PSATS Podcast

Join us as we talk to Sean Cropper, Head ATC at Atlanta United about his experience with three Achilles tendon ruptures in one season. We dive into the physical and mental toll of such a debilitating injury, and Sean shares his insights on why this might have happened and what warning signs to look for.

In this episode, we'll cover the general timeline for Achilles rehabilitation, key milestones, and benchmarks for recovery. We'll also discuss rehab techniques, from jump tests to plyometric progressions. Sean shares the most valuable lessons he learned during his recovery, including what he would do differently now and the "pearls" he picked up along the way.

Whether you're an athlete, a physical therapist, or someone who's gone through a similar injury, this episode offers a comprehensive look at Achilles tears, recovery, and strategies to prevent future injuries. 

Join us as we celebrate the legacy of an outgoing MLS athletic trainer and dive into a Q&A session covering everything from podcasting to career advice for aspiring ATs. We'll equip you with essential tips for sports internship success, explore cutting-edge athletic training tools for performance and recovery, and discuss the future of GPS tracking and injury assessment. Plus, we touch on the critical area of women's health in sports. Get ready for an episode packed with insights for anyone passionate about athletic training!

In this episode of the PSATS podcast, we discuss the critical topic of cardiac emergency response in sports. We start with a recent incident during an NWSL soccer match where Angel City's medical staff successfully responded to a player's cardiac emergency, stabilizing her after a heart procedure.

We then explore emergency preparedness and cardiac screening protocols in Major League Soccer (MLS), emphasizing the importance of pre-game medical meetings and practicing emergency action plans. The discussion includes the use of heart monitoring devices and the distinctions between heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

We also cover cardiac care in athletes, techniques for managing SVT, and the differences between athlete's hearts and the general population. The importance of tailored emergency action plans and future trends in athlete testing, including wearable technology, are highlighted.

Join us for this insightful episode as we emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness and cardiac care in sports to ensure athlete safety.

In this episode, we explore the shift in football performance analysis away from traditional running metrics as key performance indicators. Drawing from the article “Time to Drop Running as a KPI in Football” by Mandorino et al., we discuss how total distance covered during matches often reflects tactical context rather than player readiness or fitness. The authors propose a Sport Science 3.0 approach, using machine learning and embedded monitoring to better assess a player’s physiological and neuromuscular status. We examine how these insights reshape medical decision-making for keeping athletes healthy and optimizing return-to-play strategies, emphasizing that the quality of football actions—not the quantity of running—ultimately drives match success.

Join us as we unpack these groundbreaking insights and their implications for football performance and athlete health.

SPSR254_Mandorino.pdf

Welcome to the PSATS Podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have Brett Holmertz join us. Brett is the Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach for the FC Cincinnati Academy, where he plays a crucial role in developing young soccer talent. With extensive experience working with the U-16 and U-18 academy groups, as well as the Super 20’s and PDL teams, Brett's dedication to athlete health and performance has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of soccer professionals.

Episode Highlights:

• Brett shares his journey and experiences leading up to his current role.
• A day in the life of an MLS Academy Athletic Trainer, providing insights into the demands of the role.
• Discussion on the number of players under Brett's care in the FCC academy setup, including age groups and staff.
• Brett's favorite aspects of working with young elite athletes.
• Unique challenges faced when working with aspiring professional soccer players.
• Most rewarding moments and memories from Brett's career.
• Advice for students and young professionals aspiring to follow in Brett's footsteps.

Join us as we dive into the world of athletic training and strength & conditioning with Brett Holmertz. Don't miss this insightful and inspiring conversation!

Tune in to the PSATS Podcast and learn more about the journey of an MLS Academy Athletic Trainer!

Ever wondered if hamstring mapping can really predict RTP? Or if your athletes are truly ready for high-speed sprints post-injury? Join us as we break down two fascinating research articles, debating the pros and cons, sharing our own clinical experiences, and questioning the practical implications. We'll tackle inter-rater reliability, the fear of pushing athletes too hard, and the importance of tailored training. Plus, Paul throws a curveball article into the mix for some unscripted discussion. Get ready for a lively conversation about the science and art of sports rehab!

• Mapping Tenderness to Palapation Predicts Return to Play Following Acute Hamstring Strain.
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7297001/pdf/ijspt-15-421.pdf
• The effect of speed and influence of individual muscles on hamstring mechanics during the swing phase of sprinting
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2007.05.026
• Rehabilitation After Hamstring-Strain Injury Emphasizing
  Eccentric Strengthening at Long Muscle Lengths:
  Results of Long-Term Follow-Up
  • https://mstt.hu/hirujsag/201701/Hamstring_Strain_Injury.pdf

Dive deep into the world of athletic training with our latest episode! We're recapping our recent symposium, from the buzz of a sold-out crowd and cutting-edge vendor show to the crucial discussions on ACL injury assessments, along with remarkable resilience from athletes. Get insights into Matt Taberner's evolving framework and congratulate LA Galaxy's recent MLS Cup victory.

Join us as we congratulate Mitch on his new role as Head Athletic Trainer for the North Carolina Courage and hear his candid reflections on the challenges and joys of this transition. We'll explore athlete resilience, the importance of accurate ACL diagnoses—including techniques like Lachman's test and the value of video analysis—and the significance of seeking second opinions.

Plus, we're celebrating the success of the PSATS event, praising the DEI and PR committees, and discussing the impact of vendor relationships and case studies from Houston, Orlando, and New England. We'll also look ahead to future podcast plans, including peer research discussions, webinars, and even a mailbag episode to answer your burning questions.

Tune in for expert insights, personal stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at the world of athletic training, all while navigating the challenges of balancing professional and personal life. Don't miss Mitch's upcoming NATA Convention appearance and our plans for future episodes exploring leadership and cutting-edge research.

Evolving the Control-Chaos Continuum: Part 1 – Translating Knowledge to Enhance On-Pitch Rehabilitation

Evolving the Control-Chaos Continuum: Part 2—Shifting “Attention” to Progress On-Pitch Rehabilitation

In this two part episode, we dive deep into the world of elite athlete care. Our guests, a team of highly skilled professionals, share their personal journeys, the intricacies of their collaborative approach, and the challenges and triumphs of working with the best athletes in the world.

From managing communication with coaching staff to ensuring seamless player care during high-stakes tournaments, our experts provide unique insights into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into supporting top-level athletes.

Hear firsthand about the gold medal winning run and the unforgettable experiences that have shaped their careers. And don't miss their valuable advice for aspiring clinicians looking to make a difference in the field of sports medicine.

In this two part episode, we dive deep into the world of elite athlete care. Our guests, a team of highly skilled professionals, share their personal journeys, the intricacies of their collaborative approach, and the challenges and triumphs of working with the best athletes in the world.

From managing communication with coaching staff to ensuring seamless player care during high-stakes tournaments, our experts provide unique insights into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into supporting top-level athletes.

Hear firsthand about the gold medal winning run and the unforgettable experiences that have shaped their careers. And don't miss their valuable advice for aspiring clinicians looking to make a difference in the field of sports medicine.

In this episode, we sit down with Kenta, last year’s recipient of the PSATS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship. This prestigious award provided him the opportunity to attend the MLS Medical Symposium in December 2023.

Kenta shares more about his life and the experiences that shaped him. Discover what or who inspired Kenta to move to Kentucky to pursue a career in athletic training. Hear about Kenta’s experience at the MLS Medical Symposium and the key takeaways from this incredible opportunity. Kenta offers valuable tips and advice for current athletic training students planning to apply for the PSATS DEI Scholarship. Learn how the scholarship has influenced Kenta’s early career and his goals for his first season with the Philadelphia Union. Kenta shares his vision for his career over the next five years.

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights, inspiration, and practical advice for aspiring athletic trainers. Don’t miss this chance to learn from Kenta’s remarkable journey!