AED's- potentially life saving but do you know where they are and how to use them?

Game winning shots, missed shots, early morning practices, late night practices. Sprained ankles, torn ACL's, fractured arms- these are all events that many probably consider "a day in the life" of those involved with athletics. But have you thought that sudden cardiac arrest, heart disease, and commotio cordis- a blow to the chest resulting in arrhythmia and often death are also potential  events in athletics. As athletic trainers- WE DO!

 

Automatic External Defibrillators also known as AED's are life saving, essentially fool proof and recommended by most governing agencies that are aware of it's potential life saving ability. So why aren't they in all sports complexes, athletic events, public schools and places of the such? Is it political red tape? Is it liability? Is it financial reasons? Or is it all of these and more? I tend to lean with the latter.

Here at NCCS we are fortunate enough to have access to AED's relatively easily whether it be our portable one or the strategically placed ones in each of the buildings. Do you know where they are located? Do you know how to use them if needed? Do you have CPR and AED training and current certification?

 

Have you thought of if the ice hockey rink you drop your child off for hockey practice has one? Or the sports complex where you take your son or daughter for lacrosse or soccer practice- do they have one? Most of you will probably answer this question by saying "I don't know". Well, luckily here at NCCS we use the Winter Club for hockey home practices/games and they do have an AED. Do you know where it is in case of an emergency? It seems as though it is logical in this day and age that venues would have one- but I can tell you, you would be amazed how many don't. Many high schools even struggle with providing a portable AED for their athletic trainer to have at sporting events.

 

I challenge you to take a look at the sports complexes you travel to either with NCCS or your own children or grandchildren and take notice of AED's. Inquire if the venue has one and who is trained. If you are a parent of a high school or middle school athlete- ask your child's athletic trainer if they have an AED with them. It could save someones life!

For more information regarding AED's

http://www.cardiacscience.com/blog/2011/03/new-aed-legislation-february-2011/

http://cf.nata.org/statements/official/AEDofficialstatement.pdf

http://www.sca-aware.org/schools/building-a-heart-safe-school

http://www.suddendeathathletes.org/about_sdia.asp

Roll Out! Foam rollers, sticks, balls.......

 

Sometimes the simplest inventions are the best! For us in the athletics world, the foam roller is one of them! Many of you 20 somethings know exactly what I am talking about! You may have "lived" in the athletic training room and had your favorite foam roller and for several minutes a day "rolled out". For others- you are thinking what in the world is she talking about!  In the sports medicine world- this simple invention is amazing!

 

As demonstarted in the simple pictures above- the directions are very simple- you roll out the body part with the foam roller, stick, tennis ball, etc.

So what does it do besides cause some of you some unthought of discomfort? I use the analogy of your muscle is the pizza dough and the foam roller is the rolling pin. If you think of all the knots, scar tissue, tightness in your soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligamnets, myofascia) its pretty significant. All those soft tissue problems add up and can cause you pain and problems. Using a foam roller allows you to do self myofascial releases- in simple terms- it is a massage that gets all the knots, tightness, and scar tissue out. Common uses include the quads, hamstring, calf, IT Band but it can be used for almost any part of the body.

So incorporate the foam roller into your daily practice or workout and we promise you the benefits will be tremendous! I have a few sticks in Kathy's office and have begun introducing them to the students, feel free to stop in and I will demonstrate!

 

 

Crossfit, kickboxing, cross training, etc.......... the New Years kick is on- but at what cost?

We all do it, we start off the year with a BANG! We set our goals, we lay out our maps as to how to achieve our goals and we set off in a sprint! Weight loss, better overall health, increased strength, better endurance, the list goes on and on of what we are trying to achieve.

As you take on this journey which I certainly encourage- keep in mind that our best intentions need to be well planned out. This includes making sure we know how to safely go down the road of achieving our goals.

What does this mean?

100 poorly executed pushups with our butts in the air, not getting down all the way, twisting one way or the other does us NO GOOD! It can actually harmful in the long run. Modify, Modify, Modify!

1 good push up is better than 100 bad push ups!!!
1 good squat is better than 100 bad squats!!!
Stretching is a key component to your goals in exercise- NO EXCUSES!
Water is CRUCIAL- NO EXCUSES! If you are skipping anything- skip the sports drinks- not water!

The list goes on and on but you get what I mean...........  the details matter as you go down this 2013 journey.

Here are a couple links including a previous blog I have done as well as some good website resources. I am sure over the course of the next few weeks and months I will see a handful of you from injuries or tips but prevention is the best option! Feel free to stop by and ask me any questions you may have!

http://www.bscsportsmedicine.blogspot.com/2008/12/exercise-programs-5-exercises-every.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/183688-how-to-modify-p90x-workouts/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/overuse-injury/MY01092/METHOD=print