Dr. Kara Radzak interviews Dr. Tamara Valovich McLeod and Dr. Shelly Fetchen DiCesaro about their recent paper that compares knowledge, perceptions, awareness, confidence in knowledge, and use of sport specialization recommendations among HCPs who work with pediatric athletes.

Dr. Tamara Valovich McLeod is the Chair, Director, and a Professor of Athletic Training, Professor in the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and John P. Wood, D.O., Endowed Chair for Sports Medicine at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. McLeod completed her PhD from the University of Virginia. She was the founding director of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network and her research has focused on the pediatric athlete with respect to sport-related concussion. Dr. McLeod is fellow of the NATA, the National Academy of Kinesiology, and the National Academies of Practice-Athletic Training and was the recipient of the NATA Foundation Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research in 2023.

Dr. Shelly Fetchen DiCesaro is an associate professor of athletic training at the University of Pittsburgh and is an athletic trainer with the US Figure Skating Team USA Medical Provider Pool.

On this episode of JAT Chat, Dr. Kara Radzak interviews Dr. Shawn Eagle about his recent paper titled "Association of Multidomain Assessment Outcomes with Referral for Vestibular Therapy After Concussion".

Link: https://tinyurl.com/mr2m95a3

Shawn R. Eagle, PhD, joined the faculty of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh in January of 2022. Dr. Eagle has collaborated on Department of Defense (DoD) funded research through the University of Pittsburgh since 2013. He began focusing on TBI in 2015 when he began his doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh’s Neuromuscular Research Laboratory. Dr. Eagle extended his studies as a postdoctoral fellow in the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic from 2019 to 2021. His research interests are currently focused on mitigating risk for long-term sequelae following traumatic brain injury, with a specific focus on mental health issues.

Dr. Eagle has published over 110 papers in refereed journals and presented his research at local, national and international scientific conferences. He is an ad-hoc reviewer for 35 peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Luke Donovan summarizes "Access to Athletic Trainers and Emergency Medical Services Activations for Sport-Related Injuries" by Rebecca M. Hirschhorn, PhD, NRAEMT, ATC and colleagues.

Article: https://tinyurl.com/2j5arwaf

Dr. Kara Radzak interviews Michelle C. Walaszek, PT, DPT, MS and Chris Kuenze, PhD, ATC from the University of Virginia about their recent article "Quadriceps Strength Does Not Influence Knee-Related Symptom State 6 Months after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction." The purpose of the study was to determine if meeting isometric quadriceps strength and symmetry criteria is associated with acceptable clinical knee-related symptoms 5–7 months post-ACLR.

Article: https://tinyurl.com/yc335vth

Dr. Luke Donovan summarizes the article "Similar Concussion Rates in Spring Football and Preseason: Findings From the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium" which is authored by Steven P. Broglio, PhD, ATC and featured in the most recent issue of the Journal of Athletic Training.

Article: https://bit.ly/3VuXWS3

CARE Consortium: https://bit.ly/44KxqIB

Dr. Shelby Baez interviews Dr. Jeffrey Driban, Dr. Hayley Root, and Dr. Matthew Harkey about the new Osteoarthritis Action Alliance Consensus Statement on Preventing Osteoarthritis After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and the Evidence Review for Preventing Osteoarthritis After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

Consensus Statement: https://bit.ly/41YOc4X

Evidence Review: https://bit.ly/420JXpy

Jeffrey Driban, PhD, ATC, CSCS (@jbdriban) is a member of the Special and Scientific Staff at Tufts Medical Center and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Driban received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Delaware. He received a Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology with an Emphasis in Athletic Training from Temple University. He completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Division of Rheumatology at Tufts Medical Center. 

Hayley Root, PhD, MPH, ATC (@_hjroot) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at Northern Arizona University at the Phoenix BIoscience Core. Her research examines factors related to implementation of best practice evidence, with a focus on preventing lower extremity injury and developing physical literacy in youth athletes.

Matt Harkey, PhD, ATC (@Harkey_MS) is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. Harkey is a musculoskeletal researcher whose goal is to identify people at increased risk for knee osteoarthritis to better target interventions that prevent the onset or progression of disability.

Dr. Kara Radzak interviews Dr. Rachel Le, Dr. Landon Lempke, and Matthew Wingerson, MS about their recent studies published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

Dr. Rachel Le serves as the coordinator of clinical education and assistant professor in the master's of athletic training program at Mercer University. Her research includes understanding repetitive head impacts in underrepresented sports.

Article: https://bit.ly/3ZEXnp6

Dr. Landon Lempke is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Michigan Concussion Center and Exercise and Sport Science Initiative at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on using reaction time and human movement biomechanics to establish objective return to play decision-making criteria, and ultimately optimize clinical practice related to concussion.

Article: https://bit.ly/3m6wOLS

Matthew Wingerson, MS is a first-year PhD student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, working under the guidance of Dr. David Howell in the Colorado Concussion Lab. His research focuses on post-concussion exercise, neurophysiology, and improving clinical processes, with the overarching aim of enhancing our understanding of concussions and improving patient outcomes.

Article: https://bit.ly/3zuyEJp

Dr. Luke Donovan summarizes the article "Descriptive Analysis of Forces Applied by Trained Clinicians During 2-Handed Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization" by Taylor C. Stevenson, BSN and colleagues.

Article: https://bit.ly/42iblju

Dr. Luke Donovan summarizes the recent article by Romain Tourillon, PT, MSc, CMP and colleagues titled Effects of a Single Electrical Stimulation Session on Foot Force Production, Foot Dome Stability, and Dynamic Postural Control.

Link: https://bit.ly/3lEqAlR

Dr. Shelby Baez interviews Dr. Nicollette Harris about their recent publication titled Board of Certification Examination Achievement Gaps as a Barrier to Diversifying the Athletic Training Profession.

Article: https://bit.ly/3IscNI9

Guest Biography: Dr. Nicolette “Nikki” Harris serves as an Assistant Professor and the Director of Student Recruitment for the Athletic Training Programs at A.T. Still University. An alumnus of the ATSU Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) program, Dr. Harris brings a wealth of clinical experience to her department. Prior to arriving to ATSU, she spent 6 years as the Coordinator for Athletic Training Services for Florida International University (FIU) where she worked mature the health care services provided to both FIU students and campus recreation participants. In addition, she served 3 years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Miami Booker T. Washington Senior High school providing care to secondary school athletes during their pursuit of 4 State Championship Titles.

In addition to her clinical practice, she has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Preceptor to athletic training students. Nikki actively engages in professional service at all levels, currently sitting as the NATA Career Advancement Committee (CAC) Chair, Co-Chair for the Educators Subgroup of the NATA AT Compensation Taskforce, the BOC Liaison to the Athletic Training Research Agenda Committee (ATRAC), the Co-Chair for the ATSU ASHS Diversity Enrichment in Education Committee as well as a member of the CAATE Education Committee. Dr. Harris values the effects of research on practice and education and has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice through her scholarly works.