SLU Athletic Training Program Hosts MAT Capstone Day on May 5, 2023

Students in the Saint Louis University Master of Athletic Training Class of 2023 will be presenting their Capstone Projects in the Multipurpose Room of the Allied Health Professions Building on SLU's South Campus as well as virtually on-line on May 6, 2022 starting at 9:00 am.

The event is open to the public, and presentation of these projects mark the completion of their experience as students in the SLU Athletic Training Program.

2023 MAT Capstone Day Schedule

9:00 AM - Mason Remeis

Eccentric Exercise and Its Effect with Pain Reduction in Athletes Suffering from Patellar Tendinopathy Injuries: A Critically Appraised Topic

9:15 AM - Olivia Mani

The Effects of Caffeine Consumption on Athletic Performance in Endurance and Strength Activities: A Critically Appraised Topic

9:30 AM - Alex Smith

Traumatic Partial Patellar Tendon Tear in a Female Basketball Player: A case report 

9:45 AM - Lauren Swords

The Influence of Joint Mobilizations on Chronic Ankle Instability: A Literature Review

10:00 AM - Giovanna Charles

The Emotional Health of a Secondary School Multi-Sport Athlete: A Case Study

10:15 AM - Alex Davis

The Effectiveness of Blood Flow Restriction Training During Postoperative ACLR Rehabilitation: A Critically Appraised Topic

10:30 AM - Stacie Galo 

Rehabilitation Considerations for use of Allograft in the Surgical Repair of Osteochondral Lesions Combined with ACL Reconstruction: A Case Study 

10:45 AM -  Emily Haley

Nutritional Supplementation Use in the Management of Concussion: A Literature review

11:00 AM - Muharem Komic

Effectiveness of Plyometric Training on Vertical Jump Power in Female Basketball Players: A Critically Appraised Topic

11:15 AM - Eldwin Neritani

The Effectiveness of Nordic Hamstring Exercises in Reducing Recurrent Hamstring Strain Injuries in Elite Level Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic

11:30 AM - Mary Margaret Cannatella

Post-Operative Outcomes and Return to Play in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Literature Review 

11:45 AM - Jordan Hyink

Effectiveness of Kinesiotape on Scapular Dyskinesis in Asymptomatic Overhead Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic

12:00 NOON - RECOGNITION CEREMONY/PROGRAM AWARDS

Online Access via Zoom: 

https://slu.zoom.us/j/98891121987?pwd=L2xLcHY0R2ZZZ1VsMjNBRFpLbENOdz09

Meeting ID: 988 9112 1987

Password: 495404

For more information email Dr. Anthony Breitbach, Vice Dean and MAT Capstone Course Coordinator at anthony.breitbach@health.slu.edu.

SLU AT Student Appreciates the Opportunity to Build Rehabilitation Skills with Billiken Athletics

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Saint Louis University Athletics 

By: Mary Margaret Cannatella (MAT Class of 2023)

This year I am at SLU with my preceptor and SLU alum Gwyn Brown MAT, ATC, the athletic trainer for Volleyball, Softball, and Track. With the start of volleyball season, I have gotten a lot of hands-on experience and although I have only been there for a short time Gwyn has already taught me so much and I have really enjoyed my time. With volleyball I have gotten great exposure with both upper and lower extremity. I have gotten the chance to work on my rehab skills and come up with different appropriate exercises for athletes and their injuries.

It has given me great experience with practicing sports specific rehabs in the later phases of recovery. I also have gotten to learn and use injury and load management and look forward to using this as the season progresses. I have gotten the chance to apply the skills I’ve learned in class and use them hands on. I look forward to the rest of the volleyball season and all I have to learn this semester with Gwyn.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their preceptors. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU AT Program.

SLU AT Students/Billiken Athletes Gain a Wider Understanding of the Profession

New PY1 AT Student Blog Post - Karsen Kohl and Julia Martinez (MAT Class of 2024)

Karsen Kohl

Entering the Professional Phase of the AT Program requires students to experience

athletic trainers at a clinical site. There were multiple options in choosing where to get directed

observation hours and with being a student athlete at SLU I chose to get a look at how a school,

in particular a high school, manages an athlete’s health in the training room. I started my

observation experience at John Burroughs School, a high school close to SLU’s campus. I

shadowed PY1 student Olivia Mani and PY2 student Katie Wissing who are currently placed

there as their every day clinical site this spring semester. I got the opportunity to observe athletic

trainer Dean Tiffany ATC care for and tend to his athletes.

During my experience at Burroughs, I learned a lot about the impact an athletic trainer

has on the athlete both in rehabilitation and in recovery. As a student athlete at the collegiate

level, I understand the importance of rehab but I did not understand this when I was in high

school. It was eye opening to see how many students visited the training room right when school

ended and before practice. Most of the students that visited the trainer were familiar faces every

day with normal routines pre game/practice and some of the students were new and wanting the

help to best manage their body and health in regards to their sport.

The process of an athletic trainer goes further than rendering treatment to athletes, it is

about providing water to prevent hypohydration. I was able to be hands-on in helping Olivia and

Katie get ice and water in coolers to all fields for the teams as well as help with the clean up process after all teams finished their events. I had the opportunity to watch the events on the

sideline with Dean who is ensuring the safety and health of the athletes in his care. A learning

experience that I will take with me as I enter the professional phase was when Olivia and Katie

assessed an athlete who came in with pain in the knee. The two of them began by asking the

athlete a series of questions in order to come to the conclusion of the occurrence and timing of

the injury. They ran through a series of tests of mobility and strength to try and pinpoint the exact

muscles that were being affected. Through this information based on the athlete's pain, they were

able to come up with a diagnosis that allowed the athlete to receive a set of exercises and pain

management to effectively return the athlete back to play. This experience allowed me to

understand the process of assessing a new injury and the job of an athletic trainer to help with the

athlete’s pain. I had such a great experience at Burroughs and learned a lot that I will take with

me while I enter into the Professional Phase of the AT Program.

Julia Martinez

 really enjoyed doing the direct observation hours. I was able to learn from different people and see athletic trainers do things in different settings with athletes. Some things that I learned from this experience was about PPE (preparticipation physical exam). These exams are important for SLU athletics. Elena Melillo ATC had all returning student athletes get these exams taken. They had to get their weight, height, vitals, and BESS testing measured. It was cool to watch PY1 and PY2 do some of these tests because I learned the BESS testing in class and was able to apply it to this PPE. With regards of the track meet, I witnessed a hamstring tear and other lower leg injuries. It was interesting to be at a track meet because I’ve never been to one and I was able to see how runners respond after they finish running. Lastly, Elena also taught me the concussion protocol and what she needs to do and use for reference for the student athlete and see how their concussion is improving. The different types of testing you do to test out the student athlete’s concussion is a long process but an important one.

I went to John Burroughs high school and observed Olivia Mani and her preceptor Dean Tiffany ATC. It was nice to observe a high school setting since I’m so used to a college scene. I watched Olivia do stem and a Graston massage on an athlete. Dean also did a shin splint taping which was interesting since I’ve never seen one before. We watched the girls’ and boys’ lacrosse games. It was very cold, sleeting, and pouring rain on us while we were sitting in the gator watching the games. Something I learned from that experience is to always make sure to dress warm and prepare ahead of time with extra layers in my car. In conclusion, I enjoyed these direct observation hours because I was able to get a good taste of what I’ll be doing next year. 

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 Student Sees the Importance of Professional Relationships and Networking in Athletic Training

New PY1 AT Student Blog Post - Carlton McDonald-Jordan (MAT Class of 2024)

During the semester, I had the opportunity to observe various events and clinical sites. These opportunities allowed me to witness first-hand what it is like to be an athletic trainer (AT) and engage in a professional healthcare setting, both with patients (athletes) and other healthcare professionals. Two big takeaways from the experience would be the importance of establishing good, healthy relationships with the athletes that build a foundation of trust and being open to exploration in the athletic training world and allowing your personal desires to be stepstones through your journey as an athletic trainer. 

A great observation opportunity I was able to experience was the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament held at the Enterprise Center on the first weekend of March. I loved being in the collegiate basketball environment and it is something I wish to experience at some point in my professional career. I had the opportunity to witness interprofessional collaboration on a bigger scale as there were various professionals from different institutions and practices. This experience also showed me how small the athletic training world is, which places much emphasis on connecting and networking. My favorite part of the experience, though, was seeing the athletes interact with the athletic trainers. Instantly, you could tell the relationship between the athletes and AT was unique and cannot be replicated by many other professionals. It was also great to be able to connect with old friends and teammates who were playing in the tournament for their respective institutions.

Another great handful of observations came at Affton High School with PY1 Jordan Hyink and preceptor Becky Stigen ATC. During this experience, I was able to observe up-close the working relationship between trainers and young athletes. The athletes in this case (young teenagers) seem to engage more with the AT on a personal level. This experience provided a different atmosphere, one that appeared to be less competitive and more convivial. The AT's at Affton did a great job of communicating areas of concern while also recognizing the athletes’ autonomy. From this, I was able to  recognize the importance of placing the athlete at the center of care and catering care to meet their needs and/or wants.

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 Student Enjoys Connecting Classroom and Clinical Learning at Rockwood Summit HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Rockwood Summit High School

By: Maggie Cannatella (MAT Class of 2023)

I really enjoyed my first clinical experience at Rockwood Summit High School.  Although it has only been about a month, I have already learned a lot from my preceptor, Mercy Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer and SLU Alum Tony Mosello MAT, ATC.  This semester, I have learned about some injuries and clinical skills in class and gotten the chance to apply or see them in clinical.  

As the school year progresses, I am excited to learn more about evals and other skills that I get to see Tony use every day.  I have gotten the chance to help tape the athletes and practice modalities I have learned in class.  So far, as I have become more comfortable, I have gotten to know some of the athletes at Rockwood Summit and started to develop relationships and establish trust.  

The athletes, coaches, and staff have been nothing but welcoming and it has been a great environment to learn in.  I am excited for the rest of the semester and for the opportunity to learn more about the profession of athletic training and to continue to learn in class and then apply that knowledge in clinical.  I already have learned and seen so much, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store for the rest of the semester.

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their preceptors. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU AT Program.

Students in the SLU MAT Class of 2023 Look Forward to the Professional Phase of the Program

The Professional Phase of the Saint Louis University Athletic Training has two points of entry: (1) as a graduate student after receiving a bachelor's degree; and (2) as a progressing student in SLU's freshman-entry 3+2 Master of Athletic Training program.

SLU Pre-professional AT students take MAT 3000 - AT Student Development II in spring of their junior year where they prepare to enter the professional phase of the program.  This course includes directed observation in athletic training clinical settings and professional engagement. Each of these student writes a blog post about these experiences as they look forward to progressing into the professional phase of the program:

Maggie Cannatella

While observing PY1 and PY2 students, I got to see first-hand what the next two years of my education as a future Athletic Trainer and clinical experiences would look like.  I spent some of my direct observation at John Burroughs High School.  The training room and athletic facilities were extremely impressive and went far beyond my expectations of the resources a High School would have.  In the two days I was there, I got to see PY1 and PY2, Amra and Kate, work with the athletes in the training room after school before practice and went to a soccer and baseball game.  Amra and Kate really seemed to have learned a lot from their preceptor, Dean Tiffany ATC, and from each other.  On their last day, the students at John Burroughs were sad to see them go and they definitely seemed to have developed a relationship with the athletes there.  My biggest take away was seeing this hands-on guided learning environment that Amra and Kate had experienced here.  It got me excited for what was in store for me in the coming years as a PY1 and PY2 student and all that I would learn in clinicals.   

 

Brooke Flowers

During the semester, I was able to learn from PY2 student Gabby Herod and her preceptor Petra Knight ATC. My experience shadowing Gabby was different from most because in some situations, I was apart of the population. As someone who got to spend a lot of time with both Gabby and Petra, we were able to develop a productive relationship that allowed me to learn from them in the most productive way possible. While watching them in action, I was able to learn so much about the different techniques, practices, and procedures that are commonly used in the collegiate setting.

While there were so many tangible skills and practices that I learned while observing Gabby and Petra throughout the semester, there were also intangible lessons and advice that Gabby and Petra gave me that I will always remember. I was honored to learn from two women who have become role models and mentors for the aspirations that I hope to achieve as I continue to learn and grow in the professional phase of the program. 

Stacie Galo

I did my direct observation at John Burroughs High School and Christian Brothers College Prep. I had no expectations going into either clinical site or was just excited to get a glimpse of what it would be like for the next two years in this program. I was shocked to see how much the PY1s and the PY2s could do, and how well they were able to do it. They all were confident in their abilities to assess and aid in recovery for the patients that came to see them. At John Burroughs, there was a patient who came in with knee pain for the first time. Amra was the one who saw the patient first and performed her checklist to determine the cause of pain. After doing some physical examination and performing various tests to manipulate the knee and leg to see which one’s cause the patient pain in their injured area. The diagnosis that Amra was able to come up with was an acute hamstring strain because they had pain where the hamstring attaches to the proximal part of the fibula. It was very educational to see a full assessment and treatment of a patient by a peer.

At both sites, I got to observe some therapeutic modalities being used to treat the patient’s pain. It was interesting to see it used in a real life setting after having just learned about them in MAT 3000. There were a few patients who sat with stim for 20 minutes or had to have a hot pack on the injured area before starting their assigned exercises.  One thing that was similar at both sites, was the AT and the PYs were required to observe and assist if needed at various sporting events going on at their school. The sports I observed were baseball, tennis, and water polo. Being able to watch various sports and to see the different roles the AT plays at each game was really eye opening. Even after a couple visits for directed observation, I feel more confident in the fact that I will be able to accomplish all the PY’s have so far when I get a chance to learn at the clinical sites, just like they did. 

Emily Haley 

I really enjoyed being able to complete direct observation this semester at John Burroughs High School alongside a PY1 and PY2. Although there were not many games going on that day, only a JV women’s soccer game, I enjoyed observing and experiencing the atmosphere of the training room. Some of the student athletes were coming in for treatment that they do all the time, and some were coming in with new injuries. It was interesting to see the relationships and trust developed between the PY’s and the athletes they see all the time, and to see how they interact with and assess athlete’s they do not know. While observing how Kate and Amra would assess an athlete coming in with a new injury, I was amazed by how they would palpate, ask the athlete a bunch of questions, and then determine what the next steps would be so quickly. I’m looking forward to being able to examine and determine a course of action in my future clinical experiences as well as connecting with and creating bonds with athletes I’ll be taking care of. I enjoyed my direct observation experience this semester and am looking forward to building up my athletic training knowledge and skills over the next two years during the professional phase. 

Muharem Komic 

This semester for me finishing up MAT 3000 was interesting and a big eye opener. I personally could not go observe any PY1s at clinical sites due to my school schedule and work schedule. What I was able to do was get some direct observation hours at the SLU track meet on March twenty sixth. I got to talk to some of the PY1s and the PY2s there and they were really cool about answering any questions the other students and I had. From sharing their experience with gross anatomy to their first clinical site. As well as where they are now and what they plan on doing in the future. It was really interesting seeing how basically everyone has a completely different experience which is awesome and as well just kind of getting an idea of what the next years might look like for me. During the directed observation, I got the chance to see how Athletic Trainers work with other professions and how a multiple event sport was being handled. For example there were ATs at the track field, where all the running events were taking place and the javelin throw. Then across the street there were the hammer throws were taking place and over there were ATs along with EMTs and an ambulance. Where I witnessed ATs working with other professions, was when a SLU athlete was injured and he was brought to the AT tent on a gator by some EMTs. The ATs examined him and saw that he possibly tore his achilles tendon and needed to go to the hospital instantly. The ambulance was too far and it was too complicated for them to get him, so the EMTs on the gator took him since it was right across the street and then came back later and said that he was dropped off and was being looked at. It was interesting to witness how the communication among other professions is important to work together to help someone receive care in the best way possible. Seeing how everyone was working well together and working with speed and precision was impressive and in a way it was exciting to witness this. Overall it was an amazing experience and If this was just direct observation I can’t imagine how I will feel, when I am at a clinical site and doing more than observing. 

Meghan Liss

While I did not participate in any clinical engagement opportunities, I was able to partake in some very fun activities during our classes throughout the semester. I enjoyed going through the multitude of therapeutic modalities. I found them to be quite interesting, especially because there were so many. I think that it is quite amazing how so many different modalities can either aid or impair an athlete or individual just by how we use them. Some of my favorite modalities that we went over heating and icing or testing function through band exercises or balance mechanisms. Because these were partner exercises, I was able to get to know my peers better than I had in the past. Our MAT classes were mostly sitting at the desks and observing the lesson. This time around we were able to do mostly hands on work which was a great experience. My favorite part of this class was actually going over all of the aspects of emergency care. My dad used to be a paramedic and because of that, I have always found emergency care enticing, and so going over concussion testing, CPR, spine-boarding, etc., was a ton of fun for me. This will be the information that I hope to carry over with me into my future profession.

Olivia Mani

I can only imagine the feeling of anticipation that a high school athletic trainer has as they hear the ring of the dismissal bell in the afternoon. If their training room has the same amount of traffic as the one at John Burroughs High School, then I can imagine the built-up stress. Dean Tiffany ATC works as their head, and only, athletic trainer for a school of about 600 students, who participate in a sport each semester. This makes for frequent visits from kinds across all different sports with varying types of injuries. During my time there, Dean informed me that this means he has to be personable with his students and get to know them so that he can recognize and understand their injuries in relation to their sport. This is most helpful in injury diagnosis and working towards a recovery plan to get the athletes back to peak health. 

My afternoon there consisted of the afternoon rush, where students from various sports came in after school to do their treatment with Dean, Amra, and Kate. I could see that this hour after school is a huge balancing act that requires prioritizing and decision-making skills because there are taping, exercises, modalities, evaluations, and stretching that need to be done and administered. After this circus of an hour, we went out to the varsity soccer game and varsity baseball game. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries that occurred, just some minor scrapes and bruises.

I learned from Dean that high school athletic training is all about choosing your battles. There are often times where he has multiple games going on, and he has to choose which one he feels has the greater risk of injury occurrence. That is why we sat at the soccer game for the full duration and then went to watch the rest of the baseball game afterwards. Both were varsity level, which takes top priority, but soccer is higher in contact, so we went there. Another battle that is important to keep in mind when working with high school students is that sometimes their emotions can run rampant. Especially in stressful situations, such as when injured, panic can take over. Often times the demeanor of the athlete can overshadow the injury itself, so it is important to manage the student’s emotions, while working with them to find a diagnosis. 

Chiara Morresi

It has been without a doubt anything but a normal semester. I have worked at Chaifetz Arena as a student worker in the ATR since Fall 2018, and these last two semesters are like nothing I have seen before. Instead of the constant conversations between student athletes and the athletic trainers who are providing treatment before a practice or game, it now seems like an athlete will pop in every so often, and then the ATR will go back to being silent. 

Though things are not what they used to be in the Chaifetz ATR, all five of the AT’s have done a tremendous job of keep everyone safe. From the mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing, to capacity limits, very efficient cleaning protocols and the constant wearing of masks, the ATR has never felt like a safer or cleaner space. After observing the work this ATR does to keep their trainers, athletes, student workers and everyone in between safe, I feel very comfortable going into my own clinical experience next fall. 

Eldwin Neritani

This semester I had the opportunity to observe SLU Athletics. I had the chance to observe a track meet here at SLU. Here I was able to get a lot of “gameday” experience, and saw what an athletic trainer does during and how they interact at a meet like this, and the types of things they are responsible for. During this I was able to witness an injury firsthand, and watched how the ATs would manage and handle it. The injury at hand was an Achilles injury, and I watched as they would perform certain tests to see how bad the injury was. It was very interesting to see the trainers go about their tests and work while not overwhelming the athlete at any point. It was a really interesting to see the pre- and post-setup as well that goes into preparing for a track meet.

Mason Remeis

Throughout my experience at my clinical site, Rockwood Summit High School, I learned about the importance of communication, teamwork, and preparation.  At Rockwood Summit the head athletic trainer Tony Mosello MAT, ATC had a walkie talkie that he used in order to communicate with people on different fields.  Because he is the only athletic trainer at the school and there are often many games occurring at the same time, it was necessary that there was a plan for communication so that he could get to where he was needed.  This communication required teamwork as well because the person on the other end of the walkie talkie needed to know how to go about handling the situation with contacting him, while also giving a brief explanation about what the injury or issue may be.

From observing him in the training room, I saw how he had created an atmosphere where all the athletes felt comfortable and safe.  Also, I saw how organized everything was which is important when you need to find something specific in order to treat an athlete in a timely manner.  I realized that when you are an athletic trainer, you become part of the athletic family wherever you may be working, and you have to make sure that you gain the trust and respect from the athletes and coaches.  I was able to see this at Rockwood Summit.  From my experience here, I learned a lot more about the whole role of an athletic trainer, which I did not fully recognize or understand back when I was an athlete.

Alex Smith

I spent the majority of my observation experience at Bishop Dubourg High School. I was fortunate enough to observe the athletic training experience alongside fellow PY1 student Mason Cotterel (MAT Class of 2021), who is one of my good friends that I made at my time at Saint Louis U. He provided me with insight about my future and what I should expect in the future with the program. While under observation, I was able to watch high school football, volleyball, and women’s soccer games, as well as practices and behind the scenes care. One thing that amazed me upon arriving at Bishop Dubourg was the size of the athletic training room. I was fortunate enough to see different sizes of athletic training rooms prior to my observation experience. 

What I learned from Bishop Dubourg AT room is that sometimes, the essentials are what you need. I watched Mason and the preceptor Nathan Jarman, MAT, CES, ATC, provide interventions with their bare hands. The small atmosphere of the athletic training room allowed AT’s to adapt to the situation and use any method necessary to provide care. What was interesting about the experience was being able to see the bond that Mason had when it came to the athletes. Upon arriving at the high school for the first time, I got to see that bond firsthand, where a fellow athlete was asking Mason about pain in their ankle. We have not made it to the training room yet, and Mason took the time to care for his athletes. This type of engagement that I want to have with athletes is something that I am excited for in the future. One thing that I learned from my experience was muscle and strength management. During the pandemic, there was a big question mark about when will sports be back, especially surrounding high school sports. When I arrived at Bishop Dubourg, a lot of athletes came for treatment and a common theme was not taking care of themselves in the long offseason. I watched Mason and Nate provide treatment and explain to these athletes to take care of their body before the season started. My observation experience provided me with a unique insight into my future with the program and I am looking forward to my future. 

Lauren Swords

This last semester I had the chance to observe both a college and a high school setting. I was especially grateful for these opportunities as I was unsure with COVID if I would get any at all. For my college observation hours I was at a SLU track and field meet. Here I got to see PY2s Maddie and Mellanie work with all kinds of athletes, as track and field tends to be a mix of every type of physical fitness. During my short time there I saw the PY2s respond to an injury and it was super interesting to watch them take over and command the situation. My more extensive observation hours were at Rockwood Summit High School with Maddie Cavanaugh and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Coming into SLU I didn’t expect to want to work in a high school setting but after my observation hours I’ve decided I want to keep my options open. I really enjoyed the crazy energy of Summit and the relationship the certified AT had with his students. My biggest take away from my observation hours is that while I am still a little scared to start clinicals, I am mostly excited and can’t wait to get started.