Education for Patients > Exercise is Medicine™ > Becky Whitt, ATC
What if there was one prescription that could prevent and treat dozens of diseases?
Becky Whitt, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
As an athletic trainer, I am often the first medical professional to see an injury as well as the last line of defense in the return to play decision. In sports medicine we try to get athletes back into the game as soon as possible. However, the return to play decision following an injury should not be taken lightly. Returning safely is the key. To accomplish that task most effectively, the team approach is essential. Every aspect of sports medicine involves a team, in this case involving physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and the coaches. Not one day goes by where I don’t communicate in some way with just about every member of the sports medicine professional and coaches. Athletic trainers can be the mediator between the medical staff, the parents and the coaches. Minimum requirements for return to play include a normalized range of motion for the injured body part and normal strength. Lack of either could lead to a re-injury. Working with rehabilitation professionals can help to recover the basic elements first, and then the focus will to turn towards sport-related activities in a controlled environment.
It’s important to involve the physician and the athletic trainer to safely transition the athlete back to sport. One of the ways to do this is with functional sport specific drills. For example, a basketball player following an ankle injury needs to be able to run, jump, and cut without any signs of favoring the injured limb in order to return to play. Performing some basic pass and shoot drills with controlled jump shots could help the athlete get more comfortable with the transition back to the court. As an athletic trainer, I work very hard to integrate elements of the sport into the entire rehabilitation process. Just because the basketball player has sprained her ankle, it doesn’t mean she cannot do ball handling drills while sitting in a chair. Integrating sport skills is crucial with return to play decisions; it helps to get the athlete ready mentally and physically. The same concept can be applied to virtually any sport. For example, a golfer would want to make sure that he feels good both on the putting green and the driving range before attempting to play nine holes again. The key is to start gradually and not push the body beyond what it can handle, especially after getting clearance from the physician.
