High Point University student Emma Zuk, a junior athletic training major, was an invited speaker at the 41st annual Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposium on March 11-12 in Atlanta. Her presentation was a part of the professional programming for athletic trainers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Titled “Understanding the Relationship Between Static Posture and Dynamic Motion: Clinical Implications for Increased Risk of Knee Injuries,” Zuk’s presentation focused on how factors of the hip contribute to knee injuries, particularly in youth athletes. Research in this area has previously been limited.
Zuk has been collaborating with Dr. Yum Nguyen, associate professor in the Department of Athletic Training, for more than two years. Working with a youth soccer organization in Wilmington, Zuk and Nguyen are collecting data on young athletes as they mature and analyzing the results to develop intervention plans that could potentially lower the risk of ACL injuries.
“The more data we can collect, the clearer the results will be to help with a potential intervention program,” Zuk says. “The opportunity to present at this conference has continued to broaden my experience and future connections. I am extremely grateful to work with Dr. Nguyen and all of the opportunities that have come with participating in research.”
Zuk plans to present her latest work in this area at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association meeting in June. Nguyen says the opportunity to be featured at professional meetings is usually reserved for established researchers and clinicians who have a reputation for expertise in their field.
“Receiving an invitation to present at this professional meeting is an honor and a reflection of Emma’s research accomplishments in the field of sports medicine,” Nguyen says. “I am proud of all Emma’s accomplishments and this invited presentation is evidence that her work and expertise is recognized across the nation.”