SLU AT Program Featured in the SLU Doisy College "On the Record" Magazine

The Summer 2018 issue of the the Saint Louis University's Doisy College of Health Sciences magazine “On the Record” featured several articles about the Athletic Training program.

The on-line magazine is accessible at this link:
https://issuu.com/sludchs/docs/on_the_record_summer_2018

Story about Brandi Burgett Memorial Award and Scholarship

AT Faculty Dr. Anthony Breitbach and Dr. Mike Markee were recognized for Excellence in Scholarship and Excellence in Teaching.

Story on interprofessional collaboration between Dr. Anthony Breitbach and Dr. Katie Eliot.

Clinical Education Coordinator Dr. Timothy Howell appears in the "Clinical Corner" section.

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Gains Confidence Through Directed Observation Experiences

New AT Student Blog Post - Conner Mongoven (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

As a Junior in the SLU AT program, I am getting ready to transition into the professional phase of the program. It is hard to look ahead and know exactly what to expect and what it will be like starting with Gross Anatomy this summer, but throughout MAT 3000 and direct observation hours, I have gotten a much better grasp as to what I will experience these next two years.

I got to experience a lot of different settings in my Directed Observation (DO) hours, including the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament at the Scottrade Center, SLU Club Hockey at Webster Groves, SLU Track and Field at the Medical Campus track, and both the Southeastern Conference gymnastics championships and NCAA gymnastics championships at Chaifetz Arena. My favorite experiences were at hockey and gymnastics. I enjoyed the fast pace of hockey and witnessing PY2 student Pat O’Neill and Dr. Timothy Howell discuss their opinions of a shoulder injury of one of the opposing players, and hearing their thoughts of how that team’s athletic trainer was handling the situation and the injury. At gymnastics, which I had never before seen in person, it was cool to see the amount of team morale and crowd support, and the constant cheering as each event took place simultaneously. I got a lot of insight from PY1 students Adam Long and Jazmon Carroll at the SEC Championships about their clinical experiences and what to expect as I move on to the professional phase of the program.

After learning some basic skills in MAT 3000 and doing direct observation hours, I am really excited to begin the next phase of the program and work towards the Master of Athletic Training Degree and AT certification. Hearing from current students above me has given me the confidence to know that no matter how hard anything seems now, that I will be able to excel in the program. I can’t wait to move forward and continue this journey in the SLU AT program.

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

SLU Pre-professional AT Student Appreciates Directed Observation Experiences in Preparation for the Next Stage of the Program

New AT Student Blog Post - Mitchell Buerck (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

Going into Junior year, I was a bit nervous with Directed Observation (DO) hours and the last year before becoming a Professional Year (PY) student. It all changed going to my first DO experience with PY2 student Caitlyn Gibson, PY1 student Danielle Jabczynski, and Dean Tiffany ATC, the athletic trainer at John Burroughs. The AT room there was so different than anything I’d ever seen. Going there was definitely an eye opener and I’m very thankful for the experience.

What really got me excited for going into professional phase was the NCAA Gymnastics championship. I’ve never had experience with gymnastics before and I didn’t know much about it and thought that I wouldn’t enjoy it all too much, but doing DO hours there really changed my mind. It was very fast paced with everything going on and a different atmosphere that I’d never seen before. It was nice having PY1 student Jazmon Carroll to explain how everything worked and AT faculty member Dr. Timothy Howell make me feel welcomed and talk about the next two years of the program. It was a great experience that I’ll never forget and would love to do more events like that again.

I think doing DO hours really helped me with what I will be doing the next two years and what I need to learn to become the AT I want to be. Talking with the older students about gross anatomy really made me feel better knowing that if they can do it, so can I. The DO hours gave me a head start for my PY years and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

SLU AT Program Provides Varied Immersive Experiences for Irish Clinical Exchange Students from Athlone Institute of Technology

International Clinical Exchange- SLU and Athlone Institute of Technology
By: Andrew Moran & Fiachra Lennon (Athletic Therapy Rehabilitation Students - Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland)

Our experience studying at Saint Louis University for 15 weeks has now come to an end, we feel that we have found the experience that we were looking for before we came out to St. Louis. Working with Webster Groves HS and the SLU Billikens Sports Medicine staff at Chaifetz Arena, we have definitely benefited from this international clinical exchange. From our very first day at Saint Louis University we were welcomed by Anthony Breitbach PhD, ATC the Athletic Training Program Director who took time to collect us from the hotel we were staying at and brought us to induction day at SLU.

Induction week was very helpful as we got a good feel for SLU and its facilities. We also had the privilege to be brought to a park along with the rest of the international students to witness the Solar Eclipse on the 8/21/17 which was one of the most incredible things we have ever seen.

After we got settled into our new apartment and familiar with SLU, we got out schedule for clinical placement and class. We were placed at Webster Groves HS Monday to Friday working from 2pm till 8-9 depending on what sporting events were on each day. We also had rotation with Jason and Jordan the other two Irish students from AIT, at Chaifetz Arena in the morning where we working with the SLU sports medicine staff in the medical room in Chaifetz. We began our day at Chaifetz at 7am and finished at 10:30 am. At first we found it hard to get up for this but once we got into the swing of things we became more accustomed to it.

In the middle of the day we took 3 different modules Rehabilitation in AT II with Mike Markee, ATC, PT, OCS, COMT, Clinical Practicum III with Tim Howell, EdD, ATC, CSCS and Contemporary Clinical Practice with Kitty Newsham, PhD, ATC. We found these classes really beneficial for us. We also had the chance to take a Mock BOC exam with our PY2 classmates which will help us study for our ARTI exam that we will be taking for accreditation. In these classes, as well as furthering our knowledge in athletic training, we made a lot of friends for life with our classmates. This turned out to be a very symbiotic relationship as we could share the knowledge that we have learned in AIT and in turn they could share what they have learned with us.

Our clinical experience at Webster Groves high school has been extremely beneficial towards our learning experience in St. Louis. Our preceptor Sean Wright ATC has been head AT at Webster Groves for the past 13 years and his continued culture of collaborating to give the best care to athletes. Sean welcomed us into his school and Athletic training room with an open hand. From day 1 he threw us into the fire with evaluations and treatments which I felt was very beneficial because we could get hands on real life AT experience right from the start.

We made many friends working at Webster Groves, especially the SLU AT students who we traveled to Webster with, Paul Lamb, Pat O’Neill and Dimitri Kilian. We benefited greatly from working alongside each one of them which made our life in SLU much easier and also became very close friends whom we will never forget. Sean Wright ATC was so beneficial to work alongside at his high school, his vast knowledge of athletic training and his care for athletes will stand with us as long as we practice athletic training. This busy fall season we experienced a wide range of athletic events. Sports which were new to us such as American Football, Basketball, softball and wrestling along with sports we would be more accustomed to back in Ireland such as soccer, volleyball, athletics and field hockey. To work in a school with such a high caliber of athletes and working Friday night football was everything and more we expected when we heard we were working at a High School.

Working at Chaifetz Arena with the SLU Billikens Sports Medicine staff was a huge opportunity which allowed us to work with high quality athletes at a top of the range sports facility and medical room. We had the opportunity to work with the SLU Men’s Basketball team and Jonathan Burch ATC, SLU Men’s soccer, SLU baseball and Ben Heimos ATC, SLU field hockey and Petra Knight ATC, and SLU volleyball, tennis and softball and Tammy Pastor ATC. We had great experience working with each athletic trainer at the sports medicine room in Chaifetz arena, from covering a SLU baseball game at Busch stadium to taking full volleyball practices with Tammy pastor ATC at 6am in the Chaifetz pavilion. We loved every minute of this experience and gained valuable knowledge along the way. We honestly felt that this experience was more than we asked form the first day Tammy let us do a full evaluation on one of her athletes we felt a huge amount of respect and gratitude towards Tammy to the final day when we said our goodbyes, it will be an experience we will never forget.

Our time in Saint Louis University sadly has come to an end. We have gained so much experience on our 15 week international clinical exchange. From taping Ironman’s wrist at the Marvel Universe Live show at the Chaifetz Arena, working Friday night lights at Webster Groves HS, sharing classes with PY2 SLU students, to the early, early mornings in the sports medicine room at Chaifetz Arena and the late, late Saturday nights with our new and lifelong friends we made along the way this experience will never be forgotten.

Irish Exchange Students from Athlone Institute of Technology Build AT Clinical Skills and More at Saint Louis University

International Clinical Exchange - SLU and Athlone Institute of Technology

By: Jason Kenny and Jordan Finnegan (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy students - Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland)

Having being allowed the opportunity to further our athletic training skills abroad from our college in Ireland, we found ourselves in Saint Louis University thanks to the hard work of SLU faculty Dr. Tim Howell and Dr. Tony Breitbach. Having come here expecting to gain clinical experience we have managed to walk away with much more.

Coming from Ireland we got the opportunity to work with many sports we wouldn’t be familiar with such as volleyball, basketball and American football. This exposed us to many injuries we wouldn’t normally see back home.  Our day usually started early in the morning in the Chaifetz arena. We worked closely with many teams, in particular the volleyball team thanks to Tammy Pastor ATC. We participated in many different master program classes. We further improved our understanding of rehabilitation and treatment techniques, while also becoming great friends with our fellow peers.

We were at Bishop DuBourg High School under the guidance of our preceptor Nate Jarman MAT, ATC who was excellent at furthering our knowledge in clinical reasoning, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning. We can’t thank Nate enough for the exposure he let us have while working under him. Having never thought about working at a high school it turned out to be our most enjoyable experience as an Athletic Training student and is a place we could see ourselves working in the future. We worked alongside fellow students Cat Chua and C.J. Butler where we shared our knowledge and experiences over the 4 months. (They were also the cheapest taxis in St. Louis!).

The list of things we accomplished and stories we have to tell could go on and on. From playing Gaelic football and Rugby each week, to taping Ironman’s ankles at the Marvel Universe Live Show! The friendships we have made will last a lifetime and this is an open invite for any of you to come visit us. Hopefully we will be remembered for more than just our social festivities around St. Louis. 

The only disappointing aspect of our time here is that it unfortunately has to come to an end.

Thanks for everything St. Louis!

Student from Ireland Enjoys a Semester-Long Experience in Athletic Training at Saint Louis University

International Clinical Exchange - SLU and Athlone Institute of Technology

By: Robbie Cassidy (Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy student - Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland)

I have been working and studying at St. Louis University for 14 weeks now and moving into my last week here I feel that I have got the experience I was looking for. Working with Westminster Christian Academy and the SLU women’s basketball team I have learned and practiced many new techniques. I found working with the high school introduced me to a variety of new sports and the reality of injuries associated with them. Hillary Orf MAT, ATC, my preceptor at the high school, has helped me in every aspect of my work experience and has been a pleasure to work with. With the constant flow of athletes in and out of the athletic training room I have been able to evaluate multiple injuries in a comfortable environment before discussing the possible diagnoses with my colleagues and determining the right course of action allowing me to develop my clinical examination skills. Every day I have learned from my co-workers and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Women's Basketball practice starts at 6:00 A.M. in the incredible Chaifetz Arena, so we would usually be in the athletic training room by 5:30 A.M. to begin setting up for practice and taping the players. After practice I work with some of the players on their rehab programs or continue treatment with them. On game-day we will set-up the therapy table just off-court and will sit courtside with the team. The atmosphere and build-up for games is exciting and with the team being ranked #1 in the A-10 conference has really added to the overall experience. In short, working with the women’s basketball team has been a new experience as I have never worked with an elite team of the same calibre before. Lizzy Kienstra MAT, ATC and Kara Cummins-Ludwig MS, ATC, my preceptors at SLU, provided much in the way of mentoring and advice and for this I am grateful. 

When I arrived at SLU I was welcomed by Anthony Breitbach PhD, ATC, the Athletic Training program director, who took the time to show me around the city of St. Louis and helped me to get settled in. Coming to St. Louis alone was a bit overwhelming at first but Dr Breitbach went out of his way to make my initial couple of weeks here as easy and as comfortable as possible. We have kept in good contact the entire time I have been here and he has helped me out on numerous occasions. I was placed in two PY2 classes at SLU where I have learned a significant amount about the treatment and maintenance of athletes under excellent professors (Dr. Kitty Newsham, Dr. Mike Markee and Dr. Tim Howell) who have been a great help in and out of the classroom. 

It has not only been the professors here at SLU who have helped me in my studies, as I have also received assistance from my fellow students who have acted as mentors. One such student Collin Peterson, introduced to me through Dr. Breitbach, has been my guide in handling the program and swiftly became a friend that I could rely on here. He has helped me to adapt to the new culture and has introduced me to the social life of St. Louis.

I have really enjoyed my time at Saint Louis University and hope to keep up the relationships with all the new friends I have made.

Clinical Exchange Student from Spain Enjoys Athletic Training Experience in the USA

My (American) Football Experience in the United States
By: Jaime Pomar (Clinical Exchange Student - UCJC, Madrid)

I came to the USA and Saint Louis University for clinical experience as a part of the Masters of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Sport program at the University Camilo Jose Cela. I decided to set out on this adventure when I enrolled in the Masters last year because he knew the options I had to come here and I could not refuse that opportunity. I have been getting Athletic Training experience at Webster Groves High School in an agreement with Saint Louis University under the tutelage of Anthony Breitbach ATC (SLU) and Sean Wright ATC (WGHS).

An Athletic Trainer could compare in Spain as a sports physiotherapist and who have similar skills and knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, taping techniques and test valuation among others.

My day to day routine was to be attending the High School students but more specifically the football (not soccer) team players because they were still on holiday but the football team conducted their preseason training and workouts. Our work began looking after players in the athletic training room for who need a specific stretching or warming up and to perform preventive tapping. After preparing the coolers and bottles with water and ice and went to training camp to observe and take care for the players because the weather conditions were extreme with averages of 35 Celsius degrees (95 Fahrenheit) but with the humidity, the wind chill exceeded 40 degrees (105 Fahrenheit). I have had the opportunity to interact with two students from the SLU with whom I have been working with Sean. We talked about the similarities and differences, and we could learn from each other on how to make different tapping and ways of working.

I also took the trip to visit different cities and learn more about American culture and traditions and to live closely the world of football in his homeland. I was with the Athletic Trainer of the Green Bay Packers (professional football team) and visited all the facilities and knew how they worked. I also did the same with the professional baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. And I have witnessed a preseason NFL Tennessee Titans game on my visit to Nashville.

In short it has been a great experience that I will remember the rest of my life and allowed me to compare my professional skills in the country that someday, I hope to return to implement them.
Personally thanks to Alvaro García-Romero (University Camilo Jose Cela), Dr. Anthony Breitbach and Dr. Timothy Howell (University of St Louis), Sean Wright (Webster Groves High School) and SLU students Morgan Jasperson and Alex Hubbs for this wonderful experience and the opportunity to make this trip.

See you soon USA!!!

Mi experiencia con el fútbol (americano) en los Estados Unidos

Por: Jaime Pomar ( Clínica del Estudiante de Intercambio - UCJC , Madrid)

Fui a  EEUU para realizar las prácticas del máster de fisioterapia deportiva y readaptación de la Universidad Camilo José Cela. Decidí emprender esta aventura cuando me inscribí en el máster el año pasado porque conocía las opciones que había para venir aquí y no podía rechazar esa oportunidad. He estado trabajando como athletic trainer para el High School Webster Groves en un convenio con la universidad de St Louis bajo la tutela de Anthony Breitbach (SLU) y Sean Wright (WGHS). 

Un Athletic Trainer se podría comparar en España como un fisioterapeuta deportivo ya que tienen competencias similares como conocimientos en anatomía, fisiología y biomecánica, técnicas de vendaje y test de valoración entre otras.

Mi día a día era estar atendiendo a los estudiantes del High School pero mas concretamente a los jugadores del equipo de football (que no soccer) ya que todavía estaban en vacaciones pero el equipo de football realizaba sus entrenamientos de pretemporada. Nuestro trabajo comenzaba atendiendo a los jugadores en la sala de athletic training para los jugadores que necesitaran estiramientos o un calentamiento específico y para realizar vendajes preventivos. Después preparábamos los coolers y botellines con agua y hielo e íbamos al campo de entrenamiento para observar y cuidar de los jugadores ya que las condiciones eran extremas con medias de 35 grados Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) pero que con la humedad, la sensación térmica superaba los 40 grados (105 Fahrenheit). He tenido la oportunidad de interactuar con dos estudiantes de la universidad de St Louis con los que he estado trabajando con Sean. Hemos hablado de las similitudes y diferencias, y hemos podido aprender unos de otros sobre cómo hacer distintos vendajes y formas de trabajar. 

También aproveché el viaje para visitar distintas ciudades y conocer mejor la cultura y tradiciones americanas, así como poder vivir de cerca el mundo del fútbol americano en su tierra natal. Estuve con el Athletic Trainer de los Green Bay Packers (equipo profesional de fútbol americano) y visité todas las instalaciones y conocí como trabajaban. También hice lo mismo con el equipo profesional de baseball, los St Louis Cardinals. Y he podido presenciar un partido de pretemporada de la NFL de los Tennessee Titans en mi visita a Nashville. 

En definitiva ha sido una gran experiencia que recordaré el resto de mi vida y que me ha permitido comparar mis habilidades profesionales en el país en el que algún día, espero volver para ponerlas en práctica.

Agradecer personalmente a Alvaro García-Romero (Universidad Camilo José Cela), Anthony Breitbach y Timothy Howell (Universidad de St Louis), Sean Wright (Webster Groves High School) y a Morgan y Alex por esta magnífica experiencia y por la oportunidad de realizar este viaje. 

See you soon USA!!!

Congratulations to 2016 SLU AT Program Award Honorees!

The Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program has announced the 2016 Program Awards. These awards go to graduating Master of Athletic Training students who are nominated by faculty and their preceptors.  The Program Awards committee review the nominations and determine the award honorees.  Members of this committee are: Dr. Mike Markee (chair/faculty), Dr. Tim Howell (faculty), Dr. Paul Nativi (advisory board member), Lizzy Kienstra (alum/preceptor) and Kevin Clear (staff/NATA Journals).

Demeisha Crawford with Dean Wilson and Dr. Breitbach

Academic Excellence Award

Criteria: Highest GPA in AT Program Professional Phase

Honoree: Demeisha Crawford (Phoenix, AZ)

Community Service Award

Criteria: Significant participation in community service through entire academic career. Nominated by students (including self), faculty or staff.

Honoree: Demeisha Crawford (Phoenix, AZ)

Rachel Spika with Dean Wilson and Dr. Breitbach

Professional Service Award

Criteria: Significant participation in service to the profession through entire academic career. Nominated by faculty or staff.

Honoree: Rachel Spika (Apple Valley, MN)

Angelina Vitale and David O'Loughlin with Dean Wilson and Dr. Breitbach

Clinical Excellence Award

Criteria: Excellence in clinical performance. Nominated by faculty, staff or preceptor.

Honorees: David O'Loughlin (Kenosha, WI) and Angelina Vitale (St. Louis, MO)

New SLU AT Student Gets a Wide View of AT Through Numerous Clinical Sites

New AT Student Blog Post - Justin Ullom (SLU MAT Class of 2018)

More often than not, I was able to attend Affton High School in order to observe Mada Hauck, whose preceptor is Becky Stigen ATC. This training room is small, and it gets crowded at times, but it showed me the best way to make use of one’s space, no matter how limited. Observing a high school, I saw multiple sports throughout the semester and therefore learned many injuries that are common with their respective sports. I also learned that it is important to be able to communicate to all types of people, whether they are shy or outgoing, in order to best get your information across to them. The sports I observed most were basketball and volleyball. While there were no major injuries that occurred during my time observing, I was able to see many preventative or rehabilitative methods for those who had chronic injuries, or multi-sport athletes who were just coming off of an injury from a previous sport and ended up carrying it over to their new sport. 

I also observed at a Parkway South High School. While at Parkway South, I observed Sarah and her preceptor Mike Tzianos ATC. Mike was a very active athletic trainer, as he moved around and rotated from sport to sport in order to check on people, although we spent most of our time in the wrestling room watching practice. Mike explained that we were spending most of the time in the wrestling room because of all the sports that were practicing that day, wrestling was the one that was most likely going to have some sort of injury compared to others. We did watch a short scrimmage between the junior varsity women’s basketball team and the varsity women’s basketball team. One of the more interesting things that occurred during this observation was when a male basketball player came into the training room with a peeling callus that was about twice the size of a half dollar bill. Mike simply took some toenail clippers and carefully cut off the dead skin in order to expose the new skin to air. This observation taught me to make sure to keep a watchful eye on the most high-risk sport when it comes to being an athletic trainer at a high school. 

Another time I observed Tim Howell EdD, ATC, CSCS at the Webster Groves Ice Rink for the college club hockey championship. There was one instance where a player slipped and crashed into the boards very hard, and Tim was initially waved over to check on him, but it was then concluded that it was nothing to worry about so he did not have to go check on the player at the bench. There was one player who had a finger cut open, and Tim checked to see if he had gotten stitches as instructed. This taught me to always follow up on previous injuries in order to make sure that the athlete is doing everything they are supposed to do in order to help the injury heal.

I also observed Bailey Draheim and Tammy Pastor ATC for SLU athletics for two different sports. The first time I observed, I watched some track and field competitions. Not much happened at the meet, although we did learn how spine board an athlete out of the pit. While spine boards are seemingly becoming more and more unnecessary, it was still a very interesting learning experience, one that was reinforced a couple weeks later in class, as we learned how to spine board on flat ground. The second time I observed these two was for a tennis tournament. At this observation, Tammy talked about many injuries associated with tennis, as well as other overhand sports. She mentioned that many tennis players will have chronic wrist injuries. This site taught me that it is very important to understand the chronic injuries for any sport that I deal with as an athletic trainer since they will most often be the issues that arise in any athletes I might see. 

This is one of a series of blog posts written by students entering the professional phase of the SLU AT Program as a part of MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II.

SLU AT Faculty Participate in 2015 NATA Athletic Training Educators' Conference

Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program faculty members Dr. Anthony Breitbach, Dr. Timothy Howell and Dr. Kitty Newsham participated in the 2015 Athletic Training Educators' Conference at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Breitbach and Dr. Howell made a presentation: "Pedagogy Involved in Teaching Large Interprofessional Classes Strategies, Assessment and the Inevitable Evolution".

It was a great opportunity for program improvement and professional development for faculty!

SLU AT Students and Faculty Inducted to Allied Health Honor Society

On October 29, 2014 the Saint Louis University Doisy College of Health Sciences Chapter of Alpha Eta, the National Allied Health Honor Society, inducted 5 SLU Athletic Training students and 1 Faculty member to the Society.

Alpha Eta recognizes those allied health professionals who have excelled in their field. This recognition is extended to students, alumni, and faculty members. The society promotes both scholarship and fellowship among its members. This commitment to collaboration is reflected in the motto of the society: Together We Serve.

Demeisha Crawford, Rachel Spika, Michael Aaron, Dr. Tim Howell, Candie Hill and Hilary Stepansky

The 2014 Alpha Eta Inductees from the SLU AT Program:

Timothy Howell EdD, ATC, CSCS (Faculty Member)

Michael Aaron (MAT Class of 2015)

Demeisha Crawford (MAT Class of 2016)

Candie Hill (MAT Class of 2016)

Rachel Spika (MAT Class of 2016)

Hilary Stepansky (MAT Class of 2015)

SLU AT Faculty Members and Students Have a Fun and Busy Month of Basketball

The Athletic Training Program at Saint Louis University partners with the Missouri Valley Conference to coordinate medical coverage to the basketball tournaments they host in March each year.  This year, this not only included their conference tournaments in St. Louis and St. Charles, it also included the NCAA Men's Basketball 2nd and 3rd Rounds at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.  This provides a great learning opportunity for our students, where they get a chance to administer a large event with multiple stakeholders.  Additionally it provides our students with networking opportunities with numerous future colleagues in athletic training.

Faculty members Tim Howell and Kitty Newsham with AT students Jess Buschjost and Angelo Bongiorno at the NCAA 3rd Round games on March 23, 2014 at Scottrade Center.

AT students Cat Costello, Jess Buschjost and Angelo Bongiorno with faculty members Tim Howell and Mike Markee  at the NCAA 2nd Round games on March 21, 2014 at Scottrade Center.

AT students Blake Hudspeth and Michelle Cybulski courtside for MVC MBB Tournament at Scottrade Center.

AT students Tony Mosello and Jess Buschjost courtside for MVC MBB Tournament at Scottrade Center.

AT Program Director Tony Breitbach courtside with students Michael Aaron and Hilary Stepansky
for MVC WBB Tournament at Family Arena.

AT students Ju Kim, Mary Rhatigan, Jose Mendez and Michael Aaron on site
for MVC WBB Tournament at Family Arena

SLU AT Clinical Education Coordinator Offers Advice About Basketball and Good Health

March 19, 2014

Carrie Bebermeyer

314.977.8015

bebermcl@slu.edu

In the Spirit of March Madness, Seven Reasons to Shoot Hoops

SLU Expert Shares Lessons from the Billikens

Tim Howell, Ed.D., ATC, CSCS

After you agonize over your NCAA bracket and hand your $10 over to the office pool, take a moment to reflect on the intense exercise and athleticism displayed in every college basketball game. In fact, from pick-up games to the pros, basketball has the potential to offer a multitude of all-around health benefits.

As exercise goes, it doesn’t get much better than a fun team sport that requires no expensive equipment or major time commitments.

If you need more convincing, Tim Howell, Ed.D., ATC, CSCS, assistant professor of physical therapy and athletic training at Saint Louis University, home of the Billikens, offers seven more reasons.

Basketball is good for:

Your Heart. Basketball can help you develop cardiovascular endurance, depending on how many times play stops. Keep moving, and you’ll keep your heart rate up. Building endurance can help keep your heart healthy, reducing risks of heart disease and stroke down the line.

Your Muscles. Long range three point shots help develop both upper and lower body strength. So does jumping to block shots. Strong muscles help you maintain your balance and decrease your risk of falling.

Your Bones. Jumping is a great way to develop and improve bone health. Weight-bearing exercise helps maintain your bone density over the course of your lifetime. Stronger bones are bones that are less likely to break.

Playing a high-intensity basketball game can burn 700 or more calories an hour.

Your Brain. By developing eye-hand coordination, basketball builds spacial awareness. Your body will know where it is in space and time. Ever wonder why a cat always lands on its feet? Body awareness.

Your Gut. Reducing it, that is. Depending on the intensity at which you play, you can burn 700 or more calories an hour. Burn fat while having fun.

Your Social Life. Have fun. Socialize. Build teamwork. Strong relationships translate into good health. Social people are less likely to suffer from depression and also tend to have a stronger immune system. Exercising in a group also tends to lead to better continued participation because you don’t exercise alone. You will have a built-in support system.

Your Stress Levels. Played alone or in groups, basketball can reduce stress. Exercise is a proven stress-reliever. Decreasing your stress will help you focus and have more energy to complete tasks.

Long a leader in educating health professionals, Saint Louis University offered its first degree in an allied health profession in 1929. Today the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers degrees in physical therapy, athletic training education, clinical laboratory science, nutrition and dietetics, health informatics and information management, health sciences, medical imaging and radiation therapeutics, occupational science and occupational therapy, and physician assistant education. The college's unique curriculum prepares students to work with health professionals from all disciplines to ensure the best possible patient care.

SLU AT Program Advisory Board Conducts Fall Meeting

On November 20, 2013, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Program Advisory Board met at Cafe' Ventana near the SLU Frost Campus.  This group provides essential community feedback regarding the program and is invaluable in program planning and improvement.  The program is very fortunate to have such a wealth of expertise available in the St. Louis region.

Anthony Breitbach, Julie Davitz and Laura O'Connor

Randy Craig, Tim Howell and Jennifer Baine

Tyler Wadsworth, Bridget Quirk, Mark Reinking and Mike Markee

Laura O'Connor and Kitty Newsham

Matt Bayes and Paul Nativi

2013-14 SLU AT Program Advisory Board Members

Jason Bennett PhD, PT, SCS, ATC
Saint Louis University Program in Physical Therapy

Jonathan Burch ATC
Saint Louis University Department of Athletics

Randy Craig PT, ATC, MS
PRORehab Physical, Sports and Occupational Therapy

Julie Davitz PT, ATC, MHS
Rehab 1 Network

Matt Bayes, MD
Blue Tail Medical Group

Scott Kaar MD
Saint Louis University Orthopedics

Rick Larsen MS, ATC
Washington University in St. Louis Department of Athletics

Aaron McBride MPT, ATC
PRORehab Physical, Sports and Occupational Therapy

Paul Nativi DMD
Saint Louis University and part time private practice

Laura O'Connor MPT, ATC, CSCS
PRORehab Physical, Sports and Occupational Therapy

Fred Shinn MS, PT
Monroe County Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine

Tyler Wadsworth MD
Saint Louis University and Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine