Shasta Orthopaedics Blog

Archive for the ‘The Athlete’s Edge’ Category

Welcome to The Athlete’s Edge

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine Tips, Sports Medicine BlogBeing an athlete can be incredibly rewarding. It gives us a way to take better care of our  body and redefine what it can do. It gives us an avenue to achieve and push ourselves to overcome challenges. It gives us insight and inner strength that stays with us long after we’ve left the arena of competition.

The Shasta Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Team loves being a part of the athlete’s world. It brings us great pleasure to help athletes get back to their sport after an injury, help them reduce their risk of getting hurt, and give them tools to perform better. The Athlete’s Edge is another part of that effort.

The Athletes Edge is a quarterly eNewsletter full of tips and insights from the front lines of Sports Medicine. To receive updates, just click here to sign up. We also welcome your suggestions and story ideas.

Treating and Preventing Knee Injuries

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Treatment and Prevention of Knee InjuriesKnee injuries range from discomfort to career-ending results. Below are some insights to help you in the prevention and treatment of knee injuries.

Prevention

• Neuromuscular training with bent-knee landing and pivoting can be helpful in injury reduction

• Strength training of thighs, hips and lower leg may help prevent injury
• Proper warm up and stretching may also decrease knee injuries
• Use ice treatment after knee exercise training

The Essential ATC – Certified Athletic Trainer

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Certified Athletic Trainers, California Certified Athletic Trainer

Certified Athletic Trainers provided added training and expertise for athletes.

For coaches, athletic directors and anyone involved in running a school sports program, it is important to understand the qualifications of a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) when selecting the specialists responsible for caring for athletes at your events.

Do You Have a Certified Athletic Trainer Covering Your Events?

Not all trainers have the added training and expertise provided by an ATC. Certified Athletic Trainers must have a degree from an accredited curriculum and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. ATC’s expertise ranges from minor strains to catastrophic head injuries.

Are Energy Drinks with High Caffeine Okay for Athletes?

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

High Caffeine Energy Drinks and Athletes, Energy Drinks and Sports PerformanceThe following article was written by Tony Chang, M.D. , M.S. of the Shasta Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Team.

In our sports world today, athletes may look for that extra edge-a way to boost energy, improve endurance, quicken reaction speed and counter drowsiness.  Many athletes will consume energy drinks, unaware of the health and legal hazards.

In 2003, the NCAA instituted a list of banned-drug classes, including stimulants, anabolic agents and street drugs that are prohibited for use by NCAA athletes. Two common ingredients in energy drinks, taurine and guarana, were banned.  Caffeine is considered a restricted substance and not a banned substance.