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  • New

    The National Institutes of Health now recognizes CTE as a progressive brain disease that can cause dementia and that is caused in part by repetitive head impacts (RHI). Research-to-date suggests CTE the odds of developing CTE are associated with exposure to RHI. However, education about CTE is not yet institutionalized for athletic trainers, coaches, athletes, or parents, and CTE risk reduction is not prioritized.

    Hosted by NATA in Collaboration with the Concussion & CTE Foundation
    Recorded Live on July 30, 2026 

    On-Demand Recording Now Available!


    Abstract:
    The National Institutes of Health now recognizes CTE as a progressive brain disease that can cause dementia and that is caused in part by repetitive head impacts (RHI). Research-to-date suggests CTE the odds of developing CTE are associated with exposure to RHI. However, education about CTE is not yet institutionalized for athletic trainers, coaches, athletes, or parents, and CTE risk reduction is not prioritized. 

    This course will provide athletic trainers with the latest updates on CTE research, provide a foundation for serving as CTE community educators, and provide actionable steps athletic trainers can take to implement CTE risk reduction within their professional practice.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Summarize the current state of CTE research, including the NIH’s recognition of CTE as a progressive brain disease caused in part by repetitive head impacts (RHI), and explain the neuropathological criteria used to diagnose CTE. 
    • Identify evidence-based strategies for reducing repetitive head impact exposure in sport, including contact limitation protocols and rule modifications, and apply these strategies within their professional practice setting.
    • Demonstrate the ability to educate athletes, coaches, and parents about CTE risk factors, early warning signs of chronic neurological disease, and the importance of head impact reduction as part of a comprehensive athlete safety program.

    Level:
    Advanced

    Domain(s):
    Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
    Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis 
    Domain 5: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility

    CEUs:
    1.0 Category A

    Keywords:
    CTE, dementia, brain injury, head impact

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

  • New

    Organizational conflict can occur for athletic trainers due to competing priorities between clinicians and other stakeholders (coaches, players, parents, etc.). Work-family conflict can also occur due to the requirements of working in athletics. Pressure to make clinical decisions and work-family conflict have been shown to affect job status and quality of life previously. Therefore, it is critical for clinicians to learn conflict management strategies to successfully mitigate stress.

    This presentation is a replay from NATA 2024 in New Orleans, providing another opportunity to access its valuable content and insights.

    Abstract:
    Organizational conflict can occur for athletic trainers due to competing priorities between clinicians and other stakeholders (coaches, players, parents, etc.). Work-family conflict can also occur due to the requirements of working in athletics. Pressure to make clinical decisions and work-family conflict have been shown to affect job status and quality of life previously. Therefore, it is critical for clinicians to learn conflict management strategies to successfully mitigate stress.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Summarize the literature exploring organizational conflict in athletic training practice settings.
    • Summarize the literature exploring work-family and family-work conflict in athletic training practice settings.
    • Discuss strategies to mitigate organizational conflict in athletic training practice settings.
    • Discuss strategies to mitigate work-family and family-work conflict in athletic training practice settings.

    Level:
    Advanced

    Domain(s):
    Domain 5: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility

    CEUs:
    1.0 Category A

    Keywords:
    conflict resolution; burnout; stress

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Tom Bowman, PhD, ATC

    Tom Bowman, PhD, ATC

    Dr. Tom Bowman is a Professor of Athletic Training and Director of the University Research Center at the University of Lynchburg. He joined the university in 2004 and has dedicated his career to advancing research and education in athletic training. His work focuses on head and neck injury in sport, protective equipment performance, and professional socialization within the field.

    A Fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Dr. Bowman brings extensive expertise in concussion management, emergency response in equipment-intensive sports, and research design and statistics. His passion for evidence-based practice and student development is reflected in his teaching, mentorship, and scholarly contributions to the profession.

    Stephanie Singe, PhD, ATC, FNATA

    Stephanie Singe, PhD, ATC, FNATA

    Dr. Singe is an Associate Professor, and core faculty member of the CAATE accredited athletic training program at the University of Connecticut. Over the last 15 years she has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles on subjects related to work-life balance, professional commitment and retention, and professional socialization. Her work has focused on determining factors that contribute to work-life conflict for the athletic trainer working in a variety of settings as well as strategies that can minimize the negative impact of those conflicts. Dr. Singe’s research efforts have also included gaining an appreciation of the complex and dynamic process on how an athletic trainer gains understanding of their varied roles within the profession as a means to facilitate improved role inductance and continuance.

    She is the lead author on the NATA’s position statement on work-life balance in athletic training, which is currently being written for publication. She is a section editor for the Journal of Athletic Training, serves on the NATAREF scholarship committee, and NATAREF free communication committee. She recently joined the NATA’s research mentor program to help coordinate the program and facilitate mentor-mentee relationships.

    Dr. Singe earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Connecticut, in 2000; her master’s degree in athletic training from the Old Dominion University in 2002; and her doctorate in kinesiology and sports management from the University of Connecticut in 2005.

  • New

    The goal of this presentation is to reach clinicians and update the field with the latest understanding of return-to-play decision-making following knee injury. Clearance is too often based on time from surgery or limb symmetry alone, without fully characterizing muscle capacity, contraction-specific deficits, or psychological readiness. Without objective diagnostic testing, clinicians risk progressing athletes without clearly identifying what deficits remain. This presentation will emphasize measurable performance testing and psychological assessment as essential tools to guide rehabilitation progression, target identified weak links, and support more informed return-to-play decisions.

    Abstract:
    The goal of this presentation is to reach clinicians and update the field with the latest understanding of return-to-play decision-making following knee injury. Clearance is too often based on time from surgery or limb symmetry alone, without fully characterizing muscle capacity, contraction-specific deficits, or psychological readiness. Without objective diagnostic testing, clinicians risk progressing athletes without clearly identifying what deficits remain. This presentation will emphasize measurable performance testing and psychological assessment as essential tools to guide rehabilitation progression, target identified weak links, and support more informed return-to-play decisions.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Describe the limitations of time-based return-to-play criteria following knee injury.
    • Explain how isometric and dynamic strength testing, using available clinical tools, can uncover persistent deficits and should directly guide rehabilitation progression and return-to-play decision-making. 
    • Demonstrate how objective performance deficits should directly inform exercise prescription to address identified “weak links.” 
    • Discuss how to objectively assess psychological readiness and use those data to guide care, referrals, and return-to-play decisions.

    Level:
    Essential

    Domain(s):
    Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy 
    Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis 
    Domain 4: Therapeutic Intervention 

    Orthopedic Domain(s):
    Domain 1: Medical Knowledge
    Domain 2: Procedural Knowledge

    CEUs:
    1.0 Category A

    Keywords:
    Return to play, ACL, knee, strength testing

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Lindsey Lepley, PhD, ATC

    Lindsey Lepley, PhD, ATC

    Dr. Lindsey Lepley is an associate professor of Athletic Training, director of the Comparative Orthopedic Rehabilitation Laboratory, and co-director of the Orthopedic Rehabilitation & Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology. Dr. Lepley’s research program focuses on elucidating the mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle strength, activation, and structure after traumatic joint injury to establish interventions that optimize muscle recovery. To advance clinical practice, her research group utilizes non-invasive animal injury models and human subject research to design, test, and translate new sports medicine strategies from conception to practice. This rare blend of scientific approaches empowers her lab to make fundamental discoveries about musculoskeletal health that can change rehabilitation. This work has received several research awards, is currently funded by NIH/NIAMS, and has been selected for featured presentations at national and international scientific meetings.

  • New

    The consensus statement on concussion in sports highlights the need for tailored approaches in special populations, including athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH). Although concussion rates are comparable to that of athletes who are hearing, baseline neurocognitive, behavioral, and physical performance data of athletes who are D/HoH are limited. Differences in baseline performance of athletes who are D/HoH compared to athletes who are hearing may be due to potential anatomical, sensory, and processing factors. It is crucial for clinicians to understand these potential differences in baseline performance and how baseline outcomes will influence concussion recognition, diagnosis, and return-to-play decisions.

    This presentation is a replay from NATA 2024 in New Orleans, providing another opportunity to access its valuable content and insights.

    Abstract:
    The consensus statement on concussion in sports highlights the need for tailored approaches in special populations, including athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH). Although concussion rates are comparable to that of athletes who are hearing, baseline neurocognitive, behavioral, and physical performance data of athletes who are D/HoH are limited. Differences in baseline performance of athletes who are D/HoH compared to athletes who are hearing may be due to potential anatomical, sensory, and processing factors. It is crucial for clinicians to understand these potential differences in baseline performance and how baseline outcomes will influence concussion recognition, diagnosis, and return-to-play decisions.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Describe Deaf culture and its significance to Deaf sport.
    • Recognize the occurrence of concussions in athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
    • Examine the concussion knowledge and attitudes among athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
    • Describe the anatomical, sensory, and processing variability of athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and their implication on concussion management.

    Level:
    Advanced

    Domain(s):
    Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis

    CEUs:
    1.0 Category A

    Keywords: Disability; Baseline; mTBIa

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Thomas McKnight, MS, LAT, ATC, CES

    Thomas McKnight, MS, LAT, ATC, CES

    Thomas McKnight, MS, LAT, ATC, CES is an Associate Athletic Trainer at Gallaudet University, where he works with the football, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, baseball, and track & field teams. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Biology (with University honors) from Gallaudet in 2010 and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Shenandoah University in 2013. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance at Concordia University Chicago.

    With more than a decade of experience, McKnight has served as an athletic trainer for the USA Men’s Basketball Team at international competitions including the Deaflympic Games and World Championships in Brazil, Bulgaria, and Poland. He also serves on the U.S. Deaf Sports Federation Medical Commission.

    In addition to his clinical work, McKnight has taught at Gallaudet since 2014 as an adjunct professor in biology and physical education, offering courses such as Human Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition, and Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries. He is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the District of Columbia Athletic Trainers’ Association (DCATA). He previously served on the board of the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss (AMPHL).

    Originally from Shirley, Massachusetts, McKnight graduated from The Learning Center for the Deaf (now Marie Philip School) in 2006. He is also an avid disc golfer and helped design Gallaudet’s campus disc golf course in 2023, where he now advises the student disc golf club. He currently resides in Riverdale, Maryland.

    Matthew Brancaleone, PhD, PT, DPT, AT

    Matthew Brancaleone, PhD, PT, DPT, AT

    Dr. Matt Brancaleone is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The Ohio State University and the long-time Medical Coordinator for the OSU Marching Band. A two-time graduate of Central Michigan University (BS in Athletic Training, DPT in Physical Therapy), he went on to complete a Sports Physical Therapy Residency and earn his PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Ohio State.

    His clinical and research interests include musculoskeletal rehabilitation, health and wellness of athletes who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and the physical demands of marching artists. With more than a decade of experience, Dr. Brancaleone brings both academic expertise and practical insight to his teaching.

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  • History of prior injury is the strongest risk factor for future lower extremity injury. In addition, a large portion of secondary injuries occur during the first 2-3 months following return to sport. Thus, there is a gap in determining when an individual is ready to safely return to sport following initial injury. Individuals who pass a comprehensive return to sport testing battery are at lower risk for subsequent injury once returning to sport. As such, the development and utilization of a comprehensive return-to-sport testing battery can help determine one´s readiness to safely return to sport. This presentation will discuss the key components of…

    This presentation is a replay from NATA 2019 in Las Vegas, offering a second chance to experience the event's valuable content and insights.


    Abstract:
    History of prior injury is the strongest risk factor for future lower extremity injury. In addition, a large portion of secondary injuries occur during the first 2-3 months following return to sport. Thus, there is a gap in determining when an individual is ready to safely return to sport following initial injury. Individuals who pass a comprehensive return to sport testing battery are at lower risk for subsequent injury once returning to sport. As such, the development and utilization of a comprehensive return-to-sport testing battery can help determine one´s readiness to safely return to sport. This presentation will discuss the key components of an evidence-based return to sport testing battery following lower extremity injuries.

    Objectives:

    • Participants will be able to describe the changes in injury rates following initial lower extremity injury and subsequent return to sport., 
    • Participants will be able to describe the known risk factors for secondary injury following initial lower extremity injury., 
    • Participants will be able to utilize validated return to sport testing that can determine an individual´s readiness to return to sport., 
    • Participants will be able to discuss the role of training load monitoring and management in the return to sport process following lower extremity injury.

    Level:
    Advanced

    Domains:
    Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy, Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis

    CEUs: 1.0 Category A

    Keywords: knee, injury, lower extremity, return to sport, ankle, leg, testing

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Please note: This course will be retired from our catalog after December 31, 2026, and its content will no longer be accessible. Be sure to download any necessary handouts before this date. Your statement of credit will remain available on the Transcript page, accessible via the left sidebar menu.

    Darin Padua, PhD, ATC

    Darin Padua, PhD, ATC

    Darin A. Padua is the Associate Provost for Academic Operations of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As an academic leader, he works to listen, collaborate, and empower others to work as a team towards our shared mission, vision, and priorities.

    The Joseph Curtis Sloane Distinguished Professor of Exercise and Sport Science, Padua has been a member of UNC’s faculty since 2001. He teaches courses in biomechanics, human anatomy, and kinesiology with a focus on injury risk mitigation and optimizing human performance. Throughout his career, Padua has mentored fellow faculty, along with hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students. He served as chair in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science from 2013 to 2023.

    With more than 25 years of experience, Padua is an internationally recognized scholar and is the Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention (MOTION) Science Institute. His research revolves around prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, such as ACL rupture, by studying the role of movement quality and biomechanics as injury risk factors and intervention targets. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, and his work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. He

    He received the Young Investigator Award by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2006) and was later awarded the O’Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award for the most outstanding sport injury related research paper by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (2008). He attained Fellow status in the National Academy of Kinesiology, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and received the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. His career research achievements were recognized by the by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association with receipt of the Medal for Distinguished Research (2017).

    Padua earned a B.S. in athletic training from San Diego State University, M.A. in exercise and sport science/athletic training from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and PhD in sports medicine from the University of Virginia. Born and raised in Visalia, California, he lives with his wife Jody and three daughters in Durham, NC.

  • Knee pathologies are common complaints for athletes and active patients presenting to athletic trainers for assessment and intervention, and though often not as complex as other joints in the body (ie, shoulder or hip), can present significant diagnostic challenges when imaging techniques are not readily or immediately available. Common traumatic disorders of the knee include forces that impact the menisci, ligaments, bones, and associated joints (ie, patellofemoral, tibiofemoral), while overuse injuries involving the patellofemoral joint, surrounding tissues (ie, IT Band), patellar tendon and tibiofemoral joint can challenge the unsuspecting diagnostician, as well. Undiagnosed, or improperly diagnosed knee conditions can also lead to lifelong disability and/or profound decreases in…

    Abstract:
    Knee pathologies are common complaints for athletes and active patients presenting to athletic trainers for assessment and intervention, and though often not as complex as other joints in the body (ie, shoulder or hip), can present significant diagnostic challenges when imaging techniques are not readily or immediately available. Common traumatic disorders of the knee include forces that impact the menisci, ligaments, bones, and associated joints (ie, patellofemoral, tibiofemoral), while overuse injuries involving the patellofemoral joint, surrounding tissues (ie, IT Band), patellar tendon and tibiofemoral joint can challenge the unsuspecting diagnostician, as well. Undiagnosed, or improperly diagnosed knee conditions can also lead to lifelong disability and/or profound decreases in health-related quality of life and functional enjoyment. Unsuspecting or inexperienced clinicians in all branches of sports medicine, if not careful can naively rely on special test results in isolation, or upon medical imaging for a working or final diagnosis, which includes false positive and negative results, increases overall healthcare costs, and/or cause unnecessary delays in treatment or return to participation. Experts in medical research have confirmed that accurate diagnoses come from the history portion of the exam in over 80 to 90% of cases and that individual physical exam test results should be viewed with suspicion in isolation. The focus of this presentation is to present the athletic training profession a review of physical examination special tests for common knee injuries and conditions, while also introducing or reviewing the evidence behind each test's respective diagnostic accuracy. In so doing, an overview of diagnostic accuracy terms and principles will be presented, followed by available diagnostic accuracy dates for each test presented in order for clinicians to become more aware of the strengths and limitations of tests commonly used to help assess athletic injuries of the knee.

    Objectives:

    • Participants will be able to state the fundamental principles and terms associated with diagnostic accuracy of physical examination tests, including sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, positive and negative predictive values, and overall utility scores., 
    • Participants will be able to identify the most useful, evidence-based physical examination tests for assessing various conditions of the knee., 
    • Participants will be able to recognize and incorporate the best-evidence tests in times of acute and chronic assessment of common knee injuries., 
    • Participants will be able to apply use of pooled tests in order to more accurately assess various orthopedic conditions of the knee in athletes and active patients.

    Level:
    Advanced

    Domains:
    Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis

    CEUs:
    1.25 Category A

    Keywords: knee, orthopedic, menisci, ligaments, bones, joints, patellofemoral, tibiofemoral

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Please note: This course will be retired from our catalog after December 31, 2026, and its content will no longer be accessible. Be sure to download any necessary handouts before this date. Your statement of credit will remain available on the Transcript page, accessible via the left sidebar menu.

    Paul Geisler, EdD, AT Ret.

    Paul Geisler, EdD, AT Ret.

    Associate Dean Geisler is a native of Lakeville, MA and current resident of Boston, MA. A certified athletic trainer since 1987 with over 15 years of varied clinical practice and 23 years' experience directing athletic training education programs at Georgia Southern University and Ithaca College. He is deeply interested in the development and assessment of the medico-clinical thinking processes of novice and experienced clinicians, the development of adaptive expertise in clinicians, progressive curriculum design, capability-based education, and meaningful programmatic assessment. He has over 170 national and international presentations and publications on clinical and educational based subjects in athletic training and health professions education to his credit. He is a member of the European Board of Medical Assessors, and past member of the Association of Medical Education, Europe.

    As a scholar, he is the recipient of two manuscript awards from the Journal of Athletic Training and the Athletic Training Education Journal. For his many professional contributions, he has been the recipient of the NATA Athletic Training Service Award and NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. As an educator, he was awarded the NATA Executive Council on Education's Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award in 2021 and has received two Dean's Awards for Excellence & Innovation in Teaching, a Dean's Excellence Award for Diversity and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning, and the all college Faculty Excellence Award, all from Ithaca College.

    He admits to being an enthusiastic but slow road cyclist, an amateur shutterbug of nature and wonder, an aspiring wine snob and amateur foodie, and an unabashed promoter of equal rights, freedom, justice, and authentic democracy for all living beings. Susan, his life partner and wife of 34 years and he are fulfilled parents of two amazing young men – Nicholas, a writer living in Los Angeles, CA and Benjamin, a photographer and artist living in Brooklyn, NY.

  • The focus of this presentation is to present the most current clinical recognition strategies for evaluating ankle sprains and linking these strategies to the identification of those who are at the highest risk for developing CAI.

    Abstract:
    The focus of this presentation is to present the most current clinical recognition strategies for evaluating ankle sprains and linking these strategies to the identification of those who are at the highest risk for developing CAI.

    Objectives:

    • Participants will be able to summarize the recommendations of the NATA Position Statement on the Conservative Management and Prevention of Ankle Sprains in Athletes within the context of Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis., 
    • Participants will be able to identify the most important evidence-based key features associated with lateral ankle sprain recognition., 
    • Participants will be able to incorporate the emerging evidence of patient- and clinician-oriented outcome measures for identifying those at risk for developing chronic ankle instability., 
    • Participants will be able to make use of the outcome measures discussed in the presentation, including the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool, the weight-bearing lunge test, the single limb balance test, and the star excursion balance test, within their clinical practice.


    Level:
    Advanced

    Domains:
    Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis

    CEUs:
    1.0 Category A

    Keywords: ankle, sprain, instability, diagnosis, lateral ankle sprain, balance test

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Please note: This course will be retired from our catalog after December 31, 2026, and its content will no longer be accessible. Be sure to download any necessary handouts before this date. Your statement of credit will remain available on the Transcript page, accessible via the left sidebar menu.

    Patrick McKeon, PhD, ATC, CSCS

    Patrick McKeon, PhD, ATC, CSCS

    Dr. Patrick McKeon is a BOC certified athletic trainer who joined the Ithaca College Athletic Training faculty in 2013. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Springfield College in Springfield, MA;  his Master of Science degree in Sports Health Care from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Phoenix, AZ (now in Mesa, AZ); and his PhD in Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He has held several positions as a clinical athletic trainer including Pearl River High School, Canisius College, and Marist College in New York, as well as Phoenix College and Brophy College Preparatory in Arizona.

    SCHOLARLY/RESEARCH INTERESTS
    Dr. McKeon’s research focuses on functional alterations associated with lower extremity joint injury. He incorporates patient-, clinician-, and laboratory-oriented outcomes to evaluate these alterations due to injury. Dr. McKeon also seeks to develop a greater understanding of the restoration of function associated with rehabilitation.  He aims to provide insight into effective clinical interventions for the sports medicine clinician to improve functional outcomes and enhance prevention strategies for patients who suffer lower extremity injury.  

    EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS
    Dr. McKeon's educational focus centers on evidence-based practice concepts and clinical reasoning theory. Within the courses he teaches, Dr. McKeon strives to instill a strong foundation in the integration of internal and external evidence for enhancing decisions related to the recognition, rehabilitation, and prevention of injuries/illnesses associated with athletic training clinical practice.

    PERSONAL
    Dr. McKeon enjoys spending his free time with his family and friends seeking out great life experiences. His wife, Dr. Jennifer McKeon is the IC Athletic Training Program Director and a faculty member in the Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training. They have two children (Bobby and Mallory) who are also proud to be Bombers!

  • The complex design of the glenohumeral joint, which is comprised of multiple structures with varying orientations and attachments, makes it challenging to provide an accurate diagnosis in an injured shoulder. Adding to the difficulty, there are many components within the clinical shoulder examination that provide important information on both a macro (history, range of motion, manual muscle testing, special/stress testing, etc.) and micro (specific questions, directions, movements, and maneuvers within each macro component) level. Research has been scattered regarding the value of the shoulder examination components for diagnosing specific injuries with information being simultaneously supportive and…

    Abstract:
    The complex design of the glenohumeral joint, which is comprised of multiple structures with varying orientations and attachments, makes it challenging to provide an accurate diagnosis in an injured shoulder. Adding to the difficulty, there are many components within the clinical shoulder examination that provide important information on both a macro (history, range of motion, manual muscle testing, special/stress testing, etc.) and micro (specific questions, directions, movements, and maneuvers within each macro component) level. Research has been scattered regarding the value of the shoulder examination components for diagnosing specific injuries with information being simultaneously supportive and critical of similar components. Of greater importance, a comprehensive approach has been advocated as the superior method of examination suggesting that no one area provides concrete information for diagnosticians. Although a comprehensive approach has been recommended, there is conflicting information regarding the effectiveness of special testing maneuvers for diagnosing specific types of shoulder injury. Practicing clinicians currently perform a comprehensive examination to varying degrees, comprised of a multitude of tests and maneuvers but there is no established set of core components for the special testing component. Thus, it would be beneficial for practicing clinicians to be provided a summary detailing the shoulder special tests that can provide reasonable information which can assist clinicians in making diagnoses of common injuries.

    Objectives:

    • Participants will be able to list the definitions of diagnostic accuracy statistics (sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, accuracy, and predictive values), 
    • Participants will be able to identify the special tests that have the best clinical utility for diagnosing rotator cuff injury, labral injury, acromioclavicular joint injury, and glenohumeral instability, 
    • Participants will be able to identify the special tests that have stronger clinical utility when combined with other examination components (patient history, range of motion, manual muscle testing, etc.)

    Level:
    Advanced

    Domains:
    Domain 2: Assessment Evaluation and Diagnosis

    CEUs:
    0.75 Category A

    Keywords: shoulder, range of motion, rotator cuff, labral injury, glenohumeral, instability, diagnostic, testing, examination

    Enhanced Access On-Demand Course Expiration:
    Access to this course will expire at the end of the membership year on December 31 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
    For full details, refer to the Expiration Date Policy on our FAQ page.

    Aaron Sciascia, PhD, LAT, ATC, PES

    Aaron Sciascia, PhD, LAT, ATC, PES

    Aaron is the Clinical Outcomes and Research Director at Lexington Clinic. He previously served as an associate professor for Eastern Kentucky University's CAATE-accredited Master’s in Athletic Training program and spent 13 years as the coordinator of the Shoulder Center of Kentucky. He received a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training degree from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Kinesiology degree, graduate certificate in Clinical and Translational Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science, all from the University of Kentucky. He has been previously honored as Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year and with the Award of Merit from the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society and the Founders' Award from the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists (ASSET). Aaron has previously served ASSET as President and holds the distinction of Fellow within the Society. He is also an Affiliate Member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and a Distinguished Fellow of the Athletic Training Academy within the National Academies of Practice. Aaron has produced multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters related to function, evaluation, and treatment of the shoulder and scapula, and he speaks at various venues annually. He has co-edited 2 textbooks and serves as an associate editor for the International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training.