Posted on

Minnesota Athletic Trainer Outlines RTP Protocol

St. Peter High School athletic trainer Allison Kanaman, responding to growing concerns about concussions and new rules from the Minnesota State High School League, has instituted an extensive return-to-play protocol and treatment program designed to ensure athletes are ready to get back on the field.

“I’m not saying take out the risks and contact in sports,” Kanaman said. “Sports are great for middle school, high school and college athletes. But there are things that we can take control of to prevent the risk of injuries. Obviously we can’t prevent everything, but if we can take the steps to try to reduce the risk and afterward treat it properly.”

 

The biggest thing, says Kanaman, who also serves St. Peter/Le Sueur-Henderson/Tri-City United/Cleveland Bulldogs hockey, is ensuring students report their injuries.

“If they sustain another head injury before the first one heals, then it can lead to more serious life-threatening cognitive issues in the future,” she said.

Athletic trainer helps

LS-H Activities Director Dave Swanberg, who also coached hockey and football, believes athletic trainers are critical in determining when athletes are ready to return to play.

“Athletes want to hurry back to play, their coaches and many times their parents want them to return to action as soon as possible,” Swanberg said. “That’s when your athletic trainer is worth their weight in gold. … They diagnose, treat and aid in our baseline testing. Having a certified athletic trainer is much better than having a coach try and diagnose and/or treat a concussion.”

St. Peter girls soccer coach Karl Larson agrees that an athletic trainer is the key to deciding return to play for any concussed athlete.

“Athletic trainers are medical professionals, and that’s why we have them on the sidelines,” Larson said. “It’s simply too tempting for a coach to put a player back on the field, particularly if the player is good and the stakes of the game are deemed to be significant. It is admittedly difficult for players to sit out … but in the end the players’ long-term well-being outranks any single game victory.”

Before coming to St. Peter two years ago, Kanaman worked three years as a trainer while attending at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where she treated concussions and gave a presentation on the subject.

“It’s easier to spot them now just because of the experience I’ve had,” Kanaman said. “I can usually tell right away.”

Kanaman said 70 to 80 percent of St. Peter student athletes’ head injuries that she’s tested have been concussions.  Football has the highest number of concussions, but is the sport also has the greatest number of athletes.

Time out after a concussion varies. The minimum time out, set by the MSHSL, is five days.

“Everybody experiences concussions differently. That’s why it’s hard to develop a treatment plan and find ways to prevent them. Symptoms are subjective, so we can’t objectively measure them,” said Kanaman.

As a coach, Swanberg has dealt with athletes who’ve been concussed, but the injury is difficult to diagnose.

“The biggest difference is there are no X-rays that can be taken to see exactly what the problem is,” Swanberg said. “The athlete has to be honest and sincere about how they are feeling and let you know exactly what their symptoms are.”

Concussions vary greatly

The symptoms for removal from the game vary, but include headache, fogginess, difficulty concentrating, confusion, difficulty with memory, nausea, tiredness, sensitivity to light and sounds, and mood changes.

“They can be cleared by any medical professionals, which includes a trainer,” Alger said. “So if there’s a trainer on the sidelines, they can go through their protocol. She can clear him there on the spot or say you’re done for the night.”

ImPACT testing is a computerized exam St. Peter and LS-H offers to athletes in partnership with the Mankato Clinic through a grant. The test provides prompt evaluation of a potential head injury/concussion.

“The treatment and diagnosis of concussions is where a lot of progress has been made,” Swanberg said. “We now have better research to help us make informed decisions regarding concussions. We have better access to educational materials and training techniques to teach and properly instruct.”

Kanaman emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment of concussions, and ensuring students aren’t playing again before they’re ready.

“It takes time to heal,” she said, “and your head needs time to heal. People have so many issues with that because they can’t see the injury, and it’s only experienced by the person. But it’s a huge injury. So it needs to be taken seriously.”

Kanaman, who played basketball and volleyball in high school, never got a concussion playing sports, but suffered one in a car accident.

“Experiencing a concussion myself, I can’t imagine somebody playing with one,” Kanaman said. “But they’re experienced differently by everyone. Mine was severe. I had a lot of memory loss. It took my two months before I stopped experiencing symptoms. But some people have one day of rest and they’re good to go again.”

 

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Posted on

St. Peter High School Hires Kanaman

Those attending St. Peter High School sporting events already this fall season have probably noticed the Saints’ student-athletes have a new athletic trainer working with them.

Allison Kanaman began working with the fall sports teams in early August after taking over for Melissa Solberg, who served as the Saints’ athletic trainer the previous two years before moving to the Twin Cities for a new position there.

The following is a Q&A profile of the Saints’ new athletic trainer:

Educational background and previous experience

I graduated from Shiocton High School in May 2010 and began college at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in September 2010.

At UW-Stevens Point I pursued a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Athletic Training and minors in Strength and Conditioning and Psychology. Through the three-year intensive athletic training program, I have completed over 1,200 clinical hours and had the opportunity to work with multiple high school and collegiate teams. In my last year of the athletic training program, I primarily worked with Women’s Soccer and Wrestling, giving me a tremendous amount of experience with these sports.

During my senior year in the athletic training program, the research I conducted, along with three other classmates titled, “The Correlation Between FMS Scores and Athletic Injuries in Collegiate Athletes” was recognized at the prestigious Posters in Rotunda at the state capitol in Madison, WI. This opportunity allowed my group members and I to explain to legislators, state leaders and other supporters of undergraduate research of the importance of identifying and correcting biomechanical deficits to prevent injuries and decrease healthcare costs. Our research was also presented to professors, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other educators at UW-Stevens Point.

Where is your hometown?

I am from Shiocton, Wis., a very small town, about 40 minutes west of Green Bay. I am a huge Packers and Badgers fan. Go Pack, go!

What motivated you to pursue a career in athletic training?

I decided to pursue a career in athletic training for a few different reasons. My first reason is my love of sports. I come from a very sports-oriented family, and couldn’t see myself in a career that didn’t involve sports.

During my junior year of high school I began helping out in my school’s nurse’s office, because we did not have an athletic trainer. During my time caring for other students with various medical needs and injuries, I decided I wanted to also pursue something in the medical field. Once I entered college I decided on the major of athletic training because of my love of sports, my interest in the medical field, information from my cousin who just became a certified athletic trainer and provide help to high schools who didn’t have athletic trainers, such as mine.

As I progressed through the athletic training program I took an interest in kinesiology and human biomechanics. After learning the information in these classes as well as the education I gained from my research, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Exercise Science. By pursuing this degree I will learn more about human movement and proper exercise prescription for optimal performance both for preventative purposes and rehabilitation after injury.

You’ve been on the job for a few weeks now, how are things going for you with your new position here at SPHS?

Thus far I have really enjoyed my time with SPHS. The coaches, athletes and other school staff have been great and have made the transition from student to professional extremely easy. I cannot thank everyone enough for all the help they have given me. Above all, the athletes have been great and fun to work with and I’m excited to continue to work with them.

How many athletic trainers/ Gustavus students will be working with you?

Throughout the year I will have 11 Gustavus athletic training students working with me. The students will be of junior and senior level and will be helping with in all aspects of the career of athletic training. This is a great way for them to gain experience with high school athletes, as well as critique and perfect the skills they have learned. My student, Cassie, has been a huge help and I can’t wait to have the other students join me.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.southernminn.com/st_peter_herald/sports/article_ae026222-efbb-532b-be55-06edf228b7f0.html