The Weight of War    Comments(0)
Posted on: 5/31/2011

Weight of War: Gear That Protects Also Causes Injurieslink text

Weight of War: Lightening the Load on Soldiers link text

Robbe Hedstrom MS, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, 193rd Infantry Brigade

CPT Travis Robbins DPT, Brigade Surgeon, 193rd Infantry Brigade

No Ground to Give!

Running Shoes    Comments(0)
Posted on: 4/14/2011

While frequent causes of running injuries can be attributed to poor mechanics and overexertion, many others can be traced to the use of innapropriate or worn out shoes. Proper footwear helps counteract stresses placed on muscles, tendons, bones and joints thereby reducing the risk of injuries. Because eveyone's foot is different there is not one perfect running shoe for everyone. Ensure you get the right fit by following these simple procedures.link text

• Follow the link above to Runner's World Online and determine your arch type (low, normal or high)
• Runners with low arches or flat feet are typically prone to soft tissue injuries such as tibial tendinitis (shin splints) and plantar fasciitis. Motion Control Shoes, straight or semi-curved with a dual-density midsole that is harder on the inside are the best choice to provide stability.
• Runners with a normal arch are biomechanically less prone to injury. Stability Shoes, semi-curved with a dual-density midsole coupled with an appropriate training program further reduce the risk of injury.
• Runners with a high arch or rigid foot can be at risk for stress fractures, ankle sprains and lateral lower extremity pain. Cushioned Shoes, curved with a dual-density midsole that is harder on the outside are most appropriate for this foot type.

Mileage Once you have determined your arch type and selected the appropriate shoe, another important step in avoiding inujry is knowing when to replace them. The average running shoe should last between 400 and 600 miles or roughly six months.

Ground Reaction Forces When your feet hit the ground, 3 to 5 times your body weight is transferred through your legs. As a shoe ages, it loses the ability to absorb shock when your foot meets the ground. After the first 50 miles a running shoe loses 15% of its shock absorption capability and after 400 miles, 55% is lost. At this point a runner may be more susceptible to an overuse injury.

Properly fitted and utilized running shoes in conjunction with an appropriate training program can help protect you from many injuries. See your Battalion or Brigade AT/PT Staff for details regarding the above information and please post any comments or questions you may have.

Robbe Hedstrom MS, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, 193rd Infantry Brigade

CPT Travis Robbins DPT, Brigade Surgeon, 193rd Infantry Brigade

No Ground to Give!

Injury Tip of the Week    Comments(0)
Posted on: 4/8/2011

Overexertion Muscle Problems

One constant problem in physical training is overexertion. The body’s reaction to exhaustive workloads is reflected in muscle soreness, decreased joint flexibility and general fatigue. More specific indicators of overexertion are acute muscle soreness, muscle stiffness, delayed muscle soreness and muscle cramping. Stretching before and after exercise plays a vital roll in reducing the effect of these conditions.

Acute-Onset Muscle Soreness

This type of muscle soreness accompanies fatigue and is often resolved when exercise is ceased. It is thought to be the result of lactic acid and potassium that collect in the muscle and stimulate pain receptors.

Delayed Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

This condition related to unaccustomed workloads and occurs 24 to 48 hours after exercise. It is associated with increased muscle tension, stiffness and resistance to stretching. DOMS gradually subsides so that the muscle becomes symptom-free after 3 to 4 days. Static and dynamic stretching is helpful with the prevention and resolution of DOMS.

Muscle Stiffness

This usually does not produce pain. It is the result of fluids that collect in muscle tissue during difficult and long exercise bouts. Light exercise, massage and stretching will assist in its resolution.

Muscle Cramps

The most common cramp is referred to as tonic, in which there is a continuous muscle contraction. It is often caused by the body’s depletion of essential electrolytes through sweating. Proper hydration and stretching can assist with the prevention of tonic cramping. A clonic cramp, which is rare by comparison, is intermittent and caused by nerve irritation.

See your Battalion or Brigade AT/PT Staff for details regarding the above information and please post any comments or questions you may have.

Robbe Hedstrom MS, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, 193rd Infantry Brigade

CPT Travis Robbins DPT, Brigade Surgeon, 193rd Infantry Brigade

No Ground to Give!

Injury Tip of the Week    Comments(0)
Posted on: 3/2/2011

Plantar Fasciitis: As a major support of the arch on the bottom of the foot, the plantar fascia acts similar to a bowstring. It stretches out when the foot is in full contact with the ground and retracts when it is in the air. As a tendon the plantar fascia works as part of a biomechanical complex in conjunction with the calf muscles (gastrocnemius/soleus) and the Achilles Tendon to facilitate walking, running and marching. A number of anatomical and mechanical factors as well as repetitive trauma make the complex susceptible to different sorts of injuries including plantar fasciitis.

• Causes - improper running form, tightness of the gastroc and soleus muscles, lack of proper support in running shoes, stride length, hard running surfaces

• Signs & Symptoms - pain at the back of the arch beneath the heel, often radiates toward the sole of the foot, intense with first few steps of the morning but gradually lessens

• Management - firm arch supports, taping, stretching the calf muscles and big toe, freezing water in a plastic soda bottle and rolling the foot arch over it for massage/pain relieving effect

See your Battalion or Brigade AT/PT Staff for details regarding the above information and please post any comments or questions you may have.

Robbe Hedstrom MS, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, 193rd Infantry Brigade

CPT Travis Robbins DPT, Brigade Surgeon, 193rd Infantry Brigade

No Ground to Give!

The Facts About Athletic Trainers    Comments(5)
Posted on: 2/16/2011

22 Feb 11

Here in the 193rd Infantry Brigade we have 5 certified athletic trainers that serve each of our Battalions as subject matter experts for a variety of injuries including musculoskeletal, heat stress and concussions. Among the services they provide are sick call evaluations, SIT and Cadre Injury Prevention Education and acute injury evaluation and treatment at FTX’s. The following facts about AT’s were put out by the National Athletic Trainers Association and describe the educational and licensure requirements mandatory to become certified. For more information please go to www.nata.org.

1. FACT: Athletic trainers know and practice health care at the highest professional, ethical and quality standards in order to protect the public. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. Members of the NATA must agree to abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics. The Board of Certification Inc. requires that all credential holders abide by the Standards of Practice.

2. FACT: Athletic trainers are regulated and licensed health care workers. Athletic trainers practice under state statutes recognizing them as qualified health care professionals similar to physical therapists, occupational therapists and other health care professionals. Athletic trainers practice under the direction of physicians.

3. FACT: ATs improve patient functional and physical outcomes. Results from a nationwide Medical Outcomes Survey demonstrate that care provided by ATs effects a significant change in all outcome variables measured, with the greatest change in functional outcomes and physical outcomes.

4. FACT: ATs specialize in patient education to prevent injury, re-injury and reduce overall healthcare costs. With proper rehabilitation and evaluation, athletic trainers prevent re-injury. The patient’s standard of care is enhanced, not sacrificed, with ATs.

5. FACT: Athletic trainers are well-known, recognized, qualified health care professionals. ATs are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals and have been part of the American Medical Association’s Health Professions Career and Education Directory for more than 15 years.

6. FACT: All athletic trainers have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Athletic trainers are health care professionals similar to physical, occupational, speech language and other therapists. All certified and/or licensed athletic trainers must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in order to practice athletic training.

7. FACT: Nearly 70 percent of athletic trainers have a master’s or doctoral degree. Athletic trainers are highly educated. Nearly 70 percent of ATC credential holders have a master’s degree or higher advanced degree.

8. FACT: The National Athletic Trainers’ Association represents more than 30,000 members. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), founded in 1950, represents more than 30,000 members of the international profession. Of the total membership, 26,000 are ATs and the remainder are athletic training students.

9. FACT: The following educational content standards are required for athletic training degree programs. Students must receive formal instruction in the following subject matter.

•Human anatomy •Human physiology •Biology •Statistics

•Exercise Physiology •Biomechanics •Chemistry •Risk management and Injury Prevention

•Pathology of injuries and illnesses •Orthopedic clinical examination and diagnosis •Medical conditions and disabilities •Acute care of injuries and illnesses

•Therapeutic modalities and Physics •Conditioning and rehabilitative exercise •Pharmacology

•Psychosocial intervention and referral •Nutritional aspects of injuries and illnesses •Health care administration

Robbe Hedstrom MS, ATC 193rd Certified Athletic Trainer

Travis Robbins, DPT 193rd Brigade Physical Therapist

No Ground to Give!