measures as well as any potential sequela from the injury will not be given the necessary attention.

Faculty Perceptions Of Readiness To Implement Interprofessional Education In Athletic Training, Meredith M. Parry

Student Dissertations

As the athletic training profession takes steps towards the next level as an allied health care profession, advocates for the profession are positioning athletic trainers as key players in the interprofessional health care team. Recently, the CAATE has pronounced a move for athletic training education to transition all entry-level education to professional master’s degree programs. CAATE is also requesting that athletic training education programs find means to align with other healthcare profession education programs within their institution and actively engage in planned and continuous interprofessional learning activities. This study explored the gap in knowledge regarding athletic training faculty perceptions on …

Management And Rehabilitation Strategies Following Ied Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Civilian Settings - What To Expect And How To Optimize Recovery From Mtbi, Stefanie Podlog (Nee Schulte), Leslie W. Podlog, Wesley C. Kory Tsgt, William J. Brown Ltc

Athletic Training Collection

The wide array of psychological and physical responses following an IED bombing may reduce the likelihood that appropriate assessment and recovery from mTBI occur. Such a situation is problematic as mTBI itself may negatively influence the recovery from the traumatic event or associated injuries if not diagnosed and managed properly. Consequently, the overall aim of this article is to better inform healthcare practitioners, patients, and patients’ social support networkabout the nature of IED-related mild traumatic brain injuries. In so doing, we hope to facilitate enhanced assessment, management, and rehabilitation of this injury. In particular, the specific goals of the review …

Utilization Of The Clinical Laboratory For The Implementation Of Concussion Biomarkers In Collegiate Football And The Necessity Of Personalized And Predictive Athlete Specific Reference Intervals, Stefanie Podlog (Nee Schulte), Natalie N. Rasmussen, Joseph W. Mcbeth, Patrick Q. Richards, Eric Yochem, David J. Petron, Frederick G. Strathmann

Athletic Training Collection

Background: A continued interest in concussion biomarkers makes the eventual implementation of identified biomarkers into routine concussion assessment an eventual reality. We sought to develop and test an interdisciplinary approach that could be used to integrate blood-based biomarkers into the established concussion management program for a collegiate football team.

Methods: We used a CLIA-certified laboratory for all testing and chose biomarkers where clinically validated testing was available as would be required for results used in clinical decision making. We summarized the existing methods and results for concussion assessment across an entire season to identify and demonstrate the challenges with the …

Psychosocial Factors In Sports Injury Rehabilitation And Return To Play, Leslie W. Podlog, John Heil, Stefanie Podlog (Nee Schulte)

Athletic Training Collection

This article discusses the principles and practices that guide psychological intervention with injury, and encourages a psychological approach to injury for clinicians. Part 1 reviews the research literature, and serves as a foundation for the review of clinical practices in part 2. Examination of the research literature highlights 4 areas: (1) psychological factors influencing rehabilitation, (2) social factors affecting rehabilitation, (3) performance concerns among returning athletes, and (4) tools/inventories for assessing psychological readiness to return. A synopsis of an injury intervention plan is provided, and the influence of pain and fear in the rehabilitation process is described.

Blood-Based Biomarkers For Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluation Of Research Approaches, Available Methods And Potential Utility From The Clinician And Clinical Laboratory Perspectives, Frederick G. Strathmann, Stefanie Podlog (Nee Schulte), Kyle Goerl, David J. Petron

Athletic Training Collection

Blood-based biomarkers for traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been investigated and proposed for decades, yet the current clinical assessment of TBI is largely based on clinical symptoms that can vary widely amongst patients, and have significant overlap with unrelated disease states. A careful review of current treatment guidelines for TBI further highlights the potential utility of a blood-based TBI biomarker panel in augmenting clinical decision making. Numerous expert reviews on blood-based TBI biomarkers have been published but a close look at the methods used and the astonishing paucity of validation and quality control data has not been undertaken from the …

Psychology Of Sport Injury : A Holistic Approach To Rehabilitating The Injured Athlete, Jennifer Jordan Utley

Athletic Training Collection

Sports medicine practitioners must consider both physical and mental aspects of injury to fully rehabilitate the injured athlete. The psychological distress that follows injury has been well documented and calls for a change in the rehabilitation of injured athletes.^1-3 With the recent emergence of sport psychology and the emphasis on competitive sport in the United States and beyond, psychological skills are no longer solely utilized by the elite athlete; college and high school athletes are gaining instruction in the use of psychological skills from sport psychologists, coaches, and fellow teammates. Psychological skills have been shown to be effective in …