Athletic Trainers Research Articles

Innovative pressure sensing with amorphous silicon nanostructures: Exploring applications in sports training supervision

This study introduces an innovative approach to pressure sensing in sports training using amorphous silicon nanostructure-based sensors. These sensors demonstrated high sensitivity (0.75 Ω/kPa) and a broad pressure detection range (1–100 kPa), making them ideal for capturing the nuances of athletic movements. Their compact size (5 mm×5 mm) and superior durability (over 5000 cycles with minimal performance variation) allowed for seamless integration into athletic shoes and attire. The sensors effectively captured pressure patterns in running, such as heel strikes peaking at 300 kPa, and cycling, revealing a 200 kPa increase in the perineal region during posture shifts. Comparative analysis highlighted the advantages of amorphous silicon nanostructure sensors over existing technologies, including higher sensitivity, wider pressure range, smaller size, and better durability. The integration of these sensors provided invaluable data for optimizing training regimes and preventing injuries. The study also delved into the physical and chemical characterization of the nanostructures, confirming their uniform size distribution, surface morphology, and amorphous nature, which contributed to their exceptional sensing performance. The findings underscore the immense potential of amorphous silicon nanostructure sensors in revolutionizing athletic performance analysis and injury prevention, offering a significant upgrade over current technologies in terms of accuracy, adaptability, and user-friendliness. This research paves the way for more sophisticated, precise, and athlete-centric pressure sensing solutions, transforming the landscape of sports technology and biomechanical assessment.

Features of the intestinal microbiome in athletes engaged in martial arts

The purpose of the study: the study of the characteristics of the intestinal microbiome in young men who are professionally engaged in sports.Materials and methods: the study involved 36 young men aged 18 to 26 years. Fecal samples were taken from the study participants and then bacterial DNA was isolated from the obtained samples.Results: comparing the intestinal microbe of athletes with the control group, it is possible to trace the positive effect of sports on the overall diversity of representatives of the intestinal microbiota. When analyzing the taxonomic composition, it is worth separately noting the increase in representatives of lactate-producing bacteria and the increased content of Akkermansia muciniphila in athletes.Conclusions: the results of the study indicate the effects of sports training on the human gut microbiota and suggest the presence of a close two-way relationship “microbiome — muscle tissue”.

Exploration of Teaching Principles from the Perspective of Exercise Physiology Knowledge

Exercise physiology is a science that studies functions and mechanisms, and its knowledge contains many principles and methods. These principles and methods are not only applied to the teaching of physical education classes, fitness guidance, and sports training, but also, many principles can be reflected to guide the teaching process and design of exercise physiology courses and other theoretical courses.

The application of exercise physiology theory in freestyle swimming instruction

The theory of exercise physiology serves the practical application of sports training, offering a physiological foundation for freestyle swimming instruction in areas such as movement, breathing, and circulation. It highlights the significant role of core strength in the teaching of freestyle swimming. The theory of exercise physiology not only aids students in deeply experiencing and understanding freestyle swimming techniques but also helps to prevent sports injuries and maintain the effectiveness and safety of exercise, thereby achieving the goals of physical fitness, self-confidence enhancement, and improvement in sports proficiency and performance.

Athletic Trainers’ Perceptions of the Structure and Barriers to Online Continuing Education Clinical Documentation Modules

Context Athletic trainers (ATs) appreciate the accessibility of web-based continuing education (CE) opportunities. ATs describe needing more CE opportunities related to clinical documentation, but the effectiveness of CE in this content area has not been studied. Objective Obtain ATs’ perceptions of their experiences accessing web-based CE specific to clinical documentation. Design Qualitative study. Setting Web-based audio interviews. Patients or Other Participants Twenty-nine ATs, averaging 36.2 ± 9.0 years of age, including 16 women and 13 men who represented 8 different clinical practice settings. Data Collection and Analysis Participants previously completed 1 of 2 web-based CE modules specific to clinical documentation, a personalized learning pathway (PLP) or passive reading list (PAS). After completing the modules, 1 investigator interviewed each participant regarding their experiences accessing and completing the modules. Following the Consensual Qualitative Research approach, 4 investigators (3 primary coders and 1 internal auditor) inductively analyzed the interview transcripts. We completed 5 rounds of consensus coding and finalized themes and supporting categories. Results We identified 2 themes: (1) structure and (2) barriers to completing the modules. Although both groups were satisfied with the content of the modules, PLP participants were more satisfied with the structure and experience of accessing the resources than the PAS participants. PLP participants enjoyed the engagement of the variety of resources included, whereas PAS participants inconsistently accessed reading materials based on personal preference. Both groups described time as a barrier to completing the modules, and some participants experienced technology barriers. Conclusions ATs value web-based CE opportunities that compile information related to a topic. Learners find a variety of learning formats, including videos, case studies, knowledge checks, and reflection prompts, to be more engaging than only reading materials. Although time continues to be a barrier to completing CE, offering accessible and engaging learning opportunities improves satisfaction with completing CE.

Disagreement of Rehabilitation Adherence Perceptions Among Athletic Trainers and Injured Collegiate Athletes

Collegiate athletic trainers continue to report adherence to physical rehabilitation programs to be a problem in collegiate athletics, as rehabilitation adherence among collegiate athletes can range between 40% and 90%. Inconsistent appropriate adherence to these programs may limit patients’ ability to successfully recover from their sports injuries. This study sought to understand if differences in perception of rehabilitation adherence existed between athletic trainers and collegiate athletes. A nonsignificant fair inverse correlation was found between the athletic trainer perceptions and patient self-perceptions of rehabilitation adherence after an examination of 19 separate physical rehabilitation programs led by 5 collegiate athletic trainers (R = −.48, p = .06). Given the found practitioner–patient disconnect, collegiate athletic trainers should consider further encouraging patient involvement within their rehabilitation programs through various tactics such as the use of patient-rated outcomes or conversations that minimize patient distress.

In Physicians and Athletic Trainers, Is Burnout Associated With Self-Reported Medical Errors: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Question: In physicians and athletic trainers, is burnout associated with self-reported medical errors (MEs)? Clinical Bottom Line: Burnout directly increased the odds of self-reported ME. Physicians and surgeons with burnout had a higher risk of an self-reported ME than athletic trainers with burnout. This disparity may reflect the different definitions, oversight, and opportunities to commit MEs in the respective fields. Emotional exhaustion and personnel accomplishment appear to drive MEs within clinically practicing athletic trainers, whereas emotional exhaustion and depersonalization are indicative of MEs within practicing physicians. Understanding the mechanism behind burnout within practice settings may provide insights into mitigation strategies to reduce MEs and improve patient outcomes. Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy B.

Application of entertainment and fitness robots based on game interaction in sports training data analysis

This study aims to explore the application of sports data analysis of recreational fitness robots in sports training. By introducing interactive elements of games, recreational fitness robots can provide more interesting and challenging fitness experience, thus attracting more people to participate in sports training. Research and design and develop a game interactive entertainment fitness robot, with action recognition and user interaction functions, can perceive the user’s actions and make corresponding responses. When the user interacts with the robot, the sensor continuously collects and records data, establishes a data acquisition and storage system, analyzes and processes the collected interactive data, identifies the user’s movement pattern, assesses the user’s physical fitness level, and identifies potential improvement points. According to the user’s physical condition and training objectives, the appropriate exercise plan and game interaction mode are designed to provide better training results and entertainment experience. It is found that the game-based interactive entertainment fitness robot can effectively improve the user’s exercise motivation and participation in sports training. Through the analysis of sports data, we can develop personalized training plans according to the specific needs and goals of users, so as to achieve better training results.

Optimizing Concussion Care Seeking: Using Machine Learning to Predict Delayed Concussion Reporting.

Early medical attention after concussion may minimize symptom duration and burden; however, many concussions are undiagnosed or have a delay in diagnosis after injury. Many concussion symptoms (eg, headache, dizziness) are not visible, meaning that early identification is often contingent on individuals reporting their injury to medical staff. A fundamental understanding of the types and levels of factors that explain when concussions are reported can help identify promising directions for intervention. To identify individual and institutional factors that predict immediate (vs delayed) injury reporting. Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. This study was a secondary analysis of data from the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium study. The sample included 3213 collegiate athletes and military service academy cadets who were diagnosed with a concussion during the study period. Participants were from 27 civilian institutions and 3 military institutions in the United States. Machine learning techniques were used to build models predicting who would report an injury immediately after a concussive event (measured by an athletic trainer denoting the injury as being reported "immediately" or "at a delay"), including both individual athlete/cadet and institutional characteristics. In the sample as a whole, combining individual factors enabled prediction of reporting immediacy, with mean accuracies between 55.8% and 62.6%, depending on classifier type and sample subset; adding institutional factors improved reporting prediction accuracies by 1 to 6 percentage points. At the individual level, injury-related altered mental status and loss of consciousness were most predictive of immediate reporting, which may be the result of observable signs leading to the injury report being externally mediated. At the institutional level, important attributes included athletic department annual revenue and ratio of athletes to athletic trainers. Further study is needed on the pathways through which institutional decisions about resource allocation, including decisions about sports medicine staffing, may contribute to reporting immediacy. More broadly, the relatively low accuracy of the machine learning models tested suggests the importance of continued expansion in how reporting is understood and facilitated.

Professional Identity in Irish Certified Athletic Therapists

Professional identity is an important construct that considers an individual’s own values, beliefs, attitudes, and motives surrounding their own role in their profession. No research has examined this concept in athletic training/therapy beyond the U.S. context. We examined professional identity in Irish certified athletic therapists (n = 81) using the Professional Identity and Values Scale. Participants presented with a total Professional Identity and Values Scale score of 92.0 ± 9.9. Age (r = .26, p = .02; r = .27, p = .02) and years of experience (r = .29, p = .01; r = .32, p = .0004) were positively correlated with total Professional Identity and Values Scale score and professional development subscale score, respectively. No gender differences were observed (p > .05). Despite being a new emerging profession, Irish athletic therapists presented with a strong professional identity.

Automating Video-Based Two-Dimensional Motion Analysis in Sport? Implications for Gait Event Detection, Pose Estimation, and Performance Parameter Analysis.

Two-dimensional (2D) video is a common tool used during sports training and competition to analyze movement. In these videos, biomechanists determine key events, annotate joint centers, and calculate spatial, temporal, and kinematic parameters to provide performance reports to coaches and athletes. Automatic tools relying on computer vision and artificial intelligence methods hold promise to reduce the need for time-consuming manual methods. This study systematically analyzed the steps required to automate the video analysis workflow by investigating the applicability of a threshold-based event detection algorithm developed for 3D marker trajectories to 2D video data at four sampling rates; the agreement of 2D keypoints estimated by an off-the-shelf pose estimation model compared with gold-standard 3D marker trajectories projected to camera's field of view; and the influence of an offset in event detection on contact time and the sagittal knee joint angle at the key critical events of touch down and foot flat. Repeated measures limits of agreement were used to compare parameters determined by markerless and marker-based motion capture. Results highlighted that a minimum video sampling rate of 100 Hz is required to detect key events, and the limited applicability of 3D marker trajectory-based event detection algorithms when using 2D video. Although detected keypoints showed good agreement with the gold-standard, misidentification of key events-such as touch down by 20 ms resulted in knee compression angle differences of up to 20°. These findings emphasize the need for de novo accurate key event detection algorithms to automate 2D video analysis pipelines.

Standardized Patient Encounter to Enhance Care to LGBTQIA+ Patients

Context Athletic trainers provide care for a variety of patients with diverse backgrounds, including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, other diverse sexualities, other gender identities, or other gender expressions (LGBTQIA+) community. Learners who gain experience with patients who identify as LBGTQIA+ should be better prepared clinicians. Objective The purpose of this paper is to describe a standardized patient (SP) experience for a patient who is gay and concerned about a sexually transmitted infection after a conversation with a previous partner. Background Patients who identify as LGBTQIA+ report substandard care and have poor health care experiences. Standardized patients are used in athletic training education as a method to teach and assess skills and can be used to improve the care that learners provide to patients who identify as gay. Educational Advantage Education drives clinical practice, and incorporating SP cases in which learners must provide care for a patient who is gay will help the learners provide better inclusive patient-centered care as a clinician. Conclusions Faculty may consider using a SP encounter to better prepare learners to provide care for a patient who is gay.

All-in-One, Wireless, Multi-Sensor Integrated Athlete Health Monitor for Real-Time Continuous Detection of Dehydration and Physiological Stress.

Athletes are at high risk of dehydration, fatigue, and cardiac disorders due to extreme performance in often harsh environments. Despite advancements in sports training protocols, there is an urgent need for a non-invasive system capable of comprehensive health monitoring. Although a few existing wearables measure athlete's performance, they are limited by a single function, rigidity, bulkiness, and required straps and adhesives. Here, an all-in-one, multi-sensor integrated wearable system utilizing a set of nanomembrane soft sensors and electronics, enabling wireless, real-time, continuous monitoring of saliva osmolality, skin temperature, and heart functions is introduced. This system, using a soft patch and a sensor-integrated mouthguard, provides comprehensive monitoring of an athlete's hydration and physiological stress levels. A validation study in detecting real-time physiological levels shows the device's performance in capturing moments (400-500s) of synchronized acute elevation in dehydration (350%) and physiological strain (175%) during field training sessions. Demonstration with a few human subjects highlights the system's capability to detect early signs of health abnormality, thus improving the healthcare of sports athletes.

Sports Facilities and Equipment Management: Implications for Young Athletes Sports Participation in Nigeria

Studies have indicated that management of sports facilities and equipment are imperative for young athletes’ sports participation. Sports facilities are those immobile infrastructures for sports training, competitions and events. While, sports equipment are items that are movable and are utilized for a period of time. Sports facilities and equipment management are referred to the process of planning, purchasing, administering, coordinating and evaluating the day-to-day procedure of facilities and equipment utilization. This paper explored the role of sports facilities and equipment management on young athletes’ sports participation in Nigeria. The concepts of sports facilities and equipment management were critical reviewed. Related issues were also discussed, such as; sports facilities and equipment maintenance cost, standard sport facilities, modernization in sports facilities and equipment management and safety in sports facilities and equipment usage. It concluded among others that sports facilities and equipment management create a safe and healthy environment for sports participation among young athletes, which in turn set the tone for promising great future athletic performance. It was recommended among others that personnel that will be responsible for the management of sports facilities and equipment should be experience.

Sports training to strengthen technical foundations of volleyball in secondary school students

La presente investigación se planteó el objetivo de implementar un programa de entrenamiento deportivo diseñado para fortalecer los fundamentos técnicos del voleibol en el equipo femenino del Centro Educativo Profesor Francisco Antonio Vásquez, ubicado en el Distrito Educativo 08-09, Tamboril, República Dominicana. La investigación adoptó un enfoque cuantitativo mediante un diseño cuasi experimental, la población estuvo compuesta por las 14 estudiantes que conformaban el equipo de voleibol del centro educativo. Para la recolección de datos, se empleó la observación directa como técnica. Con relación al instrumento, se seleccionó la rúbrica analítica, a fin de registrar los resultados de las pruebas tanto en la fase de pre-test como en la de post-test. Los principales resultados en la fase del pre-test, evidenciaron que las estudiantes manifestaban ciertas debilidades con relación a los fundamentos técnicos del voleibol más aún en el servicio y remate del balón, no obstante, algunas alumnas lograron mejorar de forma moderada tales aspectos después de participar de forma activa en el entrenamiento y recibir nuevamente la prueba en la fase del pos-test. Referente a las conclusiones, con estas se logró determinar que la participación activa en el entrenamiento hizo una diferencia significativa, debido a que las estudiantes que no se involucraron completamente en las sesiones obtuvieron resultados más bajos en comparación con aquellas que sí lo hicieron.

Child Abuse in Schools from the Perspective of Physical Education and Sports Teachers

The aim of this study is to reveal child abuse in schools from the perspectives of physical education and sports teachers and to provide suggestions for preventing abuse. Case study approach, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the study. The participants of the study consisted of 7 physical education and sports teachers. In this study, semi-structured interview was used as a data collection tool and the data obtained were analysed by content analysis method. As a result of the research, the opinions of physical education and sport teachers were grouped under four categories: types of abuse, signs of abuse, areas open to abuse and suggestions for preventing abuse. Types of abuse were divided into 4 subcategories as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The types of abuse were determined as hitting by the teacher, performance pressure, nicknaming the student, secretly watching, making fun of each other's bodies, ignoring the students' desire to participate in competitions, and neglecting their nutritional needs in tournaments. Symptoms of abuse include quitting the branch, temper tantrums, unkempt appearance, need for love and attention, withdrawal and desire to be alone. Areas open to abuse were identified as changing rooms, out-of-school activities, toilets, areas not seen by the camera, basements and empty classrooms. Suggestions for preventing abuse include educational programmes, physical environment safety and ensuring safety in sports activities. Teachers emphasised that university level courses should be added to increase child protection awareness in the field of sport and in-service trainings should be organised for existing educators.

Virtual reality training combined with physical therapy program for children with tibial eminence fracture: a randomized controlled trial

Background. Tibial eminence fracture is an injury referred to the interarticular portion of the neighbouring plateau of the tibia. Non-operative treatment is recommended for type I and II. The study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) training combined with a physical therapy program (PTP) in the management of children after tibial eminence fractures. Methods. Forty eight children suffering from tibial eminence fracture (type I and type II). Their age ranged from 7 to 14 years old. The control group (G1) received only a physiotherapy program (PTP) and the experimental group (G2) received the same PTP plus virtual reality (VR) in form of Wii Sport Training. Both groups received the treatment protocol for six successive months (3 sessions per week). Participants were assessed before and after the treatment for six successive months. The outcomes were range of motion (ROM) of knee joint using goniometry, knee pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and balance by Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). Results. Post-treatment, there was a a statistically substantial difference in pain, PBS, knee flexion and extension ROM in both groups (P-value < 0.05). Also, there was a statistically substantial difference in PBS and knee flexion ROM between the two groups (P-value < 0.05), favouring the VR group. Conclusions. These findings from this study reveal the value of physical therapy combined with VR in the rehabilitation of children with tibial eminence fractures. Virtual reality used in conjunction with PTP enhances those children’s knee range of motion and body stability.

Virtual reality training combined with physical therapy program for children with tibial eminence fracture: a randomized controlled trial

Background. Tibial eminence fracture is an injury referred to the interarticular portion of the neighbouring plateau of the tibia. Non-operative treatment is recommended for type I and II. The study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) training combined with a physical therapy program (PTP) in the management of children after tibial eminence fractures. Methods. Forty eight children suffering from tibial eminence fracture (type I and type II). Their age ranged from 7 to 14 years old. The control group (G1) received only a physiotherapy program (PTP) and the experimental group (G2) received the same PTP plus virtual reality (VR) in form of Wii Sport Training. Both groups received the treatment protocol for six successive months (3 sessions per week). Participants were assessed before and after the treatment for six successive months. The outcomes were range of motion (ROM) of knee joint using goniometry, knee pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and balance by Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). Results. Post-treatment, there was a a statistically substantial difference in pain, PBS, knee flexion and extension ROM in both groups (P-value < 0.05). Also, there was a statistically substantial difference in PBS and knee flexion ROM between the two groups (P-value < 0.05), favouring the VR group. Conclusions. These findings from this study reveal the value of physical therapy combined with VR in the rehabilitation of children with tibial eminence fractures. Virtual reality used in conjunction with PTP enhances those children’s knee range of motion and body stability.

THE HISTORY OF USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS

This article examines the historical development and implementation of information technologies in physical education and sports. Through comprehensive analysis of scientific literature and online sources, the study explores early innovations in computer programs and software applications designed for biomechanical analysis, monitoring of physical condition, training modeling, and individualized program creation in sports and fitness. Key contributions from researchers at the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine are highlighted, including significant developments in posture analysis, foot diagnostics, and video-based motion capture systems. The paper thoroughly reviews specialized software for professional bodybuilding, aqua aerobics, family health management, and student physical education, demonstrating the breadth of applications across various domains. A detailed classification system for information technologies in physical culture and sports is presented, categorizing applications by areas such as sports training, physical education, and rehabilitation. The research demonstrates the widespread adoption of information technologies across diverse aspects of physical education and sports, enabling sophisticated biomechanical assessments, comprehensive physical state monitoring, advanced training simulations, and personalized program development. The authors conclude that information technologies have become integral tools in enhancing physical education and sports practices, with significant potential for further implementation in higher education curricula. The study also emphasizes the need for continued research and development in this rapidly evolving field, particularly in areas such as virtual reality applications and mobile technologies for promoting physical activity and health.

INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR DATA PROCESSING IN SPORTS USING THE RANDOM FOREST METHOD

A huge amount of data is collected and generated in modern sports. This data can be used to improve athletes' performance, make more informed coaching and strategic decisions, and increase fan engagement. However, processing, analyzing, and interpreting this data can be challenging. This article is devoted to the development of an information system for data processing in the sports sector using the random forest method. The system aims to ensure efficient collection, processing, and analysis of large amounts of data generated during sports competitions, training, and interaction with fans and other stakeholders. Research methods. This article proposes an information system (IS) for data processing in the sports industry using the Random Forest (RF) method. As one of the machine learning methods, it is well suited for working with large amounts of data and complex classification and prediction tasks. The proposed IS consists of three main components. The data collection module accumulates data from various sources such as sensors, GPS trackers, websites, and social networks. The data processing module cleans, normalizes, and transforms the data to prepare it for analysis. The data analysis module uses the RF method to analyze data, predict outcomes, identify patterns, and make decisions. The conducted research has shown that the proposed IS can be an effective tool for predicting the results of sports competitions with high accuracy, identifying patterns in the data that can be useful for coaches and athletes to improve their training and strategy, personalizing training programs and recommendations for athletes, increasing the level of fan engagement by providing them with personalized content and forecasts. The proposed IS based on the random forest method is a powerful tool for processing and analyzing data in the sports industry. Its use can lead to improved athletes' performance, more informed coaching and strategic decisions, and increased fan engagement. One of the most powerful and accurate machine learning methods, the random forest method, allows for reliable analysis and forecasting based on various types of data, including player statistics, match results, physiological indicators, and fan behavior data. The article describes the stages of creating an information system: from data collection to data processing, storage, and analysis.